KCPE 2012 PAST PAPERS, ANSWERS AND REPORTS
YEAR: 2012
SOURCE: KNEC- KENYA NATIONAL EXAMINATIONS COUNCIL 
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K.C.P.E PAST PAPERS: 2012 SOCIAL STUDIES REPORT
​The number of candidates that sat for the 2012 KCPE social studies increased from 766,355 in 2011 to 811,688 in 2012
Candidates General Performancecandidates ‘performance for the last four years
The following observations are made from the table above:
Syllabus coverageKCPE Social Studies Syllabus Coverage in 2012
​The above table shows that the distribution of items according to the weighting of each topic in the syllabus was good. The three main topics covering a significant proportion in the syllabus were well represented: Resources and Economical activities (32%), Physical Environment (18%) and Political developments and systems 13%. Topics that are short and less emphasized in the syllabus have been given low representation: Citizenship (2%) and Democracy and Human rights (2%).
Distribution of Cognitive SkillsDistribution of cognitive Skills in The 2012 KCPE Social Studies
As shown in the table above, all levels of cognitive domain were tested. The distribution of the cognitive skills was even, based on the levels. The middle level skills had more questions; Comprehension 20%, Application 23% and Analysis 27%. The low level and high level skill had fewer questions, 10% of the total syllabus coverage.
Analysis of Performance per Item
KCPE 2012 performance per Item
From the above graph, the general performance per item was good. Only three items had a facility index of below 35%. Any item where the candidate scoring was below 35% was perceived as poor performance. These items are: 18(19.78%), 19(31.80%), 47(21.88%).
Questions with a facility index of 35 % and below
The items that performed poorly as per the facility index are discussed below. The discussion will focus on ideas, skills and thinking processes that the candidate might have gone through to come up with the answer. The asterisks * denotes the correct response.
Question 18:
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| OPTION | A* | B | C | D |
| % CHOOSING PATTERN | 31.80 | 20.23 | 24.69 | 22.01 |
| MEAN MARK | 43.72 | 32.35 | 34.83 | 35.72 |
The question was an analysis and it required the candidate to have knowledge on the French policy of assimilation in Senegal in order to pick the correct answer. This topic is taught in class 7. Though the bright candidates were able to give the correct answer A (Africans become citizens of French), the other candidates were unable to distinguish assimilation policy from other systems of colonial administration. Teachers must have concentrated in various types of colonial administration and not the in-depth description of the various systems.
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Question 47
The main reason why petroleum products are transported using a pipeline is that it
- A. reduces the number of heavy vehicles on roads
- B. costs less than using other forms of transport
- C. protects the petrol from being stolen
- D. ensures that petrol is safe from fire.
Response Pattern
| OPTION | A | B* | C | D |
| % CHOOSING PATTERN | 19.35 | 21.88 | 10.89 | 46.57 |
| MEAN MARK | 40.39 | 38.84 | 35.46 | 35.90 |
This was an evaluation question, which required candidates’ to make judgment on the most correct answer. Most students chose D, (Ensures that petrol is safe from fire). This may have been attributed to the frequent cases of fire outbreak caused by tankers. However even the brighter candidates still went for A (reduces the number of heavy vehicles on roads), while the correct answer was B (Costs less than using other forms of transport). Teachers should put more emphasis on Pipeline as a mode of transport.
​General comments
- The general performance of the paper was good, most items behaved well in performance. Only five items were scored above 85% and five items were scored below 40%.
- There was an improvement in performance (mean 37.32) as compared to 2011 (mean 33.13) despite the increase in candidature.
- Teachers should keep up the good work and encourage the candidates to read questions carefully to avoid getting mixed up.
- Teachers should discourage rote learning, only questions that required a higher level of cognitive skills were performed poorly.
