Category: Blog

What is Full Subject-Based Banding? How to choose between A Math and E Math

Posted on by thelearningspace.sg

 

 

Come next year 2024, MOE will introduce Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB) in over 100 mainstream schools in Singapore. This is good news for many as some would rejoice and recognise MOE’s ongoing efforts to encourage the joy of learning and develop multiple pathways that will be better suited to the varied strengths and interests of our students in Singapore.

How will Full SBB affect students, particularly Secondary Two students choosing their subjects?

First and foremost, with full implementation of SBB, there will no longer be separate Express, N(A), and N(T) streams, and students will be in mixed form classes where they can interact with peers of different strengths and interests. This means that if you meet the eligibility set by your school, you are able to take on a subject at a higher level. 

According to MOE website, for Secondary Two students who are choosing their subjects for Upper Secondary can choose to take the subjects at a more demanding level provided they meet the set criteria (indicated by their school.) From 2024 onwards, Secondary 1 students will be able to offer subjects at three levels: G1/G2/G3 (G stands for General), mapped from today’s N(T), N(A) and Express standards respectively. Students can take a range of G1/G2/G3 subjects based on their abilities. There will no longer be NT, NA or Express stream. 

Advertisements

This being said, does it mean that you should choose to do a subject at a higher level, simply because you are eligible? Also, should you choose to take A-Math or just be contented with E-Math? What are the differences? 

What is Additional Mathematics (A-Math)?

Additional Mathematics Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (2021) (Syllabus 4047) /  Additional Mathematics O-Level Syllabus 4049 (2023) – SEAB 

For A-Math, you will learn Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, and Calculus which set the foundation for you to take on Math at A’Level. Besides conceptual understanding and skill proficiency explicated in the content strand, the development of process skills, namely, reasoning, communication and connections, thinking skills and heuristics, and applications and modelling are also emphasised. 

Advertisements

What is Elementary Mathematics (E-Math)?

E-Mathematics O-Level Syllabus 4052 (2023) – SEAB

The syllabus is intended to provide students with fundamental mathematical knowledge and skills. The content is organised into three strands, namely, Number and Algebra, Geometry and Measurement, and Statistics and Probability. Besides conceptual understanding and skill proficiency explicated in the content strands, important mathematical processes such as reasoning, communication and application (including the use of models) are also emphasised and assessed.

What are the differences between  E-Math and A-Math?

Other than the obvious fact that the content covered for the two subjects are different, A-Math which is an abbreviation for Advanced Math, is reputed to be a lot more systematic and straightforward than EM. The phrasing chosen in A-Math questions are often fixed and not very tricky. There are lesser question types simply because students can only choose A-Math at Upper Secondary so that have only two years to finish the syllabus. A-Math is more similar to JC-Math and will indeed prepare students more rigorously for JC.

The questions that come up in A-Math exams are repetitive and very similar to the ones students would have done in their daily practices. Most students who take A-Math would agree that as long as they memorise the needed Maths formulas (which we have included a list of 2023 O Level A Math Formula Sheet here), they stand a good chance of passing with flying colours. 

Advertisements

On the flip side, EM requires more logic and out-of-the-box thinking. Even with practice, the questions that students encounter during exams can be differ from their practices enough to confuse them. There are also many variations of phrasing in EM questions and they all affect the answer. In addition to this, AM may have fewer questions but the time spent to do the workings and the accordance of marks to the workings differ greatly from E-Maths. 

In E-Maths, there are shorter-ended questions with less emphasis placed on the workings.  However, it is pertinent to note that for E-Math, marks still  awarded for workings and students should not skip steps as they still will be penalised. 

In a nutshell, taking A-Math definitely helps you to pave the foundation needed for Junior College, if you are thinking of joining Polytechnic after Secondary Four, you may not need to go down this “rabbit hole”, provided the course you choose does not need this requirement. 

Advertisements

Need more help? Find a reliable tutor that can help you navigate through this whirlwind. For tuition on A-Maths or E-Math, you can whatsapp us or contact our team of qualified current and ex MOE tutors who will be able to guide you further. 

Advertisements

O’levels Literature in English (Syllabus 2065) – 2023 and 2024 Prescribed Texts Literature Tuition

Posted on by thelearningspace.sg

 

Are you looking for Literature Tuition in Singapore? We provide literature tuition for IB Language Literature, Secondary and iGCSE Literature. For this blog, we will focus on Secondary Literature at mainstream schools.

