WAEC Shorthand Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks

By WAEC2026 November 18, 2025 Blog, WAEC Syllabus 2026, WAEC Textbooks 0 Comments

The WAEC Shorthand Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks focuses on the ability to transcribe two passages dictated at 80 words per minute, with a 5-minute interval for reading notes before a 1-hour transcription period on a typewriter. The practical exam involves two passages dictated at 80 words per minute, with candidates allowed a short time to read their notes before transcribing using a typewriter. An English and Shorthand Dictionary is permitted during transcription.

Contents

1 Examination Guide 2026/2027
2 WAEC Shorthand Syllabus 2026/2027 & Textbooks
3 WAEC Shorthand Textbooks 2026/2027
4 Recent Posts

Examination Guide 2026/2027

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 1 hour 13 minutes (6 minutes for dictation, 7 minutes for intervals and 1 hour for transcription).

Candidates must provide 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 copies.

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 deviations from the total time allowed for each passage. A signed certificate of the actual time taken should be returned with the completed scripts.

Quarter-minute indications are printed on each passage. Care should be taken to articulate the words very distinctly. Punctuation must be indicated by the inflection of the voice and, in no case, dictated.

The reader is expected to leave the examination hall immediately after the dictation, taking away the shorthand passages. These should be returned to the Council or an official of the Council where one is available. The passages should not be left with either the Invigilator or Supervisor.