The WAEC syllabus for Chemistry is the topic you must study to sit for the examination. It contains the aims and objectives, notes and format for the Chemistry exam.
Studying the Chemistry syllabus is necessary for your exam preparation. It will serve as a guide for you to know the topics to read. There are also notes on concepts you should pay attention to learning.
Exam preparations without using the Chemistry syllabus are like going to the farm without your agricultural tools. You will end up not being productive.
Ensure you begin your exam preparations using the syllabus.
This post contains the Chemistry syllabus and recommended textbooks of the West African Examination Council (WAEC).
Let me know in the comment section if you have any questions. I will love to hear from you.
Table of contents
- WAEC Syllabus for Chemistry
- Aims
- Examination Scheme
- WAEC Chemistry Syllabus
- Introduction to Chemistry
- Structure of the Atom
- Standard Separation Techniques for Mixtures
- Periodic Chemistry
- Chemical Bonds
- Stoichiochemistry and Chemical Reactions
- States of Matter
- Energy and Energy Changes
- Acid, Bases and Salts
- Solubility of Substances
- Chemical Kinetics and Equilibrium System
- REDOX Reactions
- Chemistry of Carbon Compounds
- Chemistry, Industry and the Environment
- Basic Biochemistry and Synthetic Polymers
- WAEC Chemistry Practicals
- WAEC Chemistry Textbooks
WAEC Syllabus for Chemistry
This syllabus is drawn purposely for examination, hence the topics are not necessarily arranged in the order in which they should be taught.
The following assumptions were made in drawing of the syllabus:
- That candidate must have covered the Integrated Science/Basic Science or General Science and Mathematics syllabuses at the Junior Secondary School (JSS)/Junior High School (J.H.S) level;
- That candidate would carry out as many of the suggested activities and project work as possible, and consequently develop the intended competencies and skills as spelt out in the relevant Chemistry teaching syllabuses;
- That schools which offer the subject have well-equipped laboratories.
Note: Candidates are required to have knowledge of the significant figures, S.I. units and the conventional/IUPAC system of nomenclature.
Aims
The aims and objectives of the syllabus are to assess candidates’
- understanding of basic chemistry concepts;
- level of acquisition of laboratory skills including awareness of hazards and safety measures;
- level of awareness of the inter-relationship between chemistry and another discipline;
- level of awareness of the linkage between chemistry and industry/environment/everyday life in terms of benefits and hazards;
- skills of critical and logical thinking.
Examination Scheme
There shall be three papers – Papers 1, 2 and 3 all of which must be taken.
Paper 1 and 2 shall be composite papers to be taken in one sitting.
Paper 1
Will consist of fifty multiple-choice objective questions drawn from Section A of the syllabus (ie the portion of the syllabus which is common to all candidates).
Candidates will be required to answer all the questions within 1 hour for 50 marks.
Paper 2
It will be a 2-hour essay paper covering the entire syllabus and carrying 100 marks. The paper will be in two sections; Sections A and B.
Section A
Will consist of ten short structured questions drawn from the common portion of the syllabus. (i.e. Section A of the syllabus).
Candidates will be required to answer all the questions for 25 marks.
Section B
Will consist of two questions from the common portion of the syllabus (i.e. Section A of the syllabus) and two other questions from the section of the syllabus which is peculiar to the country of the candidate (i.e. either Section B or C of the syllabus).
Candidates will be required to answer any three of the questions. Each question shall carry 25 marks.
Paper 3
This shall be a 2-hour practical test for school candidates or 1 hour 30 minutes alternative to a practical work test for private candidates.
Each version of the paper shall contain three compulsory questions and carry 50 marks.
The questions shall be on the following aspects of the syllabus:
- One question on quantitative analysis;
- One question on qualitative analysis;
The third question shall test candidates’ familiarity with the practical activities suggested in their teaching syllabuses.
WAEC Chemistry Syllabus
Introduction to Chemistry
- Measurement of physical quantities.
- Scientific measurements and their importance in chemistry.
- Scientific Methods
Structure of the Atom
- Gross features of the atom
- Atomic number/proton number, number of neutrons, isotopes, atomic mass, mass number
- Relative atomic mass (Ar) and relative molecular mass (Mr) based on the Carbon-12 scale
- Characteristics and nature of matter.
- Particulate nature of matter: physical and chemical changes
- Electron Configuration
- Orbitals
- Rules and principles for filling in electrons
Standard Separation Techniques for Mixtures
- Classification of mixtures.
- Separation techniques
- Criteria for purity
Periodic Chemistry
- Periodicity of the elements.
- Different categories of elements in the periodic table.
