Candidates' Weakness

The observed weaknesses of the candidates include:

• poor spelling of some technical terms;
• starting taxonomical names with small letter e.g. insecta, arthropoda instead of Insecta, Arthropoda;
• inability to state the reasons for the type of fruit illustrated in 1(b)(iv);
• use of illegible handwriting;
• poor expression of answers by using the word ‘helps’ instead of stating the function of a structure directly;
• inability to explain the process of germination using the names of the parts in 4(b)(iii).

The following remedies were proffered to overcome the weaknesses:

• candidates should study past questions and Chief Examiner’s Report;
• candidates should study spellings so as to improve on their spelling of technical terms;
• candidates should study often and prepare ahead of exams;
• candidates should read textbooks that have enough description of topics rather than Biology key points;
• the general principles in Biology should be studied with practical examples;
• candidates should study questions properly before answering them.