English is compulsory for almost every university course, so a strong grade in it matters. These WAEC English tips are written for SS3 students who want to move from an average result to a high one, using clear methods for essay writing, comprehension, summary, lexis and structure, and oral English.
The exact format and marking details can change, so always check the current WAEC syllabus and past papers. The skills below, however, apply year after year, and they improve with steady daily practice rather than last-minute cramming.
WAEC English tips for essay writing that scores
Marks in the essay come from content, organisation, expression and mechanical accuracy. Read the question twice and underline what it asks you to do: narrate, describe, argue or write a letter. A good essay with the wrong format loses marks quickly.
Plan for five minutes before you write. Jot down a short outline: an opening, two or three main points and a conclusion. Use paragraphs, and begin each with a clear sentence that tells the reader what is coming. Choose simple, accurate words over long, unfamiliar ones, and keep your sentences varied. For letters, learn the formal and informal layouts, including address, salutation and closing. Leave a few minutes at the end to check spelling, punctuation and tenses.
Practise full essays under timed conditions at least once a week, then have a teacher or a strong classmate mark them. Compare your essay with a model answer and ask what the better version did differently. Over time you will notice the habits that raise a grade.
Study good examples. Read a few model essays, then note how they open, how paragraphs link and how they end. Imitate those habits in your own words, rather than copying phrases.
Comprehension and summary
In comprehension, answer exactly what is asked and use your own words unless the question tells you to quote. Read the passage once for the general idea, then read it again with the questions beside you. Look for words that show where the answer lies, and check the question word: who, why, how or which.
Summary questions test your ability to select the main points and express them briefly. Underline key ideas, ignore examples and repeated details, and then write in full sentences with connecting words. Respect the word limit, because rambling loses marks. Practise by summarising a news article or a textbook page in three or four sentences every day.
Read a variety of material: newspapers, novels and magazines. Wide reading builds the vocabulary and sense of style that help in every part of the paper, and it is more enjoyable than memorising word lists.
In a timed exam, give yourself a clear order: read the passage, answer the straightforward questions, then return to the harder ones. This protects your marks if time runs short.
Lexis and structure
This section rewards a wide vocabulary and a good ear for grammar. Build both through reading. Keep a notebook of new words, idioms and phrasal verbs and review it often, writing each in your own sentence.
Revise the common grammar areas that trip students up: concord (subject and verb agreement), tenses, prepositions, articles, and the correct use of idioms. When you meet a difficult question, try each option in the sentence and listen to which one sounds right. Then learn from every mistake by writing down the rule behind it.
Do not skip the practice questions on idioms and register. Questions about the right word for the right situation reward students who have read and listened widely, so make reading a daily habit.
Finally, read your answers aloud in your head. Awkward sentences usually sound wrong before you can explain why, and that instinct improves with practice.
Oral English
Oral English tests how words sound, so you must practise listening and speaking, not only reading. Learn the basic ideas of vowel and consonant sounds, word stress and intonation, and practise with a good dictionary that shows pronunciation.
Say words aloud, compare similar-sounding pairs and listen to careful speakers. Past questions show which patterns come up most often. Practise a little every day, even ten minutes, because sounds are learned by repetition rather than memorisation.
Listen to the radio or watch news broadcasts in English to train your ear. Notice how speakers stress words and how their voices rise and fall in questions and statements.
Frequently asked questions
How can I improve my English quickly?
Read widely, write short pieces regularly and ask a teacher to mark them. Daily practice beats occasional long sessions.
How should I use past questions for English?
Attempt them under timed conditions, mark carefully and note recurring weak areas such as concord or summary writing. Then revise those areas directly.
Success in English comes from reading, writing and listening every day. Combine those habits with careful use of past questions, and the exam will feel familiar rather than frightening. At Palmville College, teachers guide students through WAEC preparation, and you can find out more on our secondary school page or by contacting us.