​KCPE PAST PAPERS 2012 SCIENCE REPORT
The KCPE Science Syllabus consists of concepts in Agriculture, Science, Home Science and Emerging issues like environment and HIV/AIDS. 2012 was the seventh time the Syllabus was being tested. The questions were sampled from all the topics in the syllabus with all cognitive levels tested.
GENERAL PERFORMANCE OF CANDIDATES
The table below gives a summary on the candidature mean raw mark and standard deviation in Science for the years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012.
GENERAL PERFORMANCE OF CANDIDATES
| YEAR | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 |
| NUMBER SAT | 698,367 | 688,049 | 719,376 | 739,620 | 766,712 | 811,706 |
| MEAN RAW MARK | 29.72 | 27.62 | 29.96 | 29.82 | 33.63 | 32.02 |
| STANDARD DEVIATION | 9,20 | 7.40 | 8.69 | 8.94 | 9.11 | 9.51 |
From the table, the year 2012 KCPE Science performance was slightly lower compared to the year 2011 however, there was an improvement in the standard deviation compared to the years 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007. This is an indication that the paper fairly discriminated the different abilities of the candidates. The candidature increased by 5.87% in 2012 compared to a 3.66 % increase in 2011.
SYLLABUS COVERAGE
| SN | TOPIC | NO. OF ITEMS | PERCENTAGE |
| 1.0 | HUMAN BODY | 3 | 06 |
| 2.0 | HEALTH EDUCATION | 2 | 04 |
| 3.0 | WEATHER AND ASTRONOMY | 2 | 04 |
| 4.0 | PLANTS | 4 | 08 |
| 5.0 | ANIMALS | 6 | 12 |
| 6.0 | WATER | 3 | 06 |
| 7.0 | MAKING WORK EASIER | 4 | 08 |
| 8.0 | PROPETIES OF MATTER | 8 | 16 |
| 9.0 | ENERGY | 8 | 16 |
| 10.0 | FOOD AND NUTRITION | 4 | 08 |
| 11.0 | ENVIRONMENT | 2 | 04 |
| 12.0 | SOIL | 4 | 08 |
| TOTAL | 50 | 100 |
The number of items per topic is determined by the number of lessons allocated to each topic in the Primary Science Spiral Syllabus.
ANALYSIS OF PERFORMANCE IN SCIENCE ITEMS
​The figure 6 below shows the facility index of each of the 50 Questions offered in 2012 KCPE Science.
Any item scored by 30% and below of the candidates is considered as having been poorly performed. in the 2012 KCPE Science, three items had a facility index below 30%. The three questions and the percentage of candidates choosing the correct response for each are shown in the table below.
Question with a facility Index of 30% and below
| Question Number | 12 | 28 | 49 |
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% of candidates choosing the correct response |
25.58 | 18.75 | 19.85 |
Question 12
The following arc statements about how different simple machines make work easier.
(i) Making the slope gentle.
(ii) Reducing the effort applied.
(iii) Changing direction of the force applied.
(iv) Reducing friction.
Which of the statements apply to a single fixed pulley?
A. (i) and (iv).
B. (i) and (ii).
C. (ii) and (iii).
D. (iii) and (iv).
(i) Making the slope gentle.
(ii) Reducing the effort applied.
(iii) Changing direction of the force applied.
(iv) Reducing friction.
Which of the statements apply to a single fixed pulley?
A. (i) and (iv).
B. (i) and (ii).
C. (ii) and (iii).
D. (iii) and (iv).
Response Patterns
| OPTION | A | B | C | D* | NO ANSWER |
| % CHOOSING THE OPTION | 7.52 | 7.83 | 57.83 | 25.58 | 1.19 |
| MEAN MARK IN OTHER QUESTIONS | 22.64 | 25.19 | 33.95 | 34.78 | 26.36 |
Single fixed pulleys are taught in class eight under the topic Making Work Easier (Sub-topic Simple Machines). Learners are required to investigate how single fixed pulleys make work easier. A single fixed pulley only makes work easier by changing the direction of the force applied, it is easier to pull the load downwards than upwards because of the force of gravity. The effort applied is equal to the load if friction is completely eliminated at the axle. Otherwise more effort than load is applied if some friction exists in the pulley.
