My kid graduated already.


Last year, my kid found prelim difficult, also found A level difficult. D for prelim maths, didn’t finish A level maths paper 1 and very upset but still worked hard for paper 2. Eventually got A for A level Maths.

This is a difficult time, keep trying, don’t lose heart.

Are the lower secondary doing political cartoons? Russian history?


Kids who cope better, understand the teacher better, are more likely to take history in upper sec. So maybe check with seniors who do history in upper sec. Borrow their answer sheets to see what good looks like.

On tuition. You may want to check out Meow tuition that is at the HDB block opposite the school. They have RV classes, sec 1 to JC. On chinese tuition, if your kid is okay with group tuition, check out Busy Bees.


The kids can find past year papers in library, print and try time test at home before exam, good for practicing time management which is important in exam.

Our self-help way to prepare is to try P5, P6 MCQ comprehension passages. Also try secondary 1/2 comprehension passages if your kids can take it.


Also google non verbal reasoning test, recommended by someone here a few years ago, just mentioning again to share.

I think GPA > 3 (or a bit higher, maybe different every year) would allow you to choose any subject combination. Like triple science … Every kid has different favourite or strong subjects, but I think Maths is easier to get A1 and RV Chinese is not easy to score.

My kid used the school science notes, O level science textbooks as well as past year papers to practise. I think the textbooks are in the Sec1 booklist last time.

Morning assembly is mostly in English, sometimes in Chinese for Chinese department’s annoucement.

Relying on science notes and worksheets alone probably enough to pass. You need to do practice papers to do well.

RV has no O level class. Very few kids are retained also, like 2-3 in my kid batch.

JSA introduces the kid to one sport every semester, once a week for 10-12 weeks. For us, this is free exposure to learn different sports. Bowling, shooting, flippa ball, fencing and sailing are offered and some of these sports are expensive sports that not everyone has the opportunity and resource to take part in. We want our kids to like learning and it should include learning new sports. Go for the trial and see if you get the chance explore new sports.