Challenges and Weaknesses of 2024 WASSCE Students in the Integrated Science Paper: Lessons for Future Candidates

• WAEC published the Challenges and Weaknesses of 2024 WASSCE Students in the Integrated Science Paper in its Chief Examiners Report.
• 2025 WASSCE candidates must know these weaknesses and work on them as past of their lessons for  as future candidates of the exam. 

The 2024 WASSCE Integrated Science paper revealed encouraging improvements among candidates, yet it also exposed persistent weaknesses that demand urgent attention from both students and educators. Despite the overall above-average performance, specific challenges hindered many candidates from maximizing their potential. In this article, we will delve into the major difficulties faced by students, analyze the root causes, and suggest remedies to help future candidates prepare better.

Misunderstanding Questions and Misinterpretation

A critical challenge highlighted in the examiners’ report was candidates’ inability to understand and interpret certain questions accurately. For instance, in question 2c(ii), candidates were asked to provide examples of reflex actions affecting internal organs. Surprisingly, many students listed examples like blinking of the eyes, knee jerk, and hand withdrawal — all of which are external reflexes. This suggests that while students may memorize definitions, they often fail to grasp the deeper conceptual distinctions.

Misinterpretation of questions was also seen in ecology-related topics. Candidates struggled with explaining air movement terms like trade winds and storm, and many gave generalized answers that missed the scientific specificity required. This indicates a need for teachers to emphasize not only factual recall but also comprehension and application, as demanded by higher-order cognitive levels of Bloom’s taxonomy.

Challenges in Chemistry: Formulae and Equations

Chemistry remains a stumbling block for many Integrated Science candidates. Students frequently failed to write correct chemical formulae and balance chemical equations. For example, in question 6c(ii), students had to write the balanced chemical equation involving ammonium chloride and calcium hydroxide. Errors ranged from incorrect formulae to improperly balanced equations.

Such mistakes highlight a lack of practice and conceptual understanding. Chemistry requires both theoretical knowledge and consistent practice with solving problems. When students rely solely on rote learning without grasping the “why” behind chemical reactions, they struggle to apply their knowledge in exams.

Weaknesses in Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry questions proved especially challenging. Candidates were expected to explain functional groups and name them correctly, but many failed to provide accurate responses. For example, students incorrectly identified the carboxyl group (HCOOH) as simply “carboxyl” instead of “carboxylic acid,” and misnamed alcohol and alkene groups as hydroxyl and double bond, respectively.

This indicates a lack of depth in organic chemistry instruction. Understanding functional groups is foundational in chemistry and crucial for explaining reactivity and properties of organic compounds. Without mastering this, students will continue to struggle.

Poor Explanation of Scientific Terms

Another major weakness was in the explanation of terms such as “inductor” in electronics and “electromagnet.” Many candidates simply stated that an inductor is a “coil” without elaborating on its function in storing energy in a magnetic field. Similar shallow responses were given for electromagnets, with candidates saying it is “a magnet produced by electricity” without detailing the process or applications.

This highlights the problem of superficial learning, where students memorize keywords but do not internalize concepts. Scientific definitions require precise language and a clear understanding of principles, something future candidates must focus on.

Struggles in Ecology and Genetics

Ecology questions, such as those asking for types of interactions in ecosystems and energy loss in food chains, were poorly answered. Many candidates could not accurately spell or explain terms like symbiosis, commensalism, and parasitism, and often confused them with unrelated concepts. Similarly, questions on genetic variation and its effects on organisms saw low success rates, with most candidates unable to list causes like mutation, meiosis, and random fertilization.

These areas are fundamental to Integrated Science and reflect the need for broader coverage of the syllabus. Ecology and genetics are often neglected or hurried through, leaving students ill-prepared for detailed exam questions.

Calculation Mistakes and Application of Laws

While there was improvement in physics and chemistry calculations, some candidates still struggled with applying laws correctly. For example, in a question about a falling cement block, students were required to apply the law of conservation of energy to find velocity. Many incorrectly applied Newton’s law of motion instead, resulting in partial or incorrect answers.

This suggests that although formula memorization might be strong, the ability to identify the right law to apply remains weak. Students should be trained to analyze problems, understand context, and choose the correct approach rather than jumping to memorized equations.

Practical Agriculture and Health Science Gaps

Questions on practical agriculture, like site selection for lettuce cultivation and methods of rodent control, were poorly answered. Many students could not relate factors like topography and accessibility to practical outcomes. Similarly, questions on personal hygiene were answered fairly well in definition but lacked depth when discussing effects on individuals.

These weaknesses indicate a disconnect between theoretical knowledge and practical application. Integrated Science aims to build both academic knowledge and everyday life skills, so students must see beyond the classroom and understand how science impacts agriculture, health, and environment.

Remedies and Way Forward

The weaknesses outlined above are not insurmountable. By addressing them strategically, future candidates can greatly improve their performance. Here are some actionable recommendations:

1. Comprehensive Syllabus Coverage: Teachers must ensure that all parts of the syllabus, including ecology, genetics, and organic chemistry, are covered thoroughly. Skipping topics leaves students vulnerable.

2. Practice with Application-Based Questions: Encourage students to practice questions that require application and analysis, not just recall. Mock exams and problem-based learning can help.

3. Strengthening Chemistry Foundations: Regular exercises on writing chemical formulae and balancing equations should be emphasized. Understanding chemical bonding and reaction mechanisms will aid this process.

4. Improved Science Communication Skills: Students should practice explaining scientific terms clearly and precisely. Teachers can organize oral quizzes and group discussions to build confidence.

5. Real-Life Connections: Linking scientific concepts to real-world examples can improve understanding. Field visits, farm demonstrations, and practical sessions can make agriculture and ecology topics more tangible.

6. Focus on Conceptual Understanding: Rather than rote learning, teaching should encourage critical thinking and reasoning. When students understand “why” and “how,” they can handle unexpected exam questions better.

7. Repeated Question Reading: Students should be trained to read questions multiple times to fully grasp what is being asked before answering. This simple habit can drastically reduce misinterpretation errors.

The Integrated Science paper is designed to assess not just memory, but understanding, application, and analytical skills. While 2024 candidates showed commendable improvements, the recurring weaknesses—especially in chemistry, question interpretation, and conceptual clarity—must be addressed urgently.

READ: 2024 WASSCE Social Studies Examiners Report: Shocking Lessons for 2025 Candidates

Future WASSCE candidates should focus on deepening their understanding, practicing widely, and linking theory to practice. With dedicated effort from both teachers and students, the next batch of candidates can overcome these challenges and achieve even greater success.