KCSE success tips: How candidates can prepare, write and finish examinations confidently

Dear reader, 8-4-4 System of Education embraces shedload of standard exams, evaluations, or assessments. This is a common practice in all examination systems, punctuated by both formative and summative assessments. In 8-4-4, KCSE is the summative assessment. The scores in KCSE determine qualifications for entry into tertiary institutions. The exam also has a big say on choice of courses as spelt out by KUCCPS. No wonder, I dote on the quote by Edward Morgan, the brilliant British penman that observed, “As long as learning is connected with earning, as long as certain jobs can only be reached through exams; so, we must take this examination system very seriously.” 

Indeed, KCSE explores the scope of what candidates have covered as splashed in the Table of Specification (ToS), which is in line with KICD syllabus objectives and KNEC assessment areas. Therefore, there is urgent and exigent need of recalling facts learnt earlier. The clever clue clings on the ability to collect, collate and express knowledge with crystal clarity. More importantly, KCSE tests both low and high-level skills – knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation. This is Bloom’s Taxonomy, proposed by the American educator and psychologist – Professor Benjamin Bloom (1913-1999). It is also instructive to note: Sometimes, examiners re-visit areas poorly performed in the previous exams as spelt out in the KNEC reports, and raft of recommendations. Above all, candidates should prepare to tackle the unpredictable nature of exams. Through it all, exams call for confidence, accurate responses, logical arrangement, serious sequence and unity of thought. 

Plenty of preparation is the best cure for psychological challenges such as anxiety, fear, doubt, worry, stress, tension and panic. The American motivational writer Zig Ziglar (1926-2012) wrote: FEAR is False Evidence Appearing Real. Therefore, in my take, the cure for fear is faith. For in Hebrews 11:1 defines faith: It is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen. So, as Form Fours sit to write KCSE exams, they should know, it is not the final say. But grades scored open different doors. 

Think of the ladder of life. Burj Khalifa in Dubai in United Arab Emirates (UAE) is the tallest building in this wide old world. It is 828 metres (2,717 feet tall). It has 163 floors. Britam Towers is the tallest building in Kenya. Located at Upper Hill, it 2,201 metres (656 feet tall). It has 32 usable floors. Somewhat, in case you want to get to the highest floor of any of the buildings I have alluded to, you can either use a lift or a stair case. When life gives you the gift of a lift, you spend less time and energy to ascend to the tip of the top. What if life gives you the gift of a staircase? Your ascension will be tedious and tiresome. But with FOCUS (Following One Course Until Successful) you will get up there. 

So, grades garnered in KCSE avail different opportunities. For example, scoring straight A’s open wide doors for scholarship opportunities. But grades are not the only determinant of success in life. No wonder, upon completion of KCSE, I advise every candidate to read Why A Students Work for C Students But B Students Work for the Government by Robert T. Kiyosaki. They will have to connect a lot of dots in life. Life calls for piecing many puzzles together. Over and above, while preparing for exams, it is important to visualise success. See and seize it. By focusing on pleasant scenes. This is in perfect agreement with the wise words of the American motivational author Napoleon Hill (1883-1970): “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve.” 

Advisedly, exams call for linking relevant concepts and revising (re-visiting) content for every exam. Likewise, as part of last-minute preparation, KCSE candidates pen brief points they should solidify. As well as engage in productive group discussions. It is prudent to press the best buttons by understanding the exam layout, content and format. Some students ignore it. Yet, it is important to focus on nature of questions expected in every exam. Then, for students who are pious and prayerful, it is not advisable to fast during exam period. It is also unwise to eat a lot before sitting for an exam. It is equally wrong to walk into the exam room on with an empty stomach. In a book titled How to Study, Joseph G. Donders issues a stern warning: During exams, do not stay up to late in the night. It is important to have quality sleep. 

Remember to remain confident and composed. Shun exam fear and fever. Do not cram. Avoid cheating in exams. For lack of academic integrity is highly punishable. It can put the whole centre in a problem. When things decide to go south, the shame of cheating can be uglier than the shame of poor performance. It is expensive, pensive and painful to climb to the top, then realise your ladder was leaning on a wrong wall. A few minutes to the exam, candidates should keep calm and consolidate the existing knowledge rather than trying to learn new topics. They should go through summary notes to align important facts. They should remain sane and sober. They should carry all they need in the exam room depending on the subject requirement. 

Candidates should arrive in the exam venue quite early as stipulated by exam invigilators and supervisors. While settled in exam room, they should maintain the right sitting posture: Focus on best reading, thinking and writing position. It is advisable to whisper a silent prayer. They should read the raft of rules and regulations. They should take a realistic view of the test at hand. For sitting for an exam is not a death sentence or punishment per se. It is important to crave for peace of mind. They should steady their nerves and take deep breaths. It is important to spend sufficient time on every question. 

In another treasure-trove titled Secrets to Exam Success, Otieno J. posit that it is important to know exam terminologies. Then, form a well-ordered answer in the mind before penning anything. Essays should be woven well. Draw diagrams and sketch graphs properly. The handwriting should be neat, tidy and organised. Examiners expect candidates to write right. Good command of English is of essence. Likewise, it is wise to proof-read responses so as to correct mistakes. Being able to pen appropriate responses in exams is the real deal. Any exam focuses on the overall understanding of content taught or read. 

Then, do not discuss a paper you have just finished writing. Focus on the next paper. You can dampen your spirit when you come across a question you missed. For example, discussing a Mathematical response whose answer was 0.9. Yet, for you it was 9,000. Then, what you missed should not disturb your conscience or peace of mind. Just remain positive. Be optimistic of being able to score more in the next paper. It is healthy to have ample time to relax a bit before you begin preparing for next paper.

Finally, in a booklet titled Exam Success Tips, Caesar Peraza talks about the whole kit and caboodle of candidates that utterly annoy examiners. They are 9, and they include: (1) Road-runner does not read the question carefully enough, but rushes to answer. (2) Politician answers the how when the answer should focus on the why. (3) Waffler spends the examination time writing hogwash hence bores examiner to death. (4) Correspondent writes notes to the examiner. (5) Clairvoyant thinks that the examiner can understand a page of disconnected figures. (6) Collage-maker tries to cover two or more pages with meaningless responses. (7) Abbreviator writes responses that are difficult to decipher. (8) Exemplar dodges the general point, but instead, cites a series of examples, and expects the examiner to know the answers. (9) Tautologist answers questions by repeating. For instance, banks are useful because they are important.