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.