Computer Studies

The examination syllabus West African Examinations Council (WAEC) 2026 in computer studies is developed from the National Curriculum for Senior Secondary School Computer Studies. It highlights the scope of the course for Computer Studies examinations at this level. Its structuring revolves around conceptual approach. The major thematic areas considered in the entire syllabus include:

1. Computer fundamentals and evolution 2. Computer hardware 3. Computer Software 4. Basic Computer Operations 5. Computer Applications 6. Managing Computer files 7. Developing Problem-solving skills 8. Information and Communication Technology 9. Computer ethics and human issues

Each thematic area forms a concept which is further divided into sub-concepts. This examination syllabus is not a substitute for the teaching syllabus. Therefore, it does not replace the curriculum.

OBJECTIVES

The objectives of the syllabus are to test candidates’ understanding, knowledge and acquisition of

1. basic concepts of computer and its operations; 2. manipulative, computational and problem-solving skills; 3. application of software packages; 4. operation of computer - related simple devices; 5. on-line skills and their applications; 6. safe attitudes and good practices on effective use of computer; 7. potential for higher studies in Computer related areas.

EXAMINATION SCHEME

There will be three papers, Papers 1, 2 and 3, all of which must be taken. Papers 1 and 2 shall be a composite paper to be taken at one sitting.

Paper 1: will consist of 50 multiple-choice objective questions all which are to be answered in 1 hour for 25 marks.

Paper 2: will consist of five essay questions. Candidates will be required to answer any three in 1 hour for 30 marks.

Paper 3: will test actual practical skills of school candidates and knowledge of practical work for private candidates. It will consist of three questions to be answered in 2 hours for 45 marks.