Many candidates went for an incorrect response (option C) although (ii) (reducing the effort applied) makes the option wrong. The effort applied in an ideal pulley is equal to the load.
In the key (option D), (iv) (reducing friction) is correct because the pulley rotates at (he axle with the main aim of eliminating friction. Fewer candidates (25.58%) chose the correct response but those who selected it were the very bright with a raw mean mark of 34.78.
Instruction in schools should target the objective which clearly states that the candidates are required to know the principle on which a single fixed pulley works. Performance on this item indicates that the objective may not have been adequately addressed during instruction.
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Question 28
Which of the following practices will NOT result in a person getting an electric shock?
- A. Touching sockets with wet hands.
- B. Putting pencils in sockets.
- C. Overloading the sockets.
- D. Putting iron nails in sockets.
Response Patterns
| OPTION | A | B | C* | D | NO ANSWER |
| % CHOOSING THE OPTION | 7.16 | 61.82 | 18.75 | 11.01 | 1.2 |
| MEAN MARK IN OTHER QUESTIONS | 23.79 | 33.22 | 32.87 | 29.71 | 26.94 |
The Question was from the topic Energy (sub-topic Electricity). Learners are required to investigate good and poor conductors of electricity, and describe safety measures when dealing with electricity. Many candidates also went for an incorrect response (option B) including the very bright ones as indicated by the high raw mean mark of 33.22 compared to 32.87 of those who selected the correct response (option C). Most pencils are made of wood and graphite. Wood is a poor conductor while graphite is a good conductor. Most candidates could have looked at a pencil as wood and ignored graphite leading to the selection of the incorrect response.
On safety measures, the learner is required to describe safety measures when dealing with electricity. One of the safety measures is not to put pencils into sockets. The likely description to accompany it is that it can cause electric shock and damage the socket.
Candidates may have missed these details during instruction and this could have led to the observed performance on the item.
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Question 49
Which one of the following statements is TRUE about manures? They
- A. increase the growth of weeds
- B. release specific nutrients to the soil
- C. destroy micro-organism in the soil
- D. cause pollution of the soil.
Response Patterns
| OPTION | A* | B | C | D | NO ANSWER |
| % CHOOSING THE OPTION | 19.85 | 68.5 | 7.82 | 2.43 | 1.34 |
| MEAN MARK IN OTHER QUESTIONS | 36.03 | 32.06 | 24.94 | 23.58 | 26.90 |
The Question was from the topic Soil (sub-topic Manures). Most candidates (68.5%) went for an incorrect response (option 13). Manures do not release specific nutrients. They release a variety of plant nutrients that are not specific. This is the main difference between manures and inorganic fertilizers which should be emphasized during instruction. However, the correct response was chosen by the bright candidates.
​GENERAL COMMENTS
Generally 2012, KCPE Science was well done with a Mean raw mark of 32.02 out of the possible 50 marks. The Mean raw mark for females was 30.30 compared to 31.99 in 2011. The one for males was 33.67 compared to 35.55 in 2011. Teachers should strive to bridge this gap by using approaches that motivate female pupils towards sciences at an early stage in learning. The gap should be adequately addressed at this level to ensure that it is not carried to the next levels of learning.
​KCPE PAST PAPERS 2012: SCIENCE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS [QNS 26-50]
Question 26.
A card made in the shape of letter E and numbers 1,2 and 3 written on it was placed in front of a mirror as shown in the diagram below.
Which of the following CORRECTLY represents the image as seen in the mirror?
Question 27.
The reason why improved jikos have a clay lining is to
- A. reduce the amount of heat loss
- B. reduce the space for charcoal
- C. make charcoal light faster
- D. make the jiko last longer.
Question 28.
Which of the following practices will NOT result in a person getting an electric shock?
