Exam Oriented Online Lessons Through WhatsApp

HEREThe population of private candidates shows how most Zimbabweans still value education. Many external candidates register to sit for O Level Mathematics, English Language and Integrated Science (Now Combined Science ).

However only 12 to 14% of external candidates fail the Exam according to recent Zimsec Exam Statistics and this is attributed to 

- many don't attend lessons to cover the syllabus 

- majority are working class and they can't afford time to read or practice for an Exam.

- some work in foreign countries and there are no schools or teachers that teach Zimsec syllabus 

- they can't find qualified tutors /teachers for the subject.

With technology one can learn all principles of the syllabus online through video lessons and PDF study guides. Some professional teachers are now creating step by step video lessons that cover syllabi to fill this gap. 

Because many learners nowadays use social media like Facebook and most popular messengers like WhatsApp, Telegram and WeChat, it can be a convenient way to offer services through these platforms. 

From a pilot project carried out in 2017, 51 candidates were learning through videos shared on WhatsApp and 41 of the learners scored C or better in November 2017 exams. You can watch some of these quality videos on this YouTube Channel and also request these step by step lessons by filling this form HERE 

November 2018 External Candidates: Plan your studies early

Suspension of talks and projects by the Ministry of Primary and Education and Zimsec was a good news to many people who still want to supplement their O and A Levels. However it must be noted that only tasks and projects were suspended and the new curriculum syllabi have not changed.

If you are going to register for November 2018 Exams, there are many things you need to consider since Exam structures and syllabus contents have slightly changed. Let me highLight something here.

1. For O Level Combined Science 

- it's slightly different from Intergrated Science 

- there are new added topics like Peanut Butter Production 

- there were news that Alternative to Practical (Paper 3) was replaced with actual practical exams 

2. For O Level Mathematics (General)

- the  exam structure has changed, e.g. You now have 4 options in Section B of Paper 2

- added concepts e.g. Compound Interest

- there is no longer non calculator / calculator version. The syllabus changed from 4028 to 4030 and now has a new code 4024 if my memory serves me well

3. For A Level Mathemtaics 

- Pure Maths is now separate subjects. So if you were avoiding paper 2, you have to look into the new syllabi and add principles you didn't know 

4. For O Level Religious Studies and A Level Divinity 

- the subject has changed to Family and Religious Studies 

- content of the syllabus has changed and many things have been added

These are not the only subjects that were affected, almost every subject was affected including English Language. 

Make sure you prepare the exam according to new syllabi 

June Registration Zimsec 2018

June Examination registration has started in many centers since last week and many candidates are expected to sit for June Session since it is the last exam without coursework. Starting November 2018, candidates will need a two-year coursework to sit for an Exam.

Majority of external candidates are likely to register core subjects like English, Mathematics and Intergrated Science although some will add more subjects to acquire at least 5 subjects.

Those who only need to add mathematics and are not prepared for June session have an option to register Cambridge IGSCE Mathematics syllabus D since it is more or less Zimsec exam and equally recognized both in Zimbabwe and abroad.

NB: We have started our Video tuition and online lessons for both Zimsec and Cambridge IGCSE (Core and Extended). Students access step by step video lessons and Past paper videos from experienced tutors.
WhatsApp +263 733 796 118

No alternative to practical in the New Curriculum

New curriculum adopted by Zimsec and the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Educatioj emphasis on the psychomotor skills. It seeks to help learners prove scientific theories and allow creativity in different situations. 

Unlike Integrated Science, Combined Science no longer test 'alternative to practical' but evaluates performance of learners through actual practicals under specified conditions. For many years candidates were writing paper 3 in Intergrated science which was dedicated to experiments and most schools were not doing the actual practicals to help students understand, but emphasise on the known results of an experiment 

This was inadequate and couldn't equip students for real life situations where science applies, The major purpose of learning science is to become creative and innovative is solving real life problems, Many candidates who scored 'A's in integrated science can face challenges inserting a fuse in a three pin plug because they just read about its uses and importance in a electric circuit but couldn't practice connecting it. 

