Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

[DadOfGirl]

autolycus:

Sorry, have to disagree there. The O-level result is actually harder to predict based on Sec3 results for most people. There are some reasons for this, of which the most important factors are: 1) more subjects and subject combinations, 2) students have more autonomy. These create greater random variation.

I understand that Syllebus is same in Sec3 & Sec4.. atleast there are no more addition of concepts in Maths /Science. I also would recon that Sec3 result would more or less seal(informally) which 6 subjects would constitute L1R5. I mean you can work hard to improve grades , but you can add subject or change subjects. ( If you don't do well in Physics , you can't change to Biology)

If nothing changes otherwise , them grades won't drop dramtically, it can improve ofcourse.

[autolycus]

DadOfGirl:

I understand that Syllebus is same in Sec3 & Sec4.. atleast there are no more addition of concepts in Maths /Science. I also would recon that Sec3 result would more or less seal(informally) which 6 subjects would constitute L1R5. I mean you can work hard to improve grades , but you can add subject or change subjects. ( If you don't do well in Physics , you can't change to Biology)


If nothing changes otherwise , them grades won't drop dramtically, it can improve ofcourse.

The syllabus for Sec 3 and Sec 4 are sometimes not so closely related. For example, most schools do organic chem in Sec 4, and for the O-levels, basic concepts for thinking about organic chem are hardly taught in Sec 3. So it does indeed depend on the subject, but grades vary because suddenly at the end of Sec 4, topics that haven't been touched for a while come back again.

Then of course, students at S3/S4 are also experiencing personal growth and change... the appearance of pimples and other such wonders.

[umawhite]

Any advice on how to choose a subject combination? My boy wanted to take triple science. But knowing him, I thought taking a double humanities and double science combinations is best. Any thoughts on that? And how is the subject selection for Yr 5 and Yr 6 determined? I wasnt really aware of what to select etc. I would like to more able to advice my boy rather than what happened this time.

[autolycus]

umawhite:

Any advice on how to choose a subject combination? My boy wanted to take triple science. But knowing him, I thought taking a double humanities and double science combinations is best. Any thoughts on that? And how is the subject selection for Yr 5 and Yr 6 determined? I wasnt really aware of what to select etc. I would like to more able to advice my boy rather than what happened this time.

Subject selection is up to your son, but he is likely to get first-choice HL subjects only if he obtains at least a grade of '6' or '7' for the related subjects in Y3/Y4. What level is he at right now?

Personally, he can do either 3x or 2x Science. But he should remember that he can only take a maximum of two sciences for the IB. Most British-style universities now require two sciences including chemistry for professional degrees like Medicine. US professional degrees tend to be postgrad, so that's not so much an issue.

[umawhite]

My boy is at Year 3 next year. And will be also busy with O level 2nd language. Also, he has a tendency to slack … due to overconfidence sometimes. Given the sort of performance expected every year, not see a point in him taking 3 science subjects though he is capable of handling. Also, any career guidance counsellors around for him to get focussed on what he wants to do . Now, he wants to do law , medicine and business. Since, he isnt too keen on engineering , didnt see a point in taking Physics. Also, is it considered if taken in Year 3 and year 4 …but if not at all a subject in Year 5.How many HL subjects are they allowed to take?

[autolycus]

Hi umawhite,


Career guidance at ACS(I) is run by Mrs Sandra Sim-Quek. I used to run that department myself, so I can provide some advice. If he’s headed for a Law-Med-Biz cluster, Chem+Bio would be a good choice.

They are allowed 3xHL and 3xSL. Many institutions look at the overall score (/45) and then the 3xHL score (/21). He would do well to consider Chem, Bio and either English or Math HL. Things like Econs etc he can always pick up in detail later in life, but sciences and mathematics are harder later on.

[umawhite]

Dear Autolycus,Thank you so much for the advice. After changing his choice twice, he is upset that I decided to step in and finalise . School has to be a place where he likes going to and learn . Peer pressure is also a factor… he isnt happy as he wanted to take up 3 science subjects as most of his good friends are. His strength isnt the sciences … once in a while he gets 7 …mostly 6 in Physical Science but 7 in Life Sciences.Just hope he understands that this is for his own good in the long run. He is taking 2 Maths and 2 sciences and history. History was his choice as he is good in it. And it would certainly aid him if he decides to take law later .

[BeContented]

Hi Autolycus,

DS has just submitted and accepted CO from ACSI. We are looking forward to the next phase of his school life

Was reading on the subject combination by other parents, I know it's a wee bit too soon to ask, but am being curious. DS has color deficiency and is told that some study/careers choices may be out for him (color discrimination requirement). Supposedly when he needs to choose his subjects in Yr3.....does he need to take account of this condition?

Thanks.

[ruohoo97]

autolycus:

Hi umawhite,


Career guidance at ACS(I) is run by Mrs Sandra Sim-Quek. I used to run that department myself, so I can provide some advice. If he's headed for a Law-Med-Biz cluster, Chem+Bio would be a good choice.

They are allowed 3xHL and 3xSL. Many institutions look at the overall score (/45) and then the 3xHL score (/21). He would do well to consider Chem, Bio and either English or Math HL. Things like Econs etc he can always pick up in detail later in life, but sciences and mathematics are harder later on.

Dear autolycus, my son is not in ACS yet, but I thought Physics is required for \"o\" level stream? , For o level, performance in which subject for average student is more likely to do better? biology or Geography? Sorry to ask such funny question, if you may think.

[ruohoo97]

autolycus:

DadOfGirl:

I understand that Syllebus is same in Sec3 & Sec4.. atleast there are no more addition of concepts in Maths /Science. I also would recon that Sec3 result would more or less seal(informally) which 6 subjects would constitute L1R5. I mean you can work hard to improve grades , but you can add subject or change subjects. ( If you don't do well in Physics , you can't change to Biology)


If nothing changes otherwise , them grades won't drop dramtically, it can improve ofcourse.

The syllabus for Sec 3 and Sec 4 are sometimes not so closely related. For example, most schools do organic chem in Sec 4, and for the O-levels, basic concepts for thinking about organic chem are hardly taught in Sec 3. So it does indeed depend on the subject, but grades vary because suddenly at the end of Sec 4, topics that haven't been touched for a while come back again.

Then of course, students at S3/S4 are also experiencing personal growth and change... the appearance of pimples and other such wonders.

Oh, no, those conditions in red happen much earlier, in sec 2, maybe.