All About A Levels

[koguma]

starlight1968sg:

koguma:

[quote=\"starlight1968sg\"]Hi,

Appreciate some advice, please.
For a student doing Sc, say Chem and Bio, besides Maths, there is a contrasting subject he/she has to take.
May I ask what is this contrasting subject? Can it be Geo or History or even a 3rd lang?
Thank you.

This is from the MOE website >> http://www.moe.gov.sg/cpdd/alevel2006/experience/levels.htm#sub_offered

Note not all JCs will offer the complete list of Humanities &
the Arts subjects.

Thanks for your reply.
Can anybody give me an example of a contrasting subject to be taken at A level, if he/she takes Maths, Chem and Bio?
Thank you.[/quote]If the student takes Maths, Chem and Bio, then the contrasting subject is any subject under \"Humanities & the Arts \". Note not all JCs will offer the complete list of Humanities & the Arts subjects. You can go to each JC website to see what subjects combination each JC offer.

Example in Anderson JC, the student can choose to do
Humanities & the Arts Contrast Subject as H1
Economics, Literature in English, Geography, History, General Studies in Chinese .

Humanities & the Arts Contrast Subject as H2
Mother Tongue Language & Literature, Economics

Source: http://www.ajc.edu.sg/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=55&Itemid=226

[starlight1968sg]

wiimum:

starlight1968sg:

Can anybody give me an example of a contrasting subject to be taken at A level, if he/she takes Maths, Chem and Bio?
Thank you.

Very likely econs. This is the BCME combination for A levels, the other popular sc combi is PCME. I think there is a thread discussing PCME vs BCME somewhere.

Ok, thank you.
Why Economics, and not say Geo or History or even a 3rd lang?

[jtoh]

PCME and BCME are the two most popular combinations in JC. For a contrasting art subject, the most common options are Econs, History, Geog and Lit.

[starlight1968sg]

jtoh:

PCME and BCME are the two most popular combinations in JC. For a contrasting art subject, the most common options are Econs, History, Geog and Lit.

Thank you to all who have responded.
Reason for asking is my sec 2 girl will be choosing her subjects and thus would like to have an idea her selection would lead her to where, so to speak.

[jtoh]

starlight1968sg:

jtoh:

PCME and BCME are the two most popular combinations in JC. For a contrasting art subject, the most common options are Econs, History, Geog and Lit.

Thank you to all who have responded.
Reason for asking is my sec 2 girl will be choosing her subjects and thus would like to have an idea her selection would lead her to where, so to speak.

At this juncture, let your dd choose subjects that she's interested in and has an aptitude for.

[sharonkhoo]

starlight1968sg:

Ok, thank you.

Why Economics, and not say Geo or History or even a 3rd lang?

Econs is more 'maths-science' and less 'humanities' than Geog or Hist, so science students usually think it will be easier to understand and study. Most science students also think that Geog/Hist are purely memorising subjects (I disagree, but that's another topic), and prefer not to try them. Another constraint is how each JC timetables classes - not all combinations may be possible.

[starlight1968sg]

jtoh:

At this juncture, let your dd choose subjects that she's interested in and has an aptitude for.

Yes, she indicated her preference but from a parent's pt of view, it might be too stressful and not necesary to do triple Sc as at A level, she has to drop one of the subjects.

[starlight1968sg]

slmkhoo:

Econs is more 'maths-science' and less 'humanities' than Geog or Hist, so science students usually think it will be easier to understand and study. Most science students also think that Geog/Hist are purely memorising subjects (I disagree, but that's another topic), and prefer not to try them. Another constraint is how each JC timetables classes - not all combinations may be possible.

My thinking is since the student will be doing Geo or Hist in sec 3 & 4, perhaps it is better to continue further (to A levels) rather than to take up Economics from ground zero?

[sharonkhoo]

starlight1968sg:

jtoh:

At this juncture, let your dd choose subjects that she's interested in and has an aptitude for.

Yes, she indicated her preference but from a parent's pt of view, it might be too stressful and not necesary to do triple Sc as at A level, she has to drop one of the subjects.

A question to consider is whether your child knows which sciences she wants to do at A level. My daughter has no idea, or even if she will want to do any sciences at A level. So we have decided to play safe and advised her to take triple science to maximise her options. She has done fairly well so far, so we think she will be OK. If she were weak at sciences, we would advise her differently.

[sharonkhoo]

starlight1968sg:

slmkhoo:

Econs is more 'maths-science' and less 'humanities' than Geog or Hist, so science students usually think it will be easier to understand and study. Most science students also think that Geog/Hist are purely memorising subjects (I disagree, but that's another topic), and prefer not to try them. Another constraint is how each JC timetables classes - not all combinations may be possible.

My thinking is since the student will be doing Geo or Hist in sec 3 & 4, perhaps it is better to continue further (to A levels) rather than to take up Economics from ground zero?

Econs is a very useful subject though, especially if your child wants to do any finance, business etc courses. It's also a good course just for general knowledge. But the main thing is to let your child decide based on interest. Studying needs motivation, and it will be easier if she is interested in the subject.