Networking Group - JCs General

[phtthp]

There may be some issue,

with this new A-level implementation.


1) Scenario #1

Let's say,
in your Upper Sec (3 & 4),
u happen to take Double Pure Science subject combination : that is, Pure (Physics + Chem)

4 years' later, at the end of Sec 4,
In your heart, u regretted not taken Sec 3 / Sec 4 Biology. You made a mistake, should have chosen Physics instead of Bio. But too late, cannot turn backwards the clock, to the beginning of Sec 3.

Let's say, in Year 5 JC1,
u take 4 H2 subjects.

But because let's say,
u not strong with Physics,
end up amongst your 4 H2 subjects, Physics turn out to be your lowest scored subject, in the actual A-level. So, by default, because Physics is your lowest scored subject, they turn your Physics into an \"H1\" subject, according to this article published below-

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/moe-changes-university-admission-scrapping-mid-year-exams-jc-033637474.html

Then how ?
How to enter University Engineering faculty courses, because they said that your Physics has become a \"H1\" subject, not H2 anymore. But the Engineering faculty which u desire to enter into, required Physics as a \"H2\" subject, not \"H1\" entry admission requirement. Then, how ?

OR


2) Scenario #2

Let's say another student didn't choose 4H2, but chose (3H2 + 1 H1) with PCME subject combination, with Economics being his \"H1\" subject.

But let's say, in the actual A-level, his Physics not strong. Turn out that this student did even worse in his H2 Physics, compared to H1 Econs. In other words, although Econs was his supposedly H1 subject, yet,in the end turned out that Physics was his lowest scored subject, amongst his \"3 H2 + 1 H1\" four subject combination.

Then, how ?
Now, Moe will turn his Physics into \"H1\" subject, just because Physics is this student's lowest score. Not Econs.

Again, same thing !
How, to enter Engineering faculty now, because Engineering faculty admission requirements stated clearly that need H2 Physics, not need H1 Physics, as an entry requirement ?

[zac's mum]

In Scenario 1, i think since the student has studied for and taken Physics at H2 level, the H2 content pre-requisite has been fulfilled. It’s just an admin detail that it has to be computed as a H1 subject for the Rank Point system that’s all. That’s what I understand.

[Laura02]

I think in theory these changes sound great! But things may not turn out as hoped for in real life. Just as how in theory including Project work in university entrance requirements sound great, but in pratice, well, …

So it maybe a good thing to delay implementation for a bit while we in this forum debate what may happen when the theory is put into pratice.
I can foresee a great number MORE people getting the maximum number of points; and most, if not all, shooting for the prestigious professional courses, as they already do. FYI, for the past few years, students do not need to score the max 90 points to get the coveted "interview".
Then the "plus" becomes important. I hope that the lessened academic workload frees up time for the students to apprentice at whichever profession they wish to pursue, and not at the big, successful pratices, but at the smaller, "neighbourhood" pratices. Afterall, over 50% of graduates will end up working there.

[MerlionInGermany]

phtthp\" post_id=\"2099483\" time=\"1677667014\" user_id=\"35251:

…
with this new A-level implementation.

1) Scenario #1
Let's say, in Year 5 JC1, u take 4 H2 subjects.

But because let's say,
u not strong with Physics,
end up amongst your 4 H2 subjects, Physics turn out to be your lowest scored subject, in the actual A-level. So, by default, because Physics is your lowest scored subject, they turn your Physics into an \"H1\" subject, according to this article published below-

Then how ?
How to enter University Engineering faculty courses, because they said that your Physics has become a \"H1\" subject, not H2 anymore. But the Engineering faculty which u desire to enter into, required Physics as a \"H2\" subject, not \"H1\" entry admission requirement. Then, how ?

This scenario will remain unchanged from the current. It is only for RP calculation. You have taken h2 physics and your cert will reflect that.

phtthp\" post_id=\"2099483\" time=\"1677667014\" user_id=\"35251:

2) Scenario #2

Let's say another student didn't choose 4H2, but chose (3H2 + 1 H1) with PCME subject combination, with Economics being his \"H1\" subject.

But let's say, in the actual A-level, his Physics not strong. Turn out that this student did even worse in his H2 Physics, compared to H1 Econs. In other words, although Econs was his supposedly H1 subject, yet,in the end turned out that Physics was his lowest scored subject, amongst his \"3 H2 + 1 H1\" four subject combination.

Then, how ?
Now, Moe will turn his Physics into \"H1\" subject, just because Physics is this student's lowest score. Not Econs.

