As our lab coordinator with 7 years of experience preparing students for WAEC practicals, I've observed the same mistakes costing students valuable marks year after year. Here are the 5 most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Mistake 1: Not Reading Instructions Carefully
Many students rush to start the experiment without fully reading the instructions. This leads to using wrong apparatus, missing important steps, and recording wrong observations. Fix: Read the instructions at least twice before touching any apparatus. Underline key words.
Mistake 2: Poor Drawing and Labelling
Common diagram errors include using pen instead of pencil, drawing too small, missing labels, and shading biological drawings. Fix: Practice drawing specimens regularly using sharp pencils and clean label lines.
Mistake 3: Not Showing Working in Calculations
Physics and chemistry practicals involve calculations. Students who only write final answers lose marks even if the answer is correct. Fix: Show every step: formula, substitution, calculation, and final answer with correct units.
Mistake 4: Incorrect Use of Apparatus
Frequent errors include reading the meniscus incorrectly, not zeroing the balance, using the wrong end of the metre rule, and heating test tubes improperly. Fix: Practice with real apparatus, not just textbooks.
Mistake 5: Poor Time Management
Practical exams are timed. Students who spend too long on one question may not finish. Fix: Allocate time per question based on marks and move on if stuck.
Final Advice
The key to excelling in practicals is regular hands-on practice. At Legacy Scholar, our students get weekly lab sessions plus extra practice before exams. This preparation makes all the difference.
Good luck with your practicals!