There may be many reasons that could have been said to be caused of the student’s failure in 2017 biology, however, a reliable information from WAEC official has enumerated peculiar Reasons Why Candidates Fail 2017 Biology WAEC Practical. Below are the reasons:
- inability to answer questions on adaptation, taxonomy and ecology properly;
- poor spelling of technical terms and one-word answers;
- inability to correspond the answers on comparison of specimens;
- inability to title specimens correctly;
- inability to make a good diagram of specimen C (adult butterfly)
- not including the magnification of the diagram;
- making diagrams without the correct specification;
- labeling with guidelines that are not ruled;
- inability to distinguish between dorsal and ventral view;
- inability to classify specimens F (carrot) and G (Irish potato) as either stem tuber or root tuber;
- starting taxonomical names with small letters;
WAEC Recommendations by the Chief Examiner
The following remedies were proffered to overcome the weaknesses:
- students should be made to draw often in class, and be taught the basic skills of drawing;
- students should learn to use rulers to rule guidelines for labels;
- teachers should drill students on spellings so as to improve on their spelling of technical terms;
- students should be taught how to answer adaptation questions;
- students should write their answers themselves without external help;
- Chief Examiners’ Report should be made available to students and compulsory for teachers to read;
- teachers should attend seminars and workshops often;
- teachers should be encouraged to attend WAEC coordination and marking exercise.
Observed Candidates’ Strength
The observed strengths of the candidates include:
- writing answers neatly and clearly;
- ability to answer the three questions required of them;
- ability to follow the instructions of the questions;
- ability to label the diagrams correctly;
- some candidates were able to state the differences between specimens C (Adult butterfly) and D (Caterpillar);
- some candidates were able to state the differences between specimens C (Adult butterfly) and E (Grasshopper);
- ability to state the relationship between specimens C (Adult butterfly) and D (Caterpillar);
- ability to draw specimen R(Earthworm) perfectly;
- ability to name the habitat of specimen R (Earthworm);
- ability to answer questions on economic importance
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