2026 WAEC GCE HEALTH EDUCATION / HEALTH SCIENCE
ALTERNATIVE TO PRACTICAL WORK: MOCK EXAMINATION

60 Objective Questions • 6 Essay Questions • Marking Guide
Practice Examination Only

Important Notice

This is an original practice examination prepared in a WAEC GCE style for revision. It is not an actual WAEC question paper, does not reproduce any live or past examination paper, and must not be treated as a prediction of the 2026 examination.

Instructions to Candidates

Answer all 60 objective questions.
Answer all six essay questions.
Read each question carefully before answering.
For objective questions, choose the option A to D that best answers the question.
Where a specimen, health record, diagram, first-aid material, food item, or other practical object would normally be used, the question is presented in text or described form for this alternative-to-practical practice.

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SECTION A: OBJECTIVE TEST

Choose the option that best answers each question.

1. The main purpose of washing hands before handling food is to

A. increase appetite
B. remove or reduce harmful microorganisms
C. make food taste better
D. prevent food from drying

2. A clean drinking-water container should preferably be

A. left uncovered
B. washed regularly and kept covered
C. used for refuse storage
D. placed beside a toilet

3. Which of the following is a common sign of dehydration?

A. sunken eyes
B. excessive saliva
C. oily skin
D. rapid weight gain

4. The best immediate action for a minor cut is to

A. rub soil into it
B. wash hands, clean the wound and control bleeding
C. apply engine oil
D. cover it without cleaning

5. A balanced diet is one that

A. contains only protective foods
B. provides nutrients in appropriate amounts and proportions
C. contains mainly carbohydrates
D. contains no fat

6. Which nutrient is chiefly needed for growth and tissue repair?

A. protein
B. water
C. vitamin C
D. roughage

7. The deficiency of vitamin C may lead to

A. scurvy
B. rickets
C. night blindness
D. goitre

8. Iodine deficiency is commonly associated with

A. goitre
B. scurvy
C. beriberi
D. anaemia only

9. A major function of the skeleton is to

A. digest food
B. support and protect body organs
C. produce bile
D. filter urine

10. The pulse is the

A. number of breaths per minute
B. rhythmic throbbing of an artery
C. amount of blood in the body
D. temperature of the skin

11. A thermometer is used to measure

A. pulse
B. body temperature
C. blood pressure
D. height

12. The normal adult resting respiratory rate is approximately

A. 2 to 4 breaths per minute
B. 12 to 20 breaths per minute
C. 40 to 60 breaths per minute
D. 80 to 100 breaths per minute

13. Which organ pumps blood around the body?

A. lung
B. heart
C. kidney
D. liver

14. The vessels that carry blood away from the heart are

A. veins
B. arteries
C. capillaries
D. lymph vessels

15. A person who has fainted should first be

A. given solid food
B. laid safely with adequate fresh air and assessed
C. forced to stand
D. given alcohol

16. One important purpose of first aid is to

A. replace hospital treatment permanently
B. preserve life and prevent deterioration
C. diagnose every disease
D. administer every available drug

17. Which of these is a communicable disease?

A. hypertension
B. malaria
C. diabetes
D. arthritis

18. Malaria is transmitted mainly through the bite of an infected

A. housefly
B. female Anopheles mosquito
C. cockroach
D. tick

19. An effective household measure against mosquitoes is to

A. leave stagnant water exposed
B. eliminate stagnant water and use appropriate mosquito control
C. store refuse indoors
D. keep windows open at night without protection

20. A vaccine works primarily by

A. destroying all bacteria immediately
B. stimulating the body to develop specific immunity
C. replacing blood
D. increasing body temperature

21. Which practice helps prevent HIV transmission?

A. sharing sharp instruments
B. using sterile or single-use needles and practising safer sex
C. sharing toothbrushes
D. reusing unsterilised blades

22. A person with persistent diarrhoea is at greatest immediate risk of

A. dehydration
B. improved digestion
C. increased bone density
D. better vision

23. Oral rehydration solution is mainly used to

A. replace lost water and electrolytes
B. cure all infections
C. reduce height
D. increase body fat

24. A healthy refuse disposal method in an urban community is

A. open dumping in streets
B. controlled collection and appropriate disposal
C. throwing waste into drains
D. burning all plastics indoors

