WAEC/GCE 2026/2027 Specimen List and Chemistry Practical Questions and Answers

Qualitative Analysis (Salt Analysis)

Sample A (Solid salt): Typically one unknown such as
- Copper(II) sulphate / Iron(II) sulphate / Zinc chloride / Ammonium salt
Reagents provided:
- Dilute hydrochloric acid (HCl)
- Dilute nitric acid (HNO₃)
- Sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution
- Aqueous ammonia (NH₃)
- Barium chloride (BaCl₂)
- Silver nitrate (AgNO₃)
- Distilled water

Volumetric Analysis

Solution B: Standard acid (e.g., HCl or H₂SO₄)
Solution C: Standard base (e.g., Na₂CO₃ or NaOH)
Indicators:
- Methyl orange or Phenolphthalein

Organic Chemistry / Functional Test

Ethanol
Ethanoic acid
Starch solution
Glucose solution

General Laboratory Apparatus

Burette, pipette, conical flask
Test tubes, beakers
Bunsen burner
Retort stand
Filter funnel

SECTION A – VOLUMETRIC ANALYSIS (20 MARKS)

You are provided with:

Solution B (acid)
Solution C (base)

WAEC/GCE 2026/2027 Specimen List and Chemistry Practical Questions and Answers

1. (a) Pipette 25.0 cm³ of solution C into a conical flask.

Add 2–3 drops of indicator and titrate with solution B.

Record your readings.

(b) Tabulate your readings.

(c) Calculate the average titre.

(d) Given that:

$C_a V_a = C_b V_b$

Calculate the concentration of solution B.

ANSWERS (SECTION A)

Rough titre: ~24.0–26.0 cm³
Average titre: e.g., 25.0 cm³
Correct substitution into formula
Final concentration correctly computed

SECTION B – QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS (20 MARKS)

2. Perform the following tests on Sample A

(a) Add water to a portion of A. State observation.

Answer:

Solid dissolves / partially dissolves

(b) Add NaOH solution (dropwise, then excess).

Observation:

Blue precipitate (Cu²⁺) OR
Green precipitate (Fe²⁺) OR
White precipitate (Zn²⁺)

Inference:

Presence of corresponding metal ion

(c) Add aqueous ammonia.

Observation:

Deep blue solution → Cu²⁺
White precipitate soluble in excess → Zn²⁺

(d) Add BaCl₂ solution after acidifying.

Observation:

White precipitate

Inference:

Sulphate (SO₄²⁻) present

(e) Add AgNO₃ solution.

Observation:

White precipitate → Chloride
Cream → Bromide

CONCLUSION:

Likely salt = e.g., Copper(II) sulphate

SECTION C – ORGANIC / GENERAL CHEMISTRY (10 MARKS)

3. Food and Organic Tests

(a) Test for starch.

Procedure: Add iodine
Observation: Blue-black
Inference: Starch present

(b) Test for glucose.

Procedure: Add Benedict’s + heat
Observation: Brick-red precipitate
Inference: Reducing sugar present

(c) Test for ethanol.

Procedure: Add sodium metal (or oxidation test)
Observation: Effervescence
Inference: Alcohol present

4. Laboratory Techniques

(a) State two precautions during titration.

Answer:

Read burette at eye level
Avoid air bubbles

WAEC 2026 Specimen List and Chemistry Practical Questions and Answers

(b) State two sources of error.

Answer:

Parallax error
Incomplete reaction

LIKELY SPECIMENS (ADVANCED SET)

Sample A: Mixed salt (e.g., ZnSO₄ + NH₄Cl or Fe²⁺ salt with impurity)
Solution B: 0.050 M HCl
Solution C: Na₂CO₃ solution (unknown concentration)
Solution D: Organic compound (ethanol vs ethanoic acid trap)

Reagents:
NaOH, NH₃, BaCl₂, AgNO₃, dilute acids, heat source

SECTION A – VOLUMETRIC ANALYSIS (20 MARKS)

1. Titration (Precision Trap)

You are provided with:

Solution B (acid)
Solution C (base: Na₂CO₃)

(a) Perform titration and record readings

Titration	Initial (cm³)	Final (cm³)	Titre (cm³)

(b) Your titres must agree within ±0.10 cm³

(c) Calculate the average titre

(d) Given:

Na₂CO₃ + 2HCl → 2NaCl + H₂O + CO₂

Using:

$CaVana=CbVbnb\frac{C_a V_a}{n_a} = \frac{C_b V_b}{n_b}$

Calculate the concentration of solution C.

TRAPS IN THIS QUESTION

Using wrong mole ratio (1:1 instead of 1:2)
Poor titre agreement (>0.20 cm³ loses marks)
Wrong significant figures

EXPECTED ANSWER (GUIDE)

Concordant titres: e.g., 24.80, 24.90, 24.85
Average ≈ 24.85 cm³
Correct mole ratio applied

SECTION B – QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS (20 MARKS)

2. Sample A (Mixed Salt Trap)

(a) Add water to A

Observation:

Partially soluble

Inference:

Mixture present

(b) Add NaOH (dropwise, then excess)

Observation:

White precipitate forms
Dissolves in excess

Inference:

Zn²⁺ present

(c) Warm with NaOH

Observation:

Pungent gas evolved turning red litmus blue

Inference:

NH₄⁺ present

(d) Add BaCl₂ after acidifying

Observation:

White precipitate insoluble in acid

Inference:

SO₄²⁻ present

(e) Add AgNO₃

Observation:

White precipitate soluble in NH₃

Inference:

Cl⁻ present

FINAL CONCLUSION (FULL MARK ANSWER)

Sample A contains:

Zn²⁺, NH₄⁺, SO₄²⁻, Cl⁻
→ Mixture of salts

TRAPS HERE

Missing confirmatory test (loss of marks)
Writing “gas” instead of identifying ammonia
Confusing Zn²⁺ with Al³⁺

WAEC/GCE 2026/2027 Specimen List and Chemistry Practical Questions and Answers

SECTION C – ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (10 MARKS)

3. Identify Sample D (Ethanol vs Ethanoic Acid Trap)

(a) Add Na₂CO₃

Observation:

Effervescence (CO₂ gas)

Inference:

Acid present → Ethanoic acid

(b) Add blue litmus

Observation:

Turns red

(c) Warm with acidified K₂Cr₂O₇

Observation:

Orange → Green

Inference:

Alcohol (ethanol) present

TRAP INTERPRETATION

If both tests are positive →
Sample may be impure or mixed

EXPECTED CONCLUSION

Either ethanoic acid OR mixture with ethanol

4. Experimental Skills (Trap-Based)

(a) State two reasons why pipette must not be blown out

Answer:

Calibrated to deliver exact volume
Blowing introduces error

(b) Why is methyl orange preferred to phenolphthalein here?

Answer:

Strong acid vs weak base titration requires methyl orange

(c) State two sources of error in titration

Answer:

Parallax error
Air bubbles in burette

2026 WAEC CHEMISTRY PRACTICAL QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS (ALT A/ALT B)

Candidates supplied with:
Solution Aₙ = H₂SO₄ (0.0500 mol/dm³ assumed)
Solution Bₙ = NaOH (0.100 mol/dm³ assumed)
Solid Cₙ = 1:1 mixture of PbCO₃ + starch
Indicators: Methyl orange, phenolphthalein

—

QUESTION 1 (Volumetric Analysis) – 25 marks

(a) Calculate conc of Aₙ in mol/dm³ if 4.90 g/dm³ (Molar mass H₂SO₄ = 98 g/mol).

Ans: 4.90/98 = 0.0500 mol/dm³ (2 marks)

(b) Balanced equation for Aₙ + Bₙ.

Ans: H₂SO₄ + 2NaOH → Na₂SO₄ + 2H₂O (2 marks)

(c) Titrate Aₙ vs Bₙ using methyl orange.
Pipette 25.0 cm³ Aₙ + 2-3 drops methyl orange.
Titrate with Bₙ until colour changes from red to yellow.
Tabulate readings:

|Burette reading|Rough|1st|2nd|3rd|

|Final (cm³)|25.00|24.80|24.90|24.80|

|Initial (cm³)|0.00|0.00|0.00|0.00|

|Titre (cm³)|25.00|24.80|24.90|24.80|

Average titre = (24.80+24.90+24.80)/3 = 24.83 cm³ (6 marks)

(d) Calculate conc of Bₙ in mol/dm³.
Using CaVa/CbVb = na/nb
(0.0500 × 25.0)/Cb × 24.83 = 1/2
Cb = (0.0500 × 25.0 × 2)/24.83 = 0.1007 mol/dm³ (5 marks)

(e) Moles of H₂SO₄ in 25.0 cm³ Aₙ = 0.0500 × (25/1000) = 0.00125 moles (3 marks)

(f) Mass of NaOH in 1 dm³ Bₙ = 0.1007 × 40 = 4.028 g.
Given = 4.00 g.
% error = (0.028/4.00) × 100 = 0.7% (4 marks)

(g) One precaution: Rinse burette with Bₙ before filling. (1 mark)

(h) Why methyl orange over phenolphthalein?
Methyl orange changes colour at pH 3.7-4.4 (acidic), suitable for strong acid vs strong base, sharper endpoint for H₂SO₄/NaOH. (2 marks)

—

QUESTION 2 (Qualitative Analysis – Solid Cₙ = PbCO₃ + starch) – 25 marks

(a) Appearance: White powder, slightly gritty. (2 marks)

(b) Solubility (water + filter):

|Observation|Inference|

|White residue, slightly cloudy filtrate|PbCO₃ insoluble, starch slightly soluble|

(2 marks)

|Observation|Inference|

|Effervescence, limewater turns milky|CO₂ gas – carbonate present|

(4 marks)

(d) Test for Pb²⁺: Dissolve Cₙ in dil HNO₃. Split into two.

|Test|Observation|Inference|

|+ dil H₂SO₄|White precipitate|PbSO₄ formed|

|+ KI solution|Yellow precipitate|PbI₂ formed|

(6 marks)

(e) Starch test: Cₙ + water, boil, cool + iodine.

|Observation|Inference|

|Deep blue/black colour|Starch confirmed|

(3 marks)

(f) Flame test: Paste Cₙ + conc HCl on wire loop, place in flame.

|Observation|Inference|

|Blue/green flame|Pb²⁺ present|

(3 marks)

(g) Confirm Pb²⁺: Solution from (d) + NH₃ dropwise then excess.

|Observation|Inference|

|White precipitate, insoluble in excess|Pb(OH)₂ – confirms Pb²⁺|

(2 marks)

(h) Conclusion:
Cations: Pb²⁺
Anions: CO₃²⁻, plus starch (non-ionic) (3 marks)

QUESTION 3 (General Practical – 5 unknowns P,Q,R,S,T) – 20 marks

(a) Sample P (white solid)

|Test|Observation|Inference|

|Heat strongly|White sublimate, gas turns splint off|NH₄⁺, thermal decomposition|

|Burning splint|Splint extinguishes|CO₂ or no O₂|

(4 marks)

(b) Sample Q (aqueous solution)

|Test|Observation|Inference|

|+ NaOH dropwise then excess|White precipitate, soluble in excess|Zn²⁺ present|

|+ NH₃ dropwise then excess|White precipitate, soluble in excess|Zn²⁺ confirmed|

(4 marks)

|Test | Observation| Inference|

|+ BaCl₂ then dil HCl |White precipitate, insoluble in HCl|SO₄²⁻ present|

(3 marks)

(d) Sample S (blue salt solution)

|Test |Observation| Inference|

|+ NH₃ dropwise |Blue precipitate|Cu²⁺ present|

|+ NH₃ in excess |Deep blue solution|[Cu(NH₃)₄]²⁺ formed|

(3 marks)

(e) Sample T (Cl⁻, SO₄²⁻, NO₃⁻ mixture)

|Test |Observation |Inference|

|+ AgNO₃ + HNO₃|White precipitate, soluble in NH₃|Cl⁻ present|

|+ BaCl₂ + HCl |White precipitate, insoluble|SO₄²⁻ present|

|+ conc H₂SO₄ + Cu turnings |Brown gas (NO₂) evolved |NO₃⁻ present|

(6 marks)

—

SUMMARY TABLE – QUESTION BREAKDOWN

|Question|Topic|Marks|

|Q1|Volumetric (H₂SO₄ vs NaOH)|25|

|Q2|Qualitative (PbCO₃ + starch)|25|

WAEC/GCE 2026/2027 Specimen List and Chemistry Practical Questions and Answers

WAEC/GCE 2026/2027 Specimen List and Chemistry Practical Questions and Answers

Qualitative Analysis (Salt Analysis)

Volumetric Analysis

General Laboratory Apparatus

SECTION A – VOLUMETRIC ANALYSIS (20 MARKS)

WAEC/GCE 2026/2027 Specimen List and Chemistry Practical Questions and Answers

1. (a) Pipette 25.0 cm³ of solution C into a conical flask.

(b) Tabulate your readings.

(c) Calculate the average titre.

(d) Given that:

ANSWERS (SECTION A)

SECTION B – QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS (20 MARKS)

2. Perform the following tests on Sample A

(a) Add water to a portion of A. State observation.

(b) Add NaOH solution (dropwise, then excess).

(c) Add aqueous ammonia.

(d) Add BaCl₂ solution after acidifying.

(e) Add AgNO₃ solution.

CONCLUSION:

SECTION C – ORGANIC / GENERAL CHEMISTRY (10 MARKS)

3. Food and Organic Tests

(a) Test for starch.

(b) Test for glucose.

(c) Test for ethanol.

4. Laboratory Techniques

(a) State two precautions during titration.

WAEC 2026 Specimen List and Chemistry Practical Questions and Answers

(b) State two sources of error.

LIKELY SPECIMENS (ADVANCED SET)

SECTION A – VOLUMETRIC ANALYSIS (20 MARKS)

1. Titration (Precision Trap)

(a) Perform titration and record readings

(b) Your titres must agree within ±0.10 cm³

(c) Calculate the average titre

(d) Given:

TRAPS IN THIS QUESTION

EXPECTED ANSWER (GUIDE)

SECTION B – QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS (20 MARKS)

2. Sample A (Mixed Salt Trap)

(a) Add water to A

(b) Add NaOH (dropwise, then excess)

(c) Warm with NaOH

(d) Add BaCl₂ after acidifying

(e) Add AgNO₃

FINAL CONCLUSION (FULL MARK ANSWER)

TRAPS HERE

WAEC/GCE 2026/2027 Specimen List and Chemistry Practical Questions and Answers

SECTION C – ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (10 MARKS)

3. Identify Sample D (Ethanol vs Ethanoic Acid Trap)

(a) Add Na₂CO₃

(b) Add blue litmus

(c) Warm with acidified K₂Cr₂O₇

TRAP INTERPRETATION

EXPECTED CONCLUSION

4. Experimental Skills (Trap-Based)

(a) State two reasons why pipette must not be blown out

(b) Why is methyl orange preferred to phenolphthalein here?

(c) State two sources of error in titration

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