River Valley High School [*IP]

[starlight1968sg]

Yes, the P knows more than us.

It is pointless to do triple Sc nowadays. The prob is which 2 Sc subjects to take, noting RV encourages Chem as one, which means we are left with either Phy or Bio.

I wonder if this is inline with other IP schools.

I was thrilled when the P mentioned that we should not compare our revised curriculum with a non-IP sch (as suggested by a parent) but with a \"good\" IP sch

[starlight1968sg]

CRYSTALRN:

To better understand school's new policy, I would like to know better about university application criteria other than a-level result.

I am more concern about the A-level requirement and exam.

[WeiHan]

starlight1968sg:

CRYSTALRN:

To better understand school's new policy, I would like to know better about university application criteria other than a-level result.

I am more concern about the A-level requirement and exam.

You don't need triple H2 sciences to get into Medicine. Chemistry is the only H2 Science subject that you require.....if you don't need that to get into Medicine, then none of the faculty requires triple sciences.

The disadvantage about triple sciences. every student need contrasting subject nowaday, if you are science then you need a humanity. You will need to do maths also. If you do triple H2 sciences, then you end up studying 8 subjects 12 academic units and yet you still don't have any H3 subjects and H3 subject is more important when applying for scholarship. That was what I meant when I say you will end up studying alot and very hard with little incentives.

If I am not wrong, RI don't offer triple H2 sciences in A level.

[starlight1968sg]

WeiHan:

You don't need triple H2 sciences to get into Medicine. Chemistry is the only H2 Science subject that you require.....if you don't need that to get into Medicine, then none of the faculty requires triple sciences.


The disadvantage about triple sciences. every student need contrasting subject nowaday, if you are science then you need a humanity. You will need to do maths also. If you do triple H2 sciences, then you end up studying 8 subjects 12 academic units and yet you still don't have any H3 subjects and H3 subject is more important when applying for scholarship. That was what I meant when I say you will end up studying alot and very hard with little incentives.

If I am not wrong, RI don't offer triple H2 sciences in A level.

I am still unclear about this contrasting subject.
For a student doing mainly Sc subjects (ie 2 Sc), he needs to do a humanity subject and this can be history, geo, lit or even 3rd lang ?

My girl is taking 3rd lang now. I dont want her to take too many subjects that turned out to be of little advantages.

[WeiHan]

starlight1968sg:

I am still unclear about this contrasting subject.
For a student doing mainly Sc subjects (ie 2 Sc), he needs to do a humanity subject and this can be history, geo, lit or even 3rd lang ?

I think that is right. But it is still best to confirm with teacher in charge.

[rosecy]

starlight1968sg:

I am still unclear about this contrasting subject.
For a student doing mainly Sc subjects (ie 2 Sc), he needs to do a humanity subject and this can be history, geo, lit or even 3rd lang ?

GP & PW compulsory for all. 4 remaining subjects, of which 1 must be contrasting subject. It can be:
1. 3 sciences + 1 humanities
2. 3 humanities + 1 science
3. 2 sciences + 2 humanities
Math is taken by everyone in the 3 combi above. It may be H1 Math if one is not so inclined in math.

[WeiHan]

1. One needs to take minimum 3 H2 subjects. But many students opt to take 4 H2 subjects.

2. Whether one is taking 3 or 4 H2 subjects, one (or two) of the subject (s) has to be contrasting subject.
3. Project work and GP are compulsory
4. Maths is compulsory. It can be taken either in H1 or H2 level.

====

Taking the above as criteria. Let’s see what happened if a student try to take triple H2 sciences

a) Physics (H2)
b) Chemistry (H2)
c) Biology (H2)
d) Maths (H1 or H2)
e) Humanities (H1 or H2, economics, history, geography, literature, 3rd language etc…)
f) PW
g) GP
h) Higher MT (HCL) at O level.

As you can see from above, the student will have to take a minimum of 8 subjects at 12 (or 11) academic units in order order to satisfy the minimum a level examination requirements (and the student has not even have any H3 level subject yet). Also, this has not taken in account that Biology and Humanities are both heavy subjects that require alot of reading work.

[MandyMummy]

Students who take triple sciences usually take H2 Maths and thus they can only take H1 humanities, usually H1 econs (unless they take KI) Their timetable for year 5 is super scary because all subjects begin in first term and juggling between all subjects and PW is no joke. Furthermore they have to take 3 SPA for all 3 sciences at almost the same time. As most H3 subjects start after promo exam or in year 6, students would have cleared their PW and would have more time for their 12th unit. Also, taking H3 subjects would allow differentiation of the abilities of students and is a criteria for some

scholarships. That’s why students who are willing to take triple sciences are not that many and not many IP schools offer triple science subject combination. I know HCI does offer but RI does not offer anymore.

[Edureach]

I am happy to contribute for the benefits of A-levels students in general and RVH’s students here in particular.


Local university entrance requirement: 3H2 + 3HI which includes PW and GP. PW is taken in yr5. Amongst the content subjects, one of which must be a contrasting subject. KI is also a contrasting subject and a student is exempted from taking GP. The standard of KI is equivalent to 1st yr uni philosophy study. Max rank pt 90 of which H2=20 pts and H1= 10 pts.

Able students take 4H2+ PW+GP with highly able ones taking a H3 module. All top scholarships demand 4H2 plus good leadership positions. These bodies include PSC,Ministry scholarships and A*. The mid-tier scholarships do not hve this requirement. Unless one is really able, i would not recommend a student taking 4H2 without a strong cca portfolio.

For others with an eye to read medicine, law, accountancy, engineering etc, 3H2 + 3H1 is more than sufficient. A good student can even look forward to win scholarships.

In summary, there’s no diffence btw one taking 4H2 or 3H2 unless he/she is looking at top scholarships.

[starlight1968sg]

rosecy:

GP & PW compulsory for all. 4 remaining subjects, of which 1 must be contrasting subject. It can be:

1. 3 sciences + 1 humanities
2. 3 humanities + 1 science
3. 2 sciences + 2 humanities
Math is taken by everyone in the 3 combi above. It may be H1 Math if one is not so inclined in math.

May I ask if Math is considered as a Science or humanity subject?
Thanks.