HC:

Thanks so much micko07 for your advice. From what I know, the smu econ h3 exam is around april and the result will only release together with gce 'A' level results? Did you think it is worthwhile to take up this h3 challenge though it may take up some of the time for the gce'a' level exam? Greatly appreciate your effort of sharing.

micko07:

HC:

Hi, micko07, care to share your result? My son will be going for the H3 econs at smu starting next week. Now, sort of feeling worry for him. Do you have any ideas of how to get past years papers for reference or any useful study materials? Thanks in advance for sharing. :?:

I don't have my results yet because I took my A levels last year; coming soon in March 2011! (I'm just hoping for a pass though, my final paper and mid-term assessment were absolutely terrible.)

Oh it's actually not that bad, I found it challenging because of the Maths. There are others who found it okay. The lecturer posts notes and past year papers online, but take them with a HUGE pinch of salt - your exam papers are likely to be MUCH more difficult (mine were). I don't think any other materials are available because we're not allowed to take home test papers though.

Um just study really hard, read your textbook and do your homework?

HC:

Hi, micko07, care to share your result? My son will be going for the H3 econs at smu starting next week. Now, sort of feeling worry for him. Do you have any ideas of how to get past years papers for reference or any useful study materials? Thanks in advance for sharing. :?:

micko07:

autolycus:

The H3 papers are not like the old S-papers. Rather, they are more like 'enrichment modules' proposed and designed by local universities so that they don't have to teach the stuff to JC students. Or at least, that was my impression after examining the H3 materials.


I think they require too much fact-retention and too little thinking. The skills imparted are the kind that will be relatively valueless after graduation from university, as compared with the old S-papers which began more lateral-thinking oriented.

I have 0 experience with S papers, but I found my H3 module really difficult. (SMU Game Theory) The examinations tested application rather than hard-core fact memorizing. It was one of those papers that you cannot swallow your textbook and expect to pass. No way could that happen.

That said, it was very fun to know about stuff like brinkmanship (happening now on the Korea Peninsula!!) and that game theory is actually used in deciding movie release dates.

In SMU, H3 students were in their own classes but for NUS H3s, I think they took lectures and tutorials alongside undergraduates (ie they were full-fledged university modules). I don't know about NTU. There are also in-house MOE UCLES H3s and research paper H3s too.

To answer the OP's question: Solely for scholarship purposes (notably A*Star) and to max out your AUs (for US application purposes). Some schools in the UK also require H3s for admission (I only know of Maths @ Durham and (possibly) Cambridge). If you get admitted to the University where you took your H3 module, you also get exempted (assuming you pass).

Off-topic: I think the emphasis on memorizing and not thinking is endemic in the Singapore education system, from Primary school all the way to University. Explains why we Singaporeans are generally good at following instructions, but bad at innovating. Most people simply don't think or question enough. To give MOE credit, they are trying to change it though. Its success remains to be seen.

micko07:

I THINK I paid a nominal fee ($60?). MOE subsidizes part of the module costs.


Maximum is 2. If you want to take 13 AUs, (eg 4H2s + 2 H3s), you will need school approval though.

mjl:

For H3 papers taken at NUS/NTU/SMU, do students need to pay the module fees (if yes, how much)? What is the maximum number of H3 papers allowed?


Thanks.

autolycus:

The H3 papers are not like the old S-papers. Rather, they are more like 'enrichment modules' proposed and designed by local universities so that they don't have to teach the stuff to JC students. Or at least, that was my impression after examining the H3 materials.


I think they require too much fact-retention and too little thinking. The skills imparted are the kind that will be relatively valueless after graduation from university, as compared with the old S-papers which began more lateral-thinking oriented.

kiasu_mum75:

not really same standard lah...tougher i feel... i did S paper during my younger days... S paper physics and maths... both distinction... but i find it tougher now leh..maybe cos i've aged HAHA...yup only the top % can take H3... why? ur child taking?