WAEC Confirms a Major WASSCE Change: Only English and Maths Are Core in 2026–2027 — Two New Subjects Start in 2028

WAEC has clarified one of the biggest sources of confusion surrounding the revised senior secondary curriculum: candidates sitting WASSCE in 2026 and 2027 will have only English Language and General Mathematics as examinable core subjects. Under the current WAEC subject combination 2026 rules, candidates then choose six or seven additional subjects to make a total of at least eight and no more than nine.

The confusion arose because WAEC’s entry regulations also list Citizenship and Heritage Studies Education and Digital Technologies among the four core subjects in the emerging structure. WAEC explains, however, that the two newer subjects require new curricula and examination syllabuses and will therefore not be examined until 2028, after a full period of implementation.

What an SS3 Candidate Should Register in 2026 or 2027

A candidate in the 2026 or 2027 cycle should expect English Language and General Mathematics to be compulsory, then select the remaining subjects according to the intended academic pathway. Science candidates may need combinations involving Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Further Mathematics, Agriculture or Geography. Humanities candidates may require Government, Literature-in-English, Nigerian History, religious studies, languages or arts subjects, while business candidates may combine Accounting, Commerce, Marketing and Economics.

The fact that Citizenship and Heritage Studies Education and Digital Technologies are not yet examinable does not mean schools should ignore them if they are part of the curriculum being taught. WAEC’s notice is specifically about when they enter the examination system. Teaching requirements and examination availability should not be confused.

Students should also remember that eight or nine subjects is a registration range, not a licence to choose subjects randomly. Tertiary courses have specific O’Level requirements. A candidate planning to study Medicine, Engineering, Law, Accounting or another specialised programme should check the exact credit subjects required before WASSCE registration is finalised.

Why This Clarification Matters for Parents and Schools

Parents may hear conflicting advice because the new curriculum describes four core subjects while the current examination cycle permits only two of them to be examined. Schools should explain the transition clearly and avoid registering candidates for combinations that create problems later. Guidance counsellors and examination officers should also help candidates align WAEC subjects with JAMB requirements and future course choices.

WAEC requires candidates to enter and sit for a minimum of eight and a maximum of nine subjects. The current arrangement therefore gives 2026 and 2027 candidates two fixed core papers and six or seven choices from the available subject lists. From 2028, the two new core subjects are expected to enter the examination structure.

The safest interpretation of the WAEC subject combination 2026 rules is therefore straightforward: English Language and General Mathematics are the only examinable core subjects for 2026 and 2027; Citizenship and Heritage Studies Education and Digital Technologies join the examination from 2028.

The complete WAEC 2026–2027 subject structure

WAEC’s current entry regulations require candidates to enter and sit for a minimum of eight and a maximum of nine subjects. During the 2026–2027 transition, only English Language and General Mathematics are examinable as the two core subjects. Citizenship and Heritage Studies Education and Digital Technologies are part of the new core structure but WAEC says they will not be examined until 2028 after full implementation of the new curricula and examination syllabuses.

After English and Mathematics, candidates select six or seven additional subjects. WAEC’s published subject groups currently include:

• Science: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Agriculture, Further Mathematics, Physical Education, Health Education, Foods & Nutrition, Geography and Technical Drawing.
• Humanities: Nigerian History, Government, Christian Religious Studies, Islamic Studies, one Nigerian Language (Hausa/Igbo/Yoruba), French, Arabic, Visual Art, Music, Literature-in-English, Home Management and Catering Craft.
• Business: Accounting, Commerce, Marketing and Economics.
• Trade subjects: Fashion Design and Garment Making, Livestock Farming, Beauty and Cosmetology, Computer Hardware and GSM Repairs, Solar Photovoltaic Installation and Maintenance, Horticulture and Crop Production.

How to choose the six or seven additional subjects intelligently

Start with the intended tertiary course, not with the subjects friends are taking. Search the O’Level requirements for the course and make sure the candidate’s WASSCE subjects cover every compulsory credit. A future Engineering applicant can be harmed by leaving out a science subject that a particular programme requires; a future Law applicant can face the same problem if Literature-in-English or another required subject is missing.

1. Open WAEC’s official entry-regulations page and confirm the currently available subjects.
2. Write down the candidate’s intended course or at least the likely discipline: science/engineering/health, business/management, arts/humanities or another pathway.
3. Check the current JAMB/institution O’Level requirements for that course.
4. Select six or seven additional subjects that satisfy those requirements and keep sensible alternatives open.
5. When the school prints the WAEC photocard, inspect the subject list before the registration window closes. A subject omitted at registration cannot be fixed by simply sitting in the examination hall.

The important transition point is this: schools may teach Citizenship and Heritage Studies Education and Digital Technologies as part of the curriculum even though WAEC is not examining them until 2028. “Not yet examined” is not the same as “not part of school learning.” Candidates should distinguish curriculum implementation from examination availability.