frankchn:

//Editor's note: Topic selected & edited for http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/levels-faqs-parents.


I'll try to answer some of the questions.

a) How does marks in A Levels calculated to enter Uni ?

A-level grades are calculated on a lettered grading scale (A, B, C, D, E, S, U). Universities convert those grades on a scale into ranking points. Therefore, your 3 H2 (full A-level subjects), 1 H1 (AO-level subject or worst H2 subject if you are taking 4 H2 subjects) and H1 General Paper are taken into account.

For the H2 subjects:
A = 20
B = 17.5
C = 15
etc...

For the H1 subject (or your worst H2 subject) and General Paper
A = 10
B = 8.75
C = 7.5
etc...

When you sum up all the points, you get the university ranking points which is considered for admissions to local universities.

b) How come if student take 4 subjects, I read that student getting 9 distinction ?

You take more than 4 subjects in A-levels. You just take 4 academic subjects. For instance, you could take the following combination to get 9 distinctions while staying within 12 academic units:

H2 Mathematics - A
H2 Physics - A
H2 Chemistry - A
H1 Economics - A
H3 Physics - Distinction
H3 Chemistry - Distinction
H1 General Paper - A
H1 Project Work - A
H1 Chinese (Mother Tongue) - A

c) How come the results of some are shown as 9 Distinctions ? I thought it is supposed to be grades like A, B, C or D ? No ?

An \"A\" is considered a Distinction.

d) What does Perfect scores means ?

It means you have scored A for every single paper you took.

e) What does H2 passes or H2 Distinctions means ?

H2 distinctions just means scoring A in the H2 subject.

f) What does Principal paper & subsidiary paper means ?

No idea. I don't think we use that term any more.

g) What is Special Paper ?

It used to mean Paper 0 - a more difficult subject paper of the same subject. It has been superseded by \"H3\"-level subjects.

Wow thank you so much for this.

thsheng99:

Credentials of staff seems impressive

Yes, heard they got the best of some other JCs

siling:

Hi,


heard from niece in JC 1 that the lecture pace is super fast and some of the students are quite lost after class. How to catch up ? Any tips?

Maybe the students should get together and feedback. Daughter is J2, she feels the same. Parents may want to do so as well. The reason why they go so fast ma be because majority of the students were from IP stream, the 'cream of the crop' of their schools that are already considered quite top tier, so they may assume that they are used to or can handle the fast pace.

KidCat:

I'm sure Chief Kiasu will help...

Come to think of it, I think \" Eunoia\" should be in the Spelling Bee List....

HAHA quite true. I myself spell it wrong at times.

get_real:

Study answer keys!

Must make sure those answer keys are correct though... best to get those assessments that specifically have proper answer keys

Have two dogs, they’ve definitely become a part of the family. Well, they definitely increase communication around the house… as in arguing who’s turn is it to walk the dogs or feed the dogs!

love43:

Should let your child settle in first, see which subjects he or she needs tuition for. No rush for sec 1 really, especially when the subject they're taking may not be the subjects they take for Os.

May need tuition for the core subjects though, the child has to do well before they can choose the subjects they want for sec 3 and 4

yap_susan:

klim360:

From what I know, DSA only if your child is extremely talented and will sure get in. Otherwise it can be quite time consuming, even demoralising for your child.

Went thru DSA process with older boy last year. He only got in robotics trial, didn't get it but in the end enter that school with his T score. The DSA rejection made him surer that he wants that school and he worked hard.

Similar experience, older girl tried DSA, through the DSA trials got to see how the school was really like, in the end decided that she didn't want that school!

Most of the time it really depends on the dentist, certain dentists just have a way with kids.

There's a very popular one, may be a bit expensive though. http://www.crib.com.sg/