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

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;