O-Level Physics
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zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134651\" time=\"1717545125\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134651 time=1717545125 user_id=53606]
Maybe look at the subject requirements for courses that ds may be interested in the future?
Hi all, may I know what are the pros and cons of taking O level Physics?[/quote] -
MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2134655\" time=\"1717547273\" user_id=\"43981:
He is interested in political science 🤷
Maybe look at the subject requirements for courses that ds may be interested in the future?
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The way i see his brain (non-meticulous, big picture kind of thinking), he is not suited for STEM degree, let alone Science stream in JC/poly. Engineering or computer science-related definitely out. Then why study Physics, right?
He is thinking that since he scored high in the physics topics for WA, he is good in physics. But lower sec is simple plugging in of formulas. He does not know how complex the concepts (and calculations) get in upper sec…
Also, his maths cmi. Simple applications still ok, but may not take A math cos he cannot grasp abstract concepts. Physics and A math usually go together? -
zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134656\" time=\"1717548076\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134656 time=1717548076 user_id=53606]
Just happened to come across this. Agree with your last sentence - Maths is required to handle Physics, and it's hard to think of anyone who is good at Physics at higher levels but poor in Maths! If he's not likely to take A Maths, then I would say that there's no point taking Physics at O level as he will need H2 Maths to take Physics at A level (even if the JC allows H1 Maths and H2 Physics, that should be avoided!). However, if he is truly interested in Physics, and thinks that his Maths is up to it, and there isn't any other subject he likes as much, maybe it could be considered. But if the main reason is because of the WA results, I would suggest he reconsider!
He is interested in political science 🤷️
The way i see his brain (non-meticulous, big picture kind of thinking), he is not suited for STEM degree, let alone Science stream in JC/poly. Engineering or computer science-related definitely out. Then why study Physics, right?
He is thinking that since he scored high in the physics topics for WA, he is good in physics. But lower sec is simple plugging in of formulas. He does not know how complex the concepts (and calculations) get in upper sec…
Also, his maths cmi. Simple applications still ok, but may not take A math cos he cannot grasp abstract concepts. Physics and A math usually go together?[/quote]
One of the pitfalls in our education system is that we tend to judge whether someone is \"good\" at a subject based on the latest exam results. That isn't a good indicator at lower levels at it's too easy to drill and memorise techniques in the early years. Most kids are not asked to really consider whether they find a subject intrinsically interesting or how easily they really understand the subject (as opposed to answering the questions which they have been drilled in). I was pressed to take sciences at A level because I had done well in the science exams up to then (but with a B in A Maths), but I knew that I hadn't been learning them the right way, Maths was going to be an issue, and science subjects didn't \"spark joy\" in me (to borrow Marie Kondo's phrase!). I am so thankful that I was able to persuade my parents to let me take Arts instead. -
Thanks for the “spark joy” point! Yes, good food for thought!
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zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134656\" time=\"1717548076\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134656 time=1717548076 user_id=53606]
I think interest is more important & sad to say, is usually by elimination from the subject combinations, eg Physics vs Bio vs POA vs coursework (Arts, D&T, FCE..).
He is interested in political science 🤷️
The way i see his brain (non-meticulous, big picture kind of thinking), he is not suited for STEM degree, let alone Science stream in JC/poly. Engineering or computer science-related definitely out. Then why study Physics, right?
He is thinking that since he scored high in the physics topics for WA, he is good in physics. But lower sec is simple plugging in of formulas. He does not know how complex the concepts (and calculations) get in upper sec…
Also, his maths cmi. Simple applications still ok, but may not take A math cos he cannot grasp abstract concepts. Physics and A math usually go together?[/quote]
There are students taking combined sci (Chem/Physics) without A Maths too.
The most important thing is to score well to have as many options as possible.
Perhaps bring him to poly open houses to explore his interests? SP's just over but RP's coming soon. -
Vevey\" post_id=\"2134659\" time=\"1717551482\" user_id=\"1350:
Thanks. Some ppl have advised us to choose combined science and get A1 for that, since not going Science stream anyway, just get the easy raw score. The problem, as u say, is he has eliminated POA and the coursework subjects (no interest). Anyway depending on overall score, he may simply get assigned to the leftover combis.
I think interest is more important & sad to say, is usually by elimination from the subject combinations, eg Physics vs Bio vs POA vs coursework (Arts, D&T, FCE..).
There are students taking combined sci (Chem/Physics) without A Maths too.
The most important thing is to score well to have as many options as possible.
Perhaps bring him to poly open houses to explore his interests? SP's just over but RP's coming soon.
No real interest in any poly course except diploma in psychology, and that is not very employable on its own i believe. -
zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134661\" time=\"1717552248\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134661 time=1717552248 user_id=53606]
Agree with the first para - must keep on eye on overall grades too!
Thanks. Some ppl have advised us to choose combined science and get A1 for that, since not going Science stream anyway, just get the easy raw score. The problem, as u say, is he has eliminated POA and the coursework subjects (no interest). Anyway depending on overall score, he may simply get assigned to the leftover combis.
No real interest in any poly course except diploma in psychology, and that is not very employable on its own i believe.[/quote]
[This is OT, so might be better to move any further discussion somewhere else!]
Psychology - in order to get into clinical practice, it requires a Masters! Not that there are no jobs for someone who has studied psychology. He can consider areas that require understanding humans - HR, social services, user experience, marketing, linguistics, counselling, etc. For university studies, if he does well, he can go on to Pol Sci (his current interest) and pretty much anything other than hard sciences. -
zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134661\" time=\"1717552248\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134661 time=1717552248 user_id=53606]
My older 2 went through pure (Chem & Physics) & combined sci (Chem/Bio) respectively.
Thanks. Some ppl have advised us to choose combined science and get A1 for that, since not going Science stream anyway, just get the easy raw score. The problem, as u say, is he has eliminated POA and the coursework subjects (no interest). Anyway depending on overall score, he may simply get assigned to the leftover combis.
No real interest in any poly course except diploma in psychology, and that is not very employable on its own i believe.[/quote]
If there is a choice (meet sch subject requirements), do consider for 2 pure sciences as it is still possible to strategically focus on the stronger one after prelims. Taking a combined sci needs to ensure the weaker sci does not pull down the stronger sci as both are 50% each.
As for diploma courses, there is still time to explore the various options but do start early as there are simply too many options in different polys. -
I noticed students need a better score in Physics O in order to take H2 Physics as compared to the other 2 Sci. I m not sure if it is the same for other JC.
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slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2134662\" time=\"1717552951\" user_id=\"28674:
Yes, that's the predicament of Psychology.
Psychology - in order to get into clinical practice, it requires a Masters! Not that there are no jobs for someone who has studied psychology. He can consider areas that require understanding humans - HR, social services, user experience, marketing, linguistics, counselling, etc. For university studies, if he does well, he can go on to Pol Sci (his current interest) and pretty much anything other than hard sciences.
A GEP relative opted for double degree in Psychology & Business after being rejected by Medicine, as she was unsure whether she would want to continue the clinical path after that. She didn't.
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