The candidates’ weaknesses include:

• poor mathematical skills;
• failure to adhere strictly to instructions;
• poor understanding of the demands of the questions;
• rampant spelling mistakes;
• use of wrong units;
• failure to express numerical answers to appropriate number of significant figures;
• inability to write correct symbols of elements and balance simple chemical equations; -           inadequate understanding of the mole concept;
• inadequate knowledge of uses of laboratory techniques and separation methods;
• poor knowledge of hydrolysis;
• illegible handwriting;
• inability to calculate the molar mass of Na2CO3.

The suggested remedies were as follows:

• candidates should be exposed to tests of practical works early enough;
• chemistry teachers should be sponsored to STAN workshops and conferences for exposures;
• candidates should adhere strictly to instructions.