For 2065 LITERATURE IN ENGLISH GCE ORDINARY LEVEL SYLLABUS, two papers of equal weightage both 50%, will be set (Papers 2065/01 and 2065/02). Candidates are expected to answer a total of four questions. 

Paper 1: Prose and Unseen Poetry Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes

Details of Paper and Sections: 

Section A:

Prose [25%] • For each of the six set texts in this section, one passage based question and two essay questions will be set. • Candidates will answer one question [25%] based on one of the six set texts. • For every year of examination, one or two Singapore texts will be set.

Advertisements

 

Section B: Unseen Poetry [25%] • There are no set texts in this section. • There will be a choice of two unseen poems with one question set on each poem.

Candidates will answer one of the two questions [25%]. 

For every year of examination, one question will be set on a Singapore text.

Paper 2: Drama    Duration: 1 hour 30 mins

Candidates will read one text from any of the five set texts.

• For each of the five set texts, one passage-based question and two essay questions will be set. •

Candidates will answer one compulsory passage-based question and one essay question on the selected text. • Each question is 25% of the total weighting. • For every year of examination, one or two Singapore texts will be set.

 

‘O’ Level Humanities (Social Studies, Literature in English) (Syllabus 2274/02) & ‘N’ Level Humanities (Social Studies, Literature in English) (Syllabus 2177/02)

Advertisements

The prescribed text for Elective Literature as follows:

Need help for Literature? Get Literature Tuition in Singapore from our humanities team. Our teachers provide quality notes and guidance for Secondary and IB Literature.how Let our team of English and Literature tutors help you today. Whatsapp us today. 

Advertisements

新加玻英文补习-2022 PSLE English 英文作文 A Long Wait AL1

Posted on by thelearningspace.sg

 

PSLE English 2022 Question – A Long Wait (Model Essay) 小六PSLE英文优秀作文

 

有人说生活的字典里最重要的三个词，就是意志、工作、等待。

新加坡小六会考2022年的PSLE English 就是以“（漫长）的等待” 作为主题， “A Long Wait” 

请阅读我们学生的优秀作文。 要如何才能写出高雅亮洁的好文章？让我们的英文补习老师帮助您的孩子提高写作技能！今天就联络我们吧。

PSLE MODEL ESSAY: 2022 A Long Wait

As I gathered myself and try my best to hastened toward the door to greet my mother, the rampant thudding in my heart got louder. Unease slithered down my spine. My legs turned jelly. I could feel myself wobbling uncontrollably.

“What did the doctor tell them? Is it finally over?” I thought to myself grimly. As the door swung open,  a draft of air hits my face, the air was warm and with a tincture of bleach. I have been trapped in this hospital ward for weeks yet the acrid smell of the hospital never fails to assault my senses. I looked with anticipation at my mother’s weary face, hoping that she will give me some answers that I’ve longed for. 

“Can I leave now?”

“Carin, hang in there. The doctor has not told us the results yet.” my mother whispered as she stroked my cheeks gently, wiping away my tears. 

Advertisements

“This is not fair!” I whimpered as I ran my hand over the rough paint on the hospital wall. I could feel my insides squirm in a way they haven’t done before. I absolutely hate this place. This cold, unfeeling and upsetting place. 

 “How long more must we wait?” I begged for an answer in a soft voice.

My mother bit her lips in an attempt to stop them from quivering. I could feel her body press in, soft and warm as she enveloped me in a hug so tight, it was as if she was worried it would be for the last time.

“Just a few more days, sweetheart. The doctor said we can go home today but we have to come back in three days for the results” she answered tenderly, pointing at the doctor’s letter with a date circled in red ink and a note scribbled ‘White Blood Cell Count Results.”

Advertisements

“I cannot do this anymore, Mummy! Please let me stop all these tests!” I screamed inconsolably, my energy depleting along with my tears. 

The day finally came and we headed back to the dreaded hospital waiting room again. Everything was the same. The rooms, the outfits, the pain. Nothing felt different and I was losing sight of when, if ever, this nightmarish ordeal would ever end.

“Carin Tan Xiyue” I heard the nurse called my name and I nearly jumped out of my seat.

