CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES
Candidates’ weaknesses in the paper were evident in the following areas:
- inability to draw logical conclusions from observations made during tests;
- some candidates carried out test directly on the solid sample instead of solution;
- lack of knowledge on recrystallization procedure;
- inability to calculate mass concentration of solution;
- poor knowledge of significant figures;
- non-adherence to instructions, especially with regard to stepwise tests;
- use of wrong symbols to represent ions;
- poor knowledge of the mole concept;
- arithmetic errors and omission.
SUGGESTED REMEDIES
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Candidates should:
- understand the demands of the questions before responding to them;
- improve on their mathematical skill;
- be familiar with the examination syllabus;
- be familiar with ions and their symbols;
- learn how to write IUPAC names of compounds correctly;
- improve on their study habit;
- qualified teachers should be allowed to teach the subject;
- early exposure of candidates to practical;