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'A' Level Results analysis
22 Jan 2015 at 10:07hrs | Views
ZIMBABWE SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2014 EXAMINATIONS: ADVANCED LEVEL RESULTS ANALYSIS
To give a clear understanding of candidates in the same situation, we have grouped the analysis into two distinct categories, namely school candidates and private candidates. The rational for this distinction is as a result of teaching and learning strategies that the different candidates were exposed to. School candidates have professional teachers and other material resources at their disposal, a case which may not be the same for private candidates.
The total number of school candidates who sat for the November 2014 examination was 30 614 of whom 25 291 obtained a Grade E or better in two or more subjects. This gives a percentage pass rate of 82,61%. Private candidates were 7 324 and 4 217 obtained a Grade E or better in two or more subjects, which also translates into a percentage pass rate of 57,58%.
Private candidates are usually fewer in the November examinations due to the fact that most of the candidates taking the November examinations are first time takers of examinations. It is assumed that the private candidates taking the examinations are registered students from commercial colleges. The performance of private and school candidates differs a great deal in that school candidates perform better (82,61%) than private candidates (57,58%) as illustrated in Table 1 above. The reasons could be that:
School candidates attended lessons for the two years they were in school whereas the private candidates could have had formal tuition for one year or less which resulted in inadequate contact time with their tutors.
Subject syllabuses in the schools are completed and this is an advantage to school candidates. Private candidates could have resorted to spotting of selected topics resulting in inadequate subject content.
There has been a marginal decline in the number of candidates registering for two or more subjects as from 2013. The number of school candidates who wrote two or more subjects at "A" Level in 2013 were 31 479 while in 2014 were 30 614, a decrease of 865 candidates 2.75%. The pass rate for 2013 was 81.58% and for 2014 was 82,61% and the almost constant pass rate for the two cohorts could mean that the candidates were exposed to the same learning conditions for the two years they were preparing for examinations.
NOVEMBER "A" LEVEL 2014 EXAMINATION PERFORMANCE
Generally, the performance of November 2014 candidates was commendable in most subjects. Reasons for this performance may vary from subject to subject and may only be substantiated by empirical research to confirm the trend in the pass rates. An important point to take note of is that grading standards for each subject did not change in any way. The standards have been benchmarked to previous ones and maintained in all subjects.
E.S NHANDARA
DIRECTOR
ZIMBABWE SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL
NOVEMBER 2014 EXAMINATIONS: ADVANCED LEVEL RESULTS ANALYSIS
To give a clear understanding of candidates in the same situation, we have grouped the analysis into two distinct categories, namely school candidates and private candidates. The rational for this distinction is as a result of teaching and learning strategies that the different candidates were exposed to. School candidates have professional teachers and other material resources at their disposal, a case which may not be the same for private candidates.
The total number of school candidates who sat for the November 2014 examination was 30 614 of whom 25 291 obtained a Grade E or better in two or more subjects. This gives a percentage pass rate of 82,61%. Private candidates were 7 324 and 4 217 obtained a Grade E or better in two or more subjects, which also translates into a percentage pass rate of 57,58%.
Private candidates are usually fewer in the November examinations due to the fact that most of the candidates taking the November examinations are first time takers of examinations. It is assumed that the private candidates taking the examinations are registered students from commercial colleges. The performance of private and school candidates differs a great deal in that school candidates perform better (82,61%) than private candidates (57,58%) as illustrated in Table 1 above. The reasons could be that:
School candidates attended lessons for the two years they were in school whereas the private candidates could have had formal tuition for one year or less which resulted in inadequate contact time with their tutors.
Subject syllabuses in the schools are completed and this is an advantage to school candidates. Private candidates could have resorted to spotting of selected topics resulting in inadequate subject content.
There has been a marginal decline in the number of candidates registering for two or more subjects as from 2013. The number of school candidates who wrote two or more subjects at "A" Level in 2013 were 31 479 while in 2014 were 30 614, a decrease of 865 candidates 2.75%. The pass rate for 2013 was 81.58% and for 2014 was 82,61% and the almost constant pass rate for the two cohorts could mean that the candidates were exposed to the same learning conditions for the two years they were preparing for examinations.
NOVEMBER "A" LEVEL 2014 EXAMINATION PERFORMANCE
Generally, the performance of November 2014 candidates was commendable in most subjects. Reasons for this performance may vary from subject to subject and may only be substantiated by empirical research to confirm the trend in the pass rates. An important point to take note of is that grading standards for each subject did not change in any way. The standards have been benchmarked to previous ones and maintained in all subjects.
E.S NHANDARA
DIRECTOR
ZIMBABWE SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL
Source - zbc