“He’s ready to see you now,” the nurse announced as she opened the door, motioning for my mother and I to enter. I dragged my feet into the doctor’s room reluctantly, moving to sit opposite the doctor, a man in his late forties with heavy brown-rimmed glasses that kept sliding down from his nose. 

Advertisements

 “I have good news for you Carin. Your wait is finally over . That was your last chemotherapy session,” the doctor cheerfully declared. Your cancer cells have been destroyed.”

As he uttered these words, I could not believe my ears. Tears of relief rolled down my cheeks. I thought to myself, “Of the hardships a person had to face, none was more punishing than the simple act of waiting.” I am so glad that this long wait is finally over. 

时间如此短暂而又如此公平,不同的人对待它截然不同,有人视时间为生命,分秒必争,为人类作出了许多贡献;而有人却不然,他们碌碌无为虚度光阴,时间的价值在他们的身上完全消失 了,这样的人生又有何意义而言呢?家长们，时间就是如此,如果你是一位智者,请珍惜身旁的每分每秒吧! 2023一转眼就到了，今天就 Whatsapp 我们,让我们的老师们帮助你的孩子吧！#新加玻英文补习

 

Advertisements

O’Levels Oral Exams 2023 – Planned Response Oral Questions (English 1184)

Posted on by thelearningspace.sg

English O’Levels 1184: How to answer Oral Planned Response Question 

 

In this new syllabus for GCE O Level English Language Paper 4, students have to present their ideas and opinions fluently and effectively to engage the listener through Planned Response. 10 out of 15 marks are allocated to delivery. Some common questions that students have would be “How then do you structure a planned response so that it can be easily understood?”

Read on for our useful template to structure your planned response or contact us now and we will link you up with one of our MOE (current or ex tutors) for a one-to-one session for oral crash course preparation.

We have a strong team of qualified ex and current MOE teachers who can help you improve your grades. You can also access our LC Videos for Listening Comprehension Specimen Paper (based on 1184) here. 

Advertisements

You can also check out 2023 O’Levels English Oral (Syllabus 1184) Questions below with their recommended approach. 

List of Oral Questions for 2023 English O’levels

Day 1: Character Development / UG

  
Day 2: Elderly  

Day 3: Greenery / Neighbourhood

Day 4: Haze / Environment

  

Day 5: Education

Day 6: Technology

Day 7: Sports

  

PART 1 – PLANNED RESPONSE ORAL SPECIMEN QUESTION 2023

How can you get good grades for Planned Response component? Two key points to note. 

  1. Know the Requirements: You will watch a video which shows people watching a lion dance performance (sample question). After watching the video, you will be required to plan a two minutes Planned Response with the given prompt. The prompt will ask you for your opinion on either the recommendations that you have e.g. “What do you think can be done to …?” or your preference about something (a career, an activity) or the “Who do you think is/are watching this / what feelings they have?” Candidates’ main concern should be “Am I answering the question?, organisation, time management and making sure that they are answering the Planned Response with relevant and well considered examples and pronunciation / intonation. 

2) Cherish the preparation time to brainstorm: As you watch the video, think about how you will respond to the following prompt. You can consider using the 5Ws and 1H approach to brainstorm, examine the prompt closely and prepare a 2-mins speech that will answer the prompt. You should not exceed the time. A good guide will be to prepare two PEEL paragraphs that answers the examiner’s question. You will be given paper and need to submit the paper to examiners at end of the 10-mins prep session.

Possible Prompts for this question:
Would attending such an event appeal to you? Why or why not? 

Who do you think are the audience watching this event? What do you think the audience are thinking as they watch such an event? 

These are some of the typical planned response questions during Oral Examinations. On the day of your oral, you will be given ten minutes to view a video. The audio of the video is inconsequential. You should focus on the theme of the video. Candidates are expected to plan and deliver a two-minutes response to the 1 minute video clip and accompanying prompt presented on a computer screen. 

Advertisements

 

How to approach the planned response question?

Step 1: Brainstorm on possible questions while watching the video. You can consider using 5Ws and 1H method. 

Step 2: Pay attention to the prompt and work your answer around it. You should have two PEEL paragraphs as part of your response, drawing reference to the video when apt. You are expected to use your own personal stories or other facts to support your opinion. 

