The practical session is technical and goes with rules to obey, the technicality makes many candidates to miss their points in this section. Other Reasons Why Candidates Fail 2019 Biology WAEC Practical are highlighted by the council, which are:
The observed weaknesses of the candidates include:
- inability to relate structure with function of specimens in adaptation questions;
- inability to state observable structural differences of specimens;
- poor spelling of technical terms and one-word answers;
- starting taxonomic names with small letter;
- inability to state the functions of specimen B (rain gauge), C (meter rule) and F (quadrat);
- inability to describe how specimens B (rain gauge) and D (sweep net) could be used;
- inability to name organisms associated with the use of specimen F (quadrat);
- inability to title diagrams correctly;
- not including the magnification of the diagram;
- using un-ruled or crossing guidelines in labeling diagrams;
- using plural instead of singular for a single guideline;
- using guidelines that do not touch the structure;
- making diagrams without the correct specification;
- labeling with guidelines that are not ruled;
- drawing off-hand making the answers have little or no link with the question asked;
- inability to state the reason for the sex of specimen P (cockroach).
WAEC Recommendation by the Chief Examiner
The chief examiner proffered the following recommendations having identified the peculiar.
- 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.
General Candidates’ Strength
Candidates were able to answer the following questions satisfactorily
- writing answers neatly and clearly
- ability to answer the three questions required of them
- ability to follow the instructions of the questions
- ruling guidelines with pencil
- ability to state the function of specimens A (thermometer), D (sweep net) and E (wind vane)
- ability to name organisms associated with the use of specimen D (sweep net)
- ability to state the similarities between specimens H (quill feather) and J (palm frond)
- ability to tabulate the differences between specimens H (quill feather) and J (palm frond)
- ability to make a drawing specimen D (sweep net)
- ability to name the location on the body of the organism where specimen H (quill feather) could be obtained
- ability to name the Kingdom of the organism where specimen H (quill feather) could be obtained
- ability to name the habitat of specimens P (cockroach) and Q (grasshopper)
- ability to state the observable differences between specimens P (cockroach) and Q (grasshopper).
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