However the challenges are that, many poor schools are still to construct science laboratories, let alone buy adequate equipments and apparatus needed for the experiments. The experiments can be improvised through the use of available resources, which needs the creativity of both teachers and learners. 

Is your school fully equipped for the required experiments and practicals? 

A closer look on Tasks

Many formal schools have now fully adopted the new curriculum, with tasks received by registered schools and due for submission before end of this term.

This is a practical approach to learning and students record their observations, recite poems and totems, measure dimensions of their classrooms or identity problems of the community.

It must be noted that, the tasks are not treated like college level assignments or projects. The role of the teachers is to assist and guide the students during the task. They award marks and keep the files of all the records which will be submitted to Zimsec for grading.

The information is not yet readily available on the internet for reasons best known by the ministry and exam board. Schools who are yet to receive tasks communicates directly with Zimsec and receive instructions to download the task.

If a teacher is facing some challenges during the process, he or she must consult subject specialist at a school, zone or district for assistance.

However, some documents like marking schemes for tasks are confidential.

This means unregistered schools are not part of the new curriculum. They should either register with the ministry or adopt Cambridge IGSCE exams which don't need course work

Are you at a formal school and yet to receive the tasks?

Tasks and Projects Received In Schools

The tasks and projects for Form 3's and Lower Six have been received in many schools. There is no turning back on the new curriculum as schools are now fulfilling the requirements of the new curriculum.

Many private colleges have been insisting that new curriculum is still a pipe dream but the Ministry has exhibited its commitment to the promises made since last year. Workshops on how teachers will handle the task are almost done.

If you were contemplating to continue sending your child to an unregistered college or school, it's time you consider either to chose between Cambridge IGCSE or join the government or registered schools for the new curriculum.

Only recognized teachers will facilitate the whole process of coursework and submit the learners files for considerations to the exam board. The ministry set the minimum requirements for the teacher professional standards (tps) which is the pillar for the new curriculum. 

This means a student must register the seven compulsory subjects and other subjects that will determine A Level learning areas. The core subjects are 

1. English Language 

2. General Mathematics 

3. Combined Science 

4. Indigenous Languages 

5. Heritage Studies 

6. Agriculture 

7. Physical Education

However, these will not determine the A Level learning areas and general mathematics and combined science are not a pre-requisite to A Level Pure Mathematics and Pure Sciences. For one to study A Level Pure Mathematics or Statistics he or she must start at form 3 with expected pre-requisites.

Some of the subjects at O Level that will determine A Level learning areas are 

1. Pure Mathematics 

2. Statistics

3. Biology

4. Physics 

5. Chemistry

6. History 

7. Geography (now a science subject) 

The new curriculum emphasis On psychomotor skills and life skills that will form a strong basis for entrepreneurship in the long run. Although some were criticizing the new curriculum, the appearance and emphasis is a great deal for the future generations. 

NB: FigTree App will be offering the video content for the new curriculum for FREE starting 2018. Mathematics and Combined Science content will also be available on our Facebook page and YouTube. Like our Facebook today for updates on the new video content

External Candidates and the New Curriculum

Many candidates registered to re-sit for Zimsec O and A Level subjects because some people were speculating that Zimsec will not accept external candidates to sit for new curriculum exams.
All formal schools have since adopted the new curriculum for form 1, 3 and 5 and following the new syllabuses. From the look of things , there is no turning back on the new curriculum and you need to know the conditions for external candidates if you are planning to re-sit for exams.

Firstly, there is no way Zimsec will do away with private candidates since they contribute a lot of revenue especially in June Exams. They will risk losing revenue to other international and foreign exam bodies like Cambridge IGCE and NSC. They, however, have conditions for external conditions although it's not yet very clear at the moment.


There will be a program called Adult Education which will be available in many schools where external candidates will be able to write coursework through qualified teachers. Teachers will slot the lessons probably after school hours. The process will obviously take two years since tasks have two years time frame.

For those who fail after they have completed two years coursework, they are able to re-sit for the exam using the same coursework marks. This means they will have 5 chances to write the exam with the same coursework