Step 3: Consider using this template in setting up your PEEL response

Need more help?

Get a tutor to help you with English, Math and more! Contact us and let us connect you with our team of MOE and NIE trained tutors for English Tuition today. We have a strong team of experienced ex and current MOE Teachers who are able to help you achieve better grades.

Watch our youtube for O’levels Oral Practice questions and you will soon be on your way to scoring distinctions. Stay tuned and subscribe for more free tips on oral English for PSLE and O’levels. 

Advertisements

Check out the O’levels Oral questions for 2023 Day One here. 

 
Advertisements

Cut Off Points for Secondary School Admission in 2023 – O’level and IP Programme

Posted on by thelearningspace.sg

 

2022 PSLE Posting is finally over and Secondary One students have received their posting. Most are rejoicing and preparing for an exciting journey to secondary school. There are a handful, however, who are not rejoicing because they did not get into their dream school. If you are looking to appeal, or keen to find out more about the Secondary School Cut Off Points for 2023, do read on! 

Cut Off Points for Top Twenty Schools in Singapore (IP and O’Levels)

Secondary School  Cut off Points 2023 for IP Cut off Points for O’levels (Non-Aff)
     
Anglican High School   5(HCL Dist) -12 (HCL Pass) Points
     
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)   7-13 (Affiliated) 
    6-9 (Non-Affiliated)
     
     
Cedar Girls’ Secondary School 4-9 4-8
     
     
Raffles Girls’ Secondary (IP) 4-6  
     
     
Raffles Institution  (IP) 6  
     
     
Methodist Girls’ Sec 4-6 7-17 (Affiliated)
    6-8 (Non-Affiliated)
     
     
Nanyang Girls High School (SAP) 7 Dist in HCL   
  8 Merit in HCL  
     
     
Hwa Chong Institution (SAP) 4 Dist in HCL  
  7 Merit in HCL  
     
     
CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ Sec (SAP) 4 Dist in HCL 7 Merit in HCL 5 Dist in HCL
    8 Dist in HCL
     
     
Nan Hua High School (SAP)    6-11     
     
     
National Junior College 5-7   
     
     
Dunman High Sch 4-8 Dist in HCL  
     
     
Catholic High Sch 5-8 Merit 6-9 Merit
     
     
Crescent’s Girls    6-11
     
     
Singapore Chinese Girls’ Sec 4-8 5-9 (Non-Affiliated) 
     
     
St Joseph’s Institution 8 10 (Non-Affiliated)
    12 (Affiliated) 
     
     
Victoria Sch 5-8 6-9
     
     
River Valley High School(SAP) 4 Merit in HCL   
  9 Dist in HCL  
     
     
Temasek Junior College 4-9  
     

Getting to your dream school is your first step to success, get the best tutors to help you achieve your dreams. Contact us via whatsapp or email today. If you are a Secondary One IP student, quote “S1IP” to get $10 off your online tuition class for Language Arts or Higher Chinese.

Advertisements

2022 N’levels and O’Levels Results – What are my options after N’levels?

Posted on by thelearningspace.sg

 

 

O’Levels and N’Levels Results 2022 – What should I do after N’Levels or O’levels? What are my options?

Today is D-Day where N’levels candidates both NT and NA will collect their results in school. With a new common national examination to be launched in 2027, a mere four to five years away, this year’s batch of over 13,000 students (both NT and NA) will be one of the last few batches taking the GCE N-Level. 

How did this year’s N(A) students fare?

According to MOE, there are 9,000 students that took the N(A) course of which close to 79 per cent of them scored an aggregate score of 19 points or less in English Language, Mathematics and the best three other subjects (ELMAB3). This would allow them to progress to Secondary 5 N(A), as they have a score of 19 points or less. Students who choose to progress to Secondary 5 will take have to take the O’levels Syllabus within a year and they will have a choice of entering a Junior College (L1R5 below 20) or Polytechnic next year. 

This blog post seeks to answer some of the many questions that will pop up after getting your O’levels or N’levels results; “Should I retake my O’levels?” “What can I do if I cannot make it to Sec 5?” “Should I choose to go to Secondary 5 if I am eligible?” “What is DPP programme?”

Advertisements

What are my options after N’Levels exams? 

