WAEC Syllabus for Food and Nutrition 2025

Are you a WAEC candidate who will be writing Food and Nutrition in the exam? How confident do you feel about your preparation for the WAEC Food and Nutrition examination? It might interest you to know that the examination is around the corner, and the candidates are gearing up to write the examination.

How equipped and updated are you for the forthcoming WAEC Food and Nutrition examination? Are you studying with the right resources? Are you intentional about passing the subject in the upcoming exam in just one sitting? If yes, your study habits and choice of resource materials explain your intentionality

The West African Examination Council has released the WAEC syllabus for Food and Nutrition, and candidates aspiring to write this subject must familiarize themselves with the syllabus.

The WAEC Syllabus for Food and Nutrition is carefully structured to guide not just students, but also teachers and tutors who support candidates throughout their preparation. We have the syllabus thoroughly outlined below to help candidates understand the objectives, the structure of the test, and the recommended textbooks.

WAEC Syllabus for Food and Nutrition

Here is the structured outline of the WAEC Food and Nutrition syllabus, organized into key thematic areas to guide your study and preparation effectively.

Section I: Nutrition and Health

Topic	Subtopics
1. Introduction to Foods and Nutrition	Definitions<br>- Basic knowledge of nutrition<br>- Importance of human nutrition<br>- Factors affecting foods and nutrition<br>- Food habits
2. Careers in Foods and Nutrition	Careers associated with Foods and Nutrition<br>- Factors influencing career choices<br>- Characteristics required for careers in Foods and Nutrition
3. Basic Food Nutrients	Nutrients and their nutritive values<br>- Sources of different nutrients<br>- Digestion and absorption of foods (carbohydrates, proteins, fats)<br>- Functions of different nutrients<br>- Dietary deficiencies<br>- Use of food composition tables<br>- Simple physical and chemical tests for nutrients
4. Special Nutritional Needs	General principles of meal planning<br>- Nutritional needs across age groups (infants, children, adolescents, adults, aged)<br>- Meal planning for health conditions (invalids, convalescents, pregnant/lactating mothers, vegetarians, underweight individuals)

Section II: Kitchen Management

Topic	Subtopics
1. Kitchen Equipment and Tools	Use of scales and handy measures<br>- Types of kitchen equipment and tools<br>- Materials used (aluminium, clay, copper, etc.)<br>- Effects of heat on materials<br>- Selection, use, care, and storage of equipment<br>- Cleaning agents and abrasives
2. Safety in the Kitchen	Safety habits and devices<br>- Contents and use of first aid box<br>- Simple first aid treatments
3. Hygiene	Personal hygiene<br>- Kitchen hygiene (cleaning, waste disposal, pest control)<br>- Food hygiene (handling, foodborne diseases, sanitation laws)
4. Kitchen Planning	Types of kitchens (family, institutional)<br>- Planning considerations (time and motion study)

Section III: Food Preparation

Topic	Subtopics
1. Cooking Methods	Boiling, baking, frying, stewing, roasting, etc.
2. Food Commodities	Meat, poultry, milk and milk products, fish and shellfish<br>- Legumes, vegetables, cereals, grains, fruits
3. Food Additives	Herbs and spices (local and foreign)<br>- Food colouring, flavouring, condiments<br>- Preservatives
4. Flour Mixtures and Confectionery	Types of flours (wheat, cassava, corn, sorghum, yam, plantain, cocoyam, etc.)<br>- Preparation and use in cookery

Examination Structure

The WAEC Food and Nutrition examination comprises three papers, all of which must be taken:

Paper 1: This paper consists of 60 multiple-choice questions to be answered within 1 hour. It carries 60 marks.
Paper 2: This paper comprises six essay questions, out of which candidates are required to answer four. The paper carries 40 marks and lasts for 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Paper 3: This is a practical test of 3 hours duration, carrying 100 marks. It is conducted by a visiting examiner.

The WAEC Syllabus for Food and Nutrition is designed to equip students with comprehensive knowledge and practical skills in food and nutrition, preparing them for both the WAEC examination and real-life applications. This resource is invaluable for students aiming to excel in the WAEC Food and Nutrition examination.