In this scenario, your econs h1 will be included and rebased to 70. Like how the current system is, with regards to MTL. So no, MOE does not turn your h2 physics into a h1.

[pirate]

Laura02\" post_id=\"2099487\" time=\"1677667489\" user_id=\"26419:

I think in theory these changes sound great! But things may not turn out as hoped for in real life.

In real life, everything will still remain same same. Musical chairs will still be musical chairs. Ever played musical chairs?

:siam:

[sushi88]

https://i.postimg.cc/KYnFYmwX/A041-A27-A-E81-D-4-C53-A4-BD-6088685-E2-C4-F.webp\">


This chart is very clear.

Whatever you have studied as H2, they do not change even if the score is not great, eg. D and below
It simply reflects the competency level of H2 Physics is not having a good score but it cannot be changed to become a H1 subject. So scenario 1 is, if the other 3 H2 are good grades, grade of Physics can be left out in the UAS computation per the new chart. Maybe Engineering courses may state a minimum grade for H2 Physics in future if UAS is good enough to qualify but H2 Physics is not strong enough.

In scenario 2, the H1 subject is there as a safety net if it has a good score, assume \"A\" , then it can be used in the computation of UAS to improve it.

New system calculation
eg. H2= AAD H1=A GP = A
Then 20+20+12.5+10 = 62.5/70
Add in the H1, 20+20+12.5 +10+10 = 72.5/80 ---> 75/80 x 70 = 63.4275 <----Better score

eg. H2= AAD H1=A GP = A MT = A
Add H1 and MT 20+20+12.5+10+10+10 = 82.5/90 x 70 = 64.167 <----Even better score if MT is also an \"A\"

Btw, whether scenario 1 or 2, if Physics is consistently a low score subject in all exams, then please avoid applying for Engineering. If it is a one-off exam bad luck, then it's ok. Engineering is everything about understanding how things work.

[sharonkhoo]

sushi88\" post_id=\"2099496\" time=\"1677683460\" user_id=\"100857:

...scenario 1 is, if the other 3 H2 are good grades, grade of Physics can be left out in the UAS computation per the new chart. Maybe Engineering courses may state a minimum grade for H2 Physics in future if UAS is good enough to qualify but H2 Physics is not strong enough.

In scenario 2, the H1 subject is there as a safety net if it has a good score, assume \"A\" , then it can be used in the computation of UAS to improve it.
...
Btw, whether scenario 1 or 2, if Physics is consistently a low score subject in all exams, then please avoid applying for Engineering. If it is a one-off exam bad luck, then it's ok. Engineering is everything about understanding how things work.

Agree with the university admission points above. I expect the universities will have some flexibility in admitting students, and not be completely bound by the UAS. Even in my daughter's admission to NTU (Humanities), she was asked to sit for a little test to assess her English writing ability. Not sure if they only asked the borderline to take this, or everyone who applied.

Also agree that students should not apply to courses if they are consistently weak at a prerequisite subject - it's a prerequisite because it obviously affects the student's performance in the course. Of course, if it was a one-off bad-luck low grade, there are probably ways to appeal.

[sharonkhoo]

My main concern about these changes is that there will be even more who score the maximum of 70 or close to that - if the applications to university are overwhelmingly in that stratosphere, then what happens? Balloting? Interviews? Additional tests? Other factors? I fear that those from disadvantaged backgrounds, with mild special needs, etc will find it even harder to get in. And the "arms race" of coaching to clear potential additional requirements will intensify among those who can afford it.


I also think that removing mid-year exams may not be a good idea - don’t the students need some practice? I hope teachers are still allowed to set timed tests for allow students to practise under exam constraints, just to provide student feedback. I valued them for my daughters, especially for the one who flunked just about everything in her first year. It showed her and us where attention should be focused.

[Imp75]

Yes I agree. With 70RP max and lesser subjects contributing to the score, kids may be forced to do extras to differentiate themselves then learning is a chore. There are just some kids who are happy just doing the minimum but focusing on their cores and spend rest of time doing teenage stuff like kdrama, kpop, social medias……

[floppy]

Max 70RP from 3 H2 subjects, GP compulsory and some subjects that don’t really matter (seriously, does it make a difference if I fail my 4th H2 / H1 subject and what kind of idiot and effort must I put in to fail PW?), it’s the 1980s and 1990s all over again!


So, after all those reforms and changes, we are back to where we started, albeit with a different name. I must thank the Ministry for making my A Level Cert relevant again (at least we can all compare grades without being bothered by the pesky 4th subject)