How to pass WASSCE/BECE 2020 – 9 strategies for extra marks

How to pass WASSCE/BECE 2020 by picking up extra marks is one question I intend to help you answer with this write-up. The truth is that many students seating for any exam lose valuable free marks that make them not to obtain the right grade or score. These skills and strategies shared here will guide you to pick up extra marks. Do well to read my Definitive Guide on How to Learn and Retain (BECE & WASSCE) 

Below are very easy to follow tricks on how to pass WASSCE/BECE 2020 by picking up extra marks

#1 Keep rough working neat and tidy

Keep your rough work as clean and tidy as possible even if it might be in note form. Title these notes ‘ Rough workings ‘ and always give each of your answers.

If you have made a horrible error in your solutions, you may be able to save some of the marks from your hard work.

When answering mathematical and scientific questions, always indicate all your workings at all times-This working must always be neat and not rough.

You will be awarded marks for using the right method in your answer, even if the answer is incorrect.

In an essay or subjective questions, the rough notes will reveal to the examiner that you’ve taken the trouble to think about and plan your answers, and this may give you some extra important marks. Some students fail to do this or cancel it anyhow.

#2 Check every page of the exam paper for questions

One big mistake 70% or more students do in the answer is that they fail to read through all questions . Sometimes, the last question may end up on the last page. Some students hardly read through their answers before submitting their scripts. Reading through could save you some marks.

WASSCE and BECE candidates very often miss a question on the back page that obviously limits their choice and are potentially just throwing marks away.

Hence many loose marks they could have easily protected. Do well to read through your work or cover over the answers.

If you see a mistake while verifying your responses and don’t have time to correct it, put a note next to the error saying’ mistake here’ and, if necessary, provide details of what the mistake is.

Again, even if you have made a mistake, the examiner can see that you knew where you could have gone wrong and that he or she might be more generous with the marks.

After all, it’s about showing the examiner how you know what you’re doing and not getting the right response alone.

#5 Write answers in the style of the question

How to pass WASSCE/BECE 2020 is getting clearer, I suppose. Let us keep going. Now in the examination hall, you must try to write your answers to the question in a similar style. In case you are ask for’ compare and contrast,’ for example, your response should include reference phrases like’ in direct contrast to’ or’ by comparison.’

You do not want to overdo it, obviously. Use this technique just enough to emphasize the examiner’s conviction that the question you ask is done exactly. The more he thinks you write, the more marks the question is put to you.

In your answers, don’t be radical. Contrary to what you think, even at the highest level of education like the University,  there is room for new ideas and freedom of thought.

So where you have new ideas that are near the answers required, write them in clear English and support with relevant examples to earn you some marks. Write down precisely what you think the examiner wants to know and communicate it well.

If you think you have answered all the required questions, just take the pain of cross-checking the rules or instructions, and if you have answered all the questions required before you hand the paper over.

• How to score 40 out of 40 in BECE/WASSCE objective test

#5 Never get bogged down on a question – return to it later

Don’t let yourself get stuck on a particular question all day in the exams hall. If you’re stuck and cannot answer a sub-question leave it, plus the needed space in the answer booklet, note it on the question paper that (Yet to complete this question) and then proceed to another question.

When you have finished answering other questions or you remember the answer, you can get back and attempt it.   Don’t waste time on a question you can’t do when you can get easy and more marks elsewhere.

If you’re uncertain of your spelling or grammar at a certain time in the exams hall, change the word to a simple synonym that will send the same message across. Never think the odd marks here and there don’t matter-they do. There’s only one mark gap between passing and failing an exam.

# Know how the marks will be allocated

Make sure that you know how marks are distributed for each question and sub-questions. If a question in the exams is allotted a fifth of the total points, then you should devote a fifth of the time.

Be sure that you know whether marks will be withheld for wrong answers in multiple-choice exams as it will affect your guessing technique.

Be as clean and tidy with your handwriting, the arrangement of your answers and how neat or clean your answer booklets are.

The opposite of these makes examiners go mad, and you get penalized for that. The person who marks the exam will have marked hundreds already and will still have to mark hundreds more.

When you demonstrate to them that you are unique with a neat arrangements, clean, and straight to the point answers you can make the marker feel more confident towards you.

#6 Ask for more paper before you need it

Time-saving and taking addition paper/graph. If you’re running out of paper (or want graph paper, etc.) then put your hand up for more before you really need it so you can keep writing while you’re waiting. Too many students throw away the precious time waiting for the watchdogs to respond to their requests.

#7 Never cross anything out such that it can’t be read

Don’t go cross anything so it can’t be read. If larger errors are involved, use a single line through the unnecessary word or section, or a large cross.

This means that it is very easy to put a note by saying-‘ done off in error,’ if, suddenly, you know what you thought was a mistake, not really wrong (as often may be the case).

Do not be afraid to write little marginal notes like “sorry about the mess here” or “I guess I have gone wrong” to the examiners. This is one trick less used but now through this write up “How to pass WASSCE/BECE 2020” I shared it with you.

It will usually make you smile (since it’s a pretty sticky job), making you feel warmer, and only you can favour it.

You must not only like what you write but also want the examiner in your to enjoy reading and marking your paper as well.

The more he likes you, the more he becomes kind toward marking your paper.

(I must point out that psychology is used on his/her subconscious mind and that he/she will not be aware.

• 2020 WASSCE/BECE Revision Strategies for School Candidates

#8 List the points you were going to make if you run out of time

If a question is demanding and you find yourself running out of time get some marks before you lose everything by making a list of the points you should have explained and proceed.

This is not as good as completely answering the question however, it is dangerous to leave a question unanswered when you know all the answers required.

You said at least what you said even if it was not as elegant as you expected. You can always return to the problem and get smart things done if you have time in the end.

It is easier to obtain 2 marks starting to answer a new question than at the end. In other words, if you run out of time on a question (although hopefully you will be sufficiently disciplined with your timekeeping this problem you never encounter), don’t worry if you can’t finish it nicely.

It is good to go to the exams hall with your time, when you are reading through the questions for the first time, indicate the start and end time for each question and monitor.

When it’s five minutes to the time you allotted to the question, leave it and move to the next question. You can come over to work on them after you have attempted all the required questions.

In some examinations, students who attempt all required number of questions are awarded additional marks even if you scored just one in the last question you answered.

You’re going to have most of your good points, and by starting another question you’re actually gaining more marks than by completing one smoothly. For example, if you have limited time, it is better to start the introductory answer to a new question than struggling to come out with a summary of an already answered question.

Even good essay writers may sometimes score marks at the end of an essay less rapidly than the beginning, simply as they are no longer fresh but tired of the issue.

A new question will rekindle your interest and provide you with something.

#9 Use quotations, diagrams and examples

Before the exams, whiles studying, get vivid and accurate examples and illustrations for things you are learning. In the examination hall, use them to give weight to your answers, definitions, and explanations. I mark lost failing to explain well can be gained back with good examples or illustrations.

This write up – How to pass WASSCE/BECE 2020 (9 definitive strategies to picking up extra marks)

Source: Wisdom Hammond

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