Science vs Arts vs Commercial: Choosing Your SS1 Subject Combination

The Big Decision

At the end of JSS3, every Nigerian student faces a critical decision: which subject track to follow in Senior Secondary School. This choice affects your university options, career path, and even your JAMB subject combination. Let's break down each option.

Science Track

Subjects

Compulsory: English, Mathematics, Civic Education, Physics, Chemistry, Biology. Optional: Further Mathematics, Agricultural Science, Computer Science, Technical Drawing.

Career Options

• Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry, Pharmacy, Nursing
• Engineering (all branches)
• Computer Science and IT
• Architecture
• Biochemistry, Microbiology, Industrial Chemistry
• Agriculture and Food Science

Who Should Choose Science?

Choose Science if you enjoy experimentation, problem-solving, and understanding how things work. You should be strong in Mathematics and have curiosity about the natural world.

Commercial/Social Science Track

Subjects

Compulsory: English, Mathematics, Civic Education, Economics. Optional: Commerce, Accounting, Government, Geography, Business Studies.

Career Options

• Accounting and Finance (ICAN, ACCA)
• Banking and Insurance
• Business Administration and Management
• Economics and Policy
• Marketing and Entrepreneurship
• Law (with the right combination)

Who Should Choose Commercial?

Choose Commercial if you have an interest in business, money, trade, and how economies work. Good analytical skills and comfort with numbers (though not as advanced as Science) are helpful.

Arts/Humanities Track

Subjects

Compulsory: English, Mathematics, Civic Education, Literature in English. Optional: Government, History, CRS/IRS, Visual Arts, Music, French, Yoruba/Igbo/Hausa.

Career Options

• Law (one of the most prestigious)
• Mass Communication and Journalism
• International Relations and Diplomacy
• Education and Teaching
• Creative Arts, Theatre, and Film
• Library and Information Science

Who Should Choose Arts?

Choose Arts if you love reading, writing, debate, history, and understanding society. Strong communication skills and a passion for human stories are key traits.

How to Decide

1. Interest: What subjects do you genuinely enjoy?
2. Ability: Where are your academic strengths?
3. Career goals: What do you want to become?
4. University requirements: Check the JAMB subject requirements for your dream course
5. Advice: Talk to teachers, parents, and professionals

Whichever track you choose, having quality study materials is essential. Explore our full range of SS1-SS3 textbooks at Primacy Ebooks to support your academic journey!