Short Hand WAEC Syllabus

This is the complete Short Hand WAEC Syllabus for this years WAEC examination. Candidates for WAEC GCE (External) and candidates for WAEC SSCE (Internal) are reminded to use this syllabus to prepare for their examination. Click here "WAEC Syllabus" to get the rest of the subjects.

We advise that candidates should be aware of the WAEC examination time table on time in order to prepare very well for the forth coming examination.

If you have any question(s) regarding WAEC Result or WAEC exams in general, kindly visit the WAEC FAQ's & A's section of this blog before panicking.  

The importance of this WAEC Syllabus can never be undermined. Hence, it's advisable to stick to your books as well as this syllabus for highlights and concentration areas. It is also advisable that students becomes aware of the WAEC grading system to know what grade they are exactly aiming for.

See also the WAEC exams rules and regulations and how to grow thick skin for it. 

Short Hand WAEC Syllabus

Below is the WAEC Syllabus for this year; kindly make judicious use of it.

SCHEME OF EXAMINATION

Two passages will be dictated at 80 words per minute with an interval of 2 minutes. The syllabic intensity of the passages should be 1.35 – 1.40. Each passage will last for 3 minutes. After the last passage, 5 minutes will be allowed for candidates to read through their shorthand notes before the commencement of transcription. All transcription must be done on the typewriter. The use of English and Shorthand Dictionaries is allowed. The examination shall be of 1 hour 13 minutes duration (6 minutes for dictation, 7 minutes for intervals and 1 hour for transcription).

DETAILED SYLLABUS

• Business Matters

One of the passages for dictation shall be business in nature e.g. Letters, Memoranda, Reports, and any other related topics.

• Literary Matters

The other passage shall be literary and within the experience of the candidates. It shall not be technical or controversial.

NOTES ON THE EXAMINATION

• Candidates must provide their own typewriters, shorthand notebooks, and other writing materials.

• The shorthand notes may be written with either pen or pencil. The shorthand notes must be attached to the transcripts.

• Specially marked typing papers will be supplied by the Council. No typing paper other than those supplied by the Council may be used.

• Candidates shall not be allowed to make any carbon copy.

• The shorthand readers shall be allowed access to the passages twenty minutes before the dictation commences.

A preliminary passage of 2 minutes duration will be dictated before the commencement of the actual examination to enable candidates to become accustomed to the reader’s voice. The preliminary passage must not be transcribed and does not form part of the examination.

• The candidate’s shorthand teacher may be appointed to dictate the passages. The invigilator must check the dictation and note errors or deviation from the total time allowed for each passage. A signed certificate of the actual time taken should be returned with the completed scripts.

• As quarter-minute indications printed on each passage. Care should be taken to articulate the words very distinctly. Punctuation must be indicated by the inflexion of the voice and in no case dictated.

• The reader is expected to leave the examination hall immediately after the dictation, taking away with him the shorthand passages. These should be returned to the Council or an official of the Council where one is available. On no account should the passages be left with either the Invigilator or Supervisor.

READING LIST

• First course –           Pitman
• First course review –           Pitman 2000
• Pitman 2000 Phrase Book
• First Dictionary –           Pitman 2000 shorthand
• 700 common words –           Pitman 2000
• Office skills magazines
• Journals
• Speed development –           Pitman 2000

Bryan Coombs

• Speed builder –           Bryan Coombs