Analysis of the Marking of English Paper 1 - 2024 KCSE

KCSE English Paper 1 analysis - 2024

General Observations

This year's analysis of English Paper 1 for the 2024 KCSE examinations reveals some intriguing trends and insights into student performance across various components.

Performance Trends:

• The 2024 candidates have shown an improvement over their 2023 counterparts, with a noticeable increase in average scores. However, the 2022 cohort still holds the record for the best performance in recent times.

Question 1: Minutes Writing

Performance Overview:

The average score for minutes writing dipped to 10 marks from 15 in 2022, suggesting a need for more focus on this area.

Common Errors:

1. Format (6 Marks):
   Many candidates lost marks due to unrealistic dates in titles and improper numbering.
   Misunderstanding of member roles; for example, listing the patron under 'Members Present' when they should be under 'In Attendance.'
   Errors in recognizing attendance status led to many points being missed.
   Inconsistencies in formatting, like using old year references in minute numbering.

   Average Score for Format: 4 marks.

2. Content (6 Marks):

   • Confusion over roles led to the patron opening meetings instead of the chairman.
     Misinterpretation of 'Matters Arising' as the main agenda rather than follow-ups from previous meetings.
     The business of the day was not handled with the precision expected; students often included guest speaker's talks as part of the agenda prematurely.

     1. 
        

     Average Performance in Content: Low.

   • Language (8 Marks):

   • The use of colloquial expressions like "word of prayer" or "open a meeting" was common, averaging students only 4 marks.

   • High performers excelled by using more formal and precise language.

Suggestions for Improvement:

• Increase emphasis on the technical aspects of minutes writing, including correct terminology and structure.
  Clarify roles and responsibilities within a meeting context.
  Teach consistent and correct formatting and language use for business documents.

Cloze Test

Performance Overview:
An alarming average score of 0 marks indicates a critical need for improvement in this area.

Challenges:

• Poor letter formation and lack of context clue usage.

Suggestions for Improvement:

• Focus on improving letter shapes and teaching strategies for using context clues effectively.

Oral Skills (Question 3)

1. Poetry (Rhyme Scheme and Sound Patterns):
   Good identification of rhyme schemes but challenges with sound patterns due to word distance.
   Performance of a Line:
   Average performance, with a need for better understanding of verbal and non-verbal cues.
   Homophones:
   Moderate performance on distinguishing sets like 'toad/towed/toed'.
   Syllabic Stress:
   Poor performance due to misunderstanding of stress rules.
   Giving Directions:
   Many did well, though mistakes included narrative style instead of directional cues.
   Dialogue Completion:
   Complex task with low average scores, highlighting issues with coherence and context.

Suggestions for Improvement:

• Teach sound patterns with examples where sounds are closely positioned.
  Reinforce syllabic stress rules and practice.
  Enhance dialogue skills through extensive reading and practice in real-life contexts.

General Insights

• Best Student Score: 58 out of 60
  Lowest Score: 0
  Average Score Range: Improved from 10-20 in 2023 to 20-25 in 2024.

Recommendations for Educators:

1. Model Examples: Use real or simulated examples to teach practical writing skills.
   
2. Role Understanding: Clarify roles in meeting minutes, emphasizing precision in language use.
   
3. Oral and Written Skills: Intensive practice in poetry, sound recognition, and dialogue.
   
4. Cloze Test Techniques: Teach strategies for inference and better handwriting.
   
5. By implementing these recommendations, educators can help future examinees not only to avoid common pitfalls but also to excel in English Paper 1.