Gaining admission into a Nigerian university, polytechnic, or college of education depends heavily on your performance in the West African Examination Council (WAEC). Every year, thousands of students write WAEC, but only a percentage proceed to higher institutions because many candidates fail to meet the required subject passes. While JAMB determines your UTME score, WAEC determines your eligibility, because without the required O’level subjects, no school will offer you admission, even if you score 350 in JAMB.This article provides a complete, detailed, easy-to-understand guide on the exact WAEC subjects you must pass, why they matter, how schools use them for screening, and mistakes students make that stop them from gaining admission. If you want to enter university in 2026, this guide will help you avoid those mistakes and prepare the right way.

1. Why WAEC Results Matter So Much in Admission

Many candidates think JAMB is the most important examination for admission, but the truth is:

✔ WAEC determines your eligibility

Before any university processes your admission, they check your WAEC (or NECO, GCE) to confirm if you have the required subjects.

✔ No O’level = No Admission

Even if you score 350 in JAMB, if you do not have the correct WAEC subjects, the school will deny admission automatically.

✔ Screening for admission uses WAEC grades

Most schools now use O’level results + JAMB score + Post-UTME to determine admission.

✔ Your WAEC subject combination determines the courses you can study

For example:

• A student who fails Biology cannot study Nursing or Medicine.
• A student who fails Mathematics cannot study Engineering or Accounting.
• A student without Literature cannot study Law.

This is why WAEC is a crucial step in your academic journey.

2. Compulsory WAEC Subjects for ALL Students (Regardless of Course)

These five subjects are compulsory for every candidate who wants admission into a Nigerian higher institution:

1. English Language (Compulsory)

You must pass English to gain admission into any course—including Science, Arts, and Social Science.

A fail in English = automatic admission disqualification.

2. Mathematics (Compulsory Except for a Few Courses)

Although Mathematics is not required in some Art courses, most schools still require at least a pass.

3. Civic Education

Civic Education is compulsory to pass, but most universities do not use it for course screening.

Still, you must write and pass it.

4. At least one Nigerian language (e.g., Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa)

This subject does not affect university admission directly, but WAEC includes it in your total number of subjects.

5. Trade Subject (e.g., Data Processing, Marketing, Book Keeping, etc.)

WAEC requires a trade subject, but universities do not use it for screening.

3. The Real Subjects You MUST Pass to Gain Admission (Course by Course)

Below are the actual subjects Nigerian universities use to determine admission.

If you fail any required subjects in your field, you will not be admitted.

A. Required WAEC Subjects for Science Students

If you are a science student, these six subjects are the core requirements:

✔ English Language

✔ Mathematics

✔ Biology

✔ Chemistry

✔ Physics

✔ One Science-related elective (Agric Science, Further Maths, Geography, or Health Science)

Why Science Students Must Pass These Subjects

• Biology is the foundation for all medical-related courses.
• Chemistry is essential for Medicine, Pharmacy, Engineering, and Agriculture.
• Physics is required for Engineering, Computer Science, Aviation, and Technology.
• Mathematics is needed for almost every science discipline.
• English is a universal requirement.

WAEC Subjects Required for Specific Science Courses

NOTE:

Failing one core science subject (like Chemistry or Physics) removes you from most science course options.

B. Required WAEC Subjects for Social Science Students

Social Science courses include Accounting, Economics, Political Science, Mass Communication, Banking and Finance, Business Administration, Criminology, etc.

Compulsory Subjects for Admission into Social Sciences:

✔ English Language

✔ Mathematics

✔ Economics

✔ Government / History / Geography

✔ Any Social Science elective (Commerce, Civic, Marketing, etc.)

WAEC Subjects Required for Specific Social Science Courses

Social science students must not fail English or Mathematics, because all universities require both.

C. Required WAEC Subjects for Arts Students

Art students often make the biggest mistakes in subject selection and fail to meet admission requirements for their course.

Compulsory Subjects for Arts Students:

✔ English Language

✔ Literature-in-English

✔ Government or History

✔ CRS/IRS

✔ Any 2 Arts electives (Fine Arts, Music, Yoruba, French, etc.)

WAEC Subjects Required for Specific Art Courses

NOTE:

Any Art student who fails Literature-in-English is automatically disqualified from Law, English, Theatre Arts, and Mass Communication in most schools.

4. The 3 WAEC Subjects Most Students Fail That Stop Them From Gaining Admission

Across Nigeria, the three subjects that spoil admission chances for thousands of students are:

1. Mathematics

Failure in Mathematics disqualifies you from:

• Engineering
• Social Sciences
• Sciences
• Technology
• Accounting and Finance
• Economics

Only a few Art courses accept a pass in Mathematics.

2. English Language

Failure in English shuts the door to every course.

3. Biology or Literature (Depending on Faculty)

• Biology is key for Medicine, Nursing, MLS, etc.
• Literature is key for Law, English, Mass Communication.

5. How Universities Use Your WAEC Results for Admission

Universities check three major things:

A. Do you have the right subjects?

This is called subject combination.

If you don’t have the right combination, you are not considered.

B. Do you have the required grades?

Most courses accept:

• Credit (C6–C4)
• Very competitive courses require B or A

C. Does your WAEC match your JAMB course?

If your WAEC combination does not align with your JAMB course, you will not be admitted.Example:

You cannot study Law without Literature

You cannot study Nursing without Biology

6. How Many WAEC Subjects Must You Pass to Gain Admission?

To gain admission in Nigeria:✔ You must pass at least 5 subjects in WAEC

✔ The 5 subjects must be relevant to your courseThese 5 subjects must be passed in one sitting for competitive courses like Medicine, Law, Pharmacy, and Engineering.

Two sittings are acceptable for most other courses.

7. Common Mistakes Students Make That Destroy Their WAEC Admission Chances

1. Choosing Wrong Subjects

Many students pick subjects not required for their course.

2. Ignoring Mathematics

Even Art students need Mathematics in many schools.

3. Relying on “miracle centres”

Most of these centres end up giving students wrong or incomplete results.

4. Failing core subjects like Biology, Chemistry, or Literature

These subjects are mandatory for admission.

5. Writing wrong subject combinations for their intended course

This is a major reason many candidates are denied admission.

8. Tips to Pass WAEC 2026 and Secure Admission

To secure admission in 2026, you must take WAEC seriously. Here are success tips:

✔ Start reading early

Start preparing at least 4–6 months before WAEC.

✔ Study WAEC past questions

WAEC repeats over 60% of questions yearly.

✔ Know your required subjects

Study the subjects relevant to your course.

✔ Join study groups

Group study helps you understand difficult topics.

✔ Attend classes regularly

Don’t skip your core subjects.

✔ Practice essay writing

Especially for English, Literature, CRS, and Government.

✔ Learn how WAEC markers score scripts

This helps you write answers the examiner will reward.

✔ Manage exam time properly

Do not spend too long on one question.

✔ Avoid examination malpractice

It can lead to withheld results.

9. Final Words: Your WAEC Determines Your Admission – Secure It

WAEC is not just another exam—it is the foundation of your academic future.

If you want admission in 2026, the only way to secure it is to:

• Choose the right subjects
• Prepare for them
• Pass with good grades

Once you pass your WAEC subjects with the right combination, your chances of admission rise by over 70%, because JAMB will only add to your existing strength.If you fail WAEC, your JAMB score cannot save you.Focus. Prepare. Pass. Gain admission.