Get the WAEC Syllabus for Visual Arts 2025 with full details on topics, exam format, and study books. Prepare well and pass your exam easily!
WAEC Syllabus for Visual Arts 2025
Are you getting ready for the WAEC exam and have chosen Visual Arts as one of your subjects?
If yes, it is important to study using the WAEC syllabus. If you do not have the syllabus yet, we advise you to get it soon.
This will help you prepare well and focus on the right topics.
Below, we have shared the full syllabus along with a list of recommended books to help you study.
You can download the WAEC Syllabus for Visual Arts and start your preparation the right way.
Exam Structure
The WAEC Visual Arts exam has three main parts:
Paper 1
- Contains 40 multiple-choice questions.
- The exam lasts 50 minutes.
- Total marks: 40.
Paper 2
- Contains eight essay questions from three sections:
- General Art
- West African Art
- Historical Art
- Candidates must answer four questions.
- The exam lasts 2 hours.
- Total marks: 60.
Paper 3 (Practical Exam)
This part has three sections:
- Section A: Drawing (3 hours, 100 marks).
- Section B: 2D Creative Design (includes graphic design, textiles, and picture-making) (3 hours, 100 marks).
- Section C: 3D Creative Design (includes sculpture, ceramics, and crafts). This must be completed in six months (100 marks).
By following the syllabus, you can focus on the right topics and perform well in the exam.
WAEC Syllabus for Visual Arts
The WAEC Syllabus for Visual Arts is designed to help students understand different areas of art. Below is a list of topics covered in the exam.
PAPER I & II
1. General Knowledge in Art
- Meaning and types of art, including career opportunities.
- Understanding shapes, colors, lines, space, texture, and other art elements.
- Principles of art like balance, rhythm, harmony, and emphasis.
- Perspective in art (different types like aerial, linear, and foreshortening).
- How to use and maintain art materials like brushes, pencils, and colors.
- Common art terms like tie and dye, silhouette, chiaroscuro, and relief.
- How art connects with music, dance, drama, and literature.
2. Art of West Africa
- Ancient Traditional Art: Covers artworks from different West African countries, including:
- Cameroon – Bamileke
- Benin Republic – Fon
- Gambia – Wollof, Mandinka, Jola
- Ghana – Ashanti, Fante, Ewe, Frafra
- Nigeria – Benin, Ife, Nok, Igbo-Ukwu
- Modern Traditional Art: Includes artworks like:
- Oshogbo art, Ashanti and Ewe Kente, Benin modern art, Winneba pottery, Abuja pottery, Bida brass works, calabash carving, Mbari mud sculpture, and others.
- Contemporary Art: Focuses on:
- Art schools, museums, and art organizations.
- Cultural festivals and their artistic importance (masks, costumes, symbols, decorations).
- Famous West African artists, their training, styles, and achievements.
3. Pre-Historic, Ancient Egyptian & Western Art
- Pre-Historic Art (20,000 – 2000 BC): Covers early human art and its materials, uses, and beliefs.
- Ancient Egyptian Art (11,000 – 7,000 BC): Covers the Old, Middle, and New Kingdoms and their art styles.
- Greek Art: Different periods and their characteristics.
- Medieval Art: Main features and materials used.
- 19th Century Art: Includes Impressionism (Paul Cezanne, Claude Monet, Edouard Manet, Georges Seurat) and Post-Impressionism (Vincent van Gogh, Paul Gauguin).
- Renaissance Art: Includes Early, Low, and High Renaissance artists like Giotto, Donatello, and Masaccio.
- 20th Century Art: Covers Cubism and its African influences, including Pablo Picasso and George Braque.
PAPER III: DRAWING
4. Drawing
- Drawing Objects: Arranged items like bottles, car parts, and radios.
- Drawing Nature: Observing and sketching natural things like flowers, leaves, fruits, rocks, insects, birds, and fish.
- Drawing People: Sketching a human figure in different poses.
This syllabus will help students prepare well for their WAEC Visual Arts exam.
PART B: CREATIVE ART (2-DIMENSIONAL ART)
5. Graphic Design
- Lettering and Poster Design – Writing styles, poster creation, book covers, greeting cards, logos, emblems.
- Book Illustration – Creating pictures for books, magazines, and newspapers.
- Printmaking – Techniques like linocut, woodcut, yarn print, stencil, and screen printing.
- Package Design – Designing wrappers, cereal boxes, CD covers.
- Computer Graphics – Using design software like CorelDraw and Adobe Photoshop.
6. Textile Design
- Fabric Design – Creating patterns on fabric using batik, tie-dye, block, or screen printing.