- Periodic law
- Trends on the periodic table
- Periodic gradation of the elements in the third period (Na – Ar)
- Reactions between acids and metals, their oxides and trioxocarbonates (IV)
- Periodic gradation of elements in group seven, the halogens: F, Cl, Br and I
- Elements of the first transition series 21Sc – 30Zn
Chemical Bonds
- Interatomic bonding
- Formation of ionic bonds and compounds.
- Properties of ionic compounds.
- The naming of ionic compounds.
- Formation of covalent bonds and compounds.
- Properties of covalent compounds.
- Coordinate (dative) covalent bonding
- Shapes of molecular compounds.
- Metallic Bonding
- Factors influencing its formation.
- Properties of metals.
- Intermolecular bonding
- Intermolecular forces in covalent compounds
- Hydrogen bonding
- van der Waals forces
- Comparison of all bond types
Stoichiochemistry and Chemical Reactions
- Symbols, formulae and equations.
- chemical symbols
- Empirical and molecular formulae
- Chemical equations and IUPAC names of chemical compounds
- Laws of chemical combination
- Amount of substance
- Mole ratios
- Solutions
- Concentration terms
- Standard solutions.
- Preparation of solutions from liquid solutes by the method of dilution
States of Matter
- Kinetic theory of matter.
- Changes of state of matter.
- Diffusion
- Gases
- Characteristics and nature of gases
- The gas laws
- Laboratory preparation and properties of some gases.
- Liquids
- vapour and gases.
- Solids
- Characteristics and nature
- Types and structures
- Properties of solids.
- Structures, properties and uses of diamond and graphite.
- Determination of melting points of covalent solids.
Energy and Energy Changes
- Energy and enthalpy
- Description, definition and illustrations of energy changes and their effects
Acid, Bases and Salts
- Definitions of acids and bases.
- Physical and chemical properties of acids and bases.
- Acids, bases and salts as electrolytes.
- Classification of acids and bases.
- Concept of pH
- Salts
- Laboratory and industrial preparation of salts
- Uses
- Hydrolysis of salt.
- Deliquescent, efflorescent and hygroscopic compound.
- Acid-Base indicators
- Acid-Base titration
Solubility of Substances
- General principles
- Practical application of solubility
Chemical Kinetics and Equilibrium System
- Rate of reactions:
- Factors affecting rates
- Theories of reaction rates
- Analysis and interpretation of graphs
- Equilibrium:
- General Principle
- Le Chatelier’s principle
REDOX Reactions
- Oxidation and reduction process.
- Oxidizing and reducing agents.
- Redox equations
- Electrochemical cells
- Standard electrode potential
- Drawing of cell diagram and writing cell notation
- e.m.f of cells;
- Application of Electrochemical cells.
- Electrolysis
- Electrolytic cells
- Principles of electrolysis
- Factors influencing discharge of species;
- Faraday’s laws
- Practical application
- Corrosion of metals
Chemistry of Carbon Compounds
- Classification
- Functional group
- Separation and purification of organic compounds.
- Petroleum/crude oil
- Determination of empirical and molecular formulae and molecular structures of organic compounds.
- General properties of organic compounds:
- Homologous series
- Isomerism.
- Alkanes
- Sources, properties
- Uses.
- Alkenes
- Sources and properties
- Uses
- Laboratory detection.
- Alkynes
- Sources, characteristic properties and uses
- Chemical reactions.
- Benzene
- Structure and physical properties;
- Chemical properties
- Alkanols
- Sources, nomenclature and structure;
- Classification
- Physical properties
- Chemical properties
- Laboratory test
- Uses.
- Alkanoic acids
- Sources, nomenclature and structure;
- Physical properties
- Chemical properties
- Laboratory test
- Uses
- Alkanoates as derivatives of alkanoic acids:
- Sources, nomenclature, preparation and structure;
- Physical properties
- Chemical properties
- Uses
Chemistry, Industry and the Environment
- Chemical industry
- Pollution: air, water and soil pollution
- Biotechnology
Basic Biochemistry and Synthetic Polymers
- Proteins:
- Sources and properties
- Uses of protein
- Amino acids
- Fats/oils
- Sources and properties;
- The general structure of fats/oils
- Preparation of soap
- Uses of fats/oils.
- Carbohydrates
- Sources and nomenclature;
- Properties
- Carbohydrates as examples of polymers;
- Uses
- Synthetic polymers:
- Properties;
- Uses of polymers
WAEC Chemistry Practicals
General Skills and Principles
Candidates will be expected to be familiar with the following skills and principles:
- Measurement of mass and volume;
- Preparation and dilution of standard solutions;
- Filtration, recrystallisation and melting point determination;
- Measurement of heats of neutralization and solutions;
- Determination of pH value of various solutions by colorimetry;
- Determination of rates of reaction from concentration versus time curves;
- Determination of equilibrium constants for a simple system.