(1) Move on to Secondary 5

As mentioned earlier, those who obtain an aggregate of 19 points or lower in English, Mathematics and the best three subjects (ELMAB3), and at least a Grade 5 for all subjects used in the computation of the ELMAB3 to qualify for Secondary 5 N(A). But this means that you will need to go through the O’levels syllabus in just one year. 

(2) Apply for Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP)

If you scored a raw aggregate score of 19 points or less in ELMAB3, and met subject-specific entry requirements for their chosen course. This means that Secondary 4 N(A) students will be admitted directly into a 2-year Higher Nitec programme at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) without having to sit for the O-Level examinations or undergo a Nitec programme. How to apply? You can apply directly to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) based on a combination of your N-Level examinations results and your school’s preliminary examination results. Click here for more details. Under this scheme, you may first enrol in a 2-year Higher Nitec course at ITE. You will subsequently be assured of a place in a related polytechnic course, provided you achieve the qualifying Grade Point Average (GPA) score in your 2-year Higher Nitec course. This means that you need to maintain your grade and no goofing around in ITE! 

(3) Go on to Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) if you scored 12 points or lower for ELMAB3

This is the most direct route to polytechnic education open only to students who achieved 12 points or lower for ELMAB3. To compute the score, take English Language + Mathematics + Best 3 subjects (which also include one of the relevant subjects based on either Group 1 or Group 2 courses). Instead of continuing with your ‘O’ Level examinations in Secondary 5, you can join the poly of your choice as part of this programme to prepare yourself for your pre-selected diploma course. However, you need to still progress to Secondary 5 till end of Jan 2023 while you await for your posting. It is extremely important to note that eligibility to apply for PFP does not guarantee placement in the programme. Whether you will get a placement or not, depends on factors like competition based on merit and the availability of places. All the five  polytechnics in Singapore will offer a total of 1,500 PFP places and applications will open in January 2023, on the day of the O-Level Examination results release. If you choose a highly popular course, you need to be aware of the competition. For more details, click here. 

Advertisements

(4) Apply to take O’levels as a Private Candidate 

For students who did not achieve their ideal grades for N’Levels but desire to take O’levels (but you cannot meet the criteria of going on to Sec 5 because you did not score 19 points). You can choose to take the O’levels as a private candidate at schools like MDIS and TMC Academy. Both schools provide Preparatory Courses for students. However, do be prepared to pay $7,000 to $15,000 plus for the programmes, depending on school and duration. For more information, click here for TMC O’levels Preparatory Course and MDIS  

Whatever options you choose, you need support both from your parents and quality, professional tutors who can help you achieve your dreams. Whatsapp us today or email us. 

 

Advertisements

List of IB schools in Singapore and tuition fees for IBDP (International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme)

Posted on by thelearningspace.sg

With the increasing number of foreigners making Singapore their second home and more affluent families setting up Singapore family offices, the popularity of international schools and International Baccalaureate Programme is now on a rise. This brings to question, what are the list of IB schools in Singapore? What are the tuition fees for (most) international schools which offer them?

Singapore has a stellar reputation when it comes to education even when it comes to IB.It is no secret that IB students in Singapore have been performing well above expectations for the last few years. To get into an IB Programme, students will either have to enrol into an International School or join a handful of local schools like SOTA, Singapore Sports School, ACS, MGS and SJI which offer Integrated Programmes Pre-IB Programme (akin to the Middle Years). 

In the year 2021, over 50% of Singapore IB students (133 out of 238) are perfect scorers. This means that these students are getting a total of 45 points out of 45 points  with 42 points generated across the 6 subjects and 3 bonus points derived from Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay.) In 2022, students who sat the International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma exams in Singapore in November 2022 have once again done well. Their average score was 39.5 out of 45, higher than the global average of 30.9 and Asia-Pacific average of 35.6.

Where Can I Study The IB in Singapore?

There are close to 30 schools in Singapore offering the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) from local schools like Singapore Sports School, SOTA, ACSI, SJI to International schools like Australia International School, Tanglin to United World College.

Even preschools like Etonhouse have started a full IB programme from IB Primary Years (PYP) to Middle Years (MYP) to IBDP. Students are now able to study the two-year pre-university course at Etonhouse in their Orchard Campus.

