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100+ Free BECE Basic Science Practice Questions

Pass your WAEC BECE Basic Science and Technology (Integrated Science) exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Key Facts: BECE Basic Science Exam

60 questions

BECE Basic Science and Technology Paper 1 is an objective multiple-choice paper

BECE Basic Science and Technology syllabus

1 hour

Time allotted for the objective Paper 1

BECE Basic Science and Technology syllabus

4 papers

Basic Science and Technology has objective, Basic Tech/Computer, computer practical and drawing papers

BECE Basic Science and Technology syllabus

JSS3

Taken in the final year of junior secondary school for transition to senior secondary

West African Examinations Council (WAEC)

WAEC

Administered by the West African Examinations Council

West African Examinations Council (WAEC)

Continuous assessment

School-based assessment marks are added to the examination score

BECE Basic Science and Technology syllabus

Integrated science

Combines Basic Science, Basic Technology, PHE and Computer Studies

BECE Basic Science and Technology syllabus

100

Free original practice questions here

OpenExamPrep

The WAEC BECE Basic Science and Technology paper is the JSS3 integrated-science assessment used for transition to senior secondary school. Paper 1 is an objective multiple-choice paper of 60 questions, allotted 1 hour, covering Basic Science and Physical and Health Education. The full subject adds an objective Basic Technology/Computer paper, a computer practical, a technical drawing paper and school continuous assessment. Results are reported as grades rather than a single fixed pass mark, and overall BECE performance determines senior-secondary placement. This 100-question bank provides original JSS3-level multiple-choice practice across living things, the human body, matter, energy, the environment, basic technology and health.

Sample BECE Basic Science Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your BECE Basic Science exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which of the following is a characteristic of all living things?
A.They can move from place to place
B.They respond to changes in their surroundings
C.They are made of metal
D.They never grow in size
Explanation: All living things show sensitivity (irritability), meaning they respond to stimuli or changes in their environment. Other shared characteristics include nutrition, respiration, growth, reproduction and excretion.
2The basic unit of structure and function in living things is the
A.tissue
B.organ
C.cell
D.system
Explanation: The cell is the smallest unit that can carry out all the functions of life, so it is called the basic unit of structure and function. Cells group to form tissues, tissues form organs, and organs form systems.
3Which part of a plant cell is responsible for trapping sunlight for photosynthesis?
A.Cell wall
B.Chloroplast
C.Vacuole
D.Nucleus
Explanation: Chloroplasts contain the green pigment chlorophyll, which traps light energy from the sun for photosynthesis. They are found in plant cells but not in normal animal cells.
4Photosynthesis takes place mainly in which part of a green plant?
A.Roots
B.Leaves
C.Flowers
D.Stem
Explanation: Photosynthesis takes place mainly in the leaves because they contain the most chlorophyll and are arranged to receive maximum sunlight. The leaf also has stomata for taking in carbon dioxide.
5Which gas is taken in by green plants during photosynthesis?
A.Oxygen
B.Nitrogen
C.Carbon dioxide
D.Hydrogen
Explanation: During photosynthesis green plants take in carbon dioxide from the air and use it with water and light energy to make glucose, releasing oxygen as a by-product.
6A balanced diet is best described as a diet that
A.contains only proteins
B.contains all food classes in the correct proportions
C.is made up mainly of carbohydrates
D.has no water or minerals
Explanation: A balanced diet contains all the classes of food (carbohydrates, proteins, fats and oils, vitamins, minerals and water) in the right proportions for the body's needs. This keeps the body healthy and working well.
7Which class of food is the body's main source of energy?
A.Proteins
B.Carbohydrates
C.Vitamins
D.Minerals
Explanation: Carbohydrates such as rice, yam, bread and cassava are the body's main source of energy. They are broken down into glucose, which is used to release energy during respiration.
8Which food nutrient is needed mainly for the growth and repair of body tissues?
A.Fats
B.Proteins
C.Carbohydrates
D.Water
Explanation: Proteins are the body-building nutrients used for the growth of new tissues and the repair of worn-out ones. Good sources include beans, fish, meat, eggs and milk.
9The deficiency disease caused by lack of vitamin C is
A.rickets
B.scurvy
C.goitre
D.night blindness
Explanation: Scurvy is caused by a lack of vitamin C and leads to bleeding gums and slow healing of wounds. Vitamin C is found in oranges, lemons, guava and other fresh fruits and vegetables.
10In humans, the digestion of starch begins in the
A.stomach
B.mouth
C.small intestine
D.large intestine
Explanation: Digestion of starch begins in the mouth, where the enzyme salivary amylase (ptyalin) in saliva starts breaking starch down into simpler sugars. Chewing also helps by breaking food into smaller pieces.

About the BECE Basic Science Exam

The WAEC Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) Basic Science and Technology paper is the integrated science assessment taken by candidates in their final year of Junior Secondary School (JSS3) as they transition to senior secondary school. The subject combines Basic Science, Basic Technology, Physical and Health Education and Computer Studies. Paper 1 is an objective multiple-choice paper of 60 questions covering Basic Science together with Physical and Health Education, taken alongside an objective Basic Technology/Computer paper, a computer practical, a technical drawing paper and school-based continuous assessment. The syllabus spans living things and the human body, matter and energy, the environment and ecology, basic technology, and health, building on concepts taught across JSS1 to JSS3.

