Categories: WAEC TIP

9 Reasons why candidates fail Mathematics 2017 WAEC

Mathematics unlike other subjects is time consuming and calls for ultimate concentration when answering the paper, because, a little unwarranted adjustment will render the work inaccurate. It is therefore needful to hint on the weaknesses or reasons why candidates fail Mathematics 2017 WAEC. This information will be of great insight to prospective candidates and mathematics instructors.

Candidates’ Weakness

The Chief Examiner observed that Candidates’ exhibited significant weakness in the following areas:

Translation of word problems into Mathematical Expressions and Diagrams.
Commercial Arithmetic
Probability
Geometry – Circle Theorems and Plane Geometry
Adherence to rubrics of questions
Reading and answering questions from graphs
Approximations
Measures of Dispersion – Inter – quartile Range
Rates and Proportion

Suggested Remedies from the Council

The remedies suggested by the Chief Examiner are summarized as follows:

Candidates’ should be encouraged to read questions carefully so as to understand its demand before attempting it.

Teachers should endeavour to use interactive method of teaching.
Teachers should give more worked problems during class lesson.
Teachers and Candidates’ were encouraged to put in more effort to the teaching and learning of Geometry and Commercial Arithmetic.
Teachers as well as Candidates’ are encouraged to cover the syllabus while preparing for examination for improved performance.
Qualified Mathematics Teachers should be engaged to teach the subject.
Teachers were encouraged to participate in the WASSCE main coordination as this would help improve on their teaching skills.

Candidates’ Strengths

The Chief Examiner reported that, there are a lot of improvement this year which include the following areas