For Chemistry Paper 2, DS finds the questions rather unusual, as shared by a parent in another jc link. He was definitely caught by surprise with the bulk of unfamiliar application based questions which include real life scenarios. Hopefully his grade can be salvaged by the remaining ‘normal’ questions in P2 as well as the next 2 Chem papers.

Today’s (2016) GP A-Level Exam Essay Questions


1. ‘Any adaptation of a novel for film, television or the theatre is never as effective as the original.’
2. Assess the view that traditional buildings have no future in your society.
3. ‘Longer life expectancy creates more problems than benefits.’ Discuss.
4. Considering the money involved, should developing countries be allowed to host major sporting events?
5. ‘Human need, rather than profit, should always be the main concern of scientific research.’ Discuss.
6. ‘Countries experiencing conflict should be left to sort out their own problems.’ How far do you agree?
7. How far has modern technology made it unnecessary for individuals to possess mathematical skills?
8. ‘People who do the most worthwhile jobs rarely receive the best financial rewards.’ To what extent is this true of your society?
9. Evaluate the claim that equality of opportunity for females is desirable, but unrealistic, goal.
10. Assess the view that most natural disasters are the result of human activity.
11. Is competition always desirable?
12. ‘Everyone has an opinion, but not everyone’s opinion is of equal value.’ What is your view?

Not the questions DS had anticipated and prepared for but somehow he managed to pick one which he had the most examples/stats to quote and elaborate on.
Comprehension was easier for him as he’s familiar with the topic on ‘tourism’, thanks to his GP teacher who had been coaching them till late last week.
In addition, there’s only one long passage given instead of 2 shorter ones which made the application questions more orienting and easier to focus on.

yasminequek:

dear kiasuparents please advise me on this issue


Is it right for a school to charge students $4 for a graduating ezlink card that is customised with their particulars? there was no notice about and no permission was sought from the students whether they can print their particulars on the card

back story:
as an annual gift, the school alumni circle will customise ezlink card for graduating j2s but as a \"GIFT\", the students had to pay $4 for it when they were not even given notice about it or whether the students even wanted it. PLUS even if it is for a donation for the school alumni circle, fundraising should have been done through methods including two voluntary parties and not like this. it seemed like extortion of money as the students were just forced and demanded to pay for an ugly card that they did not want

should i pursue this further? i have already emailed the school two weeks ago but they were reluctant and did not give me ANY explanation and even wanted me to single out the child.

do advise me on this as i find this simply ridiculous especially when the school kept avoiding and did not give me an explanation on this

thank you

ps its a JC school in the west

Sorry to learn about your plight. I agree that the sch should allow the students option to reject. However, as it isn't very pricey, I won't mind if my DS is forced to accept. Perhaps the alumni was very confident that they would get full support from these fellow alumni-to-be and hence that decision.
If it's too taxing to get a reply from the sch, treat it as one foodcourt meal forgone and forget about it. Cheer up!!

Here's wishing all students the very best for the 2016 A levels exam .

zbear:

luvpsalm:

You are right. First paper is GP which will commence on 7 Nov.
Fine. I will try to share my DS' thoughts about the A level papers this year.
All the best in your DS' coming PW Oral Presentation!

Thanks luvpsalm. My DS appears very bo chap abt his PW. I am more kancheong than him - kept asking him how is it going.

If it's not convenient to post here, would appreciate if you can PM me your DS's thoughts about this year's A level papers.

Good Luck!!!!

:xedfingers:

I think your DS is very cool. Is his OP over yet? All the best for his PW result!
Yeah fine, will somehow communicate with you about the A level papers.

zbear:

luvpsalm, reading this reminds me of the horrible stress my DD went through last year n next year will be my DS turn.

All the best to your DS in the coming A level exams. When is his first paper? GP rite?

Hope you can share on this thread how the A level papers are this year. I am getting jittery for my DS.

Thank you zbear.
JC's life is filled with stress so I can't really tell any difference between my DS' struggles during his promotion exam last year and at present
You are right. First paper is GP which will commence on 7 Nov.
Fine. I will try to share my DS' thoughts about the A level papers this year.
All the best in your DS' coming PW Oral Presentation!

On the last official reporting day for the JC2, the teachers put up an interesting concert for the pupils. The themes include ‘Descendants of the Sun’ and ‘Pokemon Go’, etc. LOL.

The student council and all the teachers presented DS & friends with little gifts such as stationery and coffee sachets & sweets to help them stay awake in preparation for the Big A. Their kindness & thoughtfulness are much appreciated.
Although the JC2 are officially off now, all are encouraged/forced to take the mock exams which are currently ongoing. Also, consultations with teachers are even more intense now.
A big THANK YOU to IJC leaders and teachers for always trying their best to help.

mindays:

On a side note, I realised VJC and NYJC style of doing PW is similar. Both start doing their Written Report before EOM. This is unlike MJC, SRJC and TJC.

YJC, IJC and ACJC started off with Written Report (WR) prior to Evaluation of Materials (EOM) too.
WR has to be drafted before any EOM is possible, in my opinion. In any way, WR and EOM are continual processes that will usually commence from July to Oct. The deadline for submission to SEAB of both WR and EOM are in Oct, EOM being earlier.

Glad to share this piece of news:


"In addition to us hosting possibly one of the most nail-biting ST-MOE Big Quizzes in recent history on April 6, IJC also emerged as FIRST RUNNER UP against YJC, AJC and SRJC. Congratulations MUHAMMAD SYAFIQ from 1645A, JUSTIN INDRA from 1643C and ALIFA AULIA AHZA from 1611B! You have done us proud. And congratulations YJC for WINNING the closely contested North Cluster quiz!"

zbear:

luvpsalm:

For 2015 A level PW, % of pupils who had obtained A/B is 94%.

:rahrah: :rahrah:

Thanks for sharing.

Any idea whether this cohort did better than the last cohort?

Welcome, zbear. Last cohort's performance was better, achieving 96% A/B.
I heard the number of pupils achieving an A has also reduced for this cohort.