Times of Zambia | Exploring exams changes under revised curriculum

Published On June 25, 2016 » 4431 Views» By Administrator Times » Features

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LAST week I shared changes that have been made to Religious Education 2046/1, though the major change has been in the examination paper structure; which has been the introduction of three sections, Section A, B and C.
Additionally; candidates will be required to attempt four questions, one from each section, while the fourth one will be chosen from either of the sections.
This week I am exploring the changes that have been made to Civic Education and Commercial subjects.
Civic Education still has two papers, Paper one and Paper two.
Paper one has 50 questions which are multiple questions. While Paper two has three sections, Section A, B and C. Though there are still few changes have been made to Civic Education examination paper structure.
But the syllabus still remains the same.
Civic Education Paper One had duration of one hour 30 minutes. However, under the revised curriculum, duration has been reduced to one hour, but the number of questions has still remains the same.
Civic Education Paper two still has three sections. Section A has structure questions which are compulsory. Sections B, used to have ten questions which were structured and semi- structured questions.
The change in Section B has been concerning the number of questions which have been reduced from 10 to seven but candidates will still be required to attempt four questions.
While section C, has not experienced any changes because candidates will be required to attempt two questions out of five questions.
However, the first question in Section C will be compulsory. It should be emphasised that all the questions in this section will be essay based.
The changes in social science subjects which I have been discussing for the past five weeks were highlighted during the Social Sciences Teachers Association of Zambia (SOSTAZ) conference which was held in Samfya early this year.
I should appreciate different subject teachers who have been able to assist me with the information concerning the changes that have been made in all social science subjects.
Business Teachers Association of Zambia (BUSTAZ) also held their conference in Mwembeshi at Mwembeshi Secondary School.
During the same meeting various issues were deliberated which included among other things learners performance in Business Studies, Principle of Accounts and Commerce final ECZ examination papers.
Reasons were advanced regarding pupil’s average performance in Business subjects especially the computation component in Business Studies and Principles of Accounts.
Examination Council of Zambia (ECZ) business subjects officials were also in attendance and made the presentations on the changes that have been made in the structures of the examination papers under the revised curriculum.
These changes are in effect with this year’s Grade 12 internal examinations.
In terms of the examination structures the following are the changes that have been made; Commerce 7100/1 has witnessed few minimal changes both in the syllabus and examination paper lay out; only one topic has been added, at the same time one topic has been removed from the syllabus, Contract and Business Ratios respectively.
The Business Ratios topic has been taken to Principles of Accounts.
Contract has never been taught before in the Zambian schools at secondary level though it has been at tertiary level.
However, from the Commerce 7100/1 sample paper which has been distributed by the ECZ, a question on contract has been added in the paper.
The paper still has 10 questions and candidates will be allowed to pick five questions, each question has 20 marks and all questions carry equal marks. Duration is still 2 hours 30 minutes.
Principle of Accounts still has paper 1 and paper 2, though the changes have been made in the duration of the paper. Principles of Account 7110/1 or Paper 1 used to have the duration of 1 hour 15 minutes. Under the revised curriculum Paper 1 will now have 1 hour.
Principle of Accounts 7110/2 or Paper two used to have one hour 45 minutes, but under the revised curriculum the duration will be two hours.
Additionally, Paper one is still a multiple question paper, with 40 questions, while Paper 2 has structured and semi structured questions.
The other change has been in the structure of the paper. The paper used to have four questions which were compulsory. In the revised curriculum, the paper still has four questions, but with an option question on Section B of question four.
However, the General Certificate of Education (GCE) candidates are sitting for their examinations under the old curriculum, hence they are not affected by the changes that have been made in the structure and duration of the examination papers. For example History GCE paper, both Paper one and two will have 18 or 20 questions with two sections and to be written within the duration of 1 hour 30 minutes.
Look out for next week article as I discuss the changes that have been made to Language and Literature subjects with an emphasis on English Paper and Literature in English. For