Subject Combination in JC
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Depends on where you want to go post A levels.
For scholarships, offering 11AUs is a minimal requirement for most. Plenty of applicants will offer the full 12AUs and come with great CCA records too. My school generally recommends 4H2s, and many students go on to offer at least 1 H3 in J2.
Locally, I think there’s no difference between 4H2s and 3H2s+1H1, except that you get a bit more flexibility in scoring. Your worst subject gets downgraded, so an AAAB student will outscore a student with AAB (H2) + A (H1), since a H2 is worth more for the same grade. AAA + B (from AAAB) > AAB + A.
The last I checked, most local schools don’t care for your CCA/ portfolio unless you’re applying for stuff like University Scholars Programme or certain courses (eg Medicine, Dentistry). It’s purely academic by and large and admission is wholly based on University Points. Of course, there’s the discretionary admission / appeal in which case a good CCA record will be useful. SMU might prefer candidates with a good CCA/portfolio - I’m not familiar with their admissions policy (except that it normally involves an interview lol)
Now for applying to the UK, assuming you do "traditional" subjects as in your proposed combi (ie no CSE, CSC, ELL, MLL, KI, which some schools don’t like), it gives you more room for error. Most schools generally ask for only 3 H2s subjects (mostly ignoring all H1s and H3s), and will have little/no preference (unless you apply for a related course eg Econs generally asks for an A in H2 Math) So that means a student could score AAAB, AAAC and still qualify for Oxbridge (they ask for 3As). A student with AAB + A won’t though. You need to get 3As in all 3 H2s, compared to 3 out of 4 for 4 H2s.
If you’re keen on going to the top schools (eg UPenn, UC Berk for Biz), try to max out to 12 AUs or at least 11. Most schools explicitly prefer candidates who have "taken on the most difficult course load possible". It’s very much like scholarships - nearly everyone will do 12 AUs so you’ll be disadvantaged. -
INNOVATE:
But may not be able to \"guarantee\" that he/she can do a H3? Bc only 100/800 students may be recommended? And then it's subject to approval.
For scholarship applications, a 3 H2 + 1 H1 student can neutralise a 4 H2 student by taking up a H3 subject if he/she is performing very well in all the subjects. -
phankao:
But may not be able to \"guarantee\" that he/she can do a H3? Bc only 100/800 students may be recommended? And then it's subject to approval.INNOVATE:
For scholarship applications, a 3 H2 + 3 H1 student can neutralise a 4 H2 student by taking up a H3 subject if he/she is performing very well in all the subjects.
What you mentioned is correct. However, a very able 3 H2 + 3 H1 student should have no problem getting approval from the universities to take 1 H3. A 4 H2 student also needs to do very well to take 1 H3 and for others at least passed all subjects at prelims inoder to continue otherwise schools will ask them to drop the weakest H2 to H1.
Generally, is better for high majority to do well in all 3 H2 + 3 H1 and excel in cca even if not eligible for a H3 component. No need to attempt 4 H2 at all.
They will go places with a very good set of A-level(10 academic units- 3 H2 + 3 H1 ) plus very good cca record. Its better than straights As in 12 academic units(4 H2 + 2 H1 + 1 H3) with nothing to show for cca. -
My dd is thinking of 3H2 (Chem,Bio,Math) and 3H1 (GP,PW,Geog/Econs). She has to take MT H1 too cos did not take HMT in Sec. Then she’s interested to go audition for Music Elective Program which the school offer at H2 level. If so, that means she’ll have a total of 4H2s and 4H1s subjects. I’m worried its too much for her to cope, do share your experience. Also, wondering Geog or Econs is better as a contrasting subject. She did SS/Geog elective so she would be more familar with the subject than Econs which is totally new.
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hesiew:
My dd is thinking of 3H2 (Chem,Bio,Math) and 3H1 (GP,PW,Geog/Econs). She has to take MT H1 too cos did not take HMT in Sec. Then she's interested to go audition for Music Elective Program which the school offer at H2 level. If so, that means she'll have a total of 4H2s and 4H1s subjects. I'm worried its too much for her to cope, do share your experience. Also, wondering Geog or Econs is better as a contrasting subject. She did SS/Geog elective so she would be more familar with the subject than Econs which is totally new.
She should just use Music as the contrasting Humanities subject instead of Geog or Econs. -
thanks everyone for your replies. i really appreciate them. because my school had a university talk on the first day of school, talking about pre-requisites of the different uni courses, i figured out that whether one takes h1/h2 econs wouldn’t really affect a person’s career should he/she takes up business or accountancy in the uni. thus, i decided on h1 econs, h2 physics, chem and math. i tot that since i had basic and fundamental foundation for physics, i might as well persue physics at a h2 level since i would grasp the subject much more easily than getting confused over econs. lectures would start next week, hope i dont regret the combination i chose. i’m aiming for a h3 math course when i advance to j2 next year… wondering how it would help me in worklife next time. any advices? my dad sort of wanna me to take up a h3 math as i attained a1 straight for my sec 3 and sec 4 for every exam. is this a indication that i should take up h3 math since i’m better at this sector? ;/
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There are 2 types of H3 Math courses. One is an in-house MOE syllabus and the other is offered by NUS / NTU. It is advisable to take the H3 Ma from NUS/NTU as there is a quota set for each JC and it is relatively easier than the in-house MOE H3 math course.
The offering of H3 Ma to a student depends on the grades of all subjects. Besides getting "A" for H2 Ma, the student must show the ability to handle and excel in the rest of the subjects => at least a "C".
In order for you to achieve your goals, you will need to work hard from the first day of school. The continual assessments such as class tests and block tests can contribute up to 30% to your overall grade. The end-of-year exam aka Promos results have a bigger weightage but it will not be the sole assessment tool. From my experience, JC1 students tend not to do as well in their Promos compared to their daily work because they neglected their studies in the 2nd Sem as they are busy preparing their Project Work (PW) which will start soon. -
oh icic. thanks for your advice. you have any idea on where i can find chem tuition that’s really highly recommended? i haven’t really heard of a lot about jc tuition yet. i would probably need help in chemistry…
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Mr Maverick Phuah offers Chemistry tuition.
You can check out his website at http://www.chemistryguru.com.sg/
He is contactable at 9007 7724. -
Hi all!
I have just received my ‘O’-Level results and am intending to enter into the arts stream for JCs.
I have a few queries, I hope some of you may be able to address!
1. University
How far do the subjects you take in JC affect the course you are able to take in a university?
(That is, if I am not intending to take ‘history’ in university - is the subject worth taking? Just an example.)
2. Economics
How is this subject like?
Does it involve a lot of memorising and ‘rote learning’? I’
ve actually had many seniors tell me that economics is one of the subjects they loathe the most and that they regret taking this subject. Any idea on what kind of students can most suitably cope with the demands of the subject?
3. Knowledge and Inquiry as contrasting subject
Any idea how this subject works? Am interested to take this as my contrasting subject (No math for me, please?)
Especially for VJC - is the criteria for taking this subject really strict, and what are the requirements?
4. Theatre Studies
Another subject that VJC offers that seem so foreign to me. Anyone has particular experiences of theatre studies to tell of?
Wow, I would really appreciate if someone could help me a little with this.
Thank you so much!
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