All About A Levels

[law_381]

frankchn:

//Editor's note: Topic selected & edited for http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/levels-faqs-parents.


I'll try to answer some of the questions.

a) How does marks in A Levels calculated to enter Uni ?

A-level grades are calculated on a lettered grading scale (A, B, C, D, E, S, U). Universities convert those grades on a scale into ranking points. Therefore, your 3 H2 (full A-level subjects), 1 H1 (AO-level subject or worst H2 subject if you are taking 4 H2 subjects) and H1 General Paper are taken into account.

For the H2 subjects:
A = 20
B = 17.5
C = 15
etc...

For the H1 subject (or your worst H2 subject) and General Paper
A = 10
B = 8.75
C = 7.5
etc...

When you sum up all the points, you get the university ranking points which is considered for admissions to local universities.

b) How come if student take 4 subjects, I read that student getting 9 distinction ?

You take more than 4 subjects in A-levels. You just take 4 academic subjects. For instance, you could take the following combination to get 9 distinctions while staying within 12 academic units:

H2 Mathematics - A
H2 Physics - A
H2 Chemistry - A
H1 Economics - A
H3 Physics - Distinction
H3 Chemistry - Distinction
H1 General Paper - A
H1 Project Work - A
H1 Chinese (Mother Tongue) - A

c) How come the results of some are shown as 9 Distinctions ? I thought it is supposed to be grades like A, B, C or D ? No ?

An \"A\" is considered a Distinction.

d) What does Perfect scores means ?

It means you have scored A for every single paper you took.

e) What does H2 passes or H2 Distinctions means ?

H2 distinctions just means scoring A in the H2 subject.

f) What does Principal paper & subsidiary paper means ?

No idea. I don't think we use that term any more.

g) What is Special Paper ?

It used to mean Paper 0 - a more difficult subject paper of the same subject. It has been superseded by \"H3\"-level subjects.

Wow thank you so much for this.

[mc_007]

Can advise the feasibility of the below subject combi on applying Uni next time:

- physics, math,econ and geo

What will be the implications of not taking Chemistry?

Thanks alot

[sharonkhoo]

mc_007:

Can advise the feasibility of the below subject combi on applying Uni next time:

- physics, math,econ and geo

What will be the implications of not taking Chemistry?

Thanks alot

Chem is now required for quite a few science and engineering courses at university, including medicine. You can check on the universities websites to see which courses you will not be able to apply for without Chem. If you are not interested in those, then it doesn't matter if you don't take Chem.

[TsarMao]

Hi i would like to know if it is possible for anexpress Chinese student taking the olvls to enter RJC or HCJC… I heard score to enter RJC and HCJC increased to 5points… Would this drop back down?

[gancheongmommy]

TsarMao:

Hi i would like to know if it is possible for anexpress Chinese student taking the olvls to enter RJC or HCJC... I heard score to enter RJC and HCJC increased to 5points.. Would this drop back down?

Depends on the intake @ that year, all boils down to demand and supply.

[darnocwee]

TsarMao:

Hi i would like to know if it is possible for anexpress Chinese student taking the olvls to enter RJC or HCJC... I heard score to enter RJC and HCJC increased to 5points.. Would this drop back down?

quite likely to drop back down..

[jkids]

Hi, can someone enlighten me the purpose of students taking subjects such as econ,bio, phy, chem as H1 subject? Its like an ‘AO’ level, so how does it help one to get into local uni? Its like taking GP, mother tongue and one more H1 subject.

[jkids]

Hi, can someone enlighten me the purpose of students taking subjects such as econ,bio, phy, chem as H1 subject? Its like an ‘AO’ level, so how does it help one to get into local uni? Its like taking GP, mother tongue and one more H1 subject.

[jtoh]

jkids:

Hi, can someone enlighten me the purpose of students taking subjects such as econ,bio, phy, chem as H1 subject? Its like an 'AO' level, so how does it help one to get into local uni? Its like taking GP, mother tongue and one more H1 subject.

The calculation of UAS for admission to the local universities is 3 H2 subjects + GP + PW + an H1 subject. You can take 3 H2 subjects or 4 H2 subjects. But calculation of UAS is based on 3 H2 subjects, and the 4th H2 will be calculated at H1 level.

[sharonkhoo]

jtoh:

jkids:

Hi, can someone enlighten me the purpose of students taking subjects such as econ,bio, phy, chem as H1 subject? Its like an 'AO' level, so how does it help one to get into local uni? Its like taking GP, mother tongue and one more H1 subject.

The calculation of UAS for admission to the local universities is 3 H2 subjects + GP + PW + an H1 subject. You can take 3 H2 subjects or 4 H2 subjects. But calculation of UAS is based on 3 H2 subjects, and the 4th H2 will be calculated at H1 level.

If a student feels that 4 H2 subjects is too demanding, he can choose to take one of them at H1 level, which eases the stress. An A grade for the 4th H2 subject is harder to get but counts the same as an A grade for the H1 subject. The main downside is that the student has to be fairly sure which subject is his weakest and use that as the H1. Taking 4 H2s gives more flexibility as to which subject to count as the 4th.

And unless the subject is specifically required to be at H2 level for the course of study (eg. H2 Chem to study Medicine), then taking the subject at H1 level doesn't affect the application.