8 Reasons Why Candidates Fail 2015 Physics WAEC

Many reasons can lead to students’ failure, however, as noted by the council, the following are the reasons why candidates fail 2015 physics WAEC as against rumour or speculations. These reasons remain valid and very useful for every prospective candidate for this exam [WAEC] at all time, therefore, if you are one, carefully read through and note the reasons.

Candidates’ Weaknesses

Notably, most of the candidates were unable to:

1. relate the principle of latent heat of vapourization to the preservation of tomatoes in most jute bag
2. effectively handle scale drawing problems
3. differentiate between loudness and intensity of sound
4. explain why ships are usually refilled with sand and water after they are emptied of their cargo
5. draw the correct symbol for OR gate
6. state the reason why the horizontal component of the velocity of a projectile remains the same at every point of its flight
7. explain the significance of de-Broglie was equation
8. handle correctly arithmetic processes involving standard notation and conversion of units such as mm to m, cm³ to m³ and cm³ to m³
9. explain the term ‘doping’ in a semiconductor

Suggested Remedies

It was suggested that to remedy these weaknesses:

1. Teachers should pay more attention to arithmetic processes.
2. Teachers should demand for explanations to enable candidates apply fundamental principles of Physics.
3. Teachers should insist on correct definitions during evaluations of candidates.
4. Qualified and experienced physics teachers should be engaged in teaching Physics.
5. Teachers should attend coordination meetings to improve their method of teaching.
6. Teachers should endeavour to cover the syllabus.
7. Teachers should not only state principles and laws but also emphasize the applications of the principles to everyday activities.
8. Schools to engage qualified Physics teachers
9. Candidates to develop reading habits and channel their energy to studying.

Candidates’ Strengths

Averagely, candidates displayed a better understanding about the following concepts:

1. Reasonable improvement in handling of calculations involving numbers in standard form.
2. Notable increased in awareness in some topics/sub topics like simple physical quantities, dimensions, simple harmonic motion, heat transfer and motion of charged particles in a magnetic field.

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