KCSE 2024 performance analysis per subject
Analysis of the Marking of English Paper 1 – 2024 KCSE
General Observations
Performance Trends:
The 2024 candidates performed better in English Paper 1 compared to the 2023 cohort.
However, the 2022 candidates remain the best performers in recent years.
Question 1: Minutes Writing
Performance Overview:
Average score: 10 marks (down from 15 in 2022).
Common Errors:
1. Format (6 Marks):
Unrealistic dates led to loss of marks in title and numbering.
Under “Members Present,” candidates incorrectly included the patron as a member.
Most failed to recognize that only two members were absent with apologies, while only the patron was marked as in attendance.
Inconsistencies in numbering format, e.g., “Min 23/2023” instead of “Min 1/2024.”
Missing date space or inappropriate signing-off formats.
Average score for format: 4 marks.
2. Content (6 Marks):
Misunderstood roles and responsibilities:
The chairman should start the meeting, not the patron.
Misinterpreted “Matters Arising” as the business of the day.
Business of the day (4 marks):
Many students mistakenly included the guest speaker’s contributions in the meeting rather than discussing their invitation.
Incorrect reporting formats omitted phrases like “members discussed” or “members resolved.”
Average performance in content: low.
3. Language (8 Marks):
Students averaged 4 marks due to common expressions such as:
“Word of prayer,” “open a meeting,” or “the meeting was closed.”
Better performers used precise phrases, e.g., “Members unanimously resolved,” “The chairman called the meeting to order.”
Suggestions for Improvement:
Emphasize technical terms in functional writing.
Clarify roles (e.g., chairman vs. patron).
Teach consistent numbering and appropriate phrasing for resolutions and discussions.
Cloze Test
Performance Overview:
Average score: 0 marks.
Challenges:
Poorly shaped letters (F, C, S) and inability to use context clues.
Suggestions for Improvement:
Focus on letter shaping and contextual inference skills.
Oral Skills (Question 3)
1. Poetry (Rhyme Scheme and Sound Patterns):
Most performed well in identifying rhyme schemes.
Struggled with identifying sound patterns due to lack of close word proximity.
2. Performance of a Line:
Average performance.
Emphasize verbal and non-verbal cues with justification, e.g., “falling intonation to express finality.”
3. Homophones:
Examples: toad/towed/toed, flu/flew/flue, wail/whale/wale.
Averagely performed.
4. Syllabic Stress:
Poor performance.
Issues included incorrect underlining or misunderstanding stress rules (e.g., long vowels, word class, or “third syllable from last”).
5. Giving Directions:
Many performed well.
Common mistakes: Narrating instead of using landmarks, compass directions, and avoiding route/bus names.
6. Dialogue Completion:
Complex for both learners and examiners.
Average score: 4 out of 10.
Challenges included lack of cohesion, coherence, and ability to contextualize responses.
Suggestions for Improvement:
Teach sound patterns with close proximity examples.
Emphasize stress rules and syllable marking.
Enhance dialogue skills through reading, comprehension, and practice.
General Insights
Best Student Score: 58/60.
Lowest Score: 0.
Average Range: 20-25 marks (improved from 10-20 marks in 2023).
Recommendations for Educators:
1. Use model examples to teach technical and functional writing skills.
2. Reinforce understanding of roles in minutes and use of accurate language.
3. Enhance oral and written skills through practice in sound patterns, syllable stress, and contextual comprehension.
4. Focus on cloze tests by teaching inference and letter-shaping skills.
By addressing these areas, future candidates can achieve better outcomes in English Paper 1.