25. A sanitary toilet should

A. contaminate groundwater
B. prevent human contact with faeces
C. be located inside a drinking-water source
D. remain uncovered

26. Which is an example of a vector?

A. mosquito
B. rice
C. soap
D. thermometer

27. Personal hygiene includes

A. regular bathing and clean clothing
B. sharing towels
C. avoiding handwashing
D. keeping wounds dirty

28. Dental caries is commonly associated with

A. frequent sugary foods and poor oral hygiene
B. adequate brushing
C. clean drinking water
D. regular dental checks

29. Which food is a good source of calcium?

A. milk
B. sugar
C. vegetable oil
D. soft drink

30. Iron is important in the formation of

A. haemoglobin
B. bile only
C. saliva only
D. bone marrow fluid only

31. A person with severe bleeding should

A. lose as much blood as possible
B. receive prompt bleeding control and medical attention
C. drink large amounts of water immediately
D. walk around continuously

32. The correct principle when applying pressure to a bleeding wound is to

A. use a clean dressing or suitable material and apply firm pressure
B. press with dirty hands only
C. remove every clot repeatedly
D. pour soil over the wound

33. Which condition may result from prolonged exposure to excessive heat?

A. heat exhaustion
B. scurvy
C. rickets
D. goitre

34. One useful way of preventing heat-related illness is to

A. avoid fluids
B. wear appropriate light clothing and maintain hydration
C. exercise heavily at midday
D. stay in poorly ventilated rooms

35. The mental aspect of health concerns

A. only muscle size
B. emotional and psychological well-being
C. only body temperature
D. only height

36. Stress can be reduced by

A. adequate rest, exercise and healthy coping strategies
B. avoiding sleep
C. using harmful substances
D. isolating oneself permanently

37. Which is a healthy method of resolving interpersonal conflict?

A. violence
B. communication and peaceful negotiation
C. threats
D. revenge

38. A health record is primarily used to

A. document relevant health information for care and management
B. replace all medical examinations
C. advertise medicines
D. hide patient information

39. Vital statistics include information such as

A. births and deaths
B. shoe sizes
C. school uniforms
D. food prices only

40. The department that maintains patients’ medical records is commonly called the

A. medical records department
B. laundry department
C. catering department
D. engineering department

41. A school health programme is designed mainly to

A. promote the health and educational development of the school community
B. replace classroom teaching
C. provide entertainment only
D. sell medicines

42. Which is a component of a school health programme?

A. school health services
B. gambling services
C. commercial banking
D. vehicle licensing

43. Good posture means

A. maintaining appropriate body alignment during activities
B. standing with a permanently bent back
C. lifting every load with one hand
D. sitting in any position for hours

44. One way to prevent postural defects is to

A. practise good posture and use appropriate furniture
B. carry excessive loads
C. wear unsuitable shoes continuously
D. ignore injuries

45. A sprain is an injury involving mainly

A. ligaments around a joint
B. teeth
C. lungs
D. hair follicles

46. For a fresh sprain, an appropriate early measure is

A. rest and appropriate cold application with support where suitable
B. vigorous massage immediately
C. continued strenuous activity
D. application of dirty material

47. Which of the following is an example of a drug misuse practice?

A. taking a medicine exactly as prescribed
B. using another person’s prescription medicine without professional advice
C. checking dosage instructions
D. consulting a health professional

48. A person who repeatedly uses a substance despite harmful consequences may be experiencing

A. substance dependence or problematic use
B. perfect health
C. improved immunity
D. normal hydration

49. Which of these is a non-communicable disease?

A. hypertension
B. cholera
C. measles
D. tuberculosis

50. Regular physical activity can help

A. improve cardiovascular fitness and reduce some health risks
B. cause every disease
C. replace all nutritious food
D. eliminate the need for sleep

