CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES AND SUGGESTED REMEDIES

The performance of the candidates was affected by the following weaknesses:
-           non-adherence to rubric;
-           cancellation/alteration of the values to agree with those of their teachers;
-           arithmetical errors in volume of acid used;
-           averaging non-concordant titre values;
-           poor mathematical skills;
-           poor knowledge of S. I. units of mass concentration and molar concentration;
-           test on solids instead of solutions;
-           lack of knowledge of confirmatory test for carbon (IV) oxide;
-           poor knowledge of laboratory set-up and names of laboratory apparatus;
-           poor knowledge of solubility of gases in water;
-           assigning wrongs charges to ions.

            The following remedies were suggested to improve on candidates’ performances, and overcome      these weaknesses.
-           schools should sponsor their chemistry teachers to STAN conferences;
-           candidates should improve on their reading habits;
-           candidates should read and understand the rubrics before responding to questions;
-           candidates should be taught how to observed and record observed reactions;
-           candidates should be taught how to write correct charges on cations and anions, when carrying out specific chemical tests.