- A. Touching sockets with wet hands.
- B. Putting pencils in sockets.
- C. Overloading the sockets.
- D. Putting iron nails in sockets.
Question 29.
Which of the following groups of sources of energy are renewable?
- A. charcoal, kerosene, sawdust.
- B. water, firewood, animal dung.
- C. Diesel, wind, natural gas.
- D. Biogas, petrol, coal.
Question 30.
Which of the following pairs of food is preserved by smoking, salting and drying?
- A. Meat and mushrooms.
- B. Beans and fish.
- C. Mushrooms and beans.
- D. Meat and fish.
Question 31.
Which of the following is the MAIN reason why eating bread after expiry date is discouraged? The bread could have
- A. lost nutrients
- B. a bad taste
- C. some micro-organisms
- D. changed its colour.
Question 32.
Which of the following pairs consists of diseases caused by lack of minerals in the diet?
- A. Anaemia and rickets.
- B. Kwashiokor and anaemia.
- C. Marasmus and Kwashiokor.
- D. Rickets and marasmus.
Question 33.
A hilly area with deep channels is LIKELY to be experiencing
- A. sheet erosion
- B. gulley erosion
- C. nil erosion
- D. splash erosion.
Question 34.
The diagram below shows an improvised rain gauge.
The collecting bottle should
- A. have the funnel sealed to its mouth
- B. be wide to collect enough water
- C. be placed above the ground
- D. be transparent for easy reading.
Question 35.
The diagram below represents a model of the solar system prepared by class six pupils.
The mistake made in the model was
- A. using threads instead of wires
- B. placing a ball of clay next to the one representing the sun
- C. placing two balls of clay on one thread
- D. using balls of clay of different sizes.
Question 36.
The MAIN reason why mothers are encouraged to breast feed their infants is because breast milk
- A. boosts immunity of the infant
- B. is free from disease causing germs
- C. is at the right temperature for infants
- D. is easily digested by infants.
Question 37.
A person in the incubation period of HIV infection will show
- A. signs and symptoms but test negative
- B. no signs and no symptoms but test positive
- C. no signs, no symptoms and test negative
- D. signs, symptoms and test positive.
Question 38.
Which of the following is a preventive measure against the spread of tuberculosis?
- A. Clearing bushes around houses.
- B. Boiling drinking water.
- C. Proper disposal of human waste.
- D. Living in a well ventilated house.
Question 39.
In which of the following are characteristics of cumulus and nimbus clouds CORRECTLY placed?
Question 40.
For two masses X and Y, the mass of X was twice that of Y. The diagram below shows a set-up that was used to investigate how thetwo masses balance at positions Q, R, S and T on a seesaw.
Which of the following was a correct observation about the investigation?
Question 41.
The diagram below represents a simple electric circuit
Which of the following energy transformations would take place when the switch is on?
- A. Chemical—>electrical——>heat—>light.
- B. Electrical—>chemical—>Light--->heat.
- C. Chemical—>electrical——>Light--->heat.
- D. Electrical—>light—>chemical—>heat.
Question 42.
Which of the following practices LEAST pollutes the soil?
- A. Spraying crops to kill pests.
- B. Burning plant wastes in the farm.
- C. Disposing of animal wastes in the farm.
- D. Burying plastics in the soil.
Question 43.
In an investigation, equal amounts of soap was added to equal amounts of water samples W and Z obtained from different sources.
The following observations were made:
(i) W formed lather.
(ii) Z formed suspended particles.
Which of the following statements about W and Z is NOT CORRECT?
(i) W formed lather.
(ii) Z formed suspended particles.
Which of the following statements about W and Z is NOT CORRECT?
- A. W may have fewer minerals.
- B. Z may form lather after boiling.
- C. W can form scales in kettles.
- D. Z wastes soap when washing.
Question 44.
Which of the following consists of materials with a definite volume and definite shape?
- A. Water, bottle, stone.
