O-Level Physics
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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. -
Usually what kind of career or areas of expertise the political science graduates will go to?
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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]
Are you asking for choosing one pure science among 3 sciences for sec 3 subj combi or between combi science Chem-Bio or Chem-Bio? Compulsory in any combi to choose one science?
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]
Cant say much about Chem in lower sec. But the sec 3 boy I know is taking 3 sciences, became passionate in Bio out of a sudden. Logically speaking, he should be doing better in physics since he is visual and he is alright in both maths. Though all 3 sciences are scoring in the same range for the moment, but a significant drop from sec 2.
Some profile of him: Got As in math, sci, geo and history in sec 2. Got B in Lit in sec 2 (not too bad in his case). Border line in EL and CL. failed art badly, low in FnC, ok in music. At the moment, (parents think) more likely to do engineering degree hopefully NTU as only his maths are still consistent even so, marks are still lower than sec 2. Why engineering? higher COP and kid is ok in maths and do like physics.
Among 3 sciences though, boy is now inspired to do Bio science course and asking to buy own personal high power microscope so he can do own study during June holidays. change of passion from becoming pilot to doing bio science :? Bio is very content heavy, not sure how this boy will handle as his eng compre is quite bad. He can write reasonably in compo if topic is of his interest. At the moment, parents are closing both eyes and leaving him to take charge.
His physics, aiyoh. Upp sec physics requires eye for details in reading the question for context in physics concept. He can understand both physics and bio concept very well, but still struggling with scoring in doing test questions. Likely same problem facing with eng compre. Got A in physics proj but failed in WA. Boy still like physics, but think physics is boring as it is like another math. Bio is more exciting. Passed Bio WA.
My point is, it is not possible to predict passion vs performance as kids are still exploring esp those who are still developing their advanced skills. Is your DS scoring As in EL, His and Lit? How about Art and Music? His appreciation skills in interpretating a piece of art work?
My girl in sec 3 is the typical case. Strong in math and got 90s in both maths (though not highest still and plenty of others in the range). Got highest in physics(also 90s). Think physics is not as exciting as Chem and Bio, but she would drop Bio and take pure history if she knew and were to go back in time. (Yes, I asked her as I was curious). Her chem and Bio is in 80s, I would say similar to her combi History. She said history is easier than Geo. Geo requires pure memory work but history has source based questions, easier to study. As bio is all about memorising, hence she prefers history though her memory ability belongs to high type. (A in el and B in hcl.) This kid has decided long ago, to not do engineering. though parents think she can do well in it, why not. :xedfingers:
(added: she is lucky to have a wonderful history teacher this year, may contribute to her view) but I recall she chose combi hist over pure history because she wasnt so keen on SEA history.
Also, do take into account that likely SS will pull down combi humanities even though the history part is strong...iks
For illustration of skills required in phyiscs:
Qn: An uniform object....
Student has to think of the object with CG in the middle to have a correct start to tackle the rest of qn, which the above first case mostly missed.
Qn: on measurement, precision is key. that means decimal places, significant places etc. Which the second case is most able at, working on rules and precision. and the first case type will struggle as they are not precise and tend to miss out many such small details or maybe confused too easily. Second case has to ovecome reading skills and work on accuracy, which may seem straightforward to the rest of us, but not easy feat for kids like him. But going poly to do engineering is one feasible alternative for him.
May not be directly relevant as kids are simply different but feel free to ask more if need. We went through sec 2 choosing subjects so understand the struggle to make decisions. -
MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2134668\" time=\"1717553669\" user_id=\"43981:
Will move to your personal thread.
Usually what kind of career or areas of expertise the political science graduates will go to?
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