List of schools that offer the IBDP programmes in Singapore with Annual Tuition Fees* (Please contact the respective educational institutions to get the latest tuition fees)

ACS (International) Singapore

IBDP offered since: 2006

Annual tuition fees: $25,410 – $36,960

Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

IBDP offered since: 2005

Annual tuition fees: $26,400

Australian International School, Singapore

IBDP offered since: 2010

Annual tuition fees: $42,852

Canadian International School (Lakeside Campus)

IBDP offered since: 2002

Annual tuition fees: $40,900

Chatsworth International School (Bukit Timah Campus)

IBDP offered since: 2004

Annual tuition fees: $32,788

Dover Court International School

IBDP offered since: 2017

Annual tuition fees: $33,855

 

Dulwich College (Singapore)

IBDP offered since: 2017

Annual tuition fees: $46,840

 

GEMS World Academy, Singapore

IBDP offered since: 2016

Annual tuition fees: $40,640

 

GESS

IBDP offered since: 2006

Annual tuition fees: $34,810

 

GIIS SMART Campus

IBDP offered since: 2005

Annual tuition fees: $18,945

 

Hillside World Academy

IBDP offered since: 2007

Annual tuition fees: $33,900

 

Hwa Chong International School (HCIS)

IBDP offered since: 2008

Annual tuition fees: $28,890

 

ISS International School Singapore (High School)

IBDP offered since: 2000

Annual tuition fees: $38,647

 

Madrasah Aljunied Al-Islamiah

IBDP offered since: 2018

Annual tuition fees: N/A

 

Nexus International School (Singapore)

IBDP offered since: 2008

Annual tuition fees: $40,338

 

NPS International School

IBDP offered since: 2010

Annual tuition fees: $24,900

 

One World International School (OWIS)

IBDP offered since: 2019

Annual tuition fees: $20,136

 

Overseas Family School

IBDP offered since: 1994

Annual tuition fees: $41,000

 

School of The Arts Singapore (SOTA)

IBDP offered since: 2010

Annual tuition fees: $27,600 (international students)

 

Singapore Sports School (SSP)

IBDP offered since: 2013

Annual tuition fees: N/A

 

St Francis Methodist School

IBDP offered since: 2019

Annual tuition fees: $20,709

 

St Joseph’s Institution

IBDP offered since: 2008

Annual tuition fees: $26,400 (international students)

 

St. Joseph’s Institution International

IBDP offered since: 2007

 

Annual tuition fees: $34,058

Stamford American International School

IBDP offered since: 2014

Annual tuition fees: $42,590

 

Tanglin Trust School

IBDP offered since: 2009

Annual tuition fees: $41,067

 

United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA), Dover Campus

IBDP offered since: 1977

Annual tuition fees: $40,125

United World College of South East Asia (UWCSEA), East Campus

IBDP offered since: 2012

Annual tuition fees: $40,125

 

Click here to see List of IB Schools in Singapore

At the Learning Space, our team of school teachers and tutors can guide you or your child in their journey towards IBDP excellence. We have a strong team of current IB tutors and MOE trained teachers who are ready to support your child in their learning journey.

Looking for Pre-IB or IB Language and Literature tuition? Whatsapp us at 9364 6977. 

For tuition in Language Literature, Economics, Business Management to Chinese, get in touch with us today. Get free resources and IB test papers in Singapore, click here. 

Advertisements

Top 5 Junior Colleges in Singapore – Cut Off Points for JC in 2022

Posted on by thelearningspace.sg
Cut Off Points for JC in 2022

 

The 2021 GCE O-Level results is scheduled to be released somewhere between Wednesday, 12 January and Friday, 14 January 2022. Some students are thinking of entering Polytechnics, others are hoping to go to Junior Colleges. For students who are thinking of entering Junior Colleges, it is important to know consider your options carefully. 

What should you do after you received your O’levels results?

Your form teachers will hand you a JAE (Joint Admissions Exercise) booklet and this booklet will provide more information on entry to JC, Millennia Institute, Polytechnics and ITEs. 

What is the admission criteria for Junior College?

To qualify for a Junior College, you need to have an aggregate of no more than 20. (L1R5) Your L1 can be English or Higher Language Mother Tongue (MTL) and you need to add a R1 (which can come from Any 1 of these subjects: Humanities, Higher Art, Higher Music, Malay (Special Programme), Chinese (Special Programme), Bahasa Indonesia, R2 will be a Math or Science subject and R3 can be another science subject or the subjects in R1, the R4 and R5 can be any O’levels subjects except Religious Knowledge. 

