Form 4 candidates conscious of climes and times should audit themselves through in-depth introspection and soul-search. They should pause and pose self-assessment questions that can help them prepare for KCSE. No wonder, I sit, ideate and write about quality questions Form 4 candidates can ask themselves to gauge their preparedness for KCSE.
I can say in this essay, proper analysis of 2019 KCSE established that content tested was 25% distributed across all forms (1-4). Therefore, for the sake of content mastery, every candidate should interject questions related to reading: Have I read Form 1-4 notes? Have I attempted more than 10 Paper 1-3 past papers? Have I also tried to go through KCSE past papers to have an idea of how final exams look like? Have I corrected all the mistakes I made in the previous exams?
For the sake of proficiency in languages — English and Kiswahili — a focused Form 4 should pause and ask: Have I read KCSE set books? Have I read the passages in approved books to help me hone my reading and comprehension skills? Those taking CRE and IRE, should also ask: Have I read portions of the sacred scriptures complementing content of those subjects? Again, on content mastery, every Form Four candidate must remain awake and aware by asking themselves these questions: Have I reviewed Form 1-4 files? Have I responded to end-of-topic questions in approved textbooks? Have I put affirmative action in subjects I am registering poor performance?
Then, while preparing for KCSE, there is the art of exams. For the sake of self-assessment, every candidate should pause and ask: Have I mastered the art of exams in Paper 1-3? Have I implemented all recommendations made by subject experts and examiners? Have I mastered the Table of Specification (ToS) in every subject? Ideally, the art of exams encompasses exam terminologies, format, trends, skills, depth, test blueprint, presentation, integrity, et cetera.
Moreover, while preparing for KCSE, a conscious candidate pauses and asks: Have I sealed cracks and crevices related to learning? The learning gaps may include; gaps on content mastery, gaps on correct interpretation of questions, gaps on trends in setting and marking of KCSE, gaps on exam presentation, gaps on mastery of Form 1 and 2 content, gaps on morale and motivation, et cetera.
Likewise, the candidates assess their preparedness for KCSE when the abilities on the extreme ends pause and ask: Have I put in place strategies for top achievers? Have I put in place strategies for struggling students? For top achievers to score more, they should focus on straight A’s, join academic villages, engage in peer teaching, try self-evaluation or individual exams, consult more, avoid stupid pride, dodge tenacious traps of comfort and complacency, work on the Kaizen Principle of Continuous Improvement and fill learning gaps.
Struggling students prop themselves up by pairing up with top achievers, re-visiting Form 1 and 2 work, identifying simple areas to score free marks, consulting more, taking extra lessons seriously and never choosing to give up. Lastly, Form Four candidates gauge their preparedness for KCSE by asking the question: Have I expanded my learning time? This underscores the essence of paying the price and sacrifice. For no price, no prize.
On the same token, it underpins the importance of going the extra mile. For Napoleon Hill writes: the pot of gold is always perched at the end of the rainbow. Therefore, candidates expand learning time by sitting for long listening to useful talks. Sometimes, they retire to bed late, but wake up early. They manage and mitigate tension that tightens in form of stress. They shorten breaks, lunches and supper time. They miss entertainment programmes. They arrest thieves of time such as laziness, lassitude, procrastination, complacency and gossip.
© Victor Ochieng’
Describe this scribe as a speaker and trainer in schools. vochieng.90@gmail.com. 0704420232
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