Analysis of the SEC Mathematics Examination Paper IIB, May 1996

Abstract

The study deals with an item analysis and an error analysis of the SEC May 1996 paper IIB. It is based on the 1293 available scripts of the 2057 candidates who sat for this examination. The Facility Index and the Discrimination Index for each of the 55 items were calculated and discussed with reference to the observations on the candidates' scripts. It was also possible to extend the item analysis according to the type of schools of the candidates. This study reveals that a considerable number of Junior Lyceum candidates prefer to sit for the Paper IIB examination although the official syllabus for Junior Lyceum is geared to the IIA paper. From the error analysis it was evident that the Discrimination Indices for particular questions were effected by the Marking Scheme. The use of the calculator in the paper also affected the discrimination coefficients of some items. Research on calculators in mathematics education revealed that efficient use of the calculator may improve the pupils' computational and problem- solving skills.