51. A person with a suspected fracture should

A. immobilise the injured area and seek medical help
B. force the limb straight
C. massage it vigorously
D. ask the person to run

52. Which of the following is an example of environmental pollution?

A. contamination of air by harmful smoke
B. proper refuse collection
C. safe water treatment
D. tree shade in a park

53. Noise pollution may cause

A. hearing problems and stress
B. better concentration in every person
C. stronger bones
D. improved night vision

54. The safest way to handle an unknown chemical in a laboratory is to

A. follow safety instructions and avoid direct contact
B. taste it
C. smell it closely
D. mix it with another chemical randomly

55. A person exposed to a corrosive chemical should

A. follow emergency decontamination procedures and seek urgent medical help
B. rub the chemical deeper into the skin
C. cover the chemical with food
D. ignore the exposure

56. Which practice helps prevent food contamination?

A. separating raw and cooked foods
B. using the same dirty knife for everything
C. leaving cooked food uncovered
D. handling food with unwashed hands

57. Food poisoning may result from

A. consuming food contaminated with harmful microorganisms or toxins
B. drinking clean water
C. washing hands
D. proper food storage

58. The best general principle for preventing the spread of respiratory infections is

A. good respiratory hygiene, ventilation and appropriate infection-control measures
B. sharing used tissues
C. coughing openly at others
D. avoiding hand hygiene

59. Which action is most appropriate when a person is unconscious but breathing normally?

A. place in a safe recovery position and monitor while obtaining help
B. give food by mouth
C. pour water into the mouth
D. make the person walk

60. Which of the following best describes health education?

A. a process of helping people gain knowledge and skills for healthier choices
B. the sale of drugs
C. treatment of every disease by surgery
D. physical exercise only

SECTION B: ESSAY / ALTERNATIVE TO PRACTICAL

Answer all six questions. Where an item is described, answer as though you had been presented with the practical material.

QUESTION 1: FIRST AID AND EMERGENCY CARE

A school health officer presents a first-aid box containing sterile gauze, adhesive plaster, cotton wool, disposable gloves, antiseptic solution and bandages. A student has a small bleeding cut on the forearm.

State four items from the first-aid box that may be useful in treating the injury. [4 marks]

Outline five steps for the immediate management of the cut. [5 marks]

State three reasons why gloves should be used when providing first aid. [3 marks]

QUESTION 2: WATER, SANITATION AND HYGIENE

A community has a shallow well located close to a refuse dump. Residents sometimes leave the well uncovered and children play around the area.

State four possible ways the water source may become contaminated. [4 marks]

Mention four measures that can make the water safer for domestic use. [4 marks]

State four practices that promote personal hygiene and reduce disease transmission. [4 marks]

QUESTION 3: NUTRITION

A learner’s one-day food record contains mainly polished rice, sugary drinks and fried snacks, with very little fruit, vegetables or protein foods.

Identify four nutritional weaknesses in the diet. [4 marks]

State five classes or important groups of nutrients and give one function of each. [10 marks]

Mention two ways of improving the diet. [2 marks]

QUESTION 4: COMMUNICABLE DISEASE CONTROL

A diagram supplied for practice shows a mosquito near a stagnant-water container and a sleeping person without a mosquito net.

Identify the vector represented. [1 mark]

Name the disease commonly associated with the vector in Nigeria. [1 mark]

State five measures for controlling the disease at household or community level. [5 marks]

Explain three ways environmental sanitation can reduce transmission. [3 marks]

QUESTION 5: SCHOOL HEALTH AND POSTURE

A classroom observation shows a learner sitting for long periods on an unsuitable chair, carrying a heavy school bag on one shoulder and frequently bending over a low desk.

State three possible causes of postural defects illustrated by the situation. [3 marks]

Mention four preventive measures against postural defects. [4 marks]

State four components of a school health programme. [4 marks]

QUESTION 6: HEALTH RECORDS AND VITAL STATISTICS

A health centre keeps records of patients’ names, ages, sex, previous health information, diagnosis and treatment. The centre also records births and deaths in the community.