Quantitative Analysis
Acid-Base Titrations
The use of standard solutions of acids and alkalis and the indicators; methyl orange, methyl red and phenolphthalein to determine the following:
- The concentrations of acid and alkaline solutions;
- The molar masses of acids and bases and water of crystallization.
- The solubility of acids and bases;
- The percentage purity of acids and bases;
- Analysis of Na2CO3/NaHCO3 mixture by double indicator methods (Ghanaians only).
- Stoichiometry of reactions.
Redox Titrations
Titrations of the following systems to solve analytical problems:
- Acidic MnO4– with Fe2+;
- Acidic MnO4– with C2O42-;
- I2 in KI versus S2O32-.
Qualitative Analysis
No formal scheme of analysis is required.
- Characteristic tests of the following cations with dilute NaOH(aq) and NH3(aq); NH4; Ca2+; Pb2+; Cu2+; Fe2+; Fe3+; Al3+; and Zn2+.
- Confirmatory tests for the above cations.
- The characteristic reaction of dilute HCl on solids or aqueous solutions and conc. H2SO4 on solid samples of the following: Cl– ; SO32- ; CO32- ; NO3– and SO42-.
- Confirmatory tests for the above anions
- Comparative study of the halogens; displacement reactions.
- Characteristic tests for the following gases: H2; NH3; CO2; HCl and SO2.
- Characteristic test tube reactions of the functional groups in the following simple organic compounds: Alkenes; alkanols; alkanoic acids, sugars (using Fehling’s and Benedict’s solutions only); starch (iodine test only) and proteins (using the Ninhydrin test, Xanthoporteic test, Biuret test and Millon’s test only).
WAEC Chemistry Textbooks
Here is the list of the WAEC recommended textbooks for Chemistry;
- New School Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, Ababio, O. Y. (2009), (Fourth edition),
- Onitsha: Africana FIRST Publishers Limited.
- Senior Secondary Chemistry, Bajah, S.T.; Teibo, B. O., Onwu, G.; and Obikwere, A. Book 1 (1999), Books 2 and 3 (2000). Lagos: Longman.
- Understanding Chemistry for Schools and Colleges, Ojokuku, G. O. (2012, Revised Edition),
- Zaria: Press-On Chemresources.
- Essential: Chemistry for Senior Secondary Schools, (2008), 2nd Edition, I. A. Odesina, Lagos: Tonad Publishers Limited.
- Countdown to WASSCE/SSCE, NECO, JME Chemistry, Uche, I. O.; Adenuga, I. J. and Iwuagwu, S. L. (2003). Ibadan: Evans.
Is this syllabus, this year 2024, and it is exactly the topics waec will set for us?
Hello Rukevwe,
The syllabus here is up-to-date.
I wish you the best in your exam. Let me know if you have further questions.
Thank you bro… I’m studying for 2024 waec.
Brook,
You’re welcome. Let me know any time you have a question.
I wish you success in your upcoming exam.
Amen
Amen
Yhhh
We’ll get there?
Our results will be great
Wish you all the best.
Thanks for the syllabus, am trying to prepare against next year 2024
Alright, Ayoleyi
I wish you success.
Thanks for the syllables
You’re welcome.
Exam success for me and everybody
Amen.
I wish you success.
Exam success for me and everybody
Amen.
I wish you success.
Amen bro
This article have been something that motivated me to strive to the top.
Divine,
I wish you success in your exams.
to reading these topics to me it confused me……pls can u h we lp????
Hello Wiseman,
What kind of assistance do you need?
Please can we open a group chat on WhatsApp to help each other
Eunice,
You can join my Facebook group using the link below;
https://facebook.com/groups/studentship/
If u study dis syllabus without reading any other topics aside from d syllabus are u going to pass d exam
Yes, Tessy
Questions are not set outside the syllabus.
Thank u Sir ? but will they be helpful??
Yes, Anointed
Definitely, they will be helpful to you in passing your WAEC exams.
Thanks for the update, but are they going to come in this waec
Yes, Azubike
Are this the only topics that will come out in 2023 waec
Yes, Sandra
If I read only dis syllabus is it ok to b prepared for d exam
Yes, Ola
Read all the topics in the syllabus.
I wish you success in your examination.
I m sorry is metal and its compound not necessary ?
It is necessary.
This really helped, thanks a lot?
Just, God bless you!!! ??
Thank you, Zainab.?
i saw chemistry WAEC syllabus and i almost cryed,how will i learn that thing
Hello Tee,
You can go for chemistry lessons, have a tutor and a study group. Before you know it, you’ll be done with the syllable.
Thanks….. For the syllabus
Dear Venatus,
We are pleased to help.
U talked about study group????
Yes, Wasiu,
It is an effective strategy to prepare for your WAEC exams.
Let me know if you have further questions.
I wish you success in your exams.
Please is this the question that I will definitely see in waec?
Yes, Juliet