NECO Syllabus For Chemistry 2024

What topics should I read in order to pass the NECO Chemistry exam once and for all? How can I get the NECO syllabus for Chemistry 2024?

For a science student to enroll in a science or engineering course at any higher institution, they absolutely must pass the chemistry exams of their SSCE. You must study and practice diligently in order to pass the test, and to do so, you must have the NECO Syllabus for Chemistry 2024/2025.

The NECO Syllabus is a book that lists every subject that will be studied for the exam. The upcoming Senior Secondary School Examination in 2024 will be directly based on the information in this NECO Syllabus. Before the exam, it enables you to better prepare and assess your preparation.

The NECO syllabus presented here is comprehensive and can be used to help you study for your chemistry examination. You must devote a significant amount of time to this NECO Syllabus if you want to succeed in Chemistry in your 2024 SSCE and GCE.

Aims And Objectives

The syllabus’s goals and objectives are to gauge the candidate’s understanding of:

(1) knowledge of fundamental chemistry ideas

(2) level of skill development in the laboratory, including knowledge of risks and precautions

(3) level of knowledge of the connections between chemistry and another field

(4) degree of knowledge of the relationship between chemistry and industry, the environment, and daily life in terms of advantages and hazards

(5) ability to think critically and logically

Recommended Textbook for Chemistry

a. Essential Chemistry by I. A. Odesina
b. Practical Chemistry by J. 0. Mordi

Examination Scheme

Papers 1, 2, and 3 are the three papers that must all be taken. Papers 1 and 2 will be combined into one paper to be taken all at once.

PAPER 1: will be composed of fifty multiple-choice questions that are all related to the same topic and taken from Section A of the syllabus (the section of the syllabus that is required of all candidates).

For a total of 50 points, candidates must respond to every question within a single hour.

PAPER 2: It will be a two-hour essay covering the entire syllabus with a 100-point grade. There will be two sections to the essay.

Section A:  shall be composed of ten briefs, well-structured questions selected from the common section of the syllabus. (i.e., the syllabus’ Section A). All questions must be answered correctly for a total of 25 points by candidates.

Section B: consists of two questions from the section of the syllabus that is common to all candidates (Section A of the syllabus) and two additional questions from the section of the syllabus that is unique to the candidate’s country (Section B or C of the syllabus). Any three of the questions may be answered by candidates. Each question will be worth 25 points.

PAPER 3: The practical test will last two hours for school-bound candidates or one hour and thirty minutes for private candidates as an alternative to the practical work test. Three mandatory questions with a 50-point maximum weighting are included in each paper version.

The following curriculum elements will be covered in the questions:

One quantitative analysis question, one qualitative analysis question, and one other question. The third question is intended to gauge the candidates’ familiarity with the practical exercises recommended in their respective teaching curricula.

2024 NECO Syllabus for Chemistry

1. Introduction To Chemistry

Topics to read under  the induction to Chemistry are as follows:

  • Definitions of Chemistry
  • Scope of Chemistry
  • History and Genesis of Chemistry
  • Measurements and quantities with their S.I units
  • The scientific method: The scientific methods are:
  1. Hypothesis
  2. Experiment
  3. Theory
  4. Law

2. Study Of Matter

Candidates are advised to read and cover up all the subtopics in this section. Topics include:

  • include
  • Nature of matter
  • The Kinetic theory of matter
  • State of matter and Diffusion
  • Changes in the state of matter. This includes; Gases, Solids, and Liquids
  • Postulates the kinetic theory.

Intensively study these topics listed below are make sure you attempt to answer past questions on them:

  • Elements, Compounds, and Mixtures (Know their Definitions, examples, and Differences)
  • Characteristics and nature of gases: this includes Shapes of gases,  compressibility, Vapour, and Gas density
  • Particles

3. Atomic Structure

The important topics to read under atomic structure include the following;

  • The Atoms, molecules, and ions
  • Atomic Theory: Note the different theories and Postulates and the scientists that discovered them

Candidates should be able to explain the following and also know their difference:

  • Atomic mass
  • Neutrons
  • Proton number
  • Mass number
  • Atomic numbers and Atomic symbols
  • Isotopes
  • Orbitals
  • Sub-atomic particles
  • Molecular mass
  • Relative atomic mass
  • Dalton’s atomic theory
  • Bohr’s model of the atom.
  • Electron Configuration: Study how to write the electronic configuration for different elements

4. Changes:

Study everything subtopic on physical and chemical changes as follows:

  • Physical changes: Be able to explain this with examples
  • Chemical changes
  • Examples and Differences between chemical and physical changes
  • Melting of solids (melting point)
  • Boiling of liquids (boiling point)
  • Evaporation of liquids (Evaporation)
  • Dissolution of solutes
  • Brownian motion and diffusion.

5. Theories and Principles: Know how to state the following rules and principles:

  • Pauli Exclusion Principle
  • Hund’s Rule
  • Aufbau Principle.

