Secondary 2 Streaming

[LarryG67]

Yes from what I heard from my friends its different for different jcs. this sort of thing is their form of "quality control". For example, a top jc may only allow pure math students to take jc math. this way, theres a higher chance that the student will do well and it will reflect better on the school.


its the same way a company will put an accounting grad in the finance department and an engineering grad in the operations department. (this is from business HR point of view)

so this sort of thing should be internal (from how I remember it years ago also) so you have to check the individual jc website or criteria page

[sharonkhoo]

anneshirleygilbert:

Is Chemistry a compulsory science subject for Sec 3? I read a lot about choosing between Physics and Biology; but not striking out Chemistry?

Chemistry is a prerequisite for quite a no. of university courses like Medicine. Physics and Bio are prerequisites for a smaller no. of courses. So many regard Chemistry as the most important science.

[Victboy]

anneshirleygilbert:

Is Chemistry a compulsory science subject for Sec 3? I read a lot about choosing between Physics and Biology; but not striking out Chemistry?

Go for chem and phy. Bio is optional unless u r very confident that u will do well for triple.

[anneshirleygilbert]

Thanks everyone for your input. Would you say Physics would be more for the numerically inclined person and Bio more for the language? My daughter prefers Bio to Physics… but many friends and relatives have advised against Bio cos Bio is a heavy subject whereas Physics is more analytical. Any advice? My daughter does not want to do 3 sc subjects. She’s more a language person.

[sharonkhoo]

anneshirleygilbert:

Thanks everyone for your input. Would you say Physics would be more for the numerically inclined person and Bio more for the language? My daughter prefers Bio to Physics.... but many friends and relatives have advised against Bio cos Bio is a heavy subject whereas Physics is more analytical. Any advice? My daughter does not want to do 3 sc subjects. She's more a language person.

Go with what she is more comfortable with. The people who say that Physics is 'easier' than Bio are speaking from their own experience, but it doesn't mean she will have the same experience. Bio may be 'heavier' in content, but if the alternative is to be in a cloud of non-understanding in Physics, Bio is probably the better choice. I studied both, and I found Bio easier because I basically didn't understand large parts of the Physics syllabus!

[Coolkidsrock2]

I too find Bio easier than Physics as I cannot conceptualise the principles/theories in Physics. It is still possible to score for Bio (even if you do not understand) if you are hardworking.


For those who are able to visualise the principles/theories in Physics, they almost do not need to study for their "O" and "A" levels. This is the experience of some of my ex-classmates. But for me, it was a struggle.

[sharonkhoo]

Coolkidsrock2:

For those who are able to visualise the principles/theories in Physics, they almost do not need to study for their \"O\" and \"A\" levels. This is the experience of some of my ex-classmates. But for me, it was a struggle.

Yes, my husband did double maths and physics for 'A' levels and said he hardly had to study. His 4th subject was comp. sc. so he didn't have to study much for that either. He was very free! If I had done that combination, I would have had to work every moment of the day and would definitely have failed everything!

[anneshirleygilbert]

Thank you very much for your advice.

[Coolkidsrock2]

slmkhoo:

Coolkidsrock2:

For those who are able to visualise the principles/theories in Physics, they almost do not need to study for their \"O\" and \"A\" levels. This is the experience of some of my ex-classmates. But for me, it was a struggle.

Yes, my husband did double maths and physics for 'A' levels and said he hardly had to study. His 4th subject was comp. sc. so he didn't have to study much for that either. He was very free! If I had done that combination, I would have had to work every moment of the day and would definitely have failed everything!

I did Double Maths, Physics and Economics for my \"A\" levels. I did not need to study for Economics but had to drop F. Maths. It was a very big struggle and I actually had nightmares of my JC days even after I started work. And I did quite badly eventually.

To give a sense of the leap in requirement/expectation, I scored A1/A2 for my double Maths and triple Sciences at \"O\" levels without having to work too hard. DH and his brother did the same combination. DH had to study - he managed to visualise some, but not others while his brother did not need to study cos he learnt everything during the curriculum hours.

DD who has just completed sec 1 already realised that she does not have the aptitude for Physics and Maths and has already decided to do Chemistry and Biology if given the opportunity.

[33mama]

Went through Sec 2 streaming with DS1....

Showed him this video...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=odEfLZ9HMZ8

Sec 1 & 2, you are introduced to many new subjects...Your results and your own gut feel will show your interest... As what Steve Jobs mentioned in the video, \"The only way to do Great work is love what you do\"... Keep looking until you've found it!