Observation: Common Mistakes BECE Candidates Make in The Social Studies Paper 2

Social studies is one of the core subjects studied in the Junior High Schools in Ghana. The rationale for teaching social studies as stated in the social studies syllabus is that “To prepare the individual to fit into the society by equipping them to with knowledge about the culture and way of life of the society, it’s problems, it’s values and hope for the future.”

The West African Examination Council (WAEC) do examine learners after their 3 years at the JHS level. Averagely BECE candidates do perform very well in social studies than the other core subjects, especially English Language and Mathematics according to the examination’s statistics.

In spite of the average passes in Social Studies, the chief examiners reports on social studies always outline the major weaknesses of students in the examinations every year.

This article seeks to navigate the common mistakes students make in the social studies paper.

After going through the chief examiners reports from 2014 to date, these were some of the mistakes students make in the social studies paper.

Mistakes Students Make in The Social Studies Paper

Spelling Mistakes
Wrong spelling of words was one of the key weaknesses outlined in most of the chief examiners report on the social studies paper. Students find it difficult spelling some words which also affects the point they are trying to put across. It is suggested that students should be drilled in spelling and dictation exercises.

Writing Incomplete Answers
Writing of incomplete answers is one of the numerous mistakes students make in the social studies. Students fail to expatiate their points causing them to lose marks. Some also provide one word answers. Teachers should Endeavour to train students on how to expand their points before they sit for the exams.

Poor Handwriting.
Students inability to write legibly is one of the weaknesses they portray in the social studies test. It was captured in almost all the chief examiners report. It is suggested that students should be advised to write legibly during the exams.

Poor Organization Of Work.
The chief examiners reports revealed that some students organize their work awfully. For instance, some students answer more than a question on one page. Teachers should orient students on how to organize their work during examinations.

Non Adherence To The Rubrics of The paper
One striking revelation from the chief examiners reports is that students do not follow the rubrics or instructions of the paper. The reports cited instances where students answer more than the required number of questions. Others also answer more questions from a section than required. Teachers should run students through the rubrics of the paper before they sit for the examinations.

Deviation or Irrelevant Points.
One of the weaknesses of students in the social studies paper is that they normally deviate from the question. Therefore, points that are irrelevant to their selected question are being raised. This weakness can be dealt with by teachers trying as much as possible to complete the syllabus the students.

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Written by :Ebenezer Duodu Nkansah
Tutor :Offinso State A JHS
[email protected]
0246037396
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