SEC physics April 2007 : a study

Abstract

The study critically and quantitatively analyses, various aspects of the Physics SEC April 2007 examination paper. The study aims at exploring various aspects of the examination papers that help in gauging the quality of the papers along with an analysis of the performance by gender and types of schools. Paper 1, 2A and 2B are discussed in the light of their reliability and validity, achievement by genders and types of schools, choice of paper 2, and item and error analysis. Overall the results show that the papers are of very good quality although there is some room for improvement. There was no significantly large difference in the performance by genders but the different schools yielded a wide spectrum of results similar to local studies of previous years. Finally, a discussion of the results is developed, and recommendations to the syllabus panel, paper setters, markers, teachers and students who sit for the SEC exams are given.