WASSCE Candidates’ Weaknesses In Building Construction And Remedies | Extract From Chief Examiners Report Towards WASSCE 2023
Teachers preparing students for any examination are always worried about the potential weaknesses in answers that their students will provide during the examination. Fortunately, the main examining body, the West Africa Examination Council always provide WASSCE candidates’ weaknesses in Building Construction during the last held examinations.
WAEC Summary of 2021 WASSCE Building Construction Paper Two (2)
A. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES STRENGTHS:
- Reasonable and convincing answers were given by some candidates.
- They were able to arrange their responses in an orderly manner.
- Some in their own initiative produced good answers which were in line with the scheme.
B. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES WEAKNESSES
- In the area of sketch, candidates did not perform very well. It was clear that they lacked the skill in sketching.
- Questions involving sketches were a challenge to many candidates even though, the sketches requested were very simple and basic.
- Candidates did not consider the proportionality of the objects they were to sketch.
- Parts or elements on the sketches were wrongly placed and labelled.
- Expressions associated with English was a difficult task many candidates. It was clear that some candidates did not complete the syllabus.
C. SUGGESTED REMEDIES:
- Effort should be made by teachers to complete the syllabus. The idea of candidates learning from past questions instead of being taught in the classroom must be given serious attention.
- Future candidates must take subject serious and devote time for its preparation.
- They must learn to interpret technical and building drawings to be able to produce good sketches.
- Teachers must use the correct technologies in their teaching rather than the unnecessary jargons. Theory lessons must have bearing on the practical lessons.
WAEC Summary of 2020 WASSCE Building Construction Paper Two (2)
A. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ STRENGTHS
(1) Most candidates expressed themselves very well in stating factors to be considered before erecting a timbering system.
(2) The reasons for curing concrete was well stated by most candidates.
(3) Most candidates demonstrated improved handwritings making reading of their responses easy.
B. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES
(1) Most candidates could not produce the required sketches to answer questions.
(2) Most candidates could not properly label their sketches.
(3) Most candidates could not use the right technical words and jargons.
C. SUGGESTED REMEDIES
(1) Candidates should be taught how to properly produce sketches and constantly practice sketching.
(2) Teachers should endeavour to complete the topics in the syllabus.
(3) Students should be encouraged to read wide around the subject to improve their vocabulary in the subject
WAEC Summary of 2021 WASSCE Building Construction Paper Three (3)
A. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES STRENGTHS:
Majority of the candidates were able to attempt and write massively and constructively on the four questions demanded by the specifications.
Candidates numbered their worked examples well. Handwritings were legible and arrangements of worked examples were well presented; thereby making the marking of the scripts easy.
B. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES WEAKNESSES
(1) Majority of the candidates seem to be deficient in understanding some of the phrases and action verbs that should enable them to answer the questions satisfactorily;
- Functions
- Functional requirements
iii. Uses of
- Factors for considering
- Reasons for
Therefore, answers provided for questions 1 aii, 2b, 3a, and 6c were somehow poor.
(2) The flow in sentence construction and spelling of words needs further attention from candidates. It is really hurting for candidates to spell wrongly words which appear in the very question posed.
(3) Most of the candidates failed to apply sectioning symbols to the walls, concrete floor slabs, cement sand screeds and the ground levels
C. SUGGESTED REMEDIES:
- The word phrases and action verbs used to frame the questions should be highlighted by teachers if possible for students’ attention before they write their final examination.
- Candidates and for that matter, students should be encouraged to read more to broaden their scope in the subject area and their chosen trades.
iii. Reading more will enable them to overcome the common spelling mistakes occurring every now and then and as well help them construct good and understandable sentences.
WAEC Summary of 2020 WASSCE Building Construction Paper Three (3)
A. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ STRENGTHS
(1) Most candidates expressed themselves very well in the English Language.
(2) Most candidates produced sketches in the right proportion and size.
(3) Most candidates presented well-arranged work that made for clarity and ease of reading.
B. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES
(1) Most candidates could not properly position the damp proof course and membrane as well as hardcore filling, blinding and concrete floor slab.
(2) A few candidates failed to read and follow the rubrics and therefore answered more questions than required.
(3) Most candidates sketched a solid ground floor (Q1b) without showing the finished ground level.
C. SUGGESTED REMEDIES:
(1) Candidates should be taught how to properly sketch solid ground floor and the proper placement of the various components.
(2) Candidates should be impressed upon to read the rubrics of every paper before they start answering questions.
(3) Students should be encouraged to practice how to sketch solid ground floor.
It is the hope of our team that candidates will perform better when teachers and candidates go through this summary of strengths, WASECE candidates’ weaknesses in Building Construction and remedies and apply same
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