Define a health record. [2 marks]

State four uses of health records. [4 marks]

Explain the term vital statistics. [2 marks]

Mention four examples of vital statistics. [4 marks]

MARKING GUIDE

Objective Answers

1. B | 2. B | 3. A | 4. B | 5. B | 6. A | 7. A | 8. A | 9. B | 10. B

11. B | 12. B | 13. B | 14. B | 15. B | 16. B | 17. B | 18. B | 19. B | 20. B

21. B | 22. A | 23. A | 24. B | 25. B | 26. A | 27. A | 28. A | 29. A | 30. A

31. B | 32. A | 33. A | 34. B | 35. B | 36. A | 37. B | 38. A | 39. A | 40. A

41. A | 42. A | 43. A | 44. A | 45. A | 46. A | 47. B | 48. A | 49. A | 50. A

51. A | 52. A | 53. A | 54. A | 55. A | 56. A | 57. A | 58. A | 59. A | 60. A

Essay Marking Guide

Question 1

1(a): Any four relevant items such as sterile gauze, plaster, gloves, bandage or appropriate antiseptic, 1 mark each.
1(b): Any five sensible first-aid steps: hand hygiene/gloves; assess wound; control bleeding with clean pressure; clean appropriately; cover/dress; dispose safely; seek medical attention if necessary, 1 mark each.
1(c): Any three: protect first aider, reduce contamination/infection, reduce contact with blood/body fluids, 1 mark each.

Question 2

2(a): Any four: surface runoff, refuse, animals, dirty containers, open well, latrine/septic leakage, 1 mark each.
2(b): Any four: protect well, improve siting/drainage, boil or appropriately treat water, safe storage, regular cleaning, testing, 1 mark each.
2(c): Any four: handwashing, bathing, oral hygiene, clean clothing, safe nail care, proper disposal of waste, 1 mark each.

Question 3

3(a): Any four: excessive sugar, inadequate protein, inadequate fruits/vegetables, low fibre, poor variety, excessive fried foods, 1 mark each.
3(b): Award 2 marks for each correctly matched nutrient/group and function, up to 10 marks. Accept carbohydrate-energy, protein-growth/repair, fat-energy/insulation, vitamins-regulation/protection, minerals-bone/blood/body functions, water-transport/temperature regulation, fibre-bowel function.
3(c): Any two sensible improvements, 1 mark each.

Question 4

4(a): Female Anopheles mosquito, 1 mark.
4(b): Malaria, 1 mark.
4(c): Any five: insecticide-treated nets, eliminate stagnant water where possible, environmental sanitation, appropriate insecticide use, screening, prompt diagnosis/treatment, community education, 1 mark each.
4(d): Any three explained points linking removal of breeding sites, proper refuse/drainage, and reduced mosquito-human contact, 1 mark each.

Question 5

5(a): Any three: poor sitting posture, unsuitable furniture, excessive load, one-sided carrying, low desk, prolonged static posture, 1 mark each.
5(b): Any four: correct posture, suitable furniture, proper load distribution, avoid excessive loads, regular movement/exercise, appropriate footwear, prompt treatment of injuries, 1 mark each.
5(c): Any four: school health services, school feeding services, health instruction/counselling, healthy school environment, school-community relationship, first-aid/sick-bay provision, 1 mark each.

Question 6

6(a): A health record is documented health information about a patient used in care and management, 2 marks.
6(b): Any four: continuity of care, reference for diagnosis/treatment, communication among health workers, legal/administrative purposes, health statistics, research/planning, 1 mark each.
6(c): Records or measurements of population health events such as births, deaths and related rates, 2 marks.
6(d): Any four: birth rate, death rate, mortality rate, marriage rate, divorce rate, infant mortality rate, 1 mark each.

Teacher’s Note

This practice paper is deliberately original. It uses themes and question formats consistent with WAEC’s published Health Science/Health Education learning resources and examiner materials, while avoiding reproduction of actual examination questions. WAEC’s e-learning platform states that its Health Science resources are intended to help students understand the standards expected in the final examination. Official examiner material also illustrates areas such as school health programmes, posture, health records and vital statistics.

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