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.