WASSCE Candidates’ Weaknesses In Core Mathematics 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 provided candidates’ weaknesses in core mathematics during the last held examination.
WAEC Summary of 2021 WASSCE Core Mathematics Paper Two (2)
A. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ STRENGTHS
Candidates’ strengths were evident in the following areas:
- a) find the distance between two points when given the coordinates;
- b) solve probability problems involving equally likely events;
- c) to draw Venn diagram from a given information;
- d) solve problems involving pie chart;
- e) apply Pythagoras’ theorem to solve problems;
- f) complete table for multiplication in modulo arithmetic.
B. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES
Candidates showed weaknesses in the following:
- a) showing evidence of reading values from graphs;
- b) translating word problems into mathematical equations;
- c) solving problems on Mensuration and Geometry;
- d) drawing conclusions from logical statements.
C. SUGGESTED REMEDIES
(a) Candidates should be advised to read carefully and understand the demands of questions
before attempting them.
(b) Teachers should give candidates more exercises and encourage them to work on their own.
(c) Teachers should be encouraged to have time for weak students and teach them the basic
principles and skills in the topic that they are weak in
WAEC Summary of 2020 WASSCE Core Mathematics Paper Two (2)
A. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ STRENGTHS
The Chief Examiner for Mathematics (Core) listed the strengths of candidates as follows;
ability to:
(1) compute probabilities of given events;
(2) construct a cumulative frequency table and draw graph of same distribution;
(3) complete table of values of trigonometric relation in a given interval and draw graph
of same;
(4) determine the gradient of a given straight line and finding the equation of a straight
line given the gradient and co-ordinates of a point through which the line passes;
(5) draw a Venn diagram for a given information.
B. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES
The Chief Examiner for Mathematics (Core) listed some of the weaknesses of candidates
as follows; ability to:
(1) translate word-problems into mathematical statements;
(2) solve problems in circle theorems;
(3) solve problems involving angles of elevation and depression;
(4) solve problems involving ratio and proportions;
(5) show evidence of reading from a graph.
C. SUGGESTED REMEDIES
(1) Teachers should teach students on how to translate word problems into mathematics
statements.
(2) The concept of circle theorems must be explained well in schools.
(3) Teachers should stress on the need for candidates to read and understand the demands
of the questions they attempt.
(4) Candidates must be taught to show evidence of reading values on graphs.
WAEC Summary of 2019 WASSCE Core Mathematics Paper Two (2)
A. CANDIDATES’ STRENGTHS
Candidate performed well in the following areas of mathematics;
(1) Finding Least Common Multiple (L.C.M.)
(2) Solving Linear Equation
(3) Solving question on Ratio
(4) Simplification of algebraic expression
(5) Simplification of percentage to lowest term.
(6) Adding of vectors
(7) Plotting line graph
(8) Construction of frequency table and finding the mode and mean.
B. CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES
The weaknesses of candidates were evident in their inability to:
(1) Simplify equation to the form
(2) label Venn diagram and solve problem in sets
(3) find angle in a triangle (Exterior angle equal to semi of two interior opposite
angles)
(4) find equation of a line
(5) find median from frequency table.
C. SUGGESTED REMEDIES
(1) Candidates should be encouraged to analyse questions well before attempting to
answer them
(2) Teachers should prepare students adequately for examination by giving more
exercises on the topics listed as their weaknesses.
WAEC Summary of 2018 WASSCE Core Mathematics Paper Two (2)
A. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ STRENGTHS
The Chief Examiner listed some strengths of candidates as ability to:
(a) complete a table of values for a given quadratic relation within a given interval and
draw the corresponding graph of the relation;
(b) complete tables for addition ⊕ and multiplication ⊗ in modulo 5;
(c) construct cumulative frequency table from a given data;
(d) solve problems involving transformation.
B. SUMMARY OF CANDIDATES’ WEAKNESSES
The Chief Examiner listed some of the weakness of candidates as difficulty in:
(a) translating word problems into mathematical statements;
(b) solving problems on probability;
(c) solving equation simultaneously involving indices;
(d) solving problems involving mensuration;
SUGGESTED REMEDIES
The Chief Examiner suggested that teachers should give students sufficient exercises for
the various topics treated. He also recommended that candidates should be given in-depth
tuition in areas of their weaknesses by explaining thoroughly the relevant concepts
It the hope of our team that candidates will perform better when teachers and candidates go through this summary of strengths, candidates’ weaknesses in core mathematics and remedies and apply same.
Source: waecgh.org
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