The weaknesses associated with candidates’ performance include:

• non-adherence to rubrics;
• poor communication skills;
• poor study habits;
• lack of understanding of the demands of the questions;
• poor mathematical skills in calculating moles, molar masses and percentage purity;
• inability of candidates to draw correct structure of organic compounds and naming them using the IUPAC nomenclature;
• inability to  balance chemical equation;
• inability to properly define terms such as standard electrode potential, nuclear fission and fusion;
• inability to distinguish between acid salts and normal salts;
• poor knowledge of concept of electrolysis.

             The following remedies were however suggested
Candidates should:

• familiarize themselves with the required syllabus;
• acquire relevant text books;
• adhere strictly to instructions, for example give names or compound where it is required and not formulae.

Teachers should:

• emphasize on areas of the syllabus where candidates appear to be weak such as electrolysis and radioactivity;
• be encouraged to participate in marking coordination to update themselves;
• embrace modern trends by attending conferences and workshops to update their knowledge;
• should pay attention to aspects of calculations.