By Dorcas Opeyemi There are three major classes students belong to from SS1 to SS3: Art, Commercial, and Science. Sometimes, your school advise you on the class to belong base on your academic ability. These three classes and the subjects play a big role on your course of study at the higher institution.
Whether you want to study medicine, law or accounting at the university, the class you belong.
While some subjects cut across all the three classes, some of them are specifically designed for a class of student. For instance, a commercial student has nothing to do with Chemistry and Physics, while an Art student has no business with Book Keeping or Financial Accounts.
I will segment the subjects that are offered in Senior Secondary School:
General Class/compulsory subjects
Subjects that are offered in general class are:
- English Language,
- General Mathematics,
- Biology,
- Yoruba Language/Igbo Language/Hausa Language or one indigenous subject
- Economics, and
- Agricultural Science.
Even Geography in some instances is considered general subject even though Geography is science-class specific, you may find commercial and art student in geography class.
You will find all SS students in general class regardless of what they wish to study. Although some of them may be optional during Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE). Some students choose between Agricultural Science and Biology. However, English Language and General Mathematics are compulsory for all students.
Don’t forget that a student is required to have a minimum of eight subjects and maximum of nine irrespective of class you in.
List of subjects for Art Students
- English Language
- Government
- Literature-In-English
- General Mathematics
- History
- Economics
- Biology
- Agricultural Science
- Christian Religious Studies or Islamic Religious Studies
- Yoruba Language/Igbo Language/Hausa Language/French Language
- Arabic Studies
Note: You are at liberty to choose a maximum of nine subjects, including English Language and Mathematics, from the above list if you are an Art student. We’ll discuss elaborately on the subjects you need to pay more attention to in another post for possible courses at the university for art students.
List subjects for Commercial Students
- Commerce
- Financial Accounting
- General Mathematics
- English Language
- Economics
- Financial Account/Book Keeping
- Agricultural Science
- Biology
- Geography or Government
Note: The course you want to study would determine your choice of subject combination.
As for a student who wants to study Accounting and Finance, you must take Economics, Accounting, Commerce, English Language, and Mathematics seriously in secondary school.
List subjects for Science Students
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Geography
- General Mathematics
- English Language
- Biology
- Agricultural Science
- Economics
- Further Mathematics
In most cases, science students drop Further Mathematics at the point of SSCE exams, but it helps them a lot.
If you want to study civil engineering, for instance, you will need to focus on Physics, Mathematics, Geography, English Language, Chemistry because in most cases these five subjects are requirements for admission into higher institution.
If you want to specialise in gynecology, an area of medicine that focuses on female reproductive health, you will have to take the following subjects seriously: Biology, Chemistry, English Language, Mathematics, and Physics.
The fact that you must focus on some subjects doesn’t mean you should treat other subjects with levity. All the important subject will contribute in shaping your career goal.
You must note that the growing needs for skill related subjects and courses are making some school tilt towards skill-related subjects. Some of the subjects you will most find on WAEC/NECO timetable include:
- Auto Mechanics
- Basic Electronics
- Physical Education
- Auto Electrical Works
- Brick laying
- Building Construction
- Carpentry and Joinery
- Catering and Craft Practice
- Furniture Making
- Leather Goods
- Welding & Fabrication
- Wood-Work
- Plumbing And Pipe Fitting
- Radio Television and Electrical Work
- Dyeing
- Metal Work
- Painting And Decoration
- Photography
- Tie And Dye Craft
- Printing Craft Practice
- Air Conditioning And Refrigeration
- Auto body repair And Spray painting
- Auto Mechanical Works
- Automobile Parts Merchandising
- Electrical Installation And Maintenance Work
- GSM Maintenance And Repairs
- Machine Woodworking
- Textile trade
- Visual Art
Join EdubaseNG WhatsApp Channel to get the latest education & student loan tips
Join our Telegram Channel to get the latest news about Student Loans & Education News.
Are you a stakeholder in education? You can become our guest writer. Write to us using our our email address here
Editorial Staff 
Anita John