The WAEC Syllabus for Woodwork 2026 is an official guide released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to help both school and private candidates prepare effectively for the WASSCE examination. 

It outlines the important topics, objectives, and examination structure that candidates are expected to master. The syllabus covers areas such as timber properties, wood preservation, hand and machine tools, design, and manufactured boards. 

It comprises three papers: objective, theory, and practical. Valid across West African countries, including Nigeria and Ghana, this syllabus serves as an essential roadmap for students aiming to build practical woodworking skills and excel in their examinations.

Aims and Objectives

  1. Creative ability, mental and practical skills in the use of hand and machine tools for the construction of basic items in wood and related materials.
  2. Good basic knowledge of design and reading of working drawings.
  3. Ability to plan and follow a sequence of work operations which are necessary to lead to the successful completion of projects.
  4. Awareness of problems relating to wood and the wood industry.
  5. Functional skills capable of providing a means of livelihood in woodworking.

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

Examination Scheme

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

PAPER 1: 

It will consist of forty multiple choice objective questions, all of which must be answered within 40 minutes for 40 marks.

PAPER 2: 

It will consist of a theory and design paper of two sections, Sections A and B, to be taken within 2 hours and 20 minutes.

Section A will be short structured questions put into three parts, Parts I, II and III, as follows:

  • Part I will be for candidates in Ghana only.
  • Part II will be for candidates in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
  • Part III will be for all candidates. It will comprise two questions, out of which all candidates will be required to answer one.

Section B will comprise design and drawing questions, all of which must be answered within 1 hour and 40 minutes for 40 marks.

PAPER 3:

This will be a practical test lasting 3 hours.  Candidates will be required to make a test piece for which the appropriate drawings will be supplied.  It will carry 100 marks.

WAEC Syllabus for Woodwork 2026

TOPICDETAILS
PRACTICALUse of hand tools, portable power tools, machines; construction of joints (widening, angle, framing); operations like shaping, assembling, and finishing.
WORKSHOP SAFETYPersonal safety (protective clothing, first aid); tool and machine safety; safety devices (fire extinguishers, push sticks, jigs).
TOOLSHand tools (measuring, cutting, abrading, boring); portable power tools (drills, planers, sanders); special purpose tools.
WOODWORKING MACHINESTypes (grinding wheel, circular saw, thicknesser, lathe); safety aids (guards, jigs, fences).
TIMBERClassification (hardwood/softwood); tree parts and structure; timber surface qualities; timber properties (hardness, elasticity).
TIMBER PROCESSINGConversion methods (plain, quarter sawing); seasoning methods; moisture content determination; wood preservation methods.
TIMBER DEFECTSNatural defects (knots, burrs); defects from organisms or processing; seasoning defects.
WEST AFRICAN TIMBERCharacteristics and use of timbers like Iroko, Mahogany, Obeche, etc.; effect of timber depletion.
VENEERSTypes (face, core, back); production methods (rotary, slicing, sawing).
MANUFACTURED BOARDSIdentification and use of plywood, blockboard, chipboard, etc.
SURFACE DECORATIONMethods: inlaying, veneering, carving; moldings and edging techniques.
NON WOOD MATERIALSMetals (ferrous/non ferrous), plastics, glass, leather, abrasives.
FITTINGS & ADHESIVESTypes and uses of nails, screws, locks, hinges, adhesives (protein and synthetic).
SURFACE PREPARATION & FINISHESPlanning, scraping, staining, polishing; finishes like paints, varnish, lacquer.
SHAPING & BENDING WOODLamination, curved bending, sawn shaping.
WOODWORK JOINTSClassification: angle joints (mortice & tenon, dovetail, miter), widening joints (dowel, groove), etc.

DOWNLOAD WAEC SYLLABUS FOR WOODWORK 2026

Recommended Tools, Machines, and Materials for Wood Workshop

  1. Rip Saw     
  2. Cross cut Saw     
  3. Panel Saw     
  4. Tenon Saw     
  5. Dovetail Saw     
  6. Coping Saw     
  7. Pad Saw     
  8. Firmer Chisels    
  9. Bevelled edge Chisels         
  10. Mortise Chisels
  11. Gouges (Firmer & Scribing)    
  12. Jack Plane (Metal)     
  13. Smoothing Plane (Metal)     
  14. Plough Plane     
  15. Rebate Plane     
  16. Shoulder Plane     
  17. Block Plane     
  18. Router Plane     
  19. Bullnose Plane     
  20. Compass Plane     
  21. Spokeshave (Round & Flat)     
  22. Oil Stone & Slip Stones     
  23. Oil Can
  24. Brace (Ratchet)
  25. Bits