- B. Paper, pin, ink.
- C. Kerosene, cooking oil, milk.
- D. Sand, flour, sugar.
Question 45.
Which of the following practices will conserve soil?
- A. Using dry grass for mulching.
- B. Burning vegetation on farms.
- C. Ploughing along the slope.
- D. Burying plastic materials.
Question 46.
Soil becomes waterlogged due to
- A. its colour
- B: the size of its particles
- C. the absence of small animals in it
- D. the amount of air in it.
Question 47.
Which of the following is the CORRECT procedure that is used to obtain clear water from muddy water?
- A. Filtering and decanting.
- B. Evaporating and filtering.
- C. Decanting and filtering.
- D. Evaporating and decanting.
Question 48.
- A. Spraying and de-worming.
- B. Herding and dipping.
- C. De-worming and rotational grazing.
- D. Dipping and spraying.
Question 49.
​Which one of the following statements is TRUE about manures? They
- A. increase the growth of weeds
- B. release specific nutrients to the soil
- C. destroy micro-organism in the soil
- D. cause pollution of the soil.
Question 50.
The following are activities that pollute the environment.
(i) Burning charcoal in a closed room.
(ii) Oil spillage from tankers.
(iii) Using diesel as fuel in vehicles.
(iv) Dumping vegetable waste.
Which activities pollute air?
(ii) Oil spillage from tankers.
(iii) Using diesel as fuel in vehicles.
(iv) Dumping vegetable waste.
Which activities pollute air?
- A. (i) and (iv).
- B. (ii) and (iv).
- C. (ii) and (iii).
- D. (i) and (iii).
​KCPE PAST PAPERS 2012: SCIENCE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS [QNS 01-25]
Question 01.
Which of the following is a tuber crop?
- A. Onion.
- B. Carrot.
- C. Pineapple.
- D. Cabbage.
Question 02.
A beam balance is used for
- A. measuring volume of objects
- B. comparing mass of different objects
- C. measuring height of objects
- D. comparing size of different objects.
Question 03.
In which of the following groups of activities is friction NOT required?
- A. Writing and erasing.
- B. Skating and braking.
- C. Flying and swimming.
- D. Walking and riding.
Question 04.
Animals provide plants with
- A. support and carbon dioxide
- B. manure and oxygen
- C. carbon dioxide and pollination
- D. pollination and oxygen.
Question 05.
Which of the following statements about blood vessels in the human body is CORRECT?
- A. All veins carry de-oxygenated blood.
- B. Blood pressure in arteries is higher than in veins.
- C. Arteries have valves that control flow of blood.
- D. Arteries have thinner walls than those of veins.
Question 06.
Which of the following CORRECTLY represents the path taken by food from the oesophagus?
- A. Stomach —> small intestines —> large intestines —> rectum —> anus.
- B. Small intestines —> large intestines —>stomach —> rectum —> anus.
- C. Stomach —> large intestines —> small intestines —> rectum ----> anus.
- D. Large intestines —> stomach ---> small intestines —> rectum —> anus.
Question 07.
Which of the following types of human teeth is CORRECTLY matched to its function?
Teeth Function
- A. Incisors Tearing and cutting.
- B. Canines Tearing and crushing.
- C. Premolars Cutting and grinding.
- D. Molars Crushing and grinding.
Question 08.
A plant which has deep and widely spread root system is LIKELY to have
- A. broad leaves
- B. many leaves
- C. succulent stems
- D. weak stems.
Question 09.
Which of the following groups of crops consists of cereals ONLY?
- A. Peas, beans and green grams.
- B. Maize, rice and sorghum.
- C. Millet, cow peas and maize.
- D. Green grams, sorghum and rice.
Question 10.
The diagrams below represent two levers E and F with different positions of load, effort and fulcrum.
Question 11.
Which of the following pairs of plants is CORRECTLY matched with the type of root system?