DETAILED SYLLABUS

TOPIC	CONTENT	NOTE
COMPUTER EVOLUTION (a) Computing Devices I (Precomputing age- 19th century)	(i) Features , components and uses of early computing devices: - Abacus; - Slide Rule ; - Napier’s bone; - Pascal’s calculator; - Leibnitz multiplier; - Jacquad loom; - Charles Babbage’s analytical engine; - Hollerith Census Machine; - Burrough’s Machine. (ii) Contribution of each of the founder of these devices to modern computers.	Trend of development in computing devices from one to the other.
(b) Computing Devices II (20th century to date)	Features, components and uses of: -ENIAC -EDVAC -UNIVAC 1 -Desktop Personal Computers -Laptop and Notebook computers -Palmtop.	Sizes and basic components should be considered in a comparative form.
FUNDAMENTALS OF COMPUTING (a) Overview of Computing System	- Definition of a Computer; - Two main constituents of a Computer - Computer hardware; - Computer software - Classification and examples of hardware and software. - Functional parts of a computer Characteristics of Computers - Electronic in nature; - Accuracy; - Speed; - Interactive etc.	Differences between hardware and software should be treated.
(b) Data and Information	- Definition and examples of data and information; - Differences between data and information.	Definition and effects of viruses and worms should be treated
COMPUTER ETHICS AND HUMAN ISSUES Security and Ethics	1. Sources of security breaches: - Virus, worms and Trojan horses; - Poor implementation of network; - Poor implementation or lack of ICT policies; - Carelessness- giving out personal and vital information on the net without careful screening. - Hackers, spammers etc. 2. Preventive measures - Use of antivirus software e.g. Norton, McAfee, Avast, etc - Use of firewall; - Exercising care in giving out vital and personal information - Encryption - Proper Network Implementation and Polies - Using sites with web certificates - Exercising care in opening e-mail attachments 3. Legal Issues -Copyright (software copyright) -ownership right to -text; -images; -audio; -video -Privacy of audio and video software -Cyber crimes -identify theft; -internet fraud -Hacking	Definition and effects of viruses and worms should be treated
COMPUTER HARDWARE (a) Input devices	Definition and examples of input devices The use of keyboard, mouse, scanner, joystick, light pen, etc Classification of keys on the keyboard into Function, Numeric, Alphabetic -Cursor keys -Features, function and operation of the mouse -Differences in keyboard, mouse, light pen and scanner
Output Devices	-Definition and examples -Output devices: monitor, printer, speaker, plotter – Type, features and uses. -Differences between input and output devices -Similarities and differences in inkjet, laser and line printer	Examples and types of printers and monitors should be treated
Central Processing Unit	Components of C.P.U.: Arithmetic and logic unit, control unit Function of ALU and Control Unit	Combination of the CPU and Memory Unit as system unit should be mentioned.
Memory Unit	Types of Memory Unit: Primaryand Secondary memory -Components of Primary memory unit: ROM and RAM Differences and uses of ROM and RAM Examples of Seconadry memory devices: floppy disk, hard disk, compact disk(CD), flash disk, digitalvideo-disk(DVD) Unit of storage in memory devices: bits, nibble, bytes, kilobytes, megabytes, gigabytes, terabytes Interconversion of unit of storage. -Comparative study of auxiliary storage devices in respect of their size, speed and technology	Physical identification of RAM and ROM devices required.Simple calculation involving the conversion from a unit to another Size and shape variation of floppy, flask/USB and compact disks should be noted
Logic Circuits	-Definition, types and uses of standard logic gate: AND, NOT, OR Symbols of AND, NOT, OR gates -Construction of truth table for standard logic gates -Differences between AND, NOT, OR gates -NAND and NOR as alternative logic gates should be treated Construction of Truth Table for NAND and NOR Construction of a simple comparator with -XOR( Exclusive OR) -NOR gate	Logic equation for AND, NOT, OR gate should be treated. Uses of logic gates are required. Simple definition of a comparator is required.
COMPUTER SOFTWARE (a) System Software	(i) Definition and types of software - System software - Application software (ii) System software and their examples - Operating System e.g. MS Windows - Translator e.g. Compiler - Tools/ Utility e.g. Antivirus (iii) Examples of Operating System - MS Windows - Linux - UNIX - MS-DOS etc (iv) Examples of Translators - Assemblers - Compilers - Interpreters (v) Examples of Utility Programs - Editor - Anti-virus etc	Differences between system and application software is required. Operating systems of phones, ipad and other computerized devices should be treated E.g Android, Blackberry etc.
