| INTRODUCTION
Thanks to the conveners of SAY 2001 for finding it necessary to
invite The West African Examinations Council, the foremost indigenous
public examination body in the West African Sub-region, to contribute
to the conference in enlightening the youths of this country. We
realize that the days have since gone when WAEC in Nigeria was the
only examination body known to youths of this country with the phasing
out of the London GCE and Cambridge School Certificate examination
in Nigeria. With the shedding of the Teachers' Grade 2 Certificate
Examination to National Teachers' Institute, Kaduna, the National
Common Entrance Examination to NBEM now christened NECO, Minna and
the Technical and Business Studies Examinations to NABTEB in Benin-City,
WAEC in Nigeria now has only the West African Senior School Certificate
Examination (WASSCE).
We, however, are proud to say that WAEC still ranks high among the
largest and most credible examining bodies in the world. Having
existed for over 50 years, WAEC is in a position to authoritatively
advise youths and adults alike on the topic of our discussion "How
to pass in Examinations".
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WHAT IS EXAMINATION - IN EDUCATION?
It is the consideration and evaluation of the learning process either
of the student or the school system.
The word "Assessment" is used to express it. Examination
can be considered in several dimensions. It is necessary to briefly
state them so that we can appreciate the discussion on passing specific
examinations.
(1) In Form:
Examination can be written, oral, practical and observational. It
could range from watching examinees in the performance of a task
to scoring short answer responses.
(2) Formal or Informal:
For example, responding to series of answers over a given period
(timed) is formal. Whereas, observing someone's behaviour - say,
in Agricultural Extension Examination - may be informal.
(3) Objective, Purpose or Aim Such as
(a) to diagnose student learning difficulties - e.g. in
class test.
(b) to motivate students to learn - class tests.
(c) to assess how effective teaching had been - Zonal or M.O.E.
Exams.
(d) to certify achievement - types for WAEC Senior School
Certificate Examination, NABTEB, Technical and Business subjects
Examination and NTI Teachers' Certificate Examination.
(e) to select students for higher Institutions - JAMB'S UME, PCE,
and NBEM's NCEE.
(4) One-off/Terminal/End of Course or Continuous Assessment - Teachers'
Certificate Examination and old SC/GCE were one-off while WASSCE
combines one-off with CASS.
(5) In terms of Locus of Control: i.e. Internal or External to the
school. School/Class tests are internal; WASSCE is external.
(6) Association with Stake - High stake or Low stake - Where candidates
performances have consequences - for promotion, certification, graduation
& job selection. For examination, JSSE for promotion to SS Class,
SSCE for certification, UME for selection/admission to higher institutions.
Youths have to face almost all of these forms or aspects of examination
in their lives. It is their desire to pass or be successful not
only to advance and take their places in the society, but also for
esteem and respect among mates, relations etc.
But I wish to replace "Pass" with secure valid result.
A valid result is one that represents the actual performance of
the specific examinee. For all practical purposes it would represent
the level of the candidates assimilation of the questions asked
and the responses given by him in relation to the expected responses
to the questions.
A valid result may reach a predetermined level for specific purposes.
These would be grades of passes in achievement tests or cut-off
point in selection tests. The valid result should be usable by the
candidate. A result with wrong name or subjects will not be valid
to the candidate.
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HOW AN EXAMINEE CAN REACH THE DESIRED LEVELS
IN OUR EXAMINATION
(1) Before The Examination
(a) Entry: The first stage leading to passing, or getting valid
result is proper entry. To scale this stage, ensure that you complete
your entry correctly. Use the examination syllabus and regulation as well as
the rules for completing entry document. Many candidates have been
known to fail to complete their names, examination numbers, gender
codes and choices of subjects correctly, even in the School (May/June)
Examination. Such candidates spend useful time asking the examining
body to correct the wrong entry. Some even accuse the examining
body of responsibility for the error, until the original documents
are shown them!
(b) Coverage of Syllabuses and Regulations.
Get the syllabuses for the subjects chosen and study the topics;
listen in class and study later; consult good tutorial colleges
if you are a private candidate. Get the required text books and
study consistently over a long period. Avoid reliance on "short
notes" at the beginning of learning a topic. Let the facts
sink into you. Study the regulations governing examinations, particularly
about desired behaviour in examination, so that you do not ignorantly
involve yourself in malpractices with serious consequences.
(c) Learn to answer questions after each topic - to enable you determine
how far you assimilated the topic. You may use past questions, or
form your own related questions to the topic, answering such questions
- in writing, not glibly orally.
(d) Share knowledge and exchange ideas with mates since you may
not have access to all textbooks or knowledge on a topic. But do
not join in cramming model answers prepared by somebody else.
Learn to use your own words to treat or answer questions except
where actual quotation is required.
(e) Determine to face the exam yourself. Avoid relying on people
to help you do all or part of the examination; avoid looking for
"EXPO" - that is questions that may leak. Disappointment
often comes from such.
(f) Locate your examination centre and hall before the date your
examination starts, including those for specific subjects that have
common centres. You will, thereby, avoid frustration and reduction
of passing chances!
(g) "Commit your way unto the Lord, trust also in Him,
He will bring it to pass".
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(2) During The Examination
(a) Punctuality to exam centre will enable you use all the time
allocated to the exam. Rushing in when a paper had started destabilizes
examinee. Drop bags, books, notes and sheets outside.
(b) In practical paper, be sure you stay in the group you are assigned
to avoid mix-up of work with other people's.
(c) Get your correct exam centre and seat, particularly in multiple
centre schools / venues.
(d) Collect and protect your answer booklet, when the supervisor
gives it out. Write your name, examination number, subject and sex
code (in objective on the booklet).
(e) Coliect your question paper and guard it jealously. Write your
name on it, immediately you get it, for easy identification when
need arises.
(f) When asked to start, take time to read the rubrics/instruction
such as the number of questions to answer in all, and from each
section. Tick the ones you want to attempt and write your outlines
of approach.
(g) Answer question precisely and up to the point; think of many
points and do not waste time discussing one point to the detriment
of others unless the question asks you to. Time yourself on each
number to avoid waste of time on one.
(h) In objective or multiple answers paper, shade your choices properly.
(i) Protect "your work to avoid others spying on your work and
so involve you i: collusion, leading to cancelling of subject result.
(j) Remember that you are writing an examination; avoid using pidgin
English do not forget your punctuation marks and rules of grammar.
Know that all the rules of grammar and punctuation are marked in
the English Language Papers. Many candidates ignore this fact.
(k) Towards the end, read over your work to correct errors - particularly
your exam number; subject code and question numbers. Cancel rough
work neatly to avoid their being marked.
(l) When asked to stop -Do so promptly to avoid conflict with the
regulations. Turn your answer sheet or booklet over till the invigilator
or supervisor gets to you to collect your answer sheet/booklet.
Avoid arguing with the invigilator or supervisor.
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(3) At The End Of Examination
(a) Leave the exam hall quietly.
(b) Do not engage in gang action against perceived, strict supervisor
and invigilator
(c) If you notice any mob action - strive to alert police or nearest
WAEC office.
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(4) POINTS TO NOTE ABOUT GRADING CANDIDATE'S
WORKS IN WAEC EXAMINATION
(1) In Practicals, reliance is given to school specialist masters
to prepare the equipments and specimens on which the tests have
been based. Your consistent class work is important.
(2) In Orals, Specialist teachers from other schools come to do
the test and record the mark. Recorded tapes may be used, to ensure
uniformity.
(3) For Objective paper, Marking is done by computer; there is,
therefore, no way of favouring any candidate. This is why clear
indication of your choice becomes important.
(4) Theory papers - Long before exam., marking scheme in each number
is prepared for the examiners. Examiners spend 3 days studying and
trying them out. That is what we call coordination meeting so that
no examiner marks as he likes. There are 3 levels in assessing candidates'
work - by Assistant Examiner, Team Leader and Chief Examiner. Then
checking by Checkers and Marking Venue Officers is done to complete
the marking.
(5) At the end of marking - Machine electronically receives the
scores of every candidate and produces the statistics for fixing
grade boundaries.
(6) Reference is made to standard of past examination, Chief Examiners'
and Team Leaders' Reports on the marking to determine the grade
boundaries.
(7) Reports on malpractices in WAEC examinations often come from
supervisors, invigilators, candidates themselves, WAEC inspectors,
examiners and occasionally, some members of the public who might
have observed them in some centres.
(8) WAEC takes time to investigate reports thoroughly. It does not
sweep anything under the carpet. It is the investigation that leads to
withholding of results. Note that some examining bodies tend not
to investigate reported malpractice but just give such candidates
"failure" or "unclassified" results. Each examining
body has its own regulations to follow.
(9) Candidates' withheld results may be released or cancelled in
part or entirely after the appropriate Committee of the Council
had met to deliberate on the malpractices reports. That Committee
consists of knowledgeable and distinguished representatives of Universities,
Ministries of Education, Conference of Principals of Secondary Schools,
Polytechnics and Teachers Union to ensure that justice is done and
standard is maintained.
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(5) CONCLUSION
Although passing the examination set for any level of learning is
the major pre-occupation of youths, I think thorough acquisition
of the knowledge expected of that level should matter more. Examination
and eventual certification then, only helps to confirm that the
knowledge had been acquired, and that the youth can be sure of using
the knowledge easily in his life, and take their positions in the
scheme of things.
A youth who fraudulently obtains pass grade - or even failure grade
(because supposed attempt could be useful in some instances) is
not a worthy citizen. Such are the ones who become square pegs in
round holes and frustrate our efforts to develop. You need not be
such. You can pass any examination if you ask God to guide your
endeavours while taking note of the advice given on this topic.
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