Secondary 2 Streaming

[WestWin]

My DD is performing equally for both physics and bio. She is interested in bio and if given the chance, will want to choose bio related in University. However we heard that physics is easier to score than bio in O level. Is that true? Any advise/opinions of parents who had gone through same dilemma is appreciated.

[zbear]

WestWin:

My DD is performing equally for both physics and bio. She is interested in bio and if given the chance, will want to choose bio related in University. However we heard that physics is easier to score than bio in O level. Is that true? Any advise/opinions of parents who had gone through same dilemma is appreciated.

Biology requires more memory work vs Physics which is more mathematically linked, i.e. calculations. Generally girls prefer Bio n boys prefer Physics. However, in terms of scoring, I heard Physics is easier. It's the same for History vs Geography.

What is more important is that the student must like the subject. If you don't like Maths n calculations, Physics will be a torture - how to study n score?

[LEJOUR Education]

WestWin:

My DD is performing equally for both physics and bio. She is interested in bio and if given the chance, will want to choose bio related in University. However we heard that physics is easier to score than bio in O level. Is that true? Any advise/opinions of parents who had gone through same dilemma is appreciated.

Your child's preference and ability to do well in that particular subject is more important! If she is disinterested, an easier paper might not really help in the long run.

Nevertheless, physics might be a better option as a subject in the long run in the sense that it opens more choices in university as compared to biology.

[VJA]

Hi

I would like to ask abt social studies in O level which is elective SS + another humanities.
is this SS tough and difficult to score? it will pull down humanities overall, I heard.
like to hear from experience parents.
thanks

[MMM]

VJA:

Hi

I would like to ask abt social studies in O level which is elective SS + another humanities.
is this SS tough and difficult to score? it will pull down humanities overall, I heard.
like to hear from experience parents.
thanks

In my dd's case, while she scored 80s for geog, we felt that she was stronger in sciences and encouraged her to take triple 8. So she currently has 1 combined humanities (SS + geog).

In her recent Sec 3 SA1 results, she didn't do well for SS and geog was a borderline case. Note that geog requirements have changed. So not easy to score. This put a strain her L1R5 scores. Speaking with her teachers, they are trying to explore how they can work around giving more time for the combined humanities class and will train them in the answering techniques for the respective subjects.

[janet88]

MMM:

VJA:

Hi

I would like to ask abt social studies in O level which is elective SS + another humanities.
is this SS tough and difficult to score? it will pull down humanities overall, I heard.
like to hear from experience parents.
thanks

In my dd's case, while she scored 80s for geog, we felt that she was stronger in sciences and encouraged her to take triple 8. So she currently has 1 combined humanities (SS + geog).

In her recent Sec 3 SA1 results, she didn't do well for SS and geog was a borderline case. Note that geog requirements have changed. So not easy to score. This put a strain her L1R5 scores. Speaking with her teachers, they are trying to explore how they can work around giving more time for the combined humanities class and will train them in the answering techniques for the respective subjects.

son is taking combined humanities (SS + history).
he is experiencing the same problem as your daughter...but he is in Sec 4 :nailbite:

[VJA]

MMM:

VJA:

Hi

I would like to ask abt social studies in O level which is elective SS + another humanities.
is this SS tough and difficult to score? it will pull down humanities overall, I heard.
like to hear from experience parents.
thanks

In my dd's case, while she scored 80s for geog, we felt that she was stronger in sciences and encouraged her to take triple 8. So she currently has 1 combined humanities (SS + geog).

In her recent Sec 3 SA1 results, she didn't do well for SS and geog was a borderline case. Note that geog requirements have changed. So not easy to score. This put a strain her L1R5 scores. Speaking with her teachers, they are trying to explore how they can work around giving more time for the combined humanities class and will train them in the answering techniques for the respective subjects.

thanks for your information.
my DD also thinking of tripe S, but I am worry abt this combine humanities that will pull her down for O level. Her results for Science and Humanities are almost the same. interest? uncertain.. :? in a dilemma..

[MMM]

VJA:

MMM:

[quote=\"VJA\"]Hi

I would like to ask abt social studies in O level which is elective SS + another humanities.
is this SS tough and difficult to score? it will pull down humanities overall, I heard.
like to hear from experience parents.
thanks

In my dd's case, while she scored 80s for geog, we felt that she was stronger in sciences and encouraged her to take triple 8. So she currently has 1 combined humanities (SS + geog).

In her recent Sec 3 SA1 results, she didn't do well for SS and geog was a borderline case. Note that geog requirements have changed. So not easy to score. This put a strain her L1R5 scores. Speaking with her teachers, they are trying to explore how they can work around giving more time for the combined humanities class and will train them in the answering techniques for the respective subjects.

thanks for your information.
my DD also thinking of tripe S, but I am worry abt this combine humanities that will pull her down for O level. Her results for Science and Humanities are almost the same. interest? uncertain.. :? in a dilemma..[/quote]My dd told us she wanted to do double science initially and literature... Literature was her worst subject so we were like :? In her case, her strength has been math and science so we thought that it is better for her if she can qualify. She has peers who did well in sec 2 and chose to do double science as they are stronger/ have preference for humanities.

I suppose so long as they are self-motivated individuals, they should end up fine. I am leaving it to the school to help on her combined humanities. Teachers are clear that they have a gap and is keen to help bridge that. I am sure the school will do something to beef them up to keep up with their O levels track record.

[zbear]

MMM:

VJA:

[quote=\"MMM\"]

In my dd's case, while she scored 80s for geog, we felt that she was stronger in sciences and encouraged her to take triple 8. So she currently has 1 combined humanities (SS + geog).

In her recent Sec 3 SA1 results, she didn't do well for SS and geog was a borderline case. Note that geog requirements have changed. So not easy to score. This put a strain her L1R5 scores. Speaking with her teachers, they are trying to explore how they can work around giving more time for the combined humanities class and will train them in the answering techniques for the respective subjects.

thanks for your information.
my DD also thinking of tripe S, but I am worry abt this combine humanities that will pull her down for O level. Her results for Science and Humanities are almost the same. interest? uncertain.. :? in a dilemma..

My dd told us she wanted to do double science initially and literature... Literature was her worst subject so we were like :? In her case, her strength has been math and science so we thought that it is better for her if she can qualify. She has peers who did well in sec 2 and chose to do double science as they are stronger/ have preference for humanities.

I suppose so long as they are self-motivated individuals, they should end up fine. I am leaving it to the school to help on her combined humanities. Teachers are clear that they have a gap and is keen to help bridge that. I am sure the school will do something to beef them up to keep up with their O levels track record.[/quote]

My DS also went through the same problem in the past. He was also strong in Science n Maths so we thought it's ok for him to take Triple Science + 1 Humanities (Elect Hist).

In Sec 3 up to Sec 4 Prelims, he was struggling with Elect Hist n it pulled down his L1R5. Each time he did badly for his school exams, I will be busy calling his subject teachers for help .

Thank goodness, his subject teachers are very dedicated n went out their ways to help him. Fortunately too, DS is resilient n refused to give up. So he worked very hard for his O levels n his efforts paid off. His grade jumped 4x.

I think the issue here is becos the topics are very wide n there is a lot to cover on current affairs n past. Also many did not master the right answering techniques.

However, it's still possible to get A grade. I was skeptical when the teachers told me not to worry as they have seen students doing very well in their O levels. I didn't believe until it happened to my son.

[MMM]

From what I am hearing from teachers, for humanities, it’s no longer about just remembering the facts. They key is application, exam answering techniques and time management.


My dd told me that she has all her facts for geog but she don’t know how to apply it. SS teacher also mentioned about time management and it’s important to read widely. If the child don’t read as much today, can start with comics, life, nosy news in ST and then progress on. We should always ask them for their opinions. I also asked if exposing the child to various comments on social media is good… he said we need to do it with them and it helps train their critical thinking skills as well. So yes… rote learning cannot get them anywhere nowadays.