Networking Group - JCs General

[25HMOM]

mindays:

xoxoxo:

Hi parents,

I need your advice. If my daughter is doing Combined Bio and Chem now, is she able to apply for the Science stream in JC.

Yes, defintely if she meets the criteria. (usually requires distinction in her combined science to take up H2 [Science])

Some JCs do not allow students to take 2H2 science subjects if they did not have pure science background. However, taking 1H2 and 1H1 science is possible with distinction in O level combined science.
You may wish to call MOE customer service to get more info, as well as the prerequisites for science stream in JC. Years ago, it was 'passes in 2 math and 2 pure science' at O-level.

[sharonkhoo]

superksmum:

slmkhoo:

For local universities, their websites clearly state that Bio is not a prerequisite for Medicine. She will not be at a disadvantage unless she does more poorly at Physics than if she had taken Bio (due to interest, aptitude etc). If you are thinking about overseas universities, then I guess Bio may be needed (you will need to check this out yourself).


But I am puzzled - if your daughter is interested in HELM, then why worry about Medicine?

She is indecisive and hence I would like to find out more on the subject combination.

She would love to take medicine but is also interested in HELM. However, she is worried about the content that she needs to memorize as she has not studied Literature and History in Secondary. We would prefer her to take either BCME or PCME as it will be a safer combination since she is so indecisive at this stage.

I hear you! I have a daughter (now JC1 taking PCME) who is a bit like that too (is interested in Humanities subjects, but also likes her Science subjects, and still has not idea what she wants to do next). My advice to her last year was that unless she was willing to rule out university courses that required sciences altogether, she would have to stick to them as she cannot pick them up later. For the Humanities, she can always pick them up later f she decides to take one of those courses.

As for memorising, there is a whole lot of memorising (in the sense of facts to remember) in the sciences too, especially Bio and Chem! It's a fallacy that Humanities requires a lot more memorising - the memory work is similarly facts, not entire chunks of books, and what counts is how the students use the facts rather than the memory skills. As I mentioned above, Humanities subjects can be picked up later as the content changes from course to course (you don't need to know O level material in order to study it at A level or university), and the skills can be learned and honed at any time. The thing for your daughter to think about is whether she has an interest in those subjects, and whether she likes to read widely. Memorising, while important to learn facts, won't get her far at higher levels. Maybe she should ask a senior to show her some of the notes and assignments for the subjects and see if she is interested?

[Song22]

Augmum:

Song22:

Saw an interesting course in NTU, Mathematics and Economics, these 2 subjects are great complement too I believe?

Yes, Song22...Mathematics and Economics avail at NTU...these 2 majors def complement each other very well...

Another popular combi is Economics n Political Science or Economics and Public Policy/ Global Affairs...( depending on which Unis)

There is also this new course at SMU, PLE ( Politics, Laws n Economics) which received overwhelming responses from applicants applying to this new course...

Many options avail nowadays unlike our times...

Thanks for sharing Augmum

Just curious what is the career paths for graduates who study PLE, Public policy / Global affairs?

[sharonkhoo]

Song22:

Just curious what is the career paths for graduates who study PLE, Public policy / Global affairs?

I would think - just about anything? The professions and hard sciences are excluded, but this kind of breadth could be applicable to government, business, finance, international development etc. My only concern would be that perhaps the depth in something like Econs might not be enough if the student wants to pursue it seriously as a specialty in itself. It would depend on the electives chosen.

[Juz Mum]

May I know what’s the difference between taking GP and KI?

And the pros and cons.
Any advice please?

[sharonkhoo]

Juz Mum:

May I know what's the difference between taking GP and KI?

And the pros and cons.
Any advice please?

