* Nanyang JC (NYJC)

[mathtuition88]

phtthp:

mathtuition88:

For H2 Maths, AJC (Anderson) is notorious for setting very tough questions. I would estimate that even straight A-students may not be able to solve those AJC challenging questions.

Overall, all JCs set their H2 Math paper harder than the A level standard. For students aiming for B or even low A (just nice 70-75 marks), I would suggest that skip AJC / RI / HCI papers. Try A Level TYS multiple times (students tend to forget completely questions that only attempted once), and easier prelim papers like IJC / JJC / MI, etc, also multiple times to reinforce memory.

do u have any idea, for Bio ? Thanks

For Bio I am not very sure, sorry...

I believe for Bio, the strictness of the marking scheme is also a factor. E.g. the school's paper may look simple on the surface but it may have a underlying strict marking scheme.

[KTKS]

mathtuition88:

For H2 Maths, AJC (Anderson) is notorious for setting very tough questions. I would estimate that even straight A-students may not be able to solve those AJC challenging questions.

Overall, all JCs set their H2 Math paper harder than the A level standard. For students aiming for B or even low A (just nice 70-75 marks), I would suggest that skip AJC / RI / HCI papers. Try A Level TYS multiple times (students tend to forget completely questions that only attempted once), and easier prelim papers like IJC / JJC / MI, etc, also multiple times to reinforce memory.

Thank you for the tips. May I know if you are a maths private tutor?
Is it safe to rely on A Level TYS as the main practice papers? I know many pupils swear by merely relying on O Level TYS for distinctions. I am not sure if it works for A Level.

[KTKS]

mindays:

KTKS:

I believe it is still possible to exchange prelim papers with every jc with lots of hard work from the teachers.

But my question is: Is it rational and necessary for nyjc teachers to go to lengths to get almost all the jcs' papers? Due to time constraint, most JCs will just select a few (upper tier) JCs' papers for their pupils and go through the answers with them, which is more practical.

Mindays, did your neighbour's dc complete all the papers? Did he/she pass to you all the physics exam papers even if they were done, as I will only pass undone papers to others? Did these papers come with answer keys? Isn't it more convenient if you were to purchase new 2015 jc prelim papers from vendors for your ds which are available since early this year?

Yes, it's through the hard work of the teachers to exchange papers.
As there are limited A level resources, exchanging papers with the respective JCs is a common thing.

As I see, most papers were completed. At least 80%. Answer keys were provided at the back of the papers. I don't buy papers from vendors as it is very expensive. It's up to one's preference.

Thank you for your clarifications.

I know every JC will exchange prelim papers with a few others, especially those within the same zone. I do not quite agree that there are limited A level resources available unless there is a major change in syllabus for that year. There are always loads of TYS, own JC's past years papers and other JCs' past year papers available.

[zbear]

I assume all recommendations are for this year’s A level exams.


Come 2017, there is a change of syabulus, so exam questions will be set differently, won’t be able to rely too much on TYS.

[mathtuition88]

KTKS:

mathtuition88:

For H2 Maths, AJC (Anderson) is notorious for setting very tough questions. I would estimate that even straight A-students may not be able to solve those AJC challenging questions.

Overall, all JCs set their H2 Math paper harder than the A level standard. For students aiming for B or even low A (just nice 70-75 marks), I would suggest that skip AJC / RI / HCI papers. Try A Level TYS multiple times (students tend to forget completely questions that only attempted once), and easier prelim papers like IJC / JJC / MI, etc, also multiple times to reinforce memory.

Thank you for the tips. May I know if you are a maths private tutor?
Is it safe to rely on A Level TYS as the main practice papers? I know many pupils swear by merely relying on O Level TYS for distinctions. I am not sure if it works for A Level.

Yes, I am maths private tutor.

Sure, doing A level TYS as main practice papers is perfectly fine. I would suggest do past 5 years of TYS, instead of 10 years as those old papers may be outdated. Remaining time should be spent re-doing the questions, and selected \"easy\" school prelim papers. This advice is for average students who are aiming for B or borderline A.

