How to Pass WAEC Literature-in-English

To be able to pass WAEC Literature-in-English requires at least five things from you: start preparing early for the Literature test, cover all sections of the WAEC Literature syllabus, study closely how WAEC set their Literature questions, provide only the material that the questions ask for, and make sure your expression is clear enough.

But the above points are far from being the only steps a student must take to pass WAEC Literature without much stress.

Have you been asking yourself how do I pass a Literature exam? Well in this post, I will share with you the strategic steps that should make it easier for any senior high school student to pass WAEC Literature.

These are the secrets behind the amazing success of a few WAEC/NECO/JAMB candidates who take the Literature-in-English test. Are you a private candidate in the Nov/Dec WASSCE? These tips will guide you to pass your WAEC/WASSCE Literature once and for all.

1. Start Your Preparations Early

Starting early means at least two things. First, you must know all the prescribed Literature books and poems right from your first year in Senior High School. And if you’re hoping to pass Literature as a private candidate find a way to know the titles of all the novels, plays and poems you need to study. It is best if you know these at least one year before the exam.

Secondly, get hold of all the Literature texts. Then begin to read them there and then. Do not overwhelm yourself by attempting to read all at once. Depending on your abilities, you may decide to read one prose text first. And while at it, you can also be taking a look at one or two of the poems.

Repeat this strategy until you finish reading all the books and poems. The truth is those students who perform brilliantly in WAEC/WASSCE Literature hardly wait for the Literature tutor to introduce each prescribed text to them. They are always one step ahead of the Literature-in-English lessons.

2. Cover All the Sections of the Literature Syllabus

Remember that it is all the sections of the WAEC Literature paper that give you a total score of 100 per cent. This is why you need to take all parts of the WAEC Literature syllabus very seriously.

For example, while you are enjoying yourself studying African Prose or Non-African Drama, you need to at the same time get enough time for Non-African poetry or unseen prose.

Guess what will happen when you get an excellent score in Prose and then flop badly in the objective test, for example. Your excellent mark will be diluted by your abysmal performance in the ignored area.

And overall, it may become almost impossible to get a pass mark. This is in spite of your excellent score in your one or two favourite areas.

3. Participate in Lively Group Discussions

Granted, there is nothing wrong with trying to go solo with your studies. But let’s face it, group discussions help students to better understand and remember concepts they have learned.

And when it comes to studying Literature, my personal experience has taught me that the more you speak freely with someone about the characters, incidents, themes, and literary techniques in any text, the better your chances of recollecting them later.

Again, your fellow students can help you to understand certain areas you’ve been struggling with.

4. Educate Yourself on How WAEC Set Their Questions

This is important because ignorance about the secrets behind WAEC questions has cost a lot of Literature candidates dearly. Let me explain this to you.

As I write this post, we are studying the WAEC/NECO Literature books for the years 2021-2025. So let’s assume that for African Drama, you are studying Wole Soyinka’s play, The Lion and the Jewel. You have prepared well for a question like this;

Comment on the significance of the wrestling match in the play.

Now you entered the exam room only to realize that there is no question like this. Your first reaction is an expression of shock. It is quickly followed by fear. Then comes disappointment and a strong desire to throw in the towel.

But among the available questions, there is one which says,

What role does Baroka’s bedroom play in The Lion and the Jewel?

You ignored this question because you found it too difficult or too strange. It is not what you prepared for. But it is! Yes, it is. These two questions are asking almost the same answer from you. So you can use what you studied for the first one to write a wonderful essay for the other.

How to Get A1 in WAEC/NECO/JAMB English

Plot Summary and Analysis of the Lion and the Jewel

400+ Likely WAEC Literature Questions for Practice

How WAEC Set Their Questions – 12 Secrets You Must Know

The above is just one way in which the folks at WAEC trick candidates with seemingly strange questions. Now you know why it is important to learn how WAEC set their questions.

5. Stay On Point

So how do you answer English Literature test questions? You see, besides everything else, the answer you give in a Literature essay must address only what is necessary. Any other points or ideas are irrelevant and useless.

Follow my advice below.

Determine to write only what the questions ask from you. Yes, you may have studied so much and armed yourself with a lot of material for this particular exam. But relevance has to be your watchword.

To pass WAEC Literature with relative ease demands self-restraint as you write a Literature essay. Do not give too little or too much. Do not forget that the Literature marking scheme only takes into consideration material that is relevant to the question and nothing more.

6. Expression Matters

You will answer any Literature test question well by making sure that your expression is clear. Do not forget to choose vocabulary that is simple and relevant to the topic.

Write in simple English. Avoid very long sentences and unnecessarily difficult words. Go straight to the point and state exactly what you want to put across.

Good grammar contributes to the clarity of expression. For that matter, learn to use verb forms correctly. Bad spelling can spoil your essay so avoid it as much as possible.

And remember, you will be doing a good job on your expression when you start your preparations early enough.

7. Have a Good Knowledge of Literary Terms

You can do so much with a mastery of popular literary devices and figures of speech. What do you know about metaphor and irony, for example? Can you identify a literary technique when you see one?

You will impress your examiner a great deal if you are able to identify some poetic devices in a particular poem and explain how they relate to whatever theme you’re discussing in your essay.

Do you know the characteristics of tragedy? You cannot effectively study drama without understanding such terms as dramatic irony, dialogue and soliloquy.

8. Additional Tips to Pass WAEC Literature

Trust me, it is possible to be the best Literature student by taking the above tips seriously. And to improve your chances of passing WAEC/NECO/JAMB Literature, add these few tips as well.

• Study a good number of Literature past questions.
• Follow the instructions of the question paper to the letter.
• Apply these essay writing best practices.

Final Thoughts

It has always been the dream of every senior high school student or WAEC private candidate to obtain the kind of grade that can push them to the next level. But, sadly, for many, this goal remains evermore elusive. Elsewhere, I have pointed out the reasons why students fail the Literature paper. I urge you to read that post too. Combine what you have learned here with the insights from that post. With these, I trust that you will be in a better position to pass your next WAEC Literature-in-English test.

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