All About A Levels

[zhangfencing]

$170 for graphing calculator? That’s quite expensive. Is it necessary to buy 2 for exam in case 1 breaks down? Has anyone’s calculator broke down in exam before?

[lego]

I think the school did say they have spare sets in case the students need it during the national examination. DD’s senior borrowed her GC as a spare set during the A levels.

[chervin]

Hi,


Like to seek some advice if it’s better to do 3 or 4 H2 subjects in JC.

[sharonkhoo]

chervin\" post_id=\"2035729\" time=\"1630153771\" user_id=\"8802:

Hi,

Like to seek some advice if it’s better to do 3 or 4 H2 subjects in JC.

It depends on the student's and abilities and plans.

If the student is not very strong, then a 3H2+1H1 combination will be less taxing, and may actually lead to a higher university admissions score, assuming that his grade for the H1 subject is likely to be higher than if he took it at H2 level. He may also have more time for the other H2s and CCAs. The downside is that there is no room for a slip in one of the H2 subjects (see comment on 4 H2s below).

If a student is quite strong, then the benefit of 4 H2s will be that if he does better/worse in 1 subject unexpectedly, he can adjust which subject to use as the 4th (half-weight) subject for university admission. But this is a more taxing option, and a weaker student might find that all subjects suffer if he takes 4 H2s.

It also depends on what university course the student is aiming for: some universities have prerequisites for certain courses, and if he hasn't taken a particular subject at H2, he may not be eligible to apply. This varies from university to university, so the student needs to find out.

If the student is planning on getting a scholarship, 4 H2s (and maybe even an H3) is likely to viewed more positively. That's not to say that taking 3 H2s means that he can't get a scholarship, but will probably mean a weaker chance for the most prestigious ones.

If the student wants to go to an overseas university, he should research what the admissions criteria are. Some may require certain grades at A levels, meaning H2 subjects (e.g. UK universities), while some have other entry requirements and don't bother with A level grades (e.g. US universities).

Hope this helps.

[newkeynesian]

Scholarship aside, I want to ask is it true that 4H2 is viewed more positively vs 3H2 1H1 when applied for medicine?


Thanks.

[sharonkhoo]

newkeynesian\" post_id=\"2035779\" time=\"1630222440\" user_id=\"5441:

Scholarship aside, I want to ask is it true that 4H2 is viewed more positively vs 3H2 1H1 when applied for medicine?

Thanks.

No idea. Someone else may have insights. Just want to say that for scholarships or courses where places are not assigned mostly by grades alone, 4H2 may well be viewed as an indicator of ability or motivation. Of course, I can imagine that in an interview, it may be possible to explain why a student chose to take 3H2 instead - e.g. heavy CCA commitments, family responsibilities, needing to take on paid work, etc. Some reasons may possibly be viewed as equally or more positively than taking 4H2s.

Disclaimer: this is just my opinion given the current \"not by grades alone\" push, but I have no direct knowledge.

[doodbug]

anecdotally, i think the "academic bar" for consideration for scholarships, is not as strict and arguably lower than in our times. i personally know of existing scholars who got pretty prestigious scholarships with less than stellar grades. however, i don’t think things are any easier now in that there is now a shift towards portfolio building, which may or not be a good thing.

[sharonkhoo]

doodbug\" post_id=\"2035840\" time=\"1630284673\" user_id=\"13281:

anecdotally, i think the \"academic bar\" for consideration for scholarships, is not as strict and arguably lower than in our times. i personally know of existing scholars who got pretty prestigious scholarships with less than stellar grades. however, i don't think things are any easier now in that there is now a shift towards portfolio building, which may or not be a good thing.

I agree, I don't think it's easier even if eligibility for scholarships based on academic grades may be lower. I would expect that those students with lower grades would have to more than make up in other areas. This actually disadvantages students from less-advantaged backgrounds who may not have the resources or grooming to build a good portfolio and present themselves well at interviews. And since many who sit on scholarship panels tend to be from the 'advantaged' classes, I think there is a risk that they may overlook the 'diamonds in the rough'.

[doodbug]

I totally agree.

a lot of people complain that the P3 GEP selection test favours those who can afford prep classes and all that. That said, the runway to P3 is actually pretty short, and real raw talents in Math and English are picked out by the test.
To me, DSA at P6 or Sec 4, scholarships post A Levels / Poly occur later on in life. These disadvantage those from the lower socio-economic strata even more, especially if the kids were not in schools that had allowed for portfolio building.
That said, I do think the absolute number of scholarships and financial aid available, has increased. This is particularly so for local universities. Fully funded local scholarships awarded by universities were very very few and far between during our era.

[sharonkhoo]

I've copied this here from the Sec 2 thread.

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2041071\" time=\"1633496969\" user_id=\"188234:

kiasudad1\" post_id=\"2041042\" time=\"1633490920\" user_id=\"193855:

Wow thanks for the link! Looking at it... why do ppl pick 4 H2 subjects? isn't it a lot of stress, given that normal a levels majority of ppl take 3H2 and 1 H1?

I am a bit of a rookie here but my understanding is a) for some scholarship or tougher tracks, 4H2 may be viewed more favorably (may or may not be changing?) and b) if you start with 4H2 and are not doing well in one of them you may have the option to drop/downgrade one of them to H1 (I think depends on exactly which one you want to downgrade). Or worst case if you cannot downgrade the lowest scoring H2 will be given a lower weight (H1 weight). In contrast, if you start with 3H2 you are basically stuck with these three for the heavier weighted classes in the UAS calculation.

I have wondered if you are science kid (PCM or BCM) does anyone really give a hoot whether your Econ is H1 or H2? Conversely, if you are arts kid does Math H1 or H2 really change anything? But I guess you are still playing the uni admissions game at this point vs. practical knowledge/what you are going to use daily. Also, for scholarship maybe H3 is valued more than the 4th H2?

Others feel free to correct or add.

I think it all boils down to the impression the student gives of ability and breadth.

If I were selecting for a scholarship or as an employer, the no. of H2s (and whether the student takes an H3) will be an indicator of ability and motivation. Of course, this can also be shown in other ways - CCA, community service, etc. Not sure whether the 4th H2 is more valued than an H3.

The contrasting subject indicates breadth, which is very valued in these \"interdisciplinary\" days. It doesn't work for all, but some scholarship bodies and emplyers will be looking out for that.