Assessment

Basic Science and Technology has four papers: Paper 1 (Basic Science and Physical and Health Education) 60 objective multiple-choice questions; Paper 2 (Basic Technology and Computer Studies) objective multiple-choice questions; Paper 3 Computer Studies practical; and Paper 4 Technical Drawing practical. Continuous assessment marks from the school are added to the examination score.

Time Limit

Paper 1 (objective) is allotted 1 hour. The practical and drawing papers (Paper 3 and Paper 4) are about 45 minutes each, with Paper 2 also timed at about 1 hour.

Passing Score

There is no single fixed pass mark. Results are reported as grades and combined with school-based continuous assessment, and placement into senior secondary school depends on overall BECE performance set by the national or state authority.

Exam Fee

Examination fees are set by each country's national or state education authority and are usually paid through the candidate's school; there is no single uniform BECE fee across all WAEC member countries. (West African Examinations Council (WAEC))

BECE Basic Science Exam Content Outline

35%

Living Things and the Human Body

Living and non-living things and their characteristics, the cell, nutrition and balanced diet, digestion, the circulatory and other body systems, dentition, reproduction and growth in humans, photosynthesis, and basic plant and animal biology.

25%

Matter and Energy

States and properties of matter, physical and chemical changes, mixtures and separation techniques, forms and sources of energy, force and pressure, work and simple machines, light, heat, electricity, electronics and magnetism.

15%

The Environment and Ecology

Soil, water and air, the solar system, ecosystems and habitats, food chains and food webs, energy flow, conservation of natural resources, pollution and environmental hazards.

15%

Basic Technology

Engineering materials, measurement and simple tools, basic machines and mechanisms, simple electronics and circuits, technology and development, workshop safety and entrepreneurship.

10%

Health and Physical Education

Personal and community health, communicable and non-communicable diseases and their prevention, first aid, drug abuse and its effects, nutrition for health, and safety practices.

How to Pass the BECE Basic Science Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: There is no single fixed pass mark. Results are reported as grades and combined with school-based continuous assessment, and placement into senior secondary school depends on overall BECE performance set by the national or state authority.
  • Assessment: Basic Science and Technology has four papers: Paper 1 (Basic Science and Physical and Health Education) 60 objective multiple-choice questions; Paper 2 (Basic Technology and Computer Studies) objective multiple-choice questions; Paper 3 Computer Studies practical; and Paper 4 Technical Drawing practical. Continuous assessment marks from the school are added to the examination score.
  • Time limit: Paper 1 (objective) is allotted 1 hour. The practical and drawing papers (Paper 3 and Paper 4) are about 45 minutes each, with Paper 2 also timed at about 1 hour.
  • Exam fee: Examination fees are set by each country's national or state education authority and are usually paid through the candidate's school; there is no single uniform BECE fee across all WAEC member countries.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

BECE Basic Science Study Tips from Top Performers

1Work through the BECE Basic Science and Technology syllabus topic by topic, ticking off living things, the human body, matter, energy, the environment, basic technology and health as you revise.
2Practise labelling diagrams such as the digestive system, the eye, a plant cell and simple electrical circuits, because BECE objective questions often test parts and functions.
3Memorise key definitions and examples (physical vs chemical change, mixture vs compound, conductor vs insulator) so you can answer recall questions quickly.
4Learn the simple formulas for the subject, especially work = force times distance and density = mass over volume, and practise plugging in numbers.
5Revise health topics like communicable diseases, first aid steps and the dangers of drug abuse, as the Physical and Health Education questions appear on Paper 1.
6Time yourself at about one minute per objective question so you can complete all 60 Paper 1 questions within the 1-hour limit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is BECE Basic Science and Technology a multiple-choice exam?

Paper 1 is an objective multiple-choice paper of 60 questions covering Basic Science and Physical and Health Education. The full subject also includes an objective Basic Technology/Computer paper, a computer practical and a technical drawing paper.

How many questions are on BECE Basic Science Paper 1?

BECE Basic Science and Technology Paper 1 has 60 objective multiple-choice questions and is allotted 1 hour.

Who takes the BECE Basic Science and Technology exam?

It is taken by candidates in their final year of Junior Secondary School (JSS3) as part of the Basic Education Certificate Examination used for transition to senior secondary school.

What topics are covered in BECE Basic Science?

The syllabus covers living things and the human body, matter and energy, the environment and ecology, basic technology, and health and physical education, building on JSS1 to JSS3 concepts.

Is there a fixed pass mark for the BECE?

No. Results are reported as grades and combined with school continuous assessment, and senior-secondary placement depends on overall BECE performance set by the national or state education authority.

Are these official WAEC past questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep practice questions modelled on the BECE Basic Science and Technology syllabus and objective question style. WAEC publishes its own official past questions separately.