Item and error analysis of the May 2010 SEC physics paper I examination

Abstract

In this study, a representative sample was chosen across different types of school and gender. Given that the population of candidates sitting for the May 2010 session was 4,625, and considering a confidence level of 95%, the chosen sample amounted to 300 scripts. The test scores, obtained in the examination, were described using frequency distributions, corresponding frequency polygons, measures of central tendency and standard deviation. The descriptive statistics were presented and compared for school type and gender. Item analysis of the items included in Paper I was conducted so that the level of each item was assessed through the facility discrimination index. An analysis of errors was carried out on all the fifty-seven items included in this examination paper, and the most common mistakes were noted. The t-test was conducted in order to compare gender performance. In this quantitative research, the handling of data was carried out using the Microsoft Excel software package. The May 2010 SEC Physics Paper I Examination included items having a range of facility and discrimination indices. This indicated that this paper catered for a wide range of abilities. There was no significant difference in the performance of males and females in this examination. In this study, it was noted that candidates coming from Private schools performed better than candidates coming from State schools. The major students' weaknesses, which were noted in this study, were the lack of competency that the student encountered when explaining themselves in English, in their mathematical skills and in relating topics to everyday life.