The Arabic language occupies a position of considerable importance among the subjects examined in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

Given its substantial historical, religious, and cultural relevance, proficiency in Arabic facilitates access to advanced academic pursuits in Islamic sciences, linguistics, international relations, and translation studies.

For the 2026/2027 examination cycle, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has sustained a detailed syllabus intended to evaluate candidates' competence in reading, writing, comprehension, and Arabic translation.

This comprehensive guide provides essential information regarding the WAEC Arabic syllabus for 2026/2027, addressing the examination scheme, detailed topic coverage, prescribed literary texts, and effective preparation methodologies.

Overview of the WAEC Arabic Syllabus

The WAEC Arabic syllabus is carefully structured to evaluate candidates' linguistic competence across multiple dimensions. It assumes that candidates have studied Arabic at the secondary school level and have already acquired foundational knowledge of the language. Building upon that foundation, the syllabus tests higher order skills essential for true language proficiency.

These skills include:

  • The ability to comprehend complex texts and extract meaning.
  • The capacity to express ideas clearly and coherently in written Arabic.
  • The skill to translate accurately and idiomatically between Arabic and English or French.
  • The competence to analyse literary works and appreciate their aesthetic and cultural value.

The syllabus is designed not merely to test memorisation, but to assess genuine understanding and the ability to use the Arabic language effectively in varied contexts. It challenges students to move beyond simple translation and engage with the language as a living medium of thought, expression, and cultural transmission.

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WAEC Syllabus 2026/2027 for All Subjects: SSCE & GCE

Aims and Objectives

The syllabus is designed to assess candidates' ability to:

  1. Read and understand Arabic texts of moderate difficulty.
  2. Write clearly and coherently in Arabic on familiar topics.
  3. Translate passages between Arabic and English (or French).
  4. Demonstrate knowledge of Arabic grammar and morphology.
  5. Appreciate selected Arabic literary texts.
  6. Understand aspects of Arabic and Islamic culture as reflected in the language.

Examination Scheme

The WAEC Arabic examination typically consists of multiple papers, including:

Paper 1: 

Oral Arabic (Testing listening comprehension and speaking ability, often through picture description, roleplay, or reading aloud). This section may not be explicitly detailed in all publicly available syllabus outlines, but it is a standard component.

Paper 2:

Essay, Comprehension, Translation, and Lexis & Structure (Written paper covering grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, translation, and composition).

Paper 3: 

Literature (Focusing on prescribed literary texts).

WAEC Arabic Syllabus 2026/2027

SECTIONTOPICS
Reading Comprehension

Understanding passages from modern and classical Arabic

Answering questions based on the text

Drawing inferences and main ideas

Arabic Grammar (Nahw and Sarf)

Verb conjugation and noun adjective agreement

Tenses, plurals, dual forms, and pronouns

Sentence construction and structure

Composition & Essay Writing

Formal and informal letters

Narrative, descriptive, and argumentative essays

Picture based composition

Arabic English & English Arabic Translation

Focus on correct usage, idiomatic expressions, and context

Avoiding literal translation errors

Arabic Literature

Classical and modern prose and poetry

Authors, themes, literary devices

Interpretation and appreciation

Islamic Texts (For candidates taking Arabic for religious purposes)

Selected verses from the Qur’an and Hadith

Understanding religious vocabulary and context

DOWNLOAD WAEC SYLLABUS FOR ARABIC 2026

Recommended Texts

Grammar and Composition

“النحو الواضح” (AlNahw alWadih) by Ali Al Jarim and Mustafa Amin. A foundational text covering Arabic grammar rules, suitable for beginners and intermediate learners.
“متن الأجرومية” (Matn al Ajurumiyyah) by Muhammad ibn Da’ud al Sanhaji. A concise treatise on 

Arabic grammar, widely used in traditional Arabic studies.
“المرشد في الإنشاء العربي والكتابة” (Al Murshid fi al Insha’ al Arabi wa al Kitaba) by Sayyid Hamza Malik. Focuses on Arabic composition and writing skills, aiding students in developing coherent essays and narratives.

“A Guide to Arabic Composition” by S.H.A. Malik. Provides structured guidance on writing in Arabic, covering various composition styles.

“A New Arabic Grammar of the Written Language” by J.A. Haywood and H.M. Nahmad. An extensive grammar resource that delves into the intricacies of written Arab.

Arabic Literature

“المفصل في تاريخ الأدب العربي” (Al Mufassal fi Tarikh al Adab al Arabi) by Ahmad alI skandari and others. A comprehensive history of Arabic literature, covering various periods and genres.

“المدخل إلى الأدب العربي” (Al Madkhal ila al Adab al Arabi) by Zakariya Hussein. An introductory text exploring the fundamentals of Arabic literature.

“تزيين الورقات” (Tazyeen al Waraqaat) by Abdullah ibn Muhammad ibn Fudi. A classical work reflecting traditional Arabic literary styles.

“المستقبل للغة العربية في نيجيريا” (Al Mustaqbal li al Lugha al Arabiyya fi Nigeria) by Murtada Baramadi. Discusses the future and development of the Arabic language in Nigeria.