2016 O levels (Kids born in 2000)

[janet88]

one would have to earn below $2500. but hubby has been giving tuition and now he is an ICT instructor at yishun primary. so i don’t think he can apply for FAS.

[Nebbermind]

TheAnswer:

Given similar circumstances, I would have chosen a poly course without second thoughts. Finish 3 year course. Work and save up to either study SIM or overseas 1 year for Bachelor degree. Not everyone chooses to continue in what they study in poly. A level subjects are no joke. Even students who do well in O levels have to work super hard.

I think one big advantage is that there isn't ONE BIG major exam to tackle.

[BCB19]

Nebbermind:

TheAnswer:

Given similar circumstances, I would have chosen a poly course without second thoughts. Finish 3 year course. Work and save up to either study SIM or overseas 1 year for Bachelor degree. Not everyone chooses to continue in what they study in poly. A level subjects are no joke. Even students who do well in O levels have to work super hard.

I think one big advantage is that there isn't ONE BIG major exam to tackle.

Poly by module system. Topics tested on one term , wont be tested anymore.

Jc tends to be more stressful. No honeymoon period. Need to cover the A syllabus in less than 2 years. Chiong

[Nebbermind]

BCB19:

Poly by module system. Topics tested on one term , wont be tested anymore.


Jc tends to be more stressful. No honeymoon period. Need to cover the A syllabus in less than 2 years. Chiong

With all due respect to Poly (and its kids), it is also a fact that when taking A level, you will be benchmark against the top kids of the cohort.

[janet88]

as long as you’re in school, it’s going to be TOUGH, whether it’s poly or JC.

but schooling is better than working life right? just like an unborn baby enjoys life inside the womb compared to a newborn.

[zbear]

Totally agree with TA and Nebbermind re A levels vs Poly route.


DS is so super stressed and tired. Told him to tong 9 more months n it will be over.

Feel so sorry for him and all A level students who find it a struggle to cope with JC life (not withstanding the top 1% of the national cohort who will find academics a beeeze for them with minimal efforts).

Well, this is life n life still has to go on.

[janet88]

zbear:

Totally agree with TA and Nebbermind re A levels vs Poly route.


DS is so super stressed and tired. Told him to tong 9 more months n it will be over.

Feel so sorry for him and all A level students who find it a struggle to cope with JC life (not withstanding the top 1% of the national cohort who will find academics a beeeze for them with minimal efforts).

Well, this is life n life still has to go on.

9 months more, just like preparing for psle.
it's really very tough (plus your son is among the best), the weather is not helping either. he would need lots of vitamin c.

all the best to your son.

[zbear]

Thanks Janet.

[TheAnswer]

I dun want to be a wet blanket but we need to be practical. During A levels, students are competing with a group of resourceful, intelligent and hardworking students. The bell curve will not be anywhere close to O levels bell curve. A level bell curve includes IP students. A student can try their best yet achieve horrendous results. Good courses in local universities are asking for mostly As. Bs and Cs can get only limited choices. Any lower passing grades won’t make it to local university. It is not easy to score a B during A levels. Ask around. Ask someone in mid range JC to know what much they struggle. It is blood and sweat continuously for 2 years. Nonstop torture if I may put it that way. Also dun expect Lecturers to teach n reteach same thing over n over again. Either self help or drown. End of year 1 promo exam. From what I remember, that was like the 2nd worst exam ever in my life. Worst exam was A levels in terms of difficulty and stress. O levels I barely studied but I did pretty well. University was a breeze for me. I’m sharing so that u know the issue is not uncommon and I’m comparing the difficulty/ intensity of the exams.

[zbear]

TheAnswer:

I dun want to be a wet blanket but we need to be practical. During A levels, students are competing with a group of resourceful, intelligent and hardworking students. The bell curve will not be anywhere close to O levels bell curve. A level bell curve includes IP students. A student can try their best yet achieve horrendous results. Good courses in local universities are asking for mostly As. Bs and Cs can get only limited choices. Any lower passing grades won't make it to local university. It is not easy to score a B during A levels. Ask around. Ask someone in mid range JC to know what much they struggle. It is blood and sweat continuously for 2 years. Nonstop torture if I may put it that way. Also dun expect Lecturers to teach n reteach same thing over n over again. Either self help or drown. End of year 1 promo exam. From what I remember, that was like the 2nd worst exam ever in my life. Worst exam was A levels in terms of difficulty and stress. O levels I barely studied but I did pretty well. University was a breeze for me. I'm sharing so that u know the issue is not uncommon and I'm comparing the difficulty/ intensity of the exams.

:goodpost:

I agree. Doing well in O levels is no guarantee that you will do well in A levels. The jump is too great.

Have told DS to try his best n I will accept whatever his A level results may be.

Also told him that Uni life will definitely be better than JC life, so he can look forward after going through this year of academic torture.