(b) Operating System	(i) Definition, types, examples and function of Operating System - Graphic User Interface(GUI) - GUI (MS Windows, Linux, etc) - Command line (MS DOS, UNIX, etc)	Differences among the translators should be noted. Differences between GUI and Command line Operating Systems are required.
(c) Application Software	(i) Definition and types of application software (ii) Common Application Packages and their examples - Word processing(MS Windows) - Spreadsheet(MS Excel) - Database(MS Access) - Graphics (iii) Packages for spreadsheet purpose - Accounting software - Payroll program - Banking software - Education management software - Statistical packages - Hospital management software	Differences between user application program and application packages are required
COMPUTER APPLICATION (a) Word Processing	(i) Definition and examples of word processing and word processor -MS Word -Wordstar -WordPerfect (ii) Features of Word Processing programs in general. (iii) Application areas of Word Processing programs -Office -Publishing -Journalism -Education, etc. (iv) Features of MS Word (v) Steps in activating and exiting MS Word (vi) Basic operations in MS Word -Create - Edit - Save -Retrieve -Print - Close (vii) Further operations in MS Word -move -copy -cut -use of different Types and sizes of fonts -formatting -justifying -search/explore -spell checking -file merging, etc	Definition of each operational term is required.
(b) Spreadsheet	(i) Definition and examples of spreadsheet program -VisiCALC -MS Excel -SuperCALC -Autocad, etc (ii) Feature of spreadsheet program (iii)Application areas of Spreadsheet programs: -Accounting -Statistical calculation -Student result, etc (iv)Features of MS Excel Environment -status bar -menu bar -formula bar, etc (v)Definition of basic terms in MS Excel -worksheet -workbook -cells -cell ranges (vi)Data types in Excel -Number -Labels -Formula (vii)Basic operation in Excel -Data Entry -Saving -Retrieve Copy -Move (viii)Arithmetic calculations using formula and built-in function (ix)Additional operation in Excel -Editing -Formatting -Printing -Drawing charts, etc	Simple calculations with and without builtin function e.g. sum, average, etc Pie chart, histogram, bar chart, etc
(c) Database	(i)Definition of database and database packages (ii)Examples of database packages -Dbase IV, -Foxbase -MS Access -Oracle, etc (iii)Basic terms in Database -File -Record -Field -Key (iv)Types of database organization methods and their features -Hierarchical -Network -Relational (v)Features of database format -Files designed as tables -Tables comprise row and columns -Row containing related information about a record. -Column containing specific type of information about a field. (vi)Steps in creating database -define the structure -indicate field type(numeric, character, data, text, etc) -enter data -save data (vii)Basic operations on already created database. Database -searching -modifying -sorting -reporting -selecting -inserting, etc
(d) Graphics	(i)Definition of Graphics (ii)Examples of Graphics packages -Paint -Harvard graphics -Photoshop -Coreldraw, etc (iii)Features in activating and existing Coreldraw (iv)Simple design using Coreldraw -Business card -School logo -National flag -Invitation card -Certification, etc
(e) Presentation package	(i)Definition of presentation package (ii)Examples of presentation package -MS PowerPoint, etc (iii)Features of PowerPoint environment (iv)Steps in activating and exiting PowerPoint (v)PowerPoint operation -create new presentation -insert pictures, text, graphs -animated contents -add new slide -save presentation -run slide show -print presentation -close presentation
MANAGING COMPUTER FILES (a) Concept of Computer Files	(i)Definition of some terms -computer file -record -field -data item (ii)Types of data item -numeric -alphabetic -alphanumeric (iii)File structure organisation (Data item—record— file—database) (iv)Types of file organization -serial -sequential -index -random (v) Methods of accessing files -serial -sequential -random (vi) File classification -master file -transaction file -reference file (vii)Criteria for classifying files: -nature of content(program and data) -organisation method -storage medium	Differences among the organization methods are required