6. Separation: Cover everything section under this topic

  • Separation techniques
  • Criteria for purity.
  • Separation methods:
  • Chromatography
  • Precipitation
  • Crystallization
  • Magnetization
  • Sublimation
  • Distillation.
  • Boiling point
  • Melting point
  • Variable oxidation states
  • physical states

7. The Periodic Table; Read everything about the periodic table

  • Periodicity.
  • Groups and Periods
  • The periodic law.

8. Periodic properties; Touch these subtopics small.

  • Ionic size
  • Electronegativity
  • Ionization energy
  • electron affinity
  • Atomic radius
  • number of valence electrons (Valency)

9. Chemical Bonding: Study a bit about the following subtopics

  • Formation of bonds
  • Complex formation
  • Metallic Bonding
  • ionic bonding
  • Covalent bonding
  • Diatomic bonding
  • Interatomic bonding
  • Hydrogen bonding
  • Van der Waals forces
  • Intermolecular bonding
  • Formation of colored compounds;

Section two of NECO chemistry syllabus 2022. Please, do well to follow the topics gradually and make use of the area of concentration as approved by NECO.

10. Shapes of compounds: Study each of the following shapes.

  • Linear
  • Planar
  • Tetrahedral
  • Polar and non-polar compounds.

11. Stoichiometry: Learn how to identify and name the following;

  • Chemical symbols
  • IUPAC names

12. Chemical formula: Study the differences between each of these formulas and learn how to calculate them.

  • Empirical formula
  • Structural formula
  • Molecular formula

13. Chemical Reactions: Study everything under this

  • Chemical equations and formulae
  • Amount of substance.
  • Acids-Base reactions.
  • Chemical combination.
  • Combustion reactions
  • Chemical compounds
  • Decomposition reaction
  • Redox reactions.
  • Ionic reactions
  • Displacement reaction.
  • Synthesis
  • Balancing of equations.

14. Experiments and Calculations: Learn how to carry out practicals, calculate, and solve all problems using the data you obtain.

Area of focus;

  • Mass and volume relationships
  • Percentage composition.
  • Preparation of solutions
  • Mole and Mole ratios
  • Avogadro’s constant  (6.02 x 1023)
  • Molar quantities
  • Dilute the solution and concentrate the solution.
  • Concentration terms
  • Amount of substance
  • Yield of product
  • Primary and secondary standards.
  • Standard solutions.
  • Calculation of Mass
  • Volume and percentage
  • Testing for Basic, acidic, and neutral solutions.
  • Molar concentration.
  • Dilution factor

Laws: Know how to state the following Laws

  1. Conservation of mass.
  2. Constant composition.
  3. Multiple proportions.

15. Gases and Gas laws: Study the principles of the following laws and how to apply them.

  1. Charles’ law
  2. Boyle’s law
  3. Dalton’s law of partial pressure;
  4. Graham’s law of diffusion,
  5. Avogadro’s law.
  6. Ideal gas equation
  7. Gay Lussacs law.
  8. kinetic model.
  9. Kinetic molecular theory.
  10. Gas volumes, pressure, temperature.
  11. Mathematical expression, relations, and calculation of the gas laws
  12. Real gases and ideal situation.
  13. Preparation and purification of gases.
  14. Physical properties of the gases.
  15. Chemical properties of the gases
  16. Arrangement of gaseous particles
  17. Compressibility of gases
  18. Viscosity
  19. Density, and volume.
  20. Vapor
  21. Pressure of gases
  22. Boiling and evaporation.
  23. Temperature of gases
  24. Volume of gases

16. Energy: Study the following topics intensively;

  • Energy Changes
  • Enthalpy
  • Entropy
  • Ionic
  • Metallic
  • Covalent
  • Chemical processes.
  • Exothermic process
  • Endothermic processes.
  • The total energy of a system.
  • Kinetic energy
  • Potential energy
  • Electrical energy
  • Heat energy.
  • Sound energy.
  • Combustion
  • Dissolution
  • Neutralization.

NECO 2024/2025 Syllabus for Chemistry

17. Solid: Know the following solid substances.

  • Particles ions
  • Molecules and atoms
  • properties of solids
  • Interatomic and intermolecular bonding in the solids.
  • Identification of the types of chemical bonds in solid.
  • Melting points of solid.
  • Indicator of purity of solids.

18. Acids, Bases, And Salts: Do an intensive study on acid, base, and salt following the subtopics arrangement as shown below;

  • Explanation of acids and bases.
  • Physical properties of acids and bases.
  • Chemical properties of acids and bases.
  • Classification of acids and bases.
  • Concept of the pH scale
  • Acid-base indicators.
  • Acid-base electrolytes and non-electrolytes.
  • Strength of acids and bases.
  • The reaction of Acid and Base
  • Laboratory and industrial preparation of acid and base.
  • Hydrolysis of salt.
  • Titration

Salt: Read everything about salt and its production.