KI is an H2 subject, so requires much more in-depth research and writing. JCs are pretty strict about who is allowed to take it as it is quite demanding, and the student will have to be a very independent learner. It also counts as both an H2 and an H1 subject for local university applications, so there is a bit more \"risk\". My daughter considered it, but decided against applying because she doesn't like the idea of having to work alone so much (very few take KI, and the major project is done alone), and it only left her 3 slots for other H2 subjects (and she was having difficulty choosing only 4 as it was).

[Juz Mum]

slmkhoo:

KI is an H2 subject, so requires much more in-depth research and writing. JCs are pretty strict about who is allowed to take it as it is quite demanding, and the student will have to be a very independent learner. It also counts as both an H2 and an H1 subject for local university applications, so there is a bit more \"risk\". My daughter considered it, but decided against applying because she doesn't like the idea of having to work alone so much (very few take KI, and the major project is done alone), and it only left her 3 slots for other H2 subjects (and she was having difficulty choosing only 4 as it was).

This sharing is helpful!
Thanks very much slmkhoo

[Song22]

slmkhoo:

Song22:

Just curious what is the career paths for graduates who study PLE, Public policy / Global affairs?

I would think - just about anything? The professions and hard sciences are excluded, but this kind of breadth could be applicable to government, business, finance, international development etc. My only concern would be that perhaps the depth in something like Econs might not be enough if the student wants to pursue it seriously as a specialty in itself. It would depend on the electives chosen.

Thanks for sharing slmkhoo

[TheGPTutor]

2016 GP A-Level Paper


1. ‘Any adaptation of a novel for film, television or the theatre is never as effective as the original.’

2. Assess the view that traditional buildings have no future in your society.

3. ‘Longer life expectancy creates more problems than benefits.’ Discuss.

4. Considering the money involved, should developing countries be allowed to host major sporting events?

5. ‘Human need, rather than profit, should always be the main concern of scientific research.’ Discuss.

6. ‘Countries experiencing conflict should be left to sort out their own problems.’ How far do you agree?

7. How far has modern technology made it unnecessary for individuals to possess mathematical skills?

8. ‘People who do the most worthwhile jobs rarely receive the best financial rewards.’ To what extent is this true of your society?

9. Evaluate the claim that equality of opportunity for females is desirable, but unrealistic, goal.

10. Assess the view that most natural disasters are the result of human activity.

11. Is competition always desireable?

12. ‘Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone’s opinion is of equal value.’ What is your view?


A fairly broad paper that focuses on the format prior to 2003. There are some questions with topics that are regularly discussed in schools, like Science, Environment, Media, Government & Politics, but the emphasis is on hybrid discussion and evaluation.

Question #3, 5, 6 and 9 are common questions. Their manifestations are not that varied. Any hardworking student who has eye-balled several dozen questions would have come across such questions quite regularly.

Paper 2 was on the topic of Tourism. Very doable for many students.

For Student Reference Only. All rights belong to Source. I own no rights to the above question set.

[GiftedGem]

slmkhoo:

Juz Mum:

May I know what's the difference between taking GP and KI?

And the pros and cons.
Any advice please?

KI is an H2 subject, so requires much more in-depth research and writing. JCs are pretty strict about who is allowed to take it as it is quite demanding, and the student will have to be a very independent learner. It also counts as both an H2 and an H1 subject for local university applications, so there is a bit more \"risk\". My daughter considered it, but decided against applying because she doesn't like the idea of having to work alone so much (very few take KI, and the major project is done alone), and it only left her 3 slots for other H2 subjects (and she was having difficulty choosing only 4 as it was).

KI was alien to us when this was introduced by RI to my Sec 2 girl early this year.
Trying to know more, we found out that KI is more intensive learning which 2500-3000-word Independent Study research paper is required, in addition to a sit-in examination paper. For example, the essay may ask students to discuss the claim that the methodologies used to produce knowledge depend on the use to which that knowledge will be used.. At this point, my girl is comfortable reading GP and finds it palatable and digestable. For KI, the learning curve is certainly more steep and demanding which she is not aiming once she enters JC level.