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Ikiodiete George
- 3 Min Read
Waec Scoring System For English Language: An Updated Guide (2025/2026)
The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) uses a structured scoring system for English Language to assess candidates fairly across the board. Understanding this system will help you know what to focus on while preparing for the exam and how each section contributes to your final grade.
If you're preparing for the 2025/2026 WAEC English exam, this updated guide will explain everything you need to know about the marking scheme, subject weight, and how scores are calculated.
Overview of WAEC English Language Paper Structure
WAEC English Language is divided into three major sections:
| Section | Paper | Marks Allocation |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Objective (Obj) | 60 marks |
| Paper 2 | Essay + Comprehension | 100 marks |
| Paper 3 | Test of Orals (for some candidates) | 30 marks |
Note: For school candidates, Paper 3 (Test of Orals) is often compulsory. For private candidates, it depends on the exam type.
WAEC English Paper 1 – Objectives
This section tests grammar, lexis, structure, and usage. It usually contains 60 multiple-choice questions, each carrying 1 mark.
| Topic Area | No. of Questions | Total Marks |
|---|---|---|
| Sentence Completion | 10–15 | 10–15 marks |
| Synonyms/Antonyms | 5–10 | 5–10 marks |
| Sentence Interpretation | 5–10 | 5–10 marks |
| Comprehension (Obj) | 10 | 10 marks |
| Summary (Obj) | 5–10 | 5–10 marks |
| Structure/Grammar | 10–15 | 10–15 marks |
| Total | 60 questions | 60 marks |
WAEC English Paper 2 – Essay & Comprehension
This paper tests your ability to write, interpret, summarize, and analyze written passages.
A. Essay Section (50 Marks)
You’ll be asked to answer one essay out of 5–6 options. Essay types include:
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Letter writing (formal/informal)
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Article writing
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Speech writing
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Narrative or descriptive writing
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Argumentative writing
Scoring Guide:
| Criteria | Marks |
|---|---|
| Content | 10 marks |
| Organization | 10 marks |
| Expression (Grammar/Style) | 20 marks |
| Mechanical Accuracy | 10 marks |
| Total | 50 marks |
B. Comprehension Section (20 Marks)
This section contains a passage followed by 5–7 questions. Answers must be in your own words.
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Full sentences are required.
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Marks are awarded for clarity and correct interpretation.
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Wrong use of words or lifting from the passage = mark loss.
C. Summary Section (30 Marks)
A passage is given, and you're required to write brief, clear summaries.
| Task | Marks |
|---|---|
| Identifying key points | 20 marks (5 points × 4 marks each) |
| Sentence construction | 10 marks |
| Total | 30 marks |
WAEC English Paper 3 – Test of Orals
This is for candidates in English-speaking West African countries, especially in Nigeria. It evaluates phonetics and pronunciation.
Common topics tested:
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Vowel and consonant sounds
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Rhymes and stress
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Intonation
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Odd sounds in word clusters
Format: 30 multiple-choice questions = 30 marks
Total WAEC English Score Calculation
| Section | Total Marks | Weight (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Objective (Paper 1) | 60 | 25% |
| Essay & Comprehension (Paper 2) | 100 | 50% |
| Test of Orals (Paper 3) | 30 | 25% |
| Overall Total | 190 marks | 100% |
WAEC Grading System
| Score (%) | Grade | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 75 – 100 | A1 | Excellent |
| 70 – 74 | B2 | Very Good |
| 65 – 69 | B3 | Good |
| 60 – 64 | C4 | Credit |
| 55 – 59 | C5 | Credit |
| 50 – 54 | C6 | Credit |
| 45 – 49 | D7 | Pass |
| 40 – 44 | E8 | Pass |
| 0 – 39 | F9 | Fail |
Pro Tips to Pass WAEC English with High Scores
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Practice Essay Writing Weekly – Focus on organization, expression, and grammar.
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Work on Objective Questions Daily – Use WAEC past questions to test grammar and structure.
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Master Summary Techniques – Don’t lift answers directly. Use your own words.
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Improve Vocabulary – Learn new words, synonyms, and antonyms.
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Listen to WAEC Oral English CDs or apps – For sound recognition and pronunciation.
FAQs – WAEC English Language Scoring
Q1: How is WAEC English marked?
A: It’s marked based on sections – Objective (60 marks), Essay + Comprehension (100 marks), and Test of Orals (30 marks).
Q2: Can I pass WAEC English if I fail the oral part?
A: Yes, as long as your combined score from Papers 1 and 2 meets the credit mark (50% or more).
Q3: Is the oral part the same for private and school candidates?
A: Mostly for school candidates. Private candidates (GCE) may not write Paper 3.
Q4: Is WAEC English compulsory for admission?
A: Yes. A credit pass (C6 or higher) is compulsory for most courses in Nigerian universities.
Final Thoughts
Now that you understand the WAEC scoring system for English Language, you can prepare smarter. Focus on the high-weight areas like essay writing and comprehension, and don’t ignore orals if it's part of your paper.
Start early, practice past questions, and track your progress weekly.
