All About A Levels

[micko07]

adamtoh97:

Am a dummy about A levels too... Since the scores calculated are the same for the h1 subject and the worst h2 subject, my as well take H1 which is easier and might get better score for the subject. Can someone help please? Thanks

You might want to take 4 H2s and/or H3 because of the eligibility criteria for scholarships. For instance, A*Star asks for at least a Merit in a Science/ Maths H3, with a minimum of 11 Academic Units. PSC recommends applicants take at least 11 AUs as well, although they also consider students with 10 AUs.

The other reason you might want to do it is for university admissions, if you're thinking of going overseas. For example, a UK Uni might require AAA, without specifying which H2 subjects. That gives you a bit of leeway if you have 4 H2s since you can afford to \"miss\" one subject. You're in a do-or-die position if you have 3 H2s only. Also, the typical offer for a small minority of UK universities (eg Cambridge) may be 4 H2 As, and can also include H3s (I've seen offers including H3s for Cambridge Medicine and Imperial Maths). US Unis also like to see that applicants take the \"most difficult course load available\" ie 12 AUs if you can.

[micko07]

BitterSweet:

hello, would just like to check something - if I have passed higher chinese in o levels and choose to be exempted from H1CL in A levels, what would it say on my A level cert? would it show my o level higher chinese grade or would it just say that I am exempted?

I only did HCL and I don't remember MTL showing up at all on my A level cert. It can still count towards your UAS though.

[jtoh]

micko07:

BitterSweet:

hello, would just like to check something - if I have passed higher chinese in o levels and choose to be exempted from H1CL in A levels, what would it say on my A level cert? would it show my o level higher chinese grade or would it just say that I am exempted?

I only did HCL and I don't remember MTL showing up at all on my A level cert. It can still count towards your UAS though.

Would you mind checking your A level cert to confirm if this is correct? Some are saying it will be reflected in the A level cert and some are saying it won't. Thanks.

[Elrek01]

Karen Wee:

I argee with Skyed idea of putting MJC as your first choice and SRJC as your second. However, there is really no cause for disappointment or worry as SRJC is not a bad choice either. Yes, the cut-off point does differ by 3 but the outcome of your A levels really does boil down to your hardwork. It may sound cliche but the level of desire to do well in you really matters more then the school u are in. Try to mix with the correct crowd (those that also have a desire to do well) during your two-years and with your own hardwork, i can almost guarantee that you would not do any worse then your friends in MJC.

Plus you can also find time to study with your friends in MJC and get all the MJC notes, teacher's feedback etc from them too.

Also, try not to let your parents' scolding get to your confidence or your will to work hard as getting a 12 for your L1R5 is not something that is bad. In fact, you are even better then my daughter who got a 14 for her L1R5. But I knew she worked hard so I don't feel that there is anything wrong with a 14 or even a 12 as long as the person has done his/her best! :rahrah:

On the side note, it is important to know that you are graduating from the \"O\" levels to face the harder \"A\" levels so there is no time to be lazy and stop working hard!

i agree with Karen's point,because my friend borrow geography note from his st nic friend,he nvr share with classmate except me=.=
we two save the time to find other sch's note(our sch note is those abridge ver. lol) and at the end we both got A in our O's

[justanormstudent]

ilovelaksa:

zeemimi:

Many of DD's cohort 2 pointers are applying RI. She's skeptical if COP of RI can remain at 3 for this year. Even at 3, it will likely be a slight partial 3.

Hi zeemimi, congrats for your dd's stellar results. Wishg her the v best in her appln to her dream jc. I understand fm ds. Alot of his 2pter Victorian+Cedarian frens r applyg for RI. So I too, think RI will hv a cutoff of 2 this yr. Hwa Chong doesn't seem too popular for them as first choice as it entails further travel.

Both hwa chong and raffles are partial 3 every year. anyways, most chinese school 2 pointers are putting hc as their first choice It also depends on where they stay. People at the east will most likely put RI while people at the west will put HCI.

[micko07]

Well I’m overseas so the only thing I have on my computer is my A levels result slip, which doesn’t state HCL at all. I’m fairly certain that the actual certificate is exactly the same as well.

[jtoh]

Thanks mick007. Didn’t realize you were overseas.

[underscores_]

thanks all for the valuable information!


after going for both open houses, I decided to put RI as first choice, followed by HCI then NJC.

I believe I have a very very low chance to get into either ri/hci but I'm prepared to try my chances in appeal.

From what I've gathered, many more people would choose RI over HCI (except for chinese schools like mine - which usually only have 2 from RI, among the 50+ that are in RI/HCI), therefore it is more competitive to get in.
I heard from a senior that only 10 3-pointers were accepted into raffles in the year 2012.
also, I believe that RI produces slightly better A level results as compared to HCI.
I've heard that RI's promotion criteria is less strict and I kinda feel like RI's atmosphere is slightly less competitive than HCI (?? this is just a feeling I got after going for both open houses)
but of course, RI is filled with 'the best' but I would have to say that HCI is definitely an excellent institution that is definitely comparable to RI.
statistics given by HCI were that 80+% of their students are able to get into top universities worldwide.
a senior from RI has told me that roughly half the school goes overseas for university.
in terms of scholars, RI has a significant number (of president scholars I think?) than HCI. however, do take note that RI has an extra 100 years of history as compared to HCI. therefore the numbers are definitely comparable

Besides, I've heard a few terrible stories from HCI due to it's elite system but haven't heard any from RI, but it might be because I'm more exposed to HCI, coming from a chinese school.

All in all, I don't think that both schools are that different in terms of results, therefore it doesn't really matter in that sense. I feel that if you don't work hard, it doesn't matter where you go because you will fail anyway.
I feel that what really matters is their difference in culture and atmosphere and environment.
Although it is true that HCI may not be as chinese-y as they seem, but when I went to RI, I didn't hear a single chinese word and you could not feel the chinese culture in RI AT ALL. on the other hand, in HCI, people speak 50-50 chinese and english, and events such as Mid Autumn Festival is a very big thing there. (RI doesn't celebrate MAF) so this is one point to take note of so you don't get a culture shock if you go into HCI/RI.
from their open houses, I feel like RI is more lively and has greater diversity and greater flexibility.
I could be wrong, but that was what I felt from their open house.

oh and one more thing to consider is that RI's facilities are FANTASTIC. RJC, combined with RI, is really really big and they have good facilities (mainly because they're new) like mini marts and etc. on the other hand, HCI wasn't as big as I thought it was and was a little lacking in terms of facilities as HCI is a very old school.

a number of my friends (do remember that I'm from a chinese school that is strongly immersed into the chinese culture) were impressed with RI (especially so by their facilities, which I would say are one of the best among all the JCs), but chose HCI over RI as they felt uncomfortable and felt like they wouldn't be able to fit into RI.

I'm sorry if anything I said was offensive to any of you! I just wanted to express my opinion on both schools
hope my opinion would be useful to future O level grads!

[iFirefly]

Hi underscores..


Thank you for sharing, and letting us know of your choices. It shows that you are a very mature & responsible boy. Many thread-starters would just 'disappear', once they have gotten the necessary advice/answers..

Follow your heart. It will take you to where you belong. Keep us posted once you receive your posting, ok ?

Happy CNY.. And may all your wishes come true in the new year !! :celebrate:

[zbear]

Yes, thank you so much underscores_ for your valuable inputs regarding both institutions.


Hope you can get into RI.

Good luck!