- Appliqué – Attaching cut fabric shapes onto another fabric.
- Tapestry – Making woven fabric with patterns or pictures for furniture or wall art.
7. Picture Making
- Painting – Using different materials to create pictures, including wall paintings.
- Photography – Basic photo skills, taking pictures of people, nature, and landscapes.
- Mosaic – Making pictures using small pieces of colored materials like glass, paper, or tiles.
- Collage – Combining different materials like paper, cloth, and objects on a surface to create art.
PART C: CREATIVE DESIGN (3-DIMENSIONAL ART)
8. Sculpture
- Making 3D artworks using clay, metal, wood, papier-mâché, and cement.
- All clay sculptures must be baked (fired).
9. Product Design/Modeling
- Creating models of products like cars, phones, bottles, and cosmetic items.
10. Ceramics
- Making clay items like jugs, vases, bowls, toys, and figures.
- All clay objects must be baked (fired).
11. Crafts
- Basketry – Making mats, chairs, hats, stools, and bags using cane and raffia.
- Jewelry – Creating accessories using metal, beads, plastic, shells, and seeds.
- Calabash Decoration – Designing calabash (gourds) using different art techniques.
This syllabus will help students prepare properly for their WAEC Visual Arts exam.
Recommended Textbooks for WAEC Visual Arts 2025
Below is a list of books that can help students prepare for the WAEC Visual Arts exam. These books cover different areas of art, including general knowledge, African art, design, and history.
- Amenuke, S. K., & Dogbe, B. K. et al. – General Knowledge in Art for Senior Secondary Schools (Ministry of Education)
- Ayisi, E. O. (1972) – An Introduction to the Study of African Culture (Heinemann)
- Beier, U. (1960) – Art in Nigeria (Cambridge University Press)
- Banjoko, I. – Cultural and Creative Arts
- Clement, R. – The Art Teacher’s Handbook (Century Hutchinson Limited)
- De Samsmarez, M. – Basic Design: The Dynamics of Visual Form (Studio Vista Limited)
- Filani, K. (2005) – Patterns of Culture in Contemporary Yoruba Art (Symphony Books)
- Gardner, H. (1980) – Art Through the Ages (Harcourt, Brace & World)
- Gillon, W. – A Short History of African Art (Penguin Books Limited)
- Gombrich, E. H. – The Story of Art (Phaidon Press Limited)
- Harlow – Art History in Africa (Longman Group Limited)
- Mayers, B. S. – Art & Civilization (McGraw Hill)
- Ogunmor, E. (2007) – Certificate Art for Junior and Senior Secondary Schools (University Press)
- Olaosebikan, W. A. – Cultural & Creative Arts: A Sourcebook for Teachers (Evans)
- Osborne, H. – Art of Appreciation (Oxford University)
- Oyelola, P. (1981) – Nigerian Crafts (Macmillan)
- Pluckrose, H. – The Book of Crafts (Evans Brothers Limited)
- Stemberg, H. – Composition (Grosset & Dunlop)
- Talabi, G. – Art Teaching in African Schools (Heinemann Educational Books)
- Underwood, L. (1968) – Bronzes of West Africa (Transatlantic Art)
- Uzoagba, I. N. (2008) – Understanding Art in General Education (African First Publishers Ltd.)
- Wangboje, S. J. (1982) – A Textbook on Art for Senior Secondary School (Evans Brother (Nig.) Ltd.)
- Whitfield – Beginning Pen Lettering (Book 3) (Gina and Company Ltd.)
- Willett, F. (1967) – Ife and the History of West African Sculpture (Thames and Hudson)
- Willett, F. – African Art (Thames and Hudson)
These books will help students gain a better understanding of art concepts and prepare well for their exams.
If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comments, and we will respond soon. Also, share this post with other students who may need it.
For more details on the WAEC Syllabus 2025, visit Blawg.org for helpful study guides and updates.
(Note: This is not the official WAEC website.)
FAQs on WAEC Syllabus for Visual Arts 2025
- What is the WAEC Syllabus for Visual Arts?
It is a guide that lists topics, exam format, and study materials for the WAEC Visual Arts exam. - How many papers are in the WAEC Visual Arts exam?
The exam has three papers: multiple-choice, essay, and practical. - What are the main topics in the syllabus?
Topics include general knowledge in art, West African art, drawing, painting, sculpture, and crafts. - Are there recommended books for the exam?
Yes, there are many books on art history, design, and techniques to help students prepare. - Where can I get the WAEC Syllabus for Visual Arts?
You can download it from the WAEC official website or check your school for a copy.