(b) Handling Computer Files	(i)Basic operation on computer files -file -delete -retrieve -insert -copy -view -update -open -close (ii) Effect of file insecurity -data loss -data corruption -data becomes unreliable (iii)Causes of data loss -over-writing -inadvertent deletion (iv)Methods of file security -use of backup -use of antivirus -password -proper labelling of storage devices, etc (v)Differences between computer files and manual files (vi)Advantages of computer files -more secure -fast to access,etc (vii)Disadvantages of computer files -expensive to set up -irregular supply of electricity.	File processing using BASIC programming is required.
BASIC COMPUTER OPERATIONS (a) Booting and shutting down process	(i) Description and types of booting process (ii)Types of booting process -cold booting -warm booting (iii)Steps involved in : -booting a computer; -shutting down a computer (iv)Identification of features on a desktop	Difference between cold and warm booting should be treated
(b) Computer Data Conversion	(i)Definition of registers, address, bus (ii)Types and functions of registers: MDR, CIR, SCR (iii)Differences between register and main memory (iv)Steps involved in how a computer converts data to required information (Input-Process-Output) (v)Factors affecting speed of data transfer: -bus speed; -bus width.	Fetch-execute cycle is not required
INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY(ICT) (a) Communication Systems	(i)What‘ICT’ acronym stands for. (ii) Types of ICT -Broadcasting -Telecommunication -Data Network -Information Systems -Satellite Communications -Examples of Broadcasting -Radio broadcasting -Television broadcasting -Satellite system -Examples of Telecommunication -Public Switched Telephone Network(PSTN)- Landline -Mobile phone systems -Circuit Switched Packet Telephone System(CSPT) -Satellite telephone system -Fixed wireless telephone system -Examples of data networks -Personal Area Network(PAN) -Local Area Network(LAN) -Metropolitan Area Network(MAN) -Wide Area Network(WAN) -Internet -Examples of Information Systems -Data Processing System -Global Positioning System(GPS)
(b) Application areas of ICT	(i)Application Areas of ICT include the following: -Teleconferencing -Video conferencing -Telecommuting -Telecomputing -Messaging -Information search, retrieval and archival. (ii)ICT based gadgets and their operations -Mobile phones -Computers -Fax machines -Automated Teller Machines(ATM) -Dispensing machines -Point of Sale Machines - Automated Cash Register(ACR) -Radio sets -Television sets, etc	Definition and description of these terms are required. Knowledge on the operations on these ICT- based gadgets is required.
(c)Internet	(i)Definition of Internet and some Internet terms: -Homepage -Browse -Browser -Chatroom -Cybercafe -HTTP -HTML -ISP -Webpage -Website,etc (ii)Types of internet browsers -Internet explorer Netscape navigator -Opera -Firefox -Cometbird ,etc (iii)Features of Internet browsers: -Title bar -Menu bar -Tool bar -Address bar,etc (iv)Types of Internet services -Electronic mail (e- mail) -e-mail discussion group -Instant messaging -Telnet -Usenet -File Transfer Protocol(FTP) -Worldwide web(www) -Chatting, etc	Internet through these browsers. Application of the features of Internet browser window is required. Benefits of Internet to our society should be stressed
(d) Electronic Mail(e- mail)Services	(i)Definition of electronic mail (ii)E-mail Services: -sending/receiving e- mail -chatting, etc (iii)Steps involved in creating e-mail account (iv)Steps involved in opening mail box (v)Features in an e-mail address e.g. fmemail@fmegovng.org (vi)Definition and steps involved in chatting.	Procedure for sending and receiving email is required
(e)Networking	(i)Definition of a Computer Network (ii)Types of Network -PAN -LAN -WAN -MAN -Internet (iii) Network topology -Star -Bus -Ring (iv)Network devices -Hub -Modems -Switches -Routers -Network Interface Card(NIC) (v)Advantages of Networking (i)What is the ‘W.W.W.’ acronym stands for (ii)Brief history of W.W.W. (iii)Basic terminologies: -W.W.W. -website -webpage -homepage -protocol, etc (iv)Protocol -HTTP -HTML (v)Uses/benefits of www (vi)Navigating through websites www.waeconline.org -www.itbeginswithu.org -www.servenigeria.com - www.phillipemeagwali.co m -www.jambonline.org (vii)Difference between e-mail and website address features: e.g.www.waeconline.org and waec@yahoo.com (viii)Software for web development -Frontpage - etc	Differences in the various topologies should be treated Knowledge of “Bridge” as a networking device is required. Nigeria’s contribution to www should be mentioned Use of HTTP and HTML should be mentioned. Visits to these websites are essential
