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    Any disadvantage in JC if child takes combine sci in sec sch

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Secondary Schools - Academic Support
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    • E Offline
      Edureach
      last edited by

      koguma:
      AffectParent:

      My child is now in Secondary 2, streaming year.


      Currently the secondary school has only 1 pure triple science class.
      The rest of the other classes offer only one pure sci subject (either Phy, Bio or Chem) with combine science.

      The school does not have any classes which offer double science.

      If my child could not get into triple science class, will he /she be in a disadvantage position in JC, assuming that the child continue the education in Sci stream. Will the child be able to cope with all the pure science subject in JC?

      Is your child happen to be in a school in the north? If yes, you can be assured that the school is a good school :). Btw, I know of top schools that allow their students to do one Pure Science only (i.e. no combined science). These students are usually better in Humantities Subjects.

      Different JCs have different requirements when come to subject combinations. Hence it is useful for you to check out those JCs that your child would like to go to.

      In general, if the student gets A1 or A2 for the combined Science in O level, most JCs will allow the student to do the relevant science subject as a H2 subject. Example if the student do combined science (Phy/ Bio) and gets A2, then the student will be able to do H2 Phy or H2 Bio (some JCs only allow one H2 subject for combined science). Hence if you child do Pure Chem and combine science (Phy/Bio), then he/she can do H2 Chem and H2 Phy or H2 Bio.

      Of course your child must do well in the Pure Science subject in order to do the same subject at H2 level. If your child gets a C6 for Pure Chem, some JCs will not allow the child to do H2 Chem.

      In JCs, you are still a Student Stream student if you do H2 Maths, H2 Chem, H2 Econs and H2 Geog. Alternatively, your child can choose to do H2 Maths, H2 Chem, H2 Econs and H1 Phy if H1 Phy is the miminum requirement for the course he/she wants to do in University. Your child is still consider a Science Stream student.

      Whether he /she be in a disadvantage position in JC depends on which JC the child goes to, and whether he/she put in the extra efforts to do well. The child can get A1 in O level does not mean that he/she will get A for the same subject in A level.

      If you need more info, feel free to post. Hope my explaination gives you a clearer picture.


      Your reply is simply misguided. If a student can't even score A1 for combined science at 0-level the student will most likely be struggling doing H2 science.

      Many many mistakes are being made students each year. No matter which jc a student goes to, he/she sits for the same exam. His/her standard will be assessed within the entire cohort.

      Why give the students undue stress? Poly is more suitable for such students.

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      • T Offline
        twilight
        last edited by

        I think top JC (not sure about others, you can check with individual JCs) only allow students to offer H2 science if they score A1 in combined science. But if the take pure science for O levels, they need only score C and above I think to opt for H2 science.

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        • K Offline
          koguma
          last edited by

          You may want to check out the following JCs on their requirements


          1) AJC
          http://www.ajc.edu.sg/ajc-experience/academic-programmes-/subject-combination

          2) NJC
          http://www.njc.edu.sg/education_subject.htm

          3) CJC
          http://www.cjc.edu.sg/cos/o.x?c=/wbn/pagetree&func=view&rid=1081781

          4) HCI
          http://www.hci.edu.sg/uploadfile/college-subjcomb/subject%20info%20and%20special%20programme1.pdf

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          • meinteelM Offline
            meinteel
            last edited by

            Most schools will require you to have obtained a certain grades for taking combined sciences (usually one or two grades Higher as compared to Pure sciences).


            If your child scored Cs for his/her combined science, it is unlikely the college will allow the student to take up H2 sciences. They will advise the student to take it as H1 subject instead. In any case, if your child scores Cs for this subject then you should reconsider taking up sciences even if you qualify for JC.

            Therefore, yes your child will be disadvantage but should be able to cope well with the A level syllabus. Many of my college friends who came from neighbourhood schools doing combined sciences did as well as if not better than others who came from "brand" schools with distinctions in pure sciences.

            In addition, someone with Combined (Physics/Chem) will only qualify for H2 Physics and/or H2 Chemistry and not Biology. Likewise, if the pure science student only studies Pure Physics (or another) he/she will only qualify for H2 Physics.

            All in all, your child will be at the losing end for taking up Combined Sciences as H2 sciences syllabus are done up on the assumption that the student is well versed in the respective pure sciences subject. Most colleges will conduct bridging classes in the first two weeks of college (after school) for combined sciences students.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • A Offline
              AffectParent
              last edited by

              Very disheartened.

              Now I really felt that Singapore education system is a one way system, no turning back.
              Once my child loose out in PSLE and end up in neighbour school, it is pretty hard to keep up the race.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • meinteelM Offline
                meinteel
                last edited by

                Don’t lose heart AffectParent! O level is a good chance to turn things around!


                I studied in a neighbourhood secondary school, ended up in a neighbourhood JC and now I’ve finished NS and waiting for university. This despite my annual household income being below S$26k, have a brother and I was born with learning difficulties.

                There is hope and many chances for your child to shine. It is up to him or her to do it.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • K Offline
                  koguma
                  last edited by

                  Edureach:
                  Your reply is simply misguided. If a student can't even score A1 for combined science at 0-level the student will most likely be struggling doing H2 science.


                  Many many mistakes are being made students each year. No matter which jc a student goes to, he/she sits for the same exam. His/her standard will be assessed within the entire cohort.

                  Why give the students undue stress? Poly is more suitable for such students.
                  Hi Edureach, I appreciate your views. But I believe every kid should be given a chance to study what he/she likes, including late bloomers.

                  Cheers

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • meinteelM Offline
                    meinteel
                    last edited by

                    I understand what you mean by giving every kid a chance. If you firmly believe you can do it, one can always talk to the college.


                    Though one must know that it will be very difficult for the kid. He must work really really hard.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • Z Offline
                      zeemimi
                      last edited by

                      If your child doesn’t do well in combined science at ‘o’ level, probably his strength is not in the sciences and hoping for him to do H2 Science at JC will be a torture. Making him do triple science at ‘o’ level is not very ideal either.


                      Look for his strength. Perhaps in the languages or humanities. If his strength is in the sciences, work hard to get into the triple science class.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • K Offline
                        koguma
                        last edited by

                        you may want to check with the Sec school on the selection criteria for triple science class. if the school only looks at Eng, Maths, Sci scores, then you may want to encourage your child to work harder on these 3 subjects.


                        if the school looks at the overall percentage and not just the 3 subjects, then you may want to choose the best Pure sci and combined sci option for your child. your child situation is better than those students who only do combined sci only. but i know of students with only combined sci proceed on to do one H2 sci in JC.

                        Sec schools usually conduct at least 1 briefing sessions to the students for sec 2 streaming. you can use these opportunities to talk to the teachers to find out more on their selection criteria.

                        i think the most important thing is what your child really like to study.

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