WAEC Syllabus for Biology 2026/2027

There is something uniquely captivating about Biology. It is not merely another subject in the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). It is the science that seeks to understand life in all its forms.

From the intricate workings of a single cell to the complex interactions within entire ecosystems, Biology reveals how living organisms are structured, how they function, how they grow and evolve, and how they are distributed across our planet.

For anyone dreaming of a career in medicine, pharmacy, agriculture, biotechnology, or environmental science, Biology is the foundation upon which all advanced understanding rests.

For the 2026/2027 examination cycle, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has preserved a comprehensive syllabus aimed at measuring candidates' comprehension of biological principles, their hands on skills in laboratory and field settings, and their capacity to relate biological knowledge to everyday experiences.

This complete guide delivers everything you need to know about the WAEC Biology syllabus for 2026/2027. It walks you through the examination scheme, provides detailed coverage of all topics, explains practical requirements clearly, and shares proven strategies to help you achieve examination success.

Overview of the WAEC Biology Syllabus

The WAEC Biology syllabus is carefully structured to evaluate candidates' understanding of biological concepts across multiple dimensions. It is an examination syllabus drawn up from the curricula of the member countries of the West African Examinations Council and should be used alongside the appropriate teaching syllabus of the country where candidates are domiciled.

The syllabus is divided into three sections:

Section A: For all candidates (common to all member countries).
Section B: For candidates in Ghana only.
Section C: For candidates in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia.

Aims and Objectives

Understanding of the structure and functions of living organisms, as well as appreciation of nature.
Acquisition of adequate laboratory and field skills to carry out and evaluate experiments and projects in Biology.
Acquisition of necessary scientific skills, for example, observing, classifying and interpreting biological data.
Acquisition of the basic relevant knowledge in Biology needed for future advanced studies in biological sciences.
Acquisition of scientific attitudes for problem solving.
Ability to apply biological principles in everyday life in matters that affect personal, social, Environmental, community health and economic problems.
Awareness of the existence of interrelationships between biology and other scientific disciplines.

Examination Scheme for WAEC Biology 2026/2027

There will be three papers: Papers 1, 2, and 3, all of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2 will be composite papers to be taken in one sitting.

PAPER 1:

This will consist of fifty multiple choice objective questions drawn from Section A of the syllabus (the section of the syllabus that is common to all countries). It will carry 50 marks and last for 50 minutes.

PAPER 2:

This will consist of six essay questions drawn from the entire syllabus. The paper will be put into three sections: Sections A, B and C.

Section A:

Will consist of four questions drawn from Section A of the syllabus.

Section B:

It will be for candidates in Ghana only and will be drawn from Section B of the syllabus (i.e., the section of the syllabus peculiar to Ghana). It will consist of short, structured questions.

Section C:

It will be for candidates in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, and Liberia and will be drawn from Section C of the syllabus (i.e., the section of the syllabus containing material for those countries only). It will also consist of short, structured questions.

Candidates will be expected to answer two questions from Section A and all the short-structured questions from either Section B or Section C.

Each question in Section A will carry 20 marks, while the compulsory short-structured questions in Sections B and C will carry 30 marks. The total score will be 70 marks. The paper shall take 1 hour and 40 minutes.

PAPER 3:

Paper 3 will be a practical test (for school candidates) or a test of practical work (for private candidates) lasting 2 hours and consisting of three sections: Sections A, B and C.

Section A:

This will consist of two compulsory questions drawn from Section A of the syllabus, each carrying 25 marks.

Section B:

This will be for candidates in Ghana only. It will consist of one question drawn from Section B of the syllabus and will carry 30 marks.

Section C:

This will be for candidates in Nigeria, Sierra Leone, the Gambia, and Liberia. It will consist of one question drawn from Section C of the syllabus and will carry 30 marks.

Candidates will be expected to answer all the questions in Section A and one question in either Section B or C. The paper will carry a total score of 80 marks.

DOWNLOAD WAEC SYLLABUS FOR BIOLOGY 2026