Candidates’ Weaknesses In Economics And Remedies | Extract From Chief Examiners Report For 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 candidates’ weaknesses in Economics during the last held examination.
WAEC Summary of 2021 WASSCE Economics Paper Two (2)
A. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ STRENGTHS
(a) Most candidates were able to quote correct formulae in the data-response questions
for question 2 i.e per capita income = NNPfc/population, etc.
(b) There has been some improvement in candidates’ expressions.
(c) Most candidates were able to explain correctly maximum and minimum price controls.
(d) Most candidates labelled their diagrams correctly.
B. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES
(a) Some candidates answered all eight questions which is highly unacceptable.
(b) Some candidates misspelt words eg. depression instead of depreciation.
(c) Some candidates explained their points in just one sentence, causing them to lose marks.
(d) Some candidates wrote down all points to a question in one long sentence.
(e) Some candidates confused terms like balance of trade with balance of payments.
C. SUGGESTED REMEDIES
(a) Candidates should adhere to the rubrics of the paper.
(b) Candidates should read widely and enhance their vocabulary with the right spellings.
(c) Candidates are to explain any points they state thoroughly and add examples where necessary.
(d) Candidates are to note that points should be separated and each one expatiated.
(e) Candidates should have an in-depth knowledge of the subject matter to avoid confusing
concepts and losing marks.
WAEC Summary of 2020 WASSCE Economics Paper Two (2)
A. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ STRENGTHS
(1) Most candidates followed the rubrics, answering the specific number of questions
according to the scheme of the paper.
(2) Candidates who drew diagrams were able to label the axes and curves correctly.
(3) Candidates were able to calculate correctly average product, marginal product and total
product using the correct formulae.
B. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES
(1) Some candidates could not spell correctly words like responsiveness; proportionate;
geographical; etc.
(2) Some candidates answered the same question twice, making marking very difficult.
(3) With regards to definitions, some candidates left out essential phrases like
“responsiveness of quantity demanded” in defining elasticity.
(4) Some candidates left out the units of measurement required for instance in question 1 e.g., tyres and cloth.
C. SUGGESTED REMEDIES
(1) Candidates should read widely to enhance their vocabulary to enrich their essays.
(2) Candidates should answer a question just once and not spread its parts over various
pages in their answer booklets.
(3) Definitions should include important phrases so that candidates do not lose marks.
(4) Units of measurement required by data-response questions should be provided.
WAEC Summary of 2019 WASSCE Economics Paper Two (2)
A. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ STRENGTHS
(i) For the data- response questions, the graph required by question two was accurately
drawn.
(ii) Some candidates listed points they had raised, explained them and supported them
with relevant examples where necessary.
(iii) Some candidates were able to distinguish between concepts like geographical and
occupational mobility of labour.
B. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES
(i) In question 3, candidates mistook forms of capital to mean sources of capital and so
deviated in their presentations.
(ii) Some candidates ignored the graph as demanded by question 2.
(iii) The essays of some candidates were just in plain English, ignoring important
economic terms, phrases and definitions.
(iv) The answers of some candidates were spread across pages far apart, making
calculation of marks very difficult.
(v) Some candidates answered both data- response questions and more than three
questions from Section B, making marking difficult.
(vi) Some candidates used abbreviations and short- form of words e.g. govt for
government.
C. SUGGESTED REMEDIES
(i) Candidates should note that forms of capital are circulating, fixed and social capital
while sources of capital are plough- back profit, trade credit etc.
(ii) Candidates are to note that there is a graph sheet on page 16 of their question paper
that should be used to draw graphs.
(iii) Definitions should involve economic terms e.g. economic terms e.g. the word ‘’ease’’
should appear in the definitions of both occupational and geographical mobility.
(iv) Candidates should endeavour to put answers to a particular question together and
avoid spreading it across several pages to make marking easier
(v) Candidates are to obey the rubrics of the paper in order to avoid wasting time
answering uncalled- for questions.
(vi) Even though this is Economics, candidates are to use good English Language. In this
regard, short forms of words and jargons should be avoided
WAEC Summary of 2021 WASSCE Economics Paper Two (2)
A. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ STRENGTHS
(1) Candidates obeyed the rubrics of the paper to a very large extent.
(2) Candidates begun answers to each question on a fresh page.
(3) Candidates’ handwriting has improved tremendously.
(4) Some candidates quoted correct formulae in their work.
B. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES
(1) Some candidates labelled their diagrams wrongly.
(2) Some candidates just stated points without any detailed explanation and
so lost vital marks.
(3) A few candidates displayed total ignorance of some topics.
C. SUGGESTED REMEDIES
(1) Candidates should draw and label diagrams correctly.
(2) Candidates are to note that they must list points and add relevant examples
where necessary to earn the full marks.
(3) Candidates should cover all topics in the syllabus thoroughly and be taught how to
answer questions in order not to deviate in their answers
It the hope of our team that candidates will perform better when teachers and candidates go through this summary of strengths, candidates’ weaknesses in Economics and remedies and apply same.
Source: waecgh.org
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