(g) Cables and Connectors	(i)Types of Network Cables and Connectors -Cables: Twisted pair, coaxial, fibre optic, telephone -Connectors: RJ45, RJ11, T- connectors (ii)Types of Computer Cables and Connector -Cables:Power cables Data cables – Printer Cable,universal serial bus(USB), monitor cable, serial cable -Connectors: Male and female	Identification of different Network Cables Connectors should be treated
DEVELOPING PROBLEM-SOLVING SKILLS (a) Programming Language(PL)	(i) Programming Language: Definition, examples, levels and features: (ii)Levels and examples of programming language -Machine Language(ML) , e.g.100011001 -Low Level Language(LLL), e.g. Assembly Language -High Level Language(HLL) e.g. BASIC,C++, FORTRAN, etc. (iii)Comparison of ML, LLL, HLL. (iv)Advantages and disadvantages of ML, LLL and HLL.
(b)High Level Languages	(i) Definition and examples (ii)Classification of HLL as -Scientific -Gen-purpose -Business -AI -String processing language(SPL) (iii)Features of BASIC, C, PASCAL, COBOL – Comparative study	Other programming languages such as Java, Python, etc. should be mentioned.
(c)Algorithm and Flowchart	(i)Definition of : Algorithhm and Flowchart (ii)Functions of Algorithm (iii)Characteristics of Algorithm: -Finite -Effective -Unambiguous (iv)Writing algorithm for: -Computing average of a given set of numbers -Evaluation of equation: y=a(b-c)2 /(d+2) -Computing out the first ten odd numbers, etc (v)Flowchart symbols: - I/O, Process, decisions, etc (vi)Use of each flowchart symbol (vii)Flowchart diagrams for given programming problem
(d)BASIC Programming	(i)What BASIC acronym stands for (ii)BASIC characteristics (iii)Types of data -variable -constant/literal -numeric -string/alphanumeric (iv)BASIC Statements INPUT PRINT, LPRINT LET END REM READ DATA (v)Arithmetic operators (-,+,*,/) (vi)Arithmetic Expressions (vii)Evaluation of Arithmetic expressions (viii)Simple BASIC Programs (ix)Running Simple Programs (i)Built-in functions in BASIC -SQR(X) -INT(X) -SIN(X) -ABS(X) -RND(X) -COS(X) -TAN(X) -LOG(X) -EXP(X) (ii)BASIC Notation of - ±√ -(x-y)/(x+y) -(a+b) +c/sind -ex+y – sin(x+ny), etc (iii)BASIC program to -find the square root of numbers -find square root of S, round up to an integer -find the cosine of known values -find the tangent of given angles. -plot sine wave curve (iv)Additional BASIC Statements -DIM Statement -FOR – NEXT statement -WHILE-END statement (v)Defining one- dimensional array , using DIM statement. (vi)Operating on Array elements -Input of array -Output of array -Arithmetic operations on array (vii)Write BASIC program to : -store a vector of 10 numbers -calculate the mean of 100 numeric values -calculate area of 10 different rectangles -Compute the sum of the first 100 integers	Types of data should be treated Program to calculate -Area of triangle -Area of a rectangle -Average of 3 numbers,etc The simple BASIC program developed should be executable on the computer Numbers of iterations should not exceed eight (8).
(f) Systems Development Cycle	(i)Definition of system development cycle (ii)Description of system development cycle (iii)Stages in system development Cycle -Preliminary study -Feasibility -Investigate study -Analysis -Design -Implementation -Maintenance -Study review (iv)Description of each stage of system development cycle (v)Diagram of system development cycle
(e)Program Development Cycle	(i)Definition of program (ii)Characteristics of a good Program -Accuracy -Readability -Maintainability -Efficiency -Generality -Clarity (iii)Precautions in developing a program -Be stable, steady and patient -No step skipping -Follow order of execution (iv)Steps involved in program development -Problem definition -Problem analysis -Flow chatting -Desk checking -Program coding -Program compilation -Program testing/debugging -Program documentation (v)Description of each of stages in program development (vi)Examples of : -Interpreted program (BASIC) -Compiled program (COBOL, FORTRAN)	Flow diagram on how a compiler and interpreter works is required

1. LIST OF FACILITIES AND MAJOR EQUIPMENT/MATERIALS REQUIRED:

(1) Computer set (2) Laptops (3) Scanners (4) Printers (5) Fax Machine (6) GSM Phone (7) Memory chips (8) Hard disks (9) Flash drives (10) Internet connectivity (11) DVD (12) Compact disks (13) Cables (power and data) (14) Word processing packages, database package, BASIC program and CorelDraw