Candidates' Weakness and Suggested Remedies
Candidates’ weaknesses were as follows:
- non-compliance with rubrics;
- ineligible writing;
- inability to write a balanced equation;
- poor mathematical skill;
- poor understanding of the chemistry of HNO3, H2SO4 and Cl2;
- inability to write equations to explain fermentation of starch/cassava to give
glucose and the enzymes involved.
The following remedies were suggested:
- candidates should read and understand the rubrics of the questions before responding to them;
- candidates should learn how to explain concepts using appropriate technical terms;
- candidates should learn how to write legibly;
- candidates should be given classwork and homework for continuous assessment;
- teachers should cover the teaching syllabus before the paper is taken;
- instructional aids should be used for teaching students for reinforcement of
- candidates should make use of the answer spaces judiciously.