Chief Examiners’ report reveals many candidates failed to answer application-based questions.

 

Chief Examiners’ report reveals many candidates failed to answer application-based questions.

The Chief Examiners’ report on the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) has revealed that a significant number of candidates struggled to answer application-based questions, which largely contributed to the low performance recorded in the exams. 

The report highlights that while many learners were familiar with key concepts, they were unable to apply them effectively in practical scenarios during the examinations.

Figures released by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) indicate that results in all four core subjects—English Language, Mathematics, Integrated Science, and Social Studies—were the lowest in the past four years. The data underscores a growing concern about the quality of secondary education and the preparedness of students to tackle modern, application-focused assessments.

Speaking on Joy News’ Edutalk programme, Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu explained that many candidates relied heavily on memorisation rather than understanding the material. “What is important, after evaluating the examiner’s report, is that many learners struggle with application,” Mr Iddrisu said. “They may have prepared by memorising concepts, but this year’s questions focused more on applying what they’ve learned.”

Dr Peter Anti, Executive Director of the Institute for Education Studies, also weighed in on the challenges students faced, particularly in core mathematics. He explained that the word-based format of many questions required candidates first to read and comprehend the problem, then apply fundamental principles such as indices, trigonometry, or algebra to arrive at the correct solution. According to Dr Anti, many students were unprepared for this level of reasoning, highlighting gaps in both comprehension and problem-solving skills.

The findings have reignited calls for a shift in teaching methods across secondary schools. Education experts and stakeholders emphasize the need for approaches that promote deep understanding, critical thinking, and practical application, rather than rote learning. Both the Minister and academic leaders stress that improving how students are taught to apply knowledge is essential for raising performance in future WASSCE examinations.