WAEC 2026 CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL SPECIMEN: If you are a student or a teacher preparing for the 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE), getting a head start on the Chemistry practical is the best way to secure an "A."

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) has released the Chemistry Practical Alternative A Instructions, and we have the full breakdown of the specimens, apparatus, and chemical concentrations you need to know.

WAEC CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL SPECIMEN 2026

According to the official instructions, each candidate should be provided with the following laboratory apparatus and materials.

Required Apparatus for Each Candidate

1. One burette of 50.0 cm³ capacity
2. One pipette, either 20.0 cm³ or 25.0 cm³
   • All candidates in the same centre must use pipettes of the same volume
3. Usual apparatus for titration
4. Apparatus and reagents for qualitative analysis including:

• Dilute sodium hydroxide solution
• Dilute hydrochloric acid
• Dilute trioxonitrate (V) acid
• Silver trioxonitrate (V) solution
• Aqueous barium chloride
• Aqueous ammonia
• Lime water
• Red and blue litmus papers
• Dilute tetraoxosulphate (VI) acid
• Iodine solution

Additional materials include:

• Spatula
• Filtration apparatus
• One beaker
• One boiling tube
• Four test tubes
• Methyl orange indicator
• Glass rod
• Wash bottle containing distilled/deionized water
• Burning splint
• Watch glass
• Bunsen burner/source of heat
• Droppers
• Mathematical table/calculator
• Phenolphthalein indicator

WAEC 2026 Chemistry Practical Specimens

Each candidate will be supplied with the following specimens where “n” represents the candidate’s serial number.

Specimen A (An)

150 cm³ of a solution of H₂SO₄ in a corked flask or bottle labelled “An”.

The solution should contain:

• 5.60 cm³ of concentrated H₂SO₄ per dm³ of solution
• Relative density: 1.84
• Purity: 98%

Specimen B (Bn)

150 cm³ of NaOH solution in a corked flask or bottle labelled “Bn”.

The solution should contain:

• 4.0 g of NaOH per dm³ of solution

Specimen C (Cn)

One spatulaful of a 1:1 uniform mixture of:

• Lead (II) carbonate
• Starch

This should be supplied in a specimen bottle labelled “Cn”.

Important Instructions to Schools and Supervisors

WAEC instructed schools and laboratory supervisors to ensure that:

• Information about the specimens does not reach candidates before the examination.
• The actual concentrations of solutions A and B must be stated on the Supervisor’s Report Form.
• Schools are not allowed to alter the information provided or substitute any substance.

Arrangement and Serial Numbers of Candidates

The laboratory arrangement should follow these rules:

1. Laboratory places must be numbered serially.
2. Candidates should be arranged according to their index numbers.
3. Every specimen supplied to a candidate must carry the same serial number as the candidate.
4. If a candidate is absent, the serial number must not be reassigned.
5. If candidates are divided into sets, serial numbers should continue through all sets without repetition.

Candidates must also write their serial numbers and index numbers correctly on their answer booklets before the examination begins.

WAEC Chemistry Practical Titration Instructions

Chemistry teachers are expected to carry out the required titrations before the examination.

WAEC stated that:

• Titration figures should be correct to at least one decimal place.
• The results must be carefully verified.
• Teachers should preferably conduct titrations at the same time candidates perform theirs to avoid wide variations in results.

Safety Precautions for WAEC Chemistry Practical

WAEC emphasized that chemicals can be dangerous if not handled properly. Candidates should therefore:

• Handle all chemicals carefully
• Report unusual sensations immediately to the invigilator
• Wash their mouths thoroughly with water if chemicals enter the mouth
• Wash hands properly after handling chemicals

Schools are also expected to put proper safety arrangements in place to prevent accidents during the practical examination.

Final Note on WAEC 2026 Chemistry Practical

Candidates are advised to familiarize themselves with all the apparatus, reagents, and laboratory procedures before the examination date. Proper understanding of titration, qualitative analysis, and chemical safety precautions will greatly improve performance in the WAEC Chemistry Practical exam.