WAEC Syllabus / Core / 2026
WAEC Mathematics Syllabus
Every examinable topic area in WAEC / WASSCE Mathematics, with the scheme of examination and answers to common questions — compiled topic by topic by waeccbt.com for school (SSCE) and private (GCE) candidates. Read it here, or download the free Mathematics syllabus PDF.
How the WAEC Mathematics papers work
Paper 1 — 50 multiple-choice objective questions · 1 hour 30 minutes · 50 marks. Drawn from the common areas of the syllabus. Paper 2 — 13 essay questions in two sections · 2 hours 30 minutes · 100 marks. Answer 10 questions in all. Section A: 5 compulsory elementary questions for 40 marks. Section B: answer 5 of 8 longer, harder questions for 60 marks; up to two Section B questions may come from parts of the syllabus outside your home country's curriculum. Non-programmable, silent, cordless calculators are allowed — phones are banned even if they have calculators, and some questions may prohibit calculators or tables outright.
WAEC Mathematics syllabus topics
These are the examinable topic areas. Every one of them is covered by the 1,000-question Mathematics practice bank — finish a topic, then test it under the clock.
1. Number and numeration
- Number bases (conversion, addition, subtraction, multiplication)
- Modular arithmetic and everyday applications (market days, clock, shifts)
- Fractions, decimals, approximations and significant figures
- Indices and standard form (scientific notation)
- Logarithms: rules, tables and antilogarithms
- Sequences and series — AP (with sum) and GP (nth term only, no sum)
- Sets: union, intersection, complement, Venn diagrams up to 3 sets
- Logical reasoning: statements, negation, implication
- Positive and negative integers, rational numbers
- Surds: simplification and rationalisation
- Matrices and determinants (up to 3×3 identification; determinants and simultaneous equations restricted to 2×2)
- Ratio, proportion and rates (taxes, VAT, exchange, speed, density)
- Percentages: simple and compound interest (max 3 years), profit and loss, depreciation, hire purchase, percentage error
- Financial arithmetic: depreciation/amortisation, annuities, shares, bonds and debentures
- Variation: direct, inverse, partial and joint
2. Algebraic processes
- Forming and evaluating algebraic expressions
- Expansion and factorisation; difference of two squares
- Binary operations on real numbers
- Linear equations in one variable; simultaneous equations in two variables (elimination, substitution, graphical)
- Change of subject of a formula and substitution
- Quadratic equations: factorisation, completing the square, formula; forming equations from given roots
- Graphs of linear and quadratic functions; roots, maximum and minimum points, axis of symmetry; tangents to determine gradient
- Linear inequalities in one and two variables; linear programming applications (maximum profit, minimum cost)
- Algebraic fractions with monomial and binomial denominators; values for which a fraction is undefined
- Functions and relations: one-to-one, one-to-many, mapping and rules
3. Mensuration
- Lengths and perimeters; Pythagoras' theorem; sine and cosine rules for distances
- Arcs of circles, perimeters of sectors and segments
- Longitudes and latitudes: distances along parallels and meridians
- Areas of triangles (½bh and ½ab sinC), quadrilaterals, circles, sectors, segments and compound shapes; areas of similar figures
- Surface areas of cubes, cuboids, cylinders, cones, pyramids, prisms and spheres
- Volumes of solids and compound solids; volumes of similar solids
4. Plane geometry
- Angles at a point, on a straight line, vertically opposite angles
- Angles on parallel lines: alternate, corresponding, interior opposite; intercept theorem
- Triangles and polygons: angle sums, exterior angles, congruency, similarity; interior angle sum (n−2)180°
- Circle theorems: angle at centre, angle in semicircle, same segment, cyclic quadrilaterals, tangent–radius, alternate segment
- Construction: bisectors, perpendiculars, standard angles (90°, 60°, 45°, 30° and combinations), triangles and quadrilaterals
- Loci: distances from points and lines, equidistance, and their intersections
5. Coordinate geometry of straight lines
- Midpoint and distance between two points
- Gradient of a line; equations y = mx + c and y − y₁ = m(x − x₁)
6. Trigonometry
- Sine, cosine, tangent of acute angles; special angles 30°, 45°, 60° without tables
- Ratios of angles from 0° to 360°; graphs of sine and cosine
- Angles of elevation and depression; heights and distances
- Bearings: three-figure notation, distances and angles
7. Introductory calculus
- Differentiation of algebraic functions; gradient of a curve; maxima, minima and rates of change
- Integration of simple algebraic functions; simple definite integrals
8. Statistics and probability
- Frequency distributions; class intervals, marks and boundaries
- Pie charts, bar charts, histograms and frequency polygons
- Mean, median and mode for discrete and grouped data
- Cumulative frequency curves (ogive); quartiles and percentiles
- Measures of dispersion: range, inter-quartile range, mean deviation, variance, standard deviation
- Experimental and theoretical probability; addition rule for mutually exclusive events; multiplication rule for independent events
9. Vectors and transformations
- Vectors as directed line segments; components, magnitude, addition, scalar multiplication, parallel and equal vectors
- Reflection, rotation, translation and enlargement in the Cartesian plane; mirror lines, angle of rotation, scale factors
WAEC Mathematics — frequently asked questions
How many questions are in WAEC Mathematics Paper 1?
Paper 1 has 50 multiple-choice questions to be answered in 1 hour 30 minutes for 50 marks. That is under two minutes per question, so timed practice matters as much as knowing the topics.
How many questions do I answer in Mathematics Paper 2?
Ten out of thirteen. All five short compulsory questions in Section A (40 marks), then any five of the eight longer questions in Section B (60 marks). The paper lasts 2 hours 30 minutes.
Is a calculator allowed in WAEC Mathematics?
Yes — a non-programmable, silent, cordless calculator. Phones are banned completely, and a few questions may say tables or calculators must not be used, so practise both ways.
What topics come up most in WAEC Mathematics?
Algebra, mensuration, plane geometry, trigonometry and statistics/probability appear every single year, and Paper 1 spreads across the whole syllabus. Nothing on the syllabus is safe to skip entirely.
Is Mathematics compulsory in WASSCE?
Yes. It is a core subject for every candidate, and a credit (C6 or better) is required for admission into almost every tertiary course in Nigeria.
Does WAEC Mathematics include calculus?
Yes — introductory calculus is on the syllabus: differentiation of algebraic functions, simple integration, and applications like maximum, minimum and rates of change.
What instruments should I bring to the Mathematics exam?
A ruler, a pair of compasses, a protractor and set squares, plus your calculator. You will not be allowed to borrow from other candidates in the hall.
waeccbt.com is an independent study site, not affiliated with WAEC. This topic map is compiled and worded by waeccbt.com from the official scheme; it is not an official WAEC document.