Networking Group - JCs General

[phtthp]

lee_yl\" post_id=\"2099872\" time=\"1677914401\" user_id=\"17023:

Let’s not get too hopeful that A levels students will now have time to pursue hobbies or interest just because one H1 subject is dropped.

In all likelihood, the time freed up will be spent to ensure that the other 3 H2 subjects and GP can score distinction. As parents and students will imagine that other students will spend the extra time studying or building up their portfolio, it will still be an arms race of sorts. Which is why, I expect to see more RP70.

Did MOE mention what if a lot of RP70 students apply for the same course? Will the Uni use balloting or look at other qualities to decide who to admit? If the latter, will the number of VIA hours completed become a critical criterion? Or will good interview skills (confident/articulate) become a key attribute?

If want to find time for hobbies, then first get in to the preferred course of study in University. After all, over 3-4 years in Uni, one has more time for hobbies also. It must be recognized that A levels only has 1yr 10 mths, which is simply too short and compact.

For O-level students taking A-level, is effectively a 1.5 years program.

But,
for IP students taking A-level, it start in Sec 4, when certain chapters are being brought down to their Sec 4 level, slowly introduced and IP teachers start to teach. So, for IP students preparing A-level, it is effectively a 2.5 year program

[phtthp]

Zeal mummy\" post_id=\"2099927\" time=\"1677926755\" user_id=\"58173:[quote=\"Zeal mummy\" post_id=2099927 time=1677926755 user_id=58173]
https://postimg.cc/RqkRjx0r

The 4th content-based subject will be included and rebased to 70, only if it improves the UAS.[/quote]

This is something, that MOE has not explained in detail. Can only ask the Junior Colleges, for more detailed example & info. All Sec 4 students are awaiting briefing, from school Principal, concerning this. That's why Principal has invited Eunoia Junior College plus another JC, to go down Sec school premises, explain how the 4th subject works

[Zeal mummy]

bbbay\" post_id=\"2099928\" time=\"1677927072\" user_id=\"175278:

Just like MT then?

It depends on the level of the 4th subject taken at that time. Students can still choose to do a 4th H2.

We are only told so much right now, that, “The 4th content-based subject will be included and rebased to 70, only if it improves the UAS.”

[Zeal mummy]

phtthp\" post_id=\"2099932\" time=\"1677927319\" user_id=\"35251:

This is something, that MOE has not explained in detail. Can only ask the Junior Colleges, for more detailed example & info. All Sec 4 students are awaiting briefing, from school Principal, concerning this. That's why Principal has invited Eunoia Junior College plus another JC, to go down Sec school premises, explain how the 4th subject works

Do share with us, after the talk. I speculate that schools will have their discretionary rights based on the ability of each cohort/student.

[bbbay]

Hmm… I thought all are clear:



No change:
- still 4 content base, GP , PW , MT
- if all 4 content base are H2, like before, the lowest scoring H2 will be treated as H1

Change:
- UAS calculation will include 3 H2 and GP
- PW is now graded as pass or fail. Student will need a pass
- that H1 subject, just like the current MT’s treatment, will be included only if it improve UAS

Therefore the H1 subject now will have similar impact as MT.

Am I missing something?

[sushi88]

bbbay\" post_id=\"2099937\" time=\"1677929613\" user_id=\"175278:

Hmm.. I thought all are clear:

- still 4 content base, 1 GP , 1 PW , 1 MT
- if all 4 content base are H2, lowest scoring H2 will be treated as H1
- UAS calculation will include 3 H2 and GP
- PW has to be a pass
- that H1 subject, just like the current MT’s treatment, will be included only if it improve UAS

Therefore the H1 subject now will have similar impact as MT.

I miss anything?

It is pretty clear to me too except for the contrasting H2 subject, if it can be used as the 3H2 calculation as Best 3.

My gut tells me that it can be because in the chart, it's only about BEST 3 so that as many kids can apply to the 7 unis as possible.

However, how does it work for Uni application in detail? Something the universities need to relook at their admission criteria and advise?

For example,
BCME student scores ACAA, GP=A
Then score is RP70 but can apply for Medicine or not (?) in NUS(for eg) since Chemistry was not used in the UAS computation. Current criteria is a pass in Chemistry and all 4H2 are used in the calculation.
1. would it be changed to minimum grade condition required for Chemistry or
2. the UAS computation must include Chemistry or
3. the gate is really wider now to accept RP70 or AAA/A as the only condition as long as Chemistry has been taken as a H2 subject and pass?

This contrasting subject can also impact all other courses with a pre-requisite. Of course, we always say if the pre-requisite subject is not strong, don't try. It is still good to clarify how the university requirements will change, if any, with this new UAS.

