WAEC Block Laying Syllabus 2024/2025

WAEC Block Laying Syllabus are now available for students who are preparing to start their WAEC examination. Check it out and prepare for your examination well.

In this content, you are going to see the full details on the syllabus which you are expected to cover before the date of your examination. If you want to finish your WAEC with flying colours, then this should be one of the things to look at.

WAEC Block Laying Syllabus

The examination is composed of three (3) papers:

Paper 1: Multiple Choice

• Contains 40 multiple choice questions.
• Duration: 45 minutes.
• Marks: 40.

Paper 2: Essay

• Contains 5 short structured questions.
• Candidates are required to answer 4 questions.
• Duration: 1 hour.
• Marks: 60.

Paper 1 and Paper 2 are combined into a composite paper: – Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes. – Total Marks: 100.

Paper 3: Practical

• Duration: 3 hours.
• Marks: 100.
• The practical involves laying up to 30 blocks or 100 bricks. In composite walling, a combination of no more than 20 blocks and 40 bricks is allowed.
• If facilities for practical tests are unavailable, an alternative practical exam will be conducted, focusing on knowledge of practical processes and safety practices in blocklaying, bricklaying, and concrete work.

Detailed Syllabus

1. Workshop and Site Safety
   • Safety rules at work sites.
   • First aid.
   • Purpose and regulations of safety (scaffolding, electrical installations, etc.).
   • Protective gear.
2. Basic Tools and Equipment
   • Identification, sketching, and uses of basic hand tools for blocklaying, bricklaying, and concreting.
   • Maintenance of tools and equipment.
3. Site Preparation and Setting Out
   • Tools and equipment for site preparation.
   • Clearing building sites.
   • Methods of setting out and materials used.
4. Manufacture, Application, and Properties of Blocks and Bricks
   • Manufacturing processes.
   • Types and materials of bricks and blocks (sand, lime, cement, clay, laterite, and water).
5. Concreting Materials
   • Constituents of concrete.
   • Types of cement.
   • Fine and coarse aggregates.
   • Storage of concrete materials.
6. Formwork for Construction Work
   • Functions and requirements of formwork.
   • Materials and construction of formworks for various concrete elements.
   • Erection and striking of formworks.
7. Concreting Operations
   • Mix proportions and stages in concreting.
   • Transporting, placing, curing, and testing concrete.
   • Properties and reinforcement of concrete.
8. Substructure Construction Work
   • Types of soil and site investigation.
   • Foundation types and uses.
   • Ground floors, d.p.c., and d.p.m.
9. Upper Floors
   • Functions, types, and construction methods.
   • Types of flooring.
10. Walls
    • Functions, types, and materials.
    • Mortar mixing methods and types of pointing and jointing.
11. Openings in Walls
    • Functions and types of openings.
    • Materials for lintels, beams, arches, windows, and doors.
12. Stairs Construction
    • Types of stairs and construction of a straight flight stair.
13. Scaffolding
    • Types and components of scaffolds.
    • Hoisting equipment and safety regulations.
14. Finishes
    • Types of finishes and finishing materials.
    • Characteristics, uses, and maintenance of finishes.
15. Drainage System Construction
    • Principles and types of drainage systems.
    • Sketches of septic tanks, soakaways, and other drainage components.
    • Laying drain pipes.
16. Kerbs
    • Functions, types, and materials used for kerbs.
    • Methods of laying precast concrete kerbs.
17. Business Opportunities in Building
    • Opportunities in the building industry.
    • Procedures for establishing and managing construction businesses.
    • Cost estimation and bookkeeping principles.

List of Tools and Equipment

Tools:

• Internal angle trowel
• External angle trowels
• Pointing trowel
• Hand trowel
• Block axe
• Boat level
• Bolster
• Club hammer
• Builders square
• Brick hammer
• Cold chisel
• Corner blocks
• Folding rule
• Gauge rod or rule
• Hawk
• Joint duster
• Jointers
• Jointing board/caulking board
• Line and pin
• Mason’s hand saw
• Metal float
• Plastering trowel
• Plumb rule and bob
• Builder’s line
• Spade
• Shovel
• Claw hammer
• Gauge lath
• Pointing tools
• Pointing trowel
• Range
• Spirit level
• Steel square
• Straight edge
• Skutch
• Square and bevel
• Tingle plate
• Wire brush
• Wooden float

Equipment:

• A complete set of scaffolding fittings and pipes
• Block moulding machines
• Buckets
• Concrete mixer
• Concrete vibrator (Poker and clamp-on)
• Gauge box
• Manual hand mould
• Hand rammer
• Hand sieves (various sizes)
• Headpan
• Levelling instrument
• Measuring tape
• Pickaxe
• Slump test apparatus
• Tyrolean machine
• Water hoses and roses
• Wheelbarrow
• Terrazzo grinding machine

Suggested Reading List

1. Barry’s Introduction to Construction of Buildings by Stephen Emmett and Christopher A. Publishing.
2. Building Technology by Ivor H. Seeley (Palgrave).
3. Building Construction by Mckay (Longman), Volumes 1-4.
4. Principles of Construction by Roger Greeno.
5. Advanced Building Construction by C. M. H. Baritt (Longman), Volumes 1 & 2.
6. Construction Technology by R. Chudley (Longman), Volumes 1-4.
7. Building Construction for Senior Secondary Schools by L. A. Adesokan and M. O. Adeniyi.
8. Blocklaying and Concreting Industrial Crafts Series by M. O. Obande (Longman).
9. Brickwork by W. G. Nash, Volumes 1-3.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the components of the examination?

The examination consists of three papers: multiple choice, essay, and practical.

What is the duration of the composite paper (Paper 1 and Paper 2)?

The composite paper lasts 1 hour and 45 minutes.

How many blocks or bricks are used in the practical exam?

Up to 30 blocks or 100 bricks, or a combination of 20 blocks and 40 bricks for composite walling.

What happens if practical facilities are not available?

An alternative practical exam will be conducted, focusing on theoretical knowledge and safety practices.

What are the primary topics covered in the syllabus?

Topics include workshop safety, tools and equipment, site preparation, block and brick manufacturing, concreting materials and operations, formwork, substructure and upper floor construction, walls, openings, stairs, scaffolding, finishes, drainage systems, kerbs, and business opportunities in building.

What resources are suggested for further reading?

A list of recommended books is provided, including titles by Stephen Emmett, Ivor H. Seeley, Mckay, Roger Greeno, C. M. H. Baritt, R. Chudley, L. A. Adesokan, M. O. Obande, and W. G. Nash.

Conclusion

This detailed examination guide for blocklaying, bricklaying, and concreting covers essential knowledge and practical skills required for proficiency in these trades. By adhering to the provided syllabus and utilizing the suggested reading materials, candidates can adequately prepare for the examination.

Understanding safety regulations, mastering tool usage, and comprehending construction principles are fundamental to achieving success in both the theoretical and practical components of the exam.