For candidates sitting the 2026 WAEC Music examination, the official syllabus serves as a roadmap through a rich and varied musical landscape, bridging African traditions and Western musical history.
Rather than testing memorisation alone, the syllabus assesses students on two levels: their grasp of musical concepts and their ability to apply those concepts in practice.
Areas covered span music theory, aural training, compositional techniques, and live performance, alongside a study of how music has evolved across different eras, from the Baroque period all the way through to contemporary African popular music.
Students are also expected to familiarise themselves with traditional African instruments and the lives and works of notable composers. The 2026 syllabus places particular weight on practical ability, making performance a compulsory component of the examination.
Ultimately, engaging thoroughly with this syllabus goes beyond exam preparation; it cultivates a genuine appreciation for music that can stay with students long after the examination hall.
Aims and Objectives
1. Explore basic elements of music through reading, writing, listening, aural recognition, improvisation, and composition
2. Develop skills and artistic confidence in the presentation of music and perform reasonably well as a soloist
3. Appreciate the historical, social and economic factors that have influenced composers and their contributions to the development of music in the West African sub region and the world in general
4. Compose short vocal/instrumental pieces
5. Explore basic computer software applications in music.
Examination Scheme
There will be three papers, Papers 1, 2 and 3, all of which must be taken.
Paper 1:
This will be a 1 hour multiple choice objective test consisting of forty questions drawn from the entire syllabus. Candidates must attempt all the questions in the paper for 40 marks.
Paper 2:
This will be a 2 hours essay type test consisting of five questions. Candidates will be required to answer three of the questions within 2 hours for 60 marks.
Question 1 on Theory/Composition (Melody Writing, Harmony and Counterpoint) and Question 2 on analysis of prescribed set works will be compulsory.
The following areas will be covered:
- Composition;
- Harmony;
- Counterpoint (two part writing);
- Form and Analysis;
- History and Literature of Music in Western and African Traditions;
- Black Music in the Diaspora.
Paper 3A: Aural Test
This will be a 45 minutes listening test carrying 50 marks.
Paper 3B: Performance Test
This will be a 30 minutes performance test carrying 50 marks.
Candidates will be expected to perform on an instrument of their choice (one of voice, violin, pianoforte/electronic keyboard, flute, atenteben, recorder, B flat trumpet, and E flat alto saxophone).
Candidates’ abilities in sight reading, technical exercises, scales and arpeggios will be tested.
SCOPE of the Music WAEC Syllabus
Areas to be tested will include:
A. THEORY OF MUSIC AND COMPOSITION
- Rudiments of Music
- Harmony
- Counterpoint (two part writing)
- Composition
- Form and Analysis
B. PRACTICAL
- Aural Test
- Performance Test
C. HISTORY AND LITERATURE OF MUSIC
- History and Literature of Western Music
- Traditional and Contemporary African Art Music
- Popular African Music and Black Music in the Diaspora
RELATED ARTICLE:
WAEC Syllabus 2026/2027 for All Subjects: SSCE & GCE
WAEC Syllabus for Music 2026
| SECTION | TOPIC |
| Form and Analysis | Simple forms e.g. binary, ternary, rondo, etc Extended forms, e.g. overture, oratorio, opera, cantata, suite, sonata, symphony, concerto, etc Form in traditional African music, e.g. the various forms of antiphony (Call and Response, Cantor/Chorus, Call and Refrain), Repetitive (Cyclic) forms, etc. Form in contemporary African art music, with emphasis on compositional techniques, e.g. use of melody, rhythm, harmony, instrumentation, through composed pieces, etc. |
| Composition | Continuing a given melodic phrase in either a major or minor key to form a melody of not less than 12 bars and not more than 16 bars in all. Candidates may be required to modulate to at least one specified related key. Setting a given text in English to music. |
| Prepared Set works as recommended for each year | The set works listed below (Western or African) is to be chosen by the candidate, as recommended, for each year. This will be studied for a compulsory question in Paper 2. 2013: Trumpet Concerto (2nd Movement) OR Ahekoo 2014: Largo from the Symphony in E minor “From the New World” (Abridged Piano Version) OR Ore Meta 2015: Gavotte (From French Suite No. 5 in G) OR Nne Bia Nyerem Aka 2016: Triumphal March (From AIDA)(Abridged Piano Version) OR Atentenata in C (Opus 3 No. 1) 2017: Moment Musical in G Minor OR Kiniun |
| Rhythmic Dictation | A melody not exceeding 4 bars will be played four times. Candidates will be required to write the rhythm in a monotone. Before playing the passage, the examiner will give the time signature and indicate the speed at which the pulse of the music moves. The passage may be in either simple or compound time. (8 marks) |
| Musical Instruments | The currently approved instruments for Performance Tests are: Voice (Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone/Bass) Pianoforte/electronic keyboard String Instruments: Violin, Guitar Selected wind instruments: Recorder (descant and treble), atenteben, flute, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, euphonium and tuba |
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