WAEC Building Construction Syllabus 2024/2025

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

Table of Contents

WAEC Building Construction Past Questions

Building construction exams are designed to test both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed in the field. The exams are split into three different papers, each focusing on specific topics, with set durations and grading methods. The syllabus includes a broad range of subjects to make sure students get a thorough education in building construction.

Examination Structure

Paper 1: Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

Duration: 45 minutes
Questions: 40 multiple choice
Marks: 40

Paper 1 is designed to test the fundamental knowledge of students in a quick and efficient manner. The multiple choice format allows for a broad range of topics to be covered within a limited time frame.

Paper 2: Essay

Duration: 1 hour
Questions: 5 short structured questions (students are required to answer 4)
Marks: 60

Paper 2 assesses the students’ ability to articulate their understanding of building construction concepts through structured essay questions. This format encourages critical thinking and detailed explanations of various topics.

Composite Paper (Papers 1 & 2)

Duration: 1¾ hours
Total Marks: 100

This composite paper combines both the multiple choice and essay questions, providing a comprehensive evaluation of the students’ knowledge and analytical skills in a single session.

Paper 3: Building Drawing

Duration: 2½ hours
Questions: 4 questions (1 compulsory and 2 others)
Marks: Compulsory question (40 marks), others (30 marks each)

Paper 3 focuses on practical skills in building drawing. Students must demonstrate their ability to produce detailed and accurate drawings, which are essential for the planning and execution of construction projects.

Detailed Syllabus

1. Introduction to Building

Definition of building: Understanding what constitutes a building.
Classification and types: Various types and classifications of buildings.
National Building Codes: Introduction to building regulations and bylaws.

2. Building Construction and Construction Team

Building construction: Definition, purpose, and procedures.
Construction team: Roles of clients, contractors, and statutory personnel.
Team functions and relationships: Understanding the interrelations and responsibilities within the construction team.

3. Safety Practices

Safety rules and regulations: Fundamental safety practices in construction.
Hazards: Identifying potential hazards in workshops and construction sites.
Accident prevention: Methods and equipment for preventing accidents.
Safety equipment and first aid: Essential safety gear and first aid procedures.

4. Basic Tools, Equipment, and Machines

Identification and functions: Recognizing and understanding the purpose of various tools and equipment.
Care and maintenance: Proper handling and maintenance of construction tools.

5. Site Clearing and Levelling

Operations involved: Steps in site clearing.
Tools and equipment: Equipment used for site clearing and levelling.
Site levelling: Basic operations for leveling a construction site.

6. Site Organization and Layout

Preliminary operations: Initial steps in building construction.
Site layout procedures: Methods for organizing a construction site, including boundary lines, hoarding, and access roads.

7. Setting Out

Methods: Techniques such as the 3:4:5 method and builders’ square method.
Tools and equipment: Essential tools for setting out a construction site.

8. Building Drawing

Drawing tools: Using drawing tools and basic geometry exercises related to building.
Building symbols and scales: Understanding and applying building drawing symbols and scales.
Production drawings: Creating and interpreting plans, elevations, sections, and details.
Autocad: Introduction to computer-aided design for building drawings.

9. Excavation and Earthwork

Soil properties: Classification and types of soil.
Excavation methods: Techniques and equipment for excavation.
Safety rules: Ensuring safety during excavation.

10. Foundation

Purpose and types: Understanding the purpose of foundations and the factors that determine their choice.

11. Ground Floors

Functions and methods: Types and construction methods of ground floors.
Basements: Definition and problems associated with basements in buildings.

12. Suspended Floors

Upper floors: Definitions, functions, and construction methods for concrete and timber upper floors.

13. Concrete

Types and materials: Understanding the types of concrete and the materials used.
Production process: Steps involved in producing concrete.
Concrete testing: Various types of tests for concrete.

14. Walls

Types and functions: Different types of walls and their functions.
Wall materials: Properties and manufacturing processes of wall materials, including locally sourced materials.
Wall construction: Methods for constructing walls and openings.

15. Doors and Windows

Types and functions: Understanding different types of doors and windows and their methods of mixing frames.

16. Staircases

Types and uses: Classification and materials used for staircases.

17. Plumbing Installations and Drainage System

Plumbing fittings: Types and materials used in plumbing.
Sanitary appliances: Installation and principles of drainage systems.

18. Electrical Installation and Solar Energy System

Wiring and materials: Identifying electrical symbols, wiring types, and components of solar energy systems.

19. Roofs

Types and materials: Understanding the purpose, types, and materials used for roofs and their coverings.

20. Finishes

Floor, wall, and ceiling finishes: Types, characteristics, and methods of applying finishes.

21. External Work

Fencing, gates, and access roads: Types and materials used in external construction work, including landscaping.

22. Types of Business Organization and Ways of Raising Capital

Business principles: Types of business organizations in the building industry and sources of capital.

23. Bookkeeping

Small scale businesses: Practices for bookkeeping and original entries.

24. Contract Work

Contracts: Definitions, types, documents, and parties involved in contract work.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the format of the building construction exam?

The exam has three papers. Paper 1 has 40 multiple choice questions, Paper 2 has 5 essay questions (answer 4), and Paper 3 involves building drawing. The total marks for Papers 1 and 2 combined are 100, and Paper 3 is also worth 100 marks.

What topics are covered in the building construction syllabus?

The syllabus covers everything from basic tools and safety practices to detailed topics like foundations, walls, roofs, plumbing, and electrical installations. It also includes building drawing and business principles related to construction.

How long do I have to complete the exam?

You have 1¾ hours for Papers 1 and 2 combined, and 2½ hours for Paper 3. So, in total, you need to be prepared for about 4 hours of testing.

What resources can help me prepare for the exam?

Recommended books include “Barry’s Introduction to Construction in Buildings” by Stephen Emmitt and Christopher A. Gorse, “Blocklaying and Concreting” by M. O. Obande, and “Building Technology” by Ivor H. Seeley, among others.

Conclusion

The building construction exam is comprehensive, testing both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. It covers a wide range of topics essential for understanding and working in construction. With thorough preparation using the suggested reading materials and a clear understanding of the exam format, students can confidently tackle this challenging assessment.

WAEC Building Construction Syllabus 2024/2025