WAEC bans science and arts students from taking economics in 2026 exams

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has unveiled a new set of subject combinations for the 2026 examination, introducing major changes that redefine how students across different academic streams can select their subjects.

According to a report by this newspaper, the new arrangement prohibits Science students from offering Economics, while students in the Humanities including those studying Literature, Government, or History are also barred from taking the subject.

Under the revised structure, only students in the Business or Commercial department will now be eligible to register for Economics.

The WAEC exam, has its subjects combinations structured with a minimum of seven and a maximum of nine subjects, including English Language and Mathematics.

With all things remaining equally, generally, Science students focus on Physics, Chemistry, and Biology; Arts Students include Literature and a language like Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa; and Commercial students emphasises on Economics.

There are three basic areas of study in the Senior Secondary School Examination they are:

The three areas of study have WAEC subject combinations that are peculiar to each of them, for any career a student would want to pursue.

Only three subjects have been made totally Compulsory by the West African Examination Council, irrespective of your area of study, approved by the Federal Government.

The three subjects are:

1. English Language

2. Mathematics

3. Civic Education

WAEC Subject Combination For Science Students 2026/2027

The WAEC subjectcombination for science students includes subjects specific to the science field, most of which involve practical exams alongside theory and objective sections.

These practicals, usually conducted in laboratories, require working with live specimens. Schools without proper lab facilities are given an alternative to the practical session. A student still has options aside from the ones listed below.

Subjects: There are other subjects that science students can add to their list of compulsory subjects; they include: Further Mathematics, Languages- Yoruba, Igbo, or Hausa, and Technical Drawing.

Going forward, the WAEC subject combination for science students includes the following subjects.

English language

Mathematics

Civic Education

Physics

Chemistry

Biology

Geography

Agricultural Science

Economics

WAEC Subject Combination For Art Students 2026/2027

The subject combination for art students is totally different from that of a science student, even though there are cases where art and science students may register for subjects such as economics, biology, agricultural science, etc.

Apart from the Nine Subjects listed below, there are other subjects available for art students, including: Arabic Studies, Agricultural Science/Biology French, Music Commerce.

The WAEC subject combination for art students includes:

English Language

Mathematics

Civic Education

Literature in English

Government or History