CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES
The following are some of the weaknesses noticeable in the candidates’ scripts:
(1) Inadequate knowledge of art history
The problem of candidates’ meagre knowledge of art history is becoming persistent. Candidates often demonstrate lack of knowledge of any art tradition outside Nigeria. Most of the candidates avoided question 3, where they were requested to write on the origin, medium, features, forms and function of Fon art. Question 7 requested candidates to state the belief underlying Pre-historic art, the art forms and the medium used, but candidates’ responses to this question manifested a complete lack of knowledge on it.
(2) Deviation from the requirements of questions
This is also becoming a constant inadequacy among candidates. In question 3, where candidates were expected to give a brief explanation on the reason why Ife art is referred to as court art. Rather than give the expected response, most candidates described the existence of Ori-Olokun and Oranmiyan staff in Ile-Ife. These were completely outside the requirements of the question. In question 1, where candidates were expected to highlight the ways in which emphasis can be created in a composition, candidates dwelt on composition in English Language instead of composition in visual art.
(3) Illogical presentation of points
Some candidates as usual, could not organise their points comprehensibly. In most cases, responses were disorderly and illogical, evidently as a result of inadequate preparation.
(4) Inappropriate use of answer booklet
Proper use of answer booklet is also posing a challenge to candidates. A good number of them wrote their responses to the same question on different pages without any indication of such. Some others also answered two or more questions on the same page. These are unacceptable by every standard, as candidates were expected to answer a new question on a fresh page in the answer booklet.
