Hi O Level A Math students and parents,

Below is this year’s 2023 O Level A Math Formula Sheet from Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB).

Candidates are allowed to refer to this formula list during the O Level A Math Examination. Make sure you learn the formulas and understand how to apply them well!

2023 O Level A Math Formula Sheet

 

2022 MOE O Level A Math Formula Sheet Singapore

 

For queries on how to best use the 2023 O Level A Math formula list to your advantage,

Contact us via WhatsApp

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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.

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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)

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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. 

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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. 

PART 1 – PLANNED RESPONSE ORAL SPECIMEN QUESTION 2023

You will watch a video which shows people watching a lion dance performance.

As you watch the video, think about how you will respond to the following prompt.

Prompt:
Would attending such an event appeal to you? Why or why not? 

This is a typical planned response question 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 response to a 1 minute video clip and accompanying prompt presented on a computer screen. 

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. 

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

Need more help? Contact us and let us connect you with our team of MOE and NIE trained tutors. 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. 
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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?”

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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

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(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

 

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spers

When I was ten, my mother uprooted the whole family and brought us to Hong Kong. She has just gotten a job in HR at HSBC. The unsuspecting bright-eyed ten-year-old that I was hurrayed at that idea and immediately rejoiced at the prospect of a “long holiday”. This long vacation lasted five years and some time in late 2019 and early 2020, my mom made plans to bring my younger brother and I back to Singapore due to the spate of protests, unrest and the last trigger was obviously Covid. That was when I suddenly heard of the term ‘SPERS’ – the re-entry route to local schools just for Singaporeans. 

Through referrals from my mom’s colleagues in Singapore, we were introduced to The Learning Space and enrolled for their SPERS intensive programme focusing on English and Math. I had less than six months to finish the ENTIRE upper-sec syllabus and I truly had no idea where and how to start. Our family contemplated continuing with the IB syllabus that we were more familiar with in Hongkong but decided against it as it would limit our choices and stretch our budget. 

I remembered vividly that my mom made a few calls and some emails and before I knew it, I started my SPERS tuition online. To be frank, I resisted the idea of tuition. I mean come on, ask any pubescent teenager if they desire tuition, I think a majority will give a resounding NO! Now, looking back, I am so glad that I had tuition. Without which, I do not think I can ever qualify for a top JC like VJC. What I felt most grateful for was the fact that I didn’t have to do this on my own. I was lucky enough to get proper help and my tutors knew the SPERS syllabus at the back of their hand. I knew I could pass, I didn’t know that I actually aced it. 

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So till today, I am still grateful for my mom and her insistence of me getting professional tutoring for SPