By Victor Ochieng’
vochieng.90@gmail.com
The 8-4-4 System is exam-oriented and we shall only be out of this craze about exams when the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC) takes full preeminence.
It is of supreme importance to note that schools that register peak performance come up with well-thought-out strategies like concentrating on content, retention and memory enhancement techniques. The school arrowheads ensure that candidates stick like ticks on stupendous study strategies. Then, in the whole scheme of things, they run examination systems by training candidates on the art of examination.
Therefore, the art of exams will be the central plank of this write-up. By and large, schools that yearn to earn good grades should train the candidate class on the following areas:
Emerging Trends in the Setting and Marking of Exams
Both teachers and students should keep abreast with emerging issues and trends per subject. This is enhanced through focusing on Bloom’s Taxonomy; testing of higher-level skills with a special focus on application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation.
The tutors at the helm of the examination departments and the internal quality assurance must ensure that candidates are exposed to standard papers, which can prepare them for KCSE. It ensures that quality isn’t compromised when it comes to exams and that exam integrity must be adhered to.
Candidates should be made to know about the unpredictable nature of exams and subject teachers should prepare detailed marking schemes, which can be studied by candidates, to help them point out personal mistakes and polish pale parts.
Format of Exams
Candidates should be aware of the number of papers to expect in every subject. Teachers should apprise them of the areas and skills tested in every paper. Candidates should also know the total marks per paper, sections per paper and total marks per section. They should also not be oblivious of the duration of time for each paper.
Table of Specification (ToS)
Table of Specification (ToS) or the Test Blueprint basically focuses on a ‘must come areas’ in various topics per subject. Again, subject teachers should expose candidates to the format of exams, KNEC recommendations and syllabus objectives.
Mistakes Students Make and Penalties they Invite
Candidates should be trained adequately on how they can avoid various grievous goofs committed in exams like wrong interpretation of examination questions, failure to bring out skills needed in a particular paper, failure to respond to questions in details and poor plotting of responses on paper. In the same ambit, candidates should know that it is a massive mistake to leave blank spaces in exams.
Providing Responses in the Required Breadth and Depth
Teachers have a cardinal duty to help the candidates know that marks are earned. Students should be fully trained on how to present puissant points in exams. In essays, they must be trained on how they can bring to the fore a cogent argument that can entice the examiner and attract good marks.
Plotting Work on Paper
Candidates must be made to know the importance of plotting work well. They have to write legibly, to help examiners decipher the responses with a lot of ease. They should know how to plot essays tested in Biology and English Papers. In Math exams, they should know how to earn marks allocated to method, bonus and answer by presenting the flow of Mathematical equations in a perfect manner. They should not forget to write balanced chemical equations when asked to do so.
Being Conversant with Correct Terminologies Employed in Exams
Teachers should expose candidates to the action verbs used in exams. They should be guided on how to respond to each question based on key words employed like; state, explain, discuss, evaluate, describe, outline, et cetera.
Areas they Can Score Free Marks
In every paper, there are areas candidates can scoop free marks without a spectre of struggle. This can work well if in case they focus on Table of Specification (ToS) or the Test Blueprint. They should not lose marks in questions that test simple concepts plucked from Form 1 and 2 content.
The Art of Science Practical
Paper 3 in Sciences (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) test the practical aspects. This is an area that candidates can score free marks, because they give responses based on their own observations, interpretations and inferences made. Candidates should know how to assemble the apparatus and perform the practical exam. Knowing possible practical questions to anticipate, and reagents, is of great essence. It is important to know how to pen procedures.
Preparation for the Exam
This is where the rubber meets the road. Some schools have Form Fours who have never become candidates. Such calibre of candidates only jolt to consciousness at the eleventh hour. Candidates should be cognizant of the fact that every exam requires preparation, which is both academic and psychological. When candidates prepare academically, they do not succumb to tension that tightens, stress, panic, anxiety, or exam fever, even fear. There is no substitute for preparation. Preparation is the necessary edge that entices success in any sphere. The best preparation for tomorrow is basically doing your best today.
The writer is a trainer, author and orator.