Advertisements

Click here for link to JAE admissions website. 

So you got 20 and below for L1R5, now what?

The first question that pops in your head will be “What are the cut-off points for Junior Colleges in 2022?” This information has yet be to be released and vary from year to year. However, most students will take reference from the cut off points from the previous year as an indicator of their standing. This is a relatively good gauge because most JC maintain their “rankings” for the past few years, with exception of Eunoia Junior College. EJC whose cut off points in 2018 was 10, 11, on par with Temasek Junior College but in 2021, Eunoia Junior College’s cut off point shoot up to 7 (same as traditionally top colleges like Victoria Junior College and National Junior College). This is not surprising, given the fact that the dominant student base of EJC hails from IP schools like Catholic High, Singapore Chinese Girls and CHIJ St Nicholas Girls. 

What are the top 5 Junior Colleges in Singapore?

The top 5 or actually 6 junior colleges (three JCs share the same cut off points) in Singapore ranked according to their cut off points is presented below. The JC Cut Off Points in 2021 (according to MOE) for the top five junior colleges are all unsurprisingly below ten. They include:

  1. Hwa Chong Institution (Cut off Points for Science 4, Art 5)
  2. Raffles Institution (Cut off Points for Science 4, Art 5)
  3. Nanyang Junior College (Cut off Points for Science 6, Art 6)
  4. Eunoia Junior College, National Junior College (Cut off Points for Science 7, Art 8)
  5. Victoria Junior College (Cut off Points for Science 7, Art 8)

How do you choose a Junior College that suits you? 

We interviewed our students from different JCs and this is what they have to say.

1) CCA

“I was lucky enough to get my top choices. I was considering RI and HCI as my first choices, but I ended up choosing RI because of my CCA. Through the help of my seniors, I went for a CCA tryout session at RI and found out more their CCAs, training programme et cetera. I was also attracted by the “prestige” of the RI name.” said Zarmin, Year 5 student from RI 

Advertisements

2) Family Influence

“My dad was from ACJC and he met my mother there. Naturally, it was their first choice for me since I was from ACS and all.” said Christopher Gomez, Graduate from ACJC. 

3) School Culture 

“I chose VJ over HCI even though I could qualify for both due to the school culture. I felt that for some reason, VJC’s performing arts culture beckons to me more and it helps that my friends were going there too. ” said Tan JY, who chose the drama elective programme in VJC.

It is paramount to note that the cut-off points do not reflect the quality of the JCs and their programmes. Going to top ranking colleges do not promise top A’Levels results. In fact, top colleges give students more independence and ‘free rein’ compared to the middle or lower ranking colleges. According to MOE and SEAB, “(they) encourage students to continue choosing JCs based on each school’s distinctive programmes, CCAs (co-curricular activities) and school culture – factors that can further develop their strengths and interests,”. 

Advertisements

What happens if I cannot make it to the top 5 Junior Colleges?

Que será, será, whatever will be, will be. Fortunately, your choice of a Junior College will not define you. Going to a “lower tiered” junior college, going MI or taking A’levels as a private candidate, ultimately leads you to A’levels and your future depends on yourself. Take heart, the outrageously talented Asian Comedian from The Daily Show, Ronny Chieng was a graduate from Pioneer Secondary School and Pioneer Junior College. He eventually took a law degree in Australia and is currently working side by side with top comedians like Trevor Noah. Kid, The world is your oyster. 

Whatever JC you choose, the ultimate challenge of A’Levels awaits in less than two years. To help you prepare effectively for your A’levels, we are offering a one time trial of just $60 for all Year 5 or JC 1 students (Usual Price $90 per lesson valid till 30 June 2022) for our General Paper Online Tuition. You will gain access to our team of top JC Tutors and Lecturers, receive model essays and exclusive notes. Whatsapp or email us today. For existing secondary students who are keen to continue GP tuition with us, you will enjoy a special discount for our GP classes, watch out for our eDM in January 2022. 

Click here to find out more about H1, H2 and H3 subjects at A’Levels

 

 

Advertisements
The Learning Space