The point is that for average students, it is more important to be able to do the basic to intermediate questions that form the bulk of the A level questions. Then, even if the minority challenging questions are left undone, they can still secure a B or even an A.

For stronger students who want to further improve their chances of scoring, after completely mastering the TYS, they can go on to the tougher prelim papers.

P.S: For Maths nowadays it is important to practice intelligently with understanding, as opposed to blind application of formulae and steps. Recent years there are trick questions appearing that are specifically constructed to catch those who blindly apply formula and steps, and also novel unseen questions that are unlike any previous TYS questions.

[mindays]

mathtuition88:

KTKS:

[quote=\"mathtuition88\"]
For H2 Maths, AJC (Anderson) is notorious for setting very tough questions. I would estimate that even straight A-students may not be able to solve those AJC challenging questions.

Overall, all JCs set their H2 Math paper harder than the A level standard. For students aiming for B or even low A (just nice 70-75 marks), I would suggest that skip AJC / RI / HCI papers. Try A Level TYS multiple times (students tend to forget completely questions that only attempted once), and easier prelim papers like IJC / JJC / MI, etc, also multiple times to reinforce memory.

Thank you for the tips. May I know if you are a maths private tutor?
Is it safe to rely on A Level TYS as the main practice papers? I know many pupils swear by merely relying on O Level TYS for distinctions. I am not sure if it works for A Level.

Yes, I am maths private tutor.

Sure, doing A level TYS as main practice papers is perfectly fine. I would suggest do past 5 years of TYS, instead of 10 years as those old papers may be outdated. Remaining time should be spent re-doing the questions, and selected \"easy\" school prelim papers. This advice is for average students who are aiming for B or borderline A.

The point is that for average students, it is more important to be able to do the basic to intermediate questions that form the bulk of the A level questions. Then, even if the minority challenging questions are left undone, they can still secure a B or even an A.

For stronger students who want to further improve their chances of scoring, after completely mastering the TYS, they can go on to the tougher prelim papers.

P.S: For Maths nowadays it is important to practice intelligently with understanding, as opposed to blind application of formulae and steps. Recent years there are trick questions appearing that are specifically constructed to catch those who blindly apply formula and steps, and also novel unseen questions that are unlike any previous TYS questions.[/quote]From your experience, do you think NYJC's math question papers are tough? Personally, I feel that the standard of NY is comparable to NJC's. What do you think?

[mathtuition88]

I just looked at NYJC 2012 Paper, it will be challenging for students to score >70.


Whether it is comparable to NJC, it depends on the year. NJC can be quite tough too. I had a student scoring D in NJC prelims, but A in actual A levels.

[roborovski]

mindays:

From your experience, do you think NYJC's math question papers are tough? Personally, I feel that the standard of NY is comparable to NJC's. What do you think?

Mindays, it doesn't matter if NYJC's exam papers are tougher than another JC's. It is only good if the JC teachers can teach well so that students need not depend on private tutors to score distinctions.

[mindays]

roborovski:

mindays:

From your experience, do you think NYJC's math question papers are tough? Personally, I feel that the standard of NY is comparable to NJC's. What do you think?

Mindays, it doesn't matter if NYJC's exam papers are tougher than another JC's. It is only good if the JC teachers can teach well so that students need not depend on private tutors to score distinctions.

So it becomes my fault when other forummers genuinely asked for opinions of the difficulties of JC papers?

[roborovski]

mindays:

roborovski:

[quote=\"mindays\"]
From your experience, do you think NYJC's math question papers are tough? Personally, I feel that the standard of NY is comparable to NJC's. What do you think?

Mindays, it doesn't matter if NYJC's exam papers are tougher than another JC's. It is only good if the JC teachers can teach well so that students need not depend on private tutors to score distinctions.

So it becomes my fault when other forummers genuinely asked for opinions of the difficulties of JC papers?[/quote]Chill, why so sensitive? You are already a parent. I was merely stating a fact that applies to all JCs.