O-Level Physics

zac's mum

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2134670\" time=\"1717554445\" user_id=\"143605:

Are you asking for choosing one pure science among 3 sciences for sec 3 subj combi or between combi science Chem-Bio or Chem-Bio? Compulsory in any combi to choose one science?

Cant say much about Chem in lower sec. But the sec 3 boy I know is taking 3 sciences, became passionate in Bio out of a sudden. Logically speaking, he should be doing better in physics since he is visual and he is alright in both maths. Though all 3 sciences are scoring in the same range for the moment, but a significant drop from sec 2.

Some profile of him: Got As in math, sci, geo and history in sec 2. Got B in Lit in sec 2 (not too bad in his case). Border line in EL and CL. failed art badly, low in FnC, ok in music. At the moment, (parents think) more likely to do engineering degree hopefully NTU as only his maths are still consistent even so, marks are still lower than sec 2. Why engineering? higher COP and kid is ok in maths and do like physics.

Among 3 sciences though, boy is now inspired to do Bio science course and asking to buy own personal high power microscope so he can do own study during June holidays. change of passion from becoming pilot to doing bio science :? Bio is very content heavy, not sure how this boy will handle as his eng compre is quite bad. He can write reasonably in compo if topic is of his interest. At the moment, parents are closing both eyes and leaving him to take charge.

His physics, aiyoh. Upp sec physics requires eye for details in reading the question for context in physics concept. He can understand both physics and bio concept very well, but still struggling with scoring in doing test questions. Likely same problem facing with eng compre. Got A in physics proj but failed in WA. Boy still like physics, but think physics is boring as it is like another math. Bio is more exciting. Passed Bio WA.

My point is, it is not possible to predict passion vs performance as kids are still exploring esp those who are still developing their advanced skills. Is your DS scoring As in EL, His and Lit? How about Art and Music? His appreciation skills in interpretating a piece of art work?

My girl in sec 3 is the typical case. Strong in math and got 90s in both maths (though not highest still and plenty of others in the range). Got highest in physics. Think physics is not as exciting as Chem and Bio, but she would drop Bio and take pure history if she knew and were to go back in time. (Yes, I asked her as I was curious). Her chem and Bio is in 80s, I would say similar to her combi History. She said history is easier than Geo. Geo requires pure memory work but history has source based questions, easier to study. As bio is all about memorising, hence she prefers history though her memory ability belongs to high type. (A in el and B in hcl.) This kid has decided long ago, to not do engineering. though parents think she can do well in it, why not. :xedfingers:

For illustration of skills required in phyiscs:
Qn: An uniform object....

Student has to think of the object with CG in the middle to have a correct start to tackle the rest of qn, which the above first case mostly missed.

Qn: on measurement, precision is key. that means decimal places, significant places etc. Which the second case is most able at, working on rules and precision. and the first case type will struggle as they are not precise and tend to miss out many such small details or maybe confused too easily. Second case has to ovecome reading skills and work on accuracy, which may seem straightforward to the rest of us, but not easy feat for kids like him. But going poly to do engineering is one feasible alternative for him.

Hope the above helps. Feel free to ask more if need. We went through sec 2 choosing subjects so understand the struggle to make decisions.

Chemistry is compulsory, regardless of whether pure or combined. So it’s a decision between chem/phy or chem/bio. Bio is much easier for him cos his memory is strong.

Your friend’s son, taking a beginner interest in bio, i will advise keep the option for Bioengineering open in future (still Engineering main track). It is a sunrise industry especially tied in with medical and healthcare industry exploring improved biomaterials in surgical implants/procedures etc. Bio at higher levels is easy to pick up; he should not specialize in it too early because poly biochem/biomedical is quite restricted in career options. Can only be technician in hospital or labs.

Not sure why u asked abt these subjects, but my son had Bs for Art Music FCE D&T (the so-called o level coursework subjects). No interest in pursuing them, plus coursework is not easy to score in o levels cos very subjective. He definitely wants history and lit, not geog cos he can’t stand the keywords. SS i dun foresee will be a problem for him. He enjoys writing expository essays. My kid is quite diametrically opposite from me, hence i am still learning to view things with a new lens.

00skyblue00

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2134673\" time=\"1717556503\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2134673 time=1717556503 user_id=53606]
Chemistry is compulsory, regardless of whether pure or combined. So it’s a decision between chem/phy or chem/bio. Bio is much easier for him cos his memory is strong.

Your friend’s son, taking a beginner interest in bio, i will advise keep the option for Bioengineering open in future (still Engineering main track). It is a sunrise industry especially tied in with medical and healthcare industry exploring improved biomaterials in surgical implants/procedures etc. Bio at higher levels is easy to pick up; he should not specialize in it too early because poly biochem/biomedical is quite restricted in career options. Can only be technician in hospital or labs.

Not sure why u asked abt these subjects, but my son had Bs for Art Music FCE D&T (the so-called o level coursework subjects). No interest in pursuing them, plus coursework is not easy to score in o levels cos very subjective. He definitely wants history and lit, not geog cos he can’t stand the keywords. SS i dun foresee will be a problem for him. He enjoys writing expository essays. My kid is quite diametrically opposite from me, hence i am still learning to view things with a new lens.[/quote]

For better context, added:
my kid is lucky to have a wonderful history teacher this year, may contribute to her view) but I recall she chose combi hist over pure history because she wasnt so keen on SEA history.
Also, do take into account that likely SS will pull down combi humanities even though the history part is strong.

I was asking about other subjects because for example, art is similar to history in certain aspects (non drawing/painting parts). so doing well in art by right history will be not too bad too. I recall a history WA in sec 2 was to comment on a painting of a group of samsui women. the eye for people's facial expression and eyes, their background and what they were doing...comes into play

in sec 3 bio, they get to cut open a heart, .... haha.... a cow's or pig's heart.

practically, the cop for bio sci courses are too low. bio med engineering is only offered at NP. Was told SP has better engineering dept. So we shall see how it goes later.

if content based subject is not an issue, yes, bio should be a better choice than physics (in adults'world). it seems that there are people who failed physics even though there are also high scorers in class. so the range is wide. my observation so far. But many times, kids passion also proven sometimes, so they should have a say. My girl made her decisions and I only can sign on it. She was so adamant even though I wanted her to take double sci with pure Geo as her geo is scoring better than history, though I know geo is not so exciting as we can read everywhere on the news and internet. deep down, I know physics should be her strength though it was not evident in upp pri or lower sec. Only her EL and math were consistent since P1.

Just sharing

zac's mum

Also need to be cognizant of the fact that u cannot truly compete with the kids who are brilliant in physics. Many guys in my class were. I was only competent in it (A2 kind of grades) and had no passion in it. So u must see her A comes from hard work (like mine) or from innate intuitive grasp.

00skyblue00

Your ds will get a better idea at EOY coz the papers comprise of all topics put together.

I agree, my girl may not be truly brilliant in physics or maths, coz she is not keen to do olympaid type of qns. no passion too. She is not terribly hardworking type but she does study before WA. Does mostly minimum, not willing to do more than sufficient type. So I guess this is why she will choose physics over bio as not too much studying is required. Bio requires a lot more studying, (according to my girl), even though her memory power is quite prominent to us. innate intuitive wise, not sure, she is on her own, no coaching so far. She also mentioned, she is likely to choose Physic, Chem and Math for A levels, will drop bio. I secretly think she can consider taking ELL for the fourth subj. coz this is the only area she spends most of her free time in. But she is not aware of this option for now, coz it depends on which jc she is choosing or ends up in. She may take up H1 history, not sure. All the above becomes clearer after half a year in sec 3, so I believe in time, your ds will display his inclinations more prominently too.