5 Reasons why candidates fail Literature in English WAEC 2013

The arrangement of the paper which could either be paper 2 or 3 contains prose, poetry or drama. Any if the trio can be used. Therefore, aside having a mastery of the prescribed text, attention has to be on texts and use of language. This article is aimed at re-broadcasting reasons why candidates fail Literature in English WAEC 2013.

Candidates’ weaknesses

The following weaknesses were rampant among the candidates, they are:

1. Candidates’ responses to the texts were poor
2. Adequate and close references to the texts were lacking in Candidates’ answers
3. Some Candidates who read the texts were handicapped by their poor expression in English Language
4. Most of the answers proffered were sketchy, narrative and irrelevant to the questions.
5. Candidates exhibited strong reliance on short notes as against the original texts.

Suggested Remedies

Based on the chief examiner’s observation, the following remedies were put forward to rectify the weaknesses.

1. The set texts should be made available in schools, and to Candidates
2. Candidates should be encouraged to study the prescribed texts
3. Qualified teachers should be employed to teach Literature-in-English in schools
4. Candidates should be discouraged from relying on abridged texts or keynotes in preparation for the examination

Candidates strengths

Few Candidates were able to meet the demands of the questions using good command of English Language with reference to the texts. Such Candidates scored very good marks

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