Tap root Fibrous root
- A. Grass Wheat
- B. Tomato Blackjack
- C. Coconut Acacia
- D. Kale Onion
Question 12.
The following are statements about how different simple machines make work easier.
(i) Making the slope gentle.
(ii) Reducing the effort applied.
(iii) Changing direction of the force applied.
(iv) Reducing friction.
Which of the statements apply to a single fixed pulley?
(ii) Reducing the effort applied.
(iii) Changing direction of the force applied.
(iv) Reducing friction.
Which of the statements apply to a single fixed pulley?
- A. (i) and (iv).
- B. (i) and (ii).
- C. (ii) and (iii).
- D. (iii) and (iv).
Question 13.
Which of the following groups of animals consists ONLY of invertebrates?
- A. Crab, newt and snail.
- B. Centipede, snail and spider.
- C. Newt, centipede and slug.
- D. Slug, frog and crab.
Question 14.
Which of the following statements is TRUE?
- A. Fish have constant body temperature.
- B. Birds have varying body temperature.
- C. Young ones of amphibians live on land.
- D. Reptiles breathe through the lungs.
Question 15.
Which of the following are examples of herbivores, carnivores and omnivores?
Question 16.
Which of the following pairs consists only of animals with scales?
- A. Toad and duck.
- B. Turtle and salamander.
- C. Turtle and duck.
- D. Salamander and toad.
Question 17.
The following are some practices that help prevent the spread of water borne diseases.
(i) Using toilets for urination.
(ii) Washing fruits before eating them.
(iii) Washing hands before eating.
(iv) Wearing gumboots when walking in stagnant water.
Which practices will help control the spread of bilharzia?
(ii) Washing fruits before eating them.
(iii) Washing hands before eating.
(iv) Wearing gumboots when walking in stagnant water.
Which practices will help control the spread of bilharzia?
- A. (i) and (ii)
- B. (i) and (iv)
- C. (ii) and (iii)
- D. (iii) and (iv)
Question 18.
Transfer of heat by convection takes place in
- A. gases and liquids
- B. solids and liquids
- C. solids and vacuum
- D. gases and vacuum.
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Question 19.
The diagram below represents the processes I, II, III and IV that are involved in change of states of matter.
Question 20.
The pie chart below shows proportions of G, H, J and K that represent the components of air.
Question 21.
Which of the following factors makes wax to float on water?
- A. Shape of material.
- B. Type of material.
- C. Size of material.
- D. Mass of material.
Question 22.
In which of the following are both materials CORRECTLY grouped as magnetic and non-magnetic?
Magnetic Non-magnet
- A. Copper Zinc.
- B. Zinc Steel.
- C. Aluminium Copper.
- D. Steel Aluminium.
Question 23.
The following are activities carried out to investigate the effect of heat on a liquid.
(i) Placing the bottle on a source of heat.
(ii) Filling the bottle with coloured water.
(iii) Fixing a straw on the cork.
(iv) Closing the bottle tightly with the cork.
Which one of the following is the CORRECT ORDER of the activities?
(ii) Filling the bottle with coloured water.
(iii) Fixing a straw on the cork.
(iv) Closing the bottle tightly with the cork.
Which one of the following is the CORRECT ORDER of the activities?
- A. (ii), (iii), (iv), (i).
- B. (iii), (iv), (ii), (i).
- C. (ii), (i), (iii), (iv).
- D. (iii), (ii), (i), (iv).
Question 24.
The diagram below shows a set-up that can be used to investigate the effect of heat on matter.
The effect investigated is
- A. gases change state when heated
- B. solids expand when heated
- C. gases expand when heated
- D. solids change state when heated.
Question 25.
The diagram below represents a set-up in which a ruler is fixed to a desk and its free end pulled to positions L, M, and N. At each position the free end is released to produce sound.
The set-up can be used to investigate
- A. special sounds
- B. loud and soft sound
- C. direction of sound
- D. noise pollution.
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