The observed weaknesses of the candidates this year include:
- inability to answer questions on ecology, succession and genetics perfectly;
- inability to draw genetic crosses properly;
- inability to correctly answer questions that require corresponding answers;
- drawing flowering plant instead of the transverse section of a stem;
- not drawing to specification, using broken lines/not showing guidelines;
- poor spelling of some technical terms, e.g. garmet for gamete, fertilizer for fertilization, dysentry for dysentery, torch for touch;
- inability to give details in their description of terms;
- inability to understand the terms describe and explain when answering questions;
- inability to compare succession and competition.
The following remedies were proffered to overcome these weaknesses:
- candidates should learn spellings of biological and scientific words/terms;
- candidates should pay attention to diagrams;
- candidates should study well to know the letters to use in representing the dominant and recessive traits used in genetics;
- candidates should read textbooks that have enough description of topics rather than Biology key points;
- candidates should study past questions and Chief Examiner’s Report;
- candidates should read instructions carefully before attempting questions;
- candidates should study often and prepare ahead of exams;
- teachers should go for seminars/workshops;
- teachers should endeavour to cover the syllabus before students take the examination.