  • Explanation of salts.
  • Types of salts.
  • Laboratory and industrial preparation of salts.
  • Crystallization of Salt
  • Behavior of salts

Solubility: Read the following subtopics

  • Definition and explanation of solubility.
  • Saturated and unsaturated solutions.
  • The equilibrium system.
  • Solubility curves
  • Effect of temperature on solubility of a substance.
  • Solubility and crystallization.
  • Calculations on solubility.
  • Solubility rules.

Chemical Kinetics And Equilibrium System: Study these subtopics shown below;

  • The rate of chemical reactions:
  • Factors affecting rates of chemical reaction
  • Theories of reaction rates.
  • Chemical equilibrium.
  • Pressure of reactants
  • Collision of particles
  • Transition state theories
  • Activation energy.
  • Energy profile
  • Activation energy
  • Enthalpy and Entropy change.
  • Reversible and irreversible reactions.

Redox Reactions: Please, spend time and cover this topic intensively. Cover each of the following subtopics.

  • Oxidation and reduction reaction.
  • Oxidizing agents and reactions
  • Reducing agents and reactions
  • Half-life equation
  • Le Chatelier’s principle.
  • Redox equations
  • Loss and gain of electrons.
  • Oxidation state
  • The electrochemical cells and series.
  • Standard electrode potential.
  • Addition and removal of oxygen and hydrogen.
  • Loss and gain of electrons.
  • Balancing of redox equations

Electrolysis: Read everything about electrolysis and learn how to solve all calculation problems.

  • Explanation of electrolysis
  • Faraday Laws of Electrolysis.
  • Principles of electrolysis
  • Electrolytic cells and application of electrochemical cells.
  • Practical application of electrolysis
  • Discharge of species.
  • Primary and secondary cells
  • Daniell cell
  • Calculations on Electrolysis.
  • Electroplating

Organic Chemistry Syllabus and Other Important Topics

This is the final stage of the NECO SSCE Chemistry syllabus. This section is the SS3 scheme of work and everything you did from the first term to the third term. So make use of this as your area of concentration.

Carbon and its Compounds: Study everything about Carbon

  • Natural Occurrence of Carbon
  • Allotropes of Carbon

Organic Chemistry: Cover every topic under Organic chemistry

  • Hydrocarbons
  • Homologous series
  • Functional group
  • Organic compounds.
  • Petroleum.
  • Fractional distillation
  • Cracking
  • Isomerism
  • Petrochemicals
  • Octane number
  • Crystallization
  • Chromatography.
  • Empirical formulae
  • Structural formulae
  • Molecular formulae
  • Geometric isomerism.
  • Stereoisomerism
  • Esterification
  • Nomenclature and structure.
  • Laboratory preparation of organic compounds.
  • Benzene
  • Polymerization.
  • Halogenation.
  • Hydrogenation
  • Hydration.
  • Primary, secondary, and tertiary alkanols.
  • Laboratory test for ethanol.

Industrial And The Environmental Chemistry

  • Chemical industries
  • Natural resources
  • Extraction and purification
  • Fine and heavy chemicals.
  • Industrial pollution.
  • Biotechnology.

Biochemistry And Synthetic Polymers

  • Proteins and uses of protein
  • Depletion of the ozone layer
  • Properties and sources of protein
  • Fermentation
  • Amino acids
  • Greenhouse effect.
  • Biodegradable and non-biodegradable pollutants.
  • Food processing process
  • Polymers
  • Hydrolysis of proteins;

Fats and oils:

  • Formation of fat and oil
  • Sources and properties of fat and oil
  • Uses of Fats and Oils in Industrial Production
  • Test for the presence of fats and oil.
  • Saponification (Preparation of soap) from fats/oils.

Carbohydrates

  • Monosaccharides;
  • Disaccharides
  • Polysaccharides.
  • Classes of carbohydrates.
  • The solubility of sugars.
  • Chemical properties of carbohydrates.
  • sugar test.
  • Starch and glucose units.

Plastics

  • Monomers
  • Polymers
  • polymerization.
  • comonomers.
  • Thermoplastics
  • Thermosets.
  • Plastics and resins
  • properties of plastics.
  • Biogradable and non- biogradable.
  • Chemical test on plastics

The syllabus above is what you need right now if you have asked any of the questions. You will succeed in the National Examination Council (Neco) if you take them very seriously.

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About Folashade Olawale, M.Ed.

Folashade Olawale is a distinguished education expert and academic consultant with over 12 years of experience in the Nigerian educational sector. She holds a Master's degree in Education from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, where she specialized in Curriculum Development and Instructional Design. Folashade's expertise encompasses innovative teaching strategies, educational technology, and student engagement. As a passionate advocate for quality education, Folashade regularly contributes insightful articles to Just School News, focusing on educational trends, school management, and student success strategies.