Areas of Concentration for WAEC Chemistry 2026: Topics You Must Read to Blast A1
Areas of Concentration for WAEC Chemistry 2026: Topics You Must Read to Blast A1
Let’s be honest for a second. Chemistry isn’t beans.
For many Nigerian science students, this subject is the “terror” of the timetable. You’ve got calculations flying from one side, IUPAC names confusing you from the other, and a Periodic Table that looks like a puzzle. But here’s the secret I tell all my students: you don’t need to be Einstein to pass. You just need to know where to look.
If you are preparing for the exams, knowing the Areas of Concentration for WAEC Chemistry 2026 is the difference between stressing yourself out reading the entire New School Chemistry textbook and studying smart.
I’ve seen students read cover-to-cover and still struggle. Why? Because they focused on the wrong things.
WAEC has a pattern. They have favorite topics they repeat almost every year. If you master these specific areas, you aren’t just hoping for a C; you are positioning yourself for a B2 or an A1.
The “Big 3” Sections You Must Master
Chemistry is wide, but WAEC questions usually fall into three main buckets. If you treat them equally, you might crash. You need to know which one carries the most weight.
1. Physical Chemistry (The Math Part)
This is where the calculations happen. If you hate math, don’t run away. The formulas here are standard. Once you know the formula for Boyle’s Law or Mole Concept, the question is just asking you to slot in figures.
2. Inorganic Chemistry
This is all about the Periodic Table, metals, and non-metals. It requires a bit of memory work, but it’s very straightforward.
3. Organic Chemistry (The Beast)
This is usually the deal-breaker. Many students skip this because it looks complex with all the carbon chains and shapes. Huge mistake. WAEC loves Organic Chemistry in the theory section. If you skip it, you’re already fighting with one hand tied behind your back.
Specific Topics WAEC Loves Setting (The Real “Expo”)
Okay, let’s get into the specifics. Based on the trends we see every year and the syllabus, these are the topics you absolutely cannot joke with.
1. Acids, Bases, and Salts You cannot escape this. Whether it’s in the objective, theory, or practical (titration), this topic will show up. Make sure you understand pH values, neutralization reactions, and the properties of salts.
2. Stoichiometry and Mole Concept This is the heart of chemical calculations. You need to know how to calculate reacting masses and volumes. If you master this, the “Alternative to Practical” paper becomes very easy.
3. Electrolysis Understanding the preferential discharge of ions is key here. Also, don’t forget Faraday’s laws of calculation.
4. Hydrocarbons (Organic Chemistry) Focus on Alkanes, Alkenes, and Alkynes. Learn their general formulas, properties, and how to draw their structures. Also, touch on Alkanols and Alkanoic acids (esterification).
5. Periodic Table and Periodicity Know the trends. How does electronegativity change across the period? What happens to ionization energy down the group? These are usually “free marks” in the objective section.
6. Chemical Equilibrium Le Chatelier’s principle is a frequent guest in WAEC exams. Understand how temperature, pressure, and concentration affect equilibrium.
Just like we advised in our guide on the JAMB syllabus 2026 for Biology topics you must read to score high, the key is focusing on high-frequency topics rather than trying to cram everything at once.
How to Tackle the Practical Paper
The practical aspect scares a lot of people, especially if your school didn’t have a fully equipped lab. But don’t panic.
The Volumetric Analysis (Titration) is standard. You need to know how to read the burette accurately and record your values without “cooking” figures too much. WAEC examiners are smart; they know when you just invented numbers.
For Qualitative Analysis (Salt Analysis), memorize your test for gases and ions. You should know what happens when you add NaOH or Ammonia to a solution.
If you struggle with the practicals, check out resources like Khan Academy’s Chemistry library or the official WAEC e-learning portal which shows past practical questions and how they were marked.
Study Habits That Actually Work for Chemistry
So, how do you actually study this stuff without falling asleep?
Don’t Just Read, Solve. Chemistry is not a novel. You can’t lie on your bed and just flip pages. You need a pen and paper. For every topic you read, solve at least 5 past questions related to it.
Understand, Don’t Cram. I mentioned this before. There are students who belong to the “Cram and Pour” gang. In Chemistry, that is dangerous. If WAEC twists the question slightly, you will be stranded. Try to understand why a reaction is happening.
Use the Feynman Technique. This is a fancy way of saying “teach it to someone else.” If you can explain ‘Hybridization’ to your friend and they understand it, then you truly know it. We often say hard work is more important than talent, and nowhere is this truer than in science subjects.
Start Early. Don’t wait until two weeks before the exam. The syllabus is huge. If you start now, you can cover these areas of concentration comfortably.
Your A1 is Possible
Passing Chemistry isn’t about luck or magic. It’s about strategy.
Focus on these areas of concentration for WAEC Chemistry 2026. Practice your calculations until they feel like second nature. Don’t run away from Organic Chemistry.
And remember, once you are done with WAEC, the next hurdle is JAMB. You might want to check out how to generate your profile code for JAMB so you are ready for the next phase of your academic journey.
You’ve got this. Go blast that paper.
