13 Reasons Why Candidates Fail 2012 Physics Practical WAEC

In bid of improving candidate’s performance, West Africa Examination Council [WAEC] do compile the general weaknesses observed in the students and how it thus affects the general score. In line with this, the following reasons are the reasons why candidates fail 2012 physics practical WAEC as released by the council.

Candidates Weaknesses

Weaknesses observed are as follows:

1. Many candidates could not read measurements from instruments such as metre rule, stop watch, protractor, ammeter etc. to the required accuracy.
2. Many candidates could not express their calculations to the required significant figures.
3. Inability to carry out instructions logically and in sequence as demanded.
4. Inability to use pins to trace rays as many drawings have no pin hole.
5. Many candidates were unable to plot graph involving numbers less than unit e.g., 0.018, 0.31 etc.
6. Poor computational skills
7. Non adherence to rubric
8. Poor language expressions
9. late exposure to practical work
10. Many candidates obtained negative values for the mass of sand M. Probably teachers did not complete/supplied vague information on the report form misleading the candidates/examiners e.g. teacher(s) stating density of sand as 2 gcm^-3 – 4.51 gcm^-3.
11. rote learning
12. labeling of axes with letters x and y which represents specific measures in physics and not general coordinates as in mathematics
13. Many could not make deduction from graphs nor draw lines of best fit.

Suggested Remedies

The following remedies were suggested:

1. Teachers to place emphasis on measurements, plotting of graphs and making deductions from graphs.
2. Teachers to endeavour to cover the scheme of examination.
3. Teachers to organize enough practical classes before examination
4. Teachers to expose candidates early enough to practical work.
5. Teachers to drill candidates on the plotting of graphs and handling of numerical processes.
6. Teachers to be properly motivated
7. Teachers should fill and supply correct information as required in the report forms.
8. WAEC to re-accredited schools based on possession of laboratories and equipment
9. There should be synergy between parents and school authorities on how to make candidates develop the right attitude to learning.
10. School to provide functional laboratories
11. School to engage qualified and well-trained physics teachers.

Candidates strength

Majority of the candidates were able to:

1. Draw composite tables for data presentation
2. Indicate correctly the units of measurable and calculated values
3. Select good and reasonable scales
4. Determine correctly the slope and intercept of their graphs
5. State precautions especially with regards to parallax error

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