Surprisingly, most candidates don’t know what waec compulsory subjects are and how to choose their nine subjects correctly.
I hope you have checked the waec timetable for Nigeria to see your exam date and time.

Whether in science, art, or the commercial department, your subjects are quite different, and they have been explained in this article.
What Are WAEC Compulsory Subjects (General)
The general subjects that are considered highly important and compulsory for all WAEC candidates are:
- English language
- Civic education
- Mathematics
- Economics (Optional for some)
- Trade subject
You see Mathematics and the English language, ehn? They are essential when determining if you will gain admission or not.
Avoid any grade less than credit in those two subjects. I have explained more about the trade subject below.
Important Subjects for art Students in WAEC
For art students, your waec subjects combination should contain these:
- Literature in English
- Government
- CRK or IRK
- Yoruba / Igbo / Hausa
Compulsory subjects for Commercial students in WAEC
You are in the commercial department and want to sit for this year’s waec? These subjects are necessary:
- Economics
- Government
- Accounting
- Commerce
Compulsory WAEC subjects for Science students
As someone knowledgeable about the science department, I strongly recommend that these subjects are part of your WAEC combo for 2023:
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Geography
- Agricultural science or economics
- Physics
How many subjects are written in WAEC
You are expected to write 9 subjects in the waec exam. Select these subjects carefully during your registration.
Nothing like a change of waec subject combination after you have completed your registration.
Make sure the subjects align with the course you want to study in the higher institution.
Is trade subject compulsory in WAEC?
Yes, you must have one trade subject in your WASSCE subjects combination. For example, I chose fishery as the trade subject in WAEC and NECO exams.
Only pick the trade subject you have been taught in school. Just know that it may have practical and theoretical aspects.
Social Science subjects in WAEC 2023
This is the latest list of social science subjects in WASSCE for 2023 candidates.
- Use of English
- Government
- History
- Economics
- Christian Religious Studies, CRS
- Islamic Religious Studies, IRS
Please, and please, don’t pick any subjects irrelevant to the course you want to study in the university, poly, or college of education.
I am looking forward to writing more articles for WAEC candidates. You can support me by sharing this article with your friends.

Sam is a brilliant young Nigerian biochemistry student and an aspiring entrepreneur. Despite facing many challenges, he has never lost his passion for learning and drive to make a difference in the world. Read more about him here.
Nice information ℹ️ to follow
What of Civic Education.
Is Agricultural science compulsory for science students?
I have f9
In Civic..can i still gain an admission
Yes
Subjects like: English, Government, CRS, literature and marketing, are they good to go in writing senior waec as a law student?
Please l don’t want to write Biology in the next waec 2022, will it affect me as a science student?
Yes
Computer science , health science and agriculture. I don’t know which one is compulsory as science student?
I added commerce instead of any science subject as a art student
Please am a waec candidate, studying law and I did not include either biology or agriculture would this affects me
No
Please is it compulsory to sit for your trade subject even when you registered it?
I registered catering craft but I’m not writing it..will it affect me in any way?
My physics is d7 but I also wrote government in my waec as a science student is there any science course or art course available for me with such result?
I didn’t include biology and agric in my choice of subject in waec,I replaced it with literature and crk and I want to study electrical and electronics engineering ,I hope I didn’t make any wrong choice because I think biology and agric was not compulsory for electrical engineering.
You need to find other courses you can study with these subjects.
Is marketing compulsory for science student