how marking of kcse mathematics paper 1 and 2 is conducted (codes, dos and don'ts) - facilitation reports

comprehensive kcse past papers

HOW MARKING OF KCSE MATHEMATICS PAPER 1 AND 2 IS CONDUCTED (CODES, DOS AND DON'TS) - FACILITATION REPORTS

introduction

Marking of KCSE PAPER 1 & PAPER 2 has rules and regulations to be followed. This enhances efficiency, fairness and accuracy in the marking process. Each subject has its own unique marking scheme and in mathematics there are codes which represent processes and stages that deserve to be awarded.
It is in order for untrained teachers on the line of marking and new teachers to familiarize themselves with the marking procedures for smooth service delivery and efficiency in evaluating students. 
Here are some of the basic regulations that must be followed:

dos

These are the things that needs to be done by students while sitting for mathematics papers

1. Read, understand and implement instructions printed on page 1 of any mathematics papers very carefully. these instructions include:
   1. Write your name and index number in the spaces provided above.
   2. Sign and write the date of examinations in the spaces provided above
   3. This papers consists of two sections; Section I and Section II
   4. Answer all questions in Section I and only five questions from Section II
   5. Show all the steps in your calculations giving your answers at each stage in the spaces provided below each question.
   6. Marks may be given for correct working even if the answer is wrong
   7. Non-Programmable silent electronic calculators and KNEC mathematical tables may be used, except where stated otherwise.
   8. This paper consists of 18 printed pages.
   9. Candidates should check the question paper to ascertain that all the pages are printed as indicated and that no questions are missing.
   10. Candidates should answer the questions in English.

don'ts

1. Don't write answers without prove of your workings (you will score a zero)
2. Don't make your work invisible to read
3. Don't use a pencil in writing, use it only in drawings
4. Don't put too much emphasis on steps with no marks such as formula. Don't get me wrong, formulae have no marks and are easily available at the back of your mathematical table however implementing them and substituting the right parameters do have marks.
5. Don't copy another person's work. It is easier for the examiner to notice, this will render all your examinations null and void. This also includes suspensions from participating in future examinations and also imprisonment.
6. Don't use a calculator if any of the questions instructs you not to.
7. Don't use a protractor/set square if any of the construction questions instructs you to use a ruler and a pair of compass only.
8. Don't draw irregular and fluctuating curves, in case you are told to draw a curve, make it as smooth and presentable.
9. Don't assume small instructions such as 'give the answer in 2 s.f or 2 d.p' they always carry in them marks (B1) or (A1). 
10. Don't use minimal decimal places (1d.p, 2d.p or 3d.p) in any working situation until you reach the final answer. Doing so may deny you the accuracy mark (A1).
11. Don't answer more than five questions in section B(II). And if you do, it can either improve or reduce your marks depending on the criteria examiners may choose to select the five questions. It can either be the best scored five or the first five. My advise is 'please choose only the doable five questions and attempt them'.
12. When dealing with angles, provide a set of rules/laws as prove you used to derive your answer, if you can't, then do all your workings in the figure provided by indicating all the angles in it.

marking codes

These are instructional codes that examiners use to award marks on mathematics papers. They include:

M₁

for correct method

M₀

for wrong method (does not tally)

A₁

for correct accuracy

A₀

for wrong accuracy ​(does not tally)

B₁

for included method and independent answers (accuracy) - in most cases applied in constructions, probability, tables, angles, trigonometry, reading of mathematical tables,vectors, equations, statistics and so many more others.

B₀

for wrong method and accuracy ​​(does not tally)

C₁

for correct curve

C₀

for wrong curve ​​(does not tally)

P₁

for correct plotting

P₀

for wrongly plotted graphs ​(does not tally)

S₁

for correct scale

S₀

for wrong scale ​(does not tally)

L₁

for correct line

L₀

for wrong line ​(does not tally)

To be continued and updated ...

Prepared by Mr. M.A. Nyamoti (Math/Comp), Additional information by Mr Oberieka Benard (Math/Phy)