CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES AND SUGGESTED REMEDIES

The weaknesses associated with the candidates’ performance include:

• non adherence to rubrics;
• inability to express the final answer in 3 significant figure;
• writing formulae instead of names;
• inability to write correct inferences from observations;
• poor knowledge of arithmetic proportion;
• inability to identify and correctly label the diagram provided.

The following remedies were however suggested:

• candidates should be exposed to adequate practical lessons;
• expression of answers in 3 significant figures should be emphasized;
• candidates should learn IUPAC names;
• schools should equip the laboratories with apparatus;
• candidates should read and understand the rubrics before responding to questions;
• candidates should familiarize themselves with experimental diagrams;
• candidates should be taught how to write correct inferences from observations;
• candidates should be taught the application of the knowledge of arithmetic proportion to volumetric analysis.