WASSCE flashcards

32 cards. Read the term and the definition here. The deck at the top of this page is optional.

WASSCE grading scale

Nine grades run from A1 (highest) through B2, B3, C4, C5, C6, D7, E8 to F9 (fail). A1-C6 are credit passes.

Credit pass threshold

A grade of C6 or better in a subject counts as a credit pass, the minimum generally required for tertiary admission and many employers.

School-Based Assessment weighting

For school candidates, continuous assessment contributes part of the final subject grade, commonly around 30 percent, with the external paper contributing the rest.

WASSCE examining body

The West African Examinations Council (WAEC) conducts the WASSCE for school and private candidates in member West African countries.

Test of orals

A separate objective paper in English Language assessing vowel and consonant sounds, stress, intonation and rhyme, rather than written composition.

Theory paper structure

Essay-style paper where marks are awarded per valid point; numbered points and clear paragraphs help markers locate each earning idea.

Alternative to practical

A written paper taken by candidates who do not do the hands-on practical; it tests experimental design, data recording and interpretation rather than manipulation.

Summary question rules

Answers must stay within the stated word limit, use own words where instructed, and avoid lifting whole sentences from the passage.

Method marks in calculations

Marks awarded for a correct formula and correct substitution even if the final arithmetic is wrong, so all working should be shown.

Concordant titres

Titre values that agree closely, usually within 0.10 cm3 of each other, and are averaged before calculating concentration.

Line of best fit

A straight line drawn through the general trend of plotted points rather than joining points dot-to-dot; slope is read from it.

Graph slope calculation

Slope equals the change in the y-variable divided by the change in the x-variable, using two widely separated points on the line of best fit.

Burette reading precision

Burette and measuring cylinder readings are recorded to the nearest 0.1 cm3, with the bottom of the meniscus read at eye level.

Command word: explain

Requires a reason, mechanism or link between cause and effect; a bare statement of fact usually earns only partial credit.

Command word: state

Requires a brief factual answer with no explanation or elaboration; extra discussion earns no additional marks.

Command word: compare

Requires explicit similarities and differences, ideally presented as paired statements about the two items being compared.

Command word: hence

Signals that the answer must use the result just obtained; an independent method may not receive full credit.

Unit conversion before substitution

Convert centimetres to metres, grams to kilograms and minutes to seconds before inserting values into formulas to avoid unit errors.

Mole ratio from equation

Mole ratios used in calculations come from the coefficients of the balanced chemical equation, not from the raw masses given.

Scalar versus vector

Scalars have magnitude only (mass, speed, energy); vectors have magnitude and direction (force, velocity, displacement).

Spaced repetition schedule

Reviewing a topic after one day, one week and one month strengthens long-term retention more than a single rereading.

Active recall

Retrieving information from memory by answering questions without notes; it produces stronger retention than passive rereading.

Quadratic formula

x equals negative b plus or minus the square root of b squared minus 4ac, all divided by 2a, for ax squared plus bx plus c equals zero.

Mole formula

Moles equal mass in grams divided by molar mass; concentration in mol per dm3 equals moles divided by volume in dm3.

Equations of motion

For constant acceleration: v equals u plus at, s equals ut plus half at squared, and v squared equals u squared plus 2as.

Ohm's law

Current through a conductor is proportional to the potential difference across it at constant temperature, expressed as V equals IR.

Examination malpractice penalties

Offences such as impersonation, unauthorised materials or phone use can lead to cancellation of a subject result or the entire result.

Mobile phone rule

Phones and smart devices are prohibited in the examination hall even when switched off; possession alone can be treated as malpractice.

Admission aggregate

Institutions compute an aggregate from selected subjects, often the best six including English and Mathematics, under their own rules.

Result verification

An official request, made with a fee within the published window, confirming the grades recorded for a candidate.

Re-marking request

A formal request for review of the marking of a specified paper, submitted through official channels before the published deadline.

Multi-paper subject scoring

Subjects such as English and the sciences have separately timed objective, theory and practical or oral papers whose scores combine into one grade.