WAEC past questions and answers

Try ten WAEC past questions

Below are ten of them, one from each of ten subjects. Tap "Show answer" to check yourself and read why.

1. From the 2024 WAEC English Language paper

   1.

   From the words lettered A-D, choose the word that best completes each of the following sentences.

   Since all items on the agenda had been discussed, the meeting was _______.

   1. A
      adjourned
      Correct
   2. B
      cancelled
   3. C
      postponed
   4. D
      suspended
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   Answer: A

   The sentence tells us all items on the agenda had already been discussed — meaning the meeting's business was fully completed. The correct word for a meeting formally ending once its business is finished is adjourned.

2. From the 2022 WAEC Mathematics paper

   2.

   Evaluate 23 x 54 (mod 7)

   1. A
      1
   2. B
      4
   3. C
      2
   4. D
      3
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Find 23 mod 7: 23 = 3×7 + 2, so 23 ≡ 2 (mod 7). Find 54 mod 7: 54 = 7×7 + 5, so 54 ≡ 5 (mod 7). Calculate: 23 × 54 ≡ 2 × 5 ≡ 10 ≡ 3 (mod 7), since 10 = 7 + 3. The product equals 3 when expressed as remainder after division by 7.

3. From the 2019 WAEC Physics paper

   3.

   Which of the following properties is not exhibited by sound waves?

   1. A
      reflection
   2. B
      refraction
   3. C
      diffraction
   4. D
      polarization
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Sound waves are longitudinal waves — particles oscillate parallel to the direction of wave travel. Polarization is a property unique to transverse waves, where oscillations can be restricted to a single plane perpendicular to propagation (e.g., light through a polaroid filter).

   Since sound waves have no transverse component, they cannot be polarized. Reflection, refraction, and diffraction are all properties that sound does exhibit.

4. From the 2024 WAEC Chemistry paper

   4.

   An atom of an element in the ground state contains 8 valence electrons. The element is considered as a

   1. A
      Metal
   2. B
      Transition metal
   3. C
      Lanthanide
   4. D
      Non-metal
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Elements with 8 valence electrons are non-metals like oxygen, sulfur, or halogens.

5. From the 2009 WAEC Biology paper

   5.

   GROUP I

   SPECIMEN A: Water Lettuce
   SPECIMEN B: Cactus Plant
   SPECIMEN C: Amaranthus spp / Talinum spp

   GROUP III

   SPECIMEN H: Lungs of mammal
   SPECIMEN J: Toad/Frog
   SPECIMEN K: Maize leaf

   Study specimens A, B and C carefully and use them to answer questions (a) to (d).

   (a) State the habitats specimens A, B and C.

   (b) State (i) two observable features each of specimens A, B and C.

   (ii) how the features in 1(b)(i) adapt the specimens to their habitats.

   (c) State three Observable differences between specimens A and C.

   (d) Make a drawing 8 - 10cm long of specimen C and label fully.

   1. A
      Reduced leaves and spines to minimise water loss in arid environments
   2. B
      Deep extensive root systems that anchor it in dry sandy soils
   3. C
      Thick waxy cuticles and water-storage tissues for drought resistance
   4. D
      Air-filled spongy tissues and floating leaves that keep it buoyant on water surfaces
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Water Lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) is a hydrophyte that floats on the surface of freshwater bodies. Its leaves contain aerenchyma (air-filled spongy parenchyma tissue) that provides buoyancy, keeping the plant afloat. The spongy leaf surfaces trap air and the roots hang freely in water, absorbing nutrients directly. These features are specific adaptations to an aquatic habitat.

6. From the 1998 WAEC Government paper

   6.The veto power in the United Nations Organization (UNO) is exercised by
   1. A
      all member states in turn
   2. B
      the Secretary-General
   3. C
      the five permanent members of the Security Council
      Correct
   4. D
      the General Assembly by a two-thirds majority
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   Answer: C

   The five permanent members of the Security Council — the USA, Russia, China, the United Kingdom and France — each hold the right to veto any substantive resolution, making their agreement essential for collective security decisions.

7. From the 2022 WAEC Literature in English paper

   7.

   A story with elements that have both literal and figurative meanings is

   1. A
      A parable
   2. B
      An allegory
      Correct
   3. C
      A fable
   4. D
      A myth
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   Answer: B

   An allegory is a narrative that functions simultaneously on a literal level as a straightforward story and on a figurative level where characters, events, or settings represent abstract ideas, moral qualities, or historical situations.

8. From the 2024 WAEC Economics paper

   8.

   A major feature of the socialist economic system is

   1. A
      Reliance on free market forces to fix prices and output
   2. B
      Private ownership of land, labour and capital
   3. C
      Production carried out mainly to maximise profit
   4. D
      Collective (state) ownership of the means of production
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Collective (state) ownership of the means of production is the defining feature of the socialist economic system. Under socialism, land, factories, and other major resources are owned and controlled by the state (or the community) on behalf of everyone, and economic decisions are largely planned by the government rather than left to individuals.

9. From the 2017 WAEC Civic Education paper

   9.The following can be classified as forms of political apathy except
   1. A
      Staying away from political rallies and party meetings
   2. B
      Refusal to register as a voter during voter registration exercises
   3. C
      Lack of interest in discussing government policies and public affairs
   4. D
      Active campaigning and canvassing for votes on behalf of a political party
      Correct
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   Answer: D

   Political apathy means indifference or lack of interest in political activities — a citizen simply does not care enough to get involved in the process of government.

10. From the 2022 WAEC Christian Religious Studies paper

    10.

    My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here and watch with me. Where was this remark made by Jesus?

    1. A
       Garden of Gethsemane
       Correct
    2. B
       Golgotha
    3. C
       The Mount of Transfiguration
    4. D
       The Upper Room
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    Answer: A

    Jesus spoke these words in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of his arrest, as recorded in Matthew 26:38, when he asked Peter, James, and John to keep watch with him while he prayed.

The questions come from past JAMB, WAEC and NECO papers. We use software to help write the answer options and explanations, and every answer is checked twice before it goes on the site. How we check

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