[Zeal mummy]

bbbay\" post_id=\"2099937\" time=\"1677929613\" user_id=\"175278:

Hmm.. I thought all are clear:


No change:
- still 4 content base, GP , PW , MT
- if all 4 content base are H2, like before, the lowest scoring H2 will be treated as H1

Change:
- UAS calculation will include 3 H2 and GP
- PW is now graded as pass or fail. Student will need a pass
- that H1 subject, just like the current MT’s treatment, will be included only if it improve UAS

Therefore the H1 subject now will have similar impact as MT.

Am I missing something?

There are questions on the “contrasting” subject, do we still require them? In addition, if only 3 H2 subjects are taken into consideration for university admission, then will it be okay for the students to do only 3 if they cannot cope with 4?

If the student takes the 4th subject as a H2, then the subject is more of a back up for the 3H2 requirement, and thus it is not the same as having similar impact as MT.

[bbbay]

Zeal mummy\" post_id=\"2099941\" time=\"1677931700\" user_id=\"58173:[quote=\"Zeal mummy\" post_id=2099941 time=1677931700 user_id=58173]

If the student takes the 4th subject as a H2, then the subject is more of a back up for the 3H2 requirement, and thus it is not the same as having similar impact as MT.[/quote]

If all 4 content base are H2, like before, the lowest scoring H2 will be treated as H1. So the backup is achieved: the top 3 scoring H2 subjects will go into UAS calculation. The lowest scoring H2 will be treated as H1. When the back up is completed, this H1 will have the same impact as MT- include in UAS calculation only if they improve the UAS. No?

[Zeal mummy]

bbbay\" post_id=\"2099945\" time=\"1677935627\" user_id=\"175278:

If all 4 content base are H2, like before, the lowest scoring H2 will be treated as H1. So the backup is achieved: the top 3 scoring H2 subjects will go into UAS calculation. The lowest scoring H2 will be treated as H1. When the back up is completed, this H1 will have the same impact as MT- include in UAS calculation only if they improve the UAS. No?

And so they are not the same. One is a content-based subject and can be taken at H2 level. It has dual purposes and is not the same as fulfilling the MT criterion. However, both MT and 4th subject will not be included if it does not improve the UAS score.

[phtthp]

sushi88\" post_id=\"2099939\" time=\"1677930921\" user_id=\"100857:

It is pretty clear to me too except for the contrasting H2 subject, if it can be used as the 3H2 calculation as Best 3.

My gut tells me that it can be because in the chart, it's only about BEST 3 so that as many kids can apply to the 7 unis as possible.

However, how does it work for Uni application in detail? Something the universities need to relook at their admission criteria and advise?

For example,
BCME student scores ACAA, GP=A
Then score is RP70 but can apply for Medicine or not (?) in NUS(for eg) since Chemistry was not used in the UAS computation. Current criteria is a pass in Chemistry and all 4H2 are used in the calculation.

1. would it be changed to minimum grade condition required for Chemistry or

2. the UAS computation must include Chemistry or

3. the gate is really wider now to accept RP70 or AAA/A as the only condition as long as Chemistry has been taken as a H2 subject and pass?

This contrasting subject can also impact all other courses with a pre-requisite. Of course, we always say if the pre-requisite subject is not strong, don't try. It is still good to clarify how the university requirements will change, if any, with this new UAS.

Hi sushi88,

Indeed, u have asked a very good, intelligent question. Thank you, for raising such valid good question in the forum.

Example

say,

For NUS certain faculty admission, the backbone PRE-REQUISITE subject for admission entry into these faculty is none other than this important subject ... Chemistry. Definitely, not Physics, for such a faculty.

Physics, is the pre-requisite subject, for Engineering faculty.


Since year 2026 is expecting many candidates to achieve a perfect score of
70,
for those students who have taken PCME (4 H2 A-level subjects) and say, who happen to have scored

ACAA / plus an A for GP,
in the corresponding order for each subject,

that is, sadly,
had scored \"C\" for Chemistry,

Let's say,
in Year 2026,

amongst the yearly (annual) 3000 to 4000+ applicants for that highly popular in demand faculty, out of these number, say shortlisted only 50% of the applicants ie. say, shortlist 1500 to 2000 applicants -

then,

will they throw out & reject shortlisting those candidates who unfortunately did not score an A in H2 Chemisty, even though these students did happen to acquire a perfect score of maximum 70 ?
No doubt,
these students have acquired a perfect score of 3 As in H2 (Physics, Maths and Econs), but sadly not in H2 Chemistry.

Actually, the one who can answer this question is not the Junior College, because even the JCs wont know. Is beyond the scope & boundary of the JCs. Instead, this question has to be answered by the individual faculty of admission itself, under this new \"maximum 70 points\" implementation. Because this is something totally new to all the NUS faculty department courses of study, since MOE announced this new system very recently.