NCEE Subjects & Syllabus 2025 — Full Breakdown & Download
What the NCEE 2025 Exam Covers
Understanding the subjects and syllabus for the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) is one of the best ways to help your child prepare effectively.
The NCEE, organised by NECO, tests a pupil’s understanding of core primary school subjects and measures readiness for junior secondary school.
This guide breaks down every subject your child needs to study for the 2025 NCEE, along with study tips and a syllabus summary.
Overview of NCEE Subject Groups
The NCEE is made up of two main papers, each containing multiple subjects designed to test reasoning, literacy, and numeracy skills.
Paper I — Qualifying Exam
Subject Group:
1. Mathematics & Basic Science
2. English & Social Studies
Components:
Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning
Focus Area:
Testing general aptitude and problem-solving
Paper II — Admission Test
Subject Group:
1. Core Maths
2. English & General Knowledge
Components:
Subject-specific understanding
Focus Area:
Used for admission into Unity Colleges
Each paper aims to evaluate how well pupils can think, reason, and apply knowledge rather than simply memorising facts.
Core Subjects for NCEE 2025
Here’s what every student must study and what each subject covers:
1️⃣ English Language
Covers comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and basic writing skills.
Students must understand sentence structure, punctuation, and reading comprehension passages.
Key topics include:
Reading comprehension
Synonyms and antonyms
Parts of speech
Verbal reasoning (analogies, word relationships)
🧠 Tip: Reading a little every day — short stories, newspapers, or essays — helps build comprehension speed.
2️⃣ Mathematics
Tests a wide range of topics in arithmetic, geometry, measurement, and logical thinking.
Key topics include:
Whole numbers and fractions
Ratios and percentages
Area, perimeter, and volume
Quantitative reasoning and data handling
🧮 Tip: Focus on practising word problems that combine reasoning and calculation.
3️⃣ Basic Science and Technology
Assesses understanding of the natural world, energy, and basic machines.
Key topics include:
Living and non-living things
Forces and motion
Materials and their properties
Human body systems
🔬 Encourage your child to make real-life connections — like how pulleys or magnets work in everyday life.
4️⃣ Social Studies
Tests understanding of society, environment, and civic responsibilities.
Key topics include:
Nigerian culture and values
Basic geography and history
Good citizenship
Family and community life
🌍 Tip: Watching educational videos about Nigerian geography can make learning fun and relatable.
5️⃣ Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning
These are integrated into both English and Maths sections but deserve their own focus.
Verbal Reasoning:
Improves logic, pattern recognition, and vocabulary.
Quantitative Reasoning:
Develops mathematical thinking, estimation, and speed.
⏱️ Encourage daily 15-minute reasoning drills — they sharpen exam performance significantly.
Optional and Supplementary Topics
Although most questions come from the core subjects, pupils should also revise:
Basic Technology
Civic Education
Current Affairs
Health Education
These may appear in general knowledge or essay-style questions in Paper II.
How to Study the Syllabus Effectively
Create a Study Plan: Divide topics weekly and revise steadily.
Mix Subjects: Alternate between English-heavy and Maths-heavy days to keep energy up.
Use Practice Questions: Apply learning using past questions.
Get Expert Help: Work with an online English tutor to strengthen weaker areas.
Revise Smartly: Spend extra time on reasoning — it makes up a large portion of the marks.
Study Tips from The Exam Coach
At The Exam Coach, we’ve seen pupils thrive when they:
Combine syllabus-based study with mock practice.
Review mistakes using marking schemes.
Get professional guidance early.
🏆 Tip: Consistency beats cramming — 30 minutes a day over 3 months works wonders.
The NCEE syllabus 2025 gives you a roadmap to exam success. By focusing on each core subject and using past papers for reinforcement, your child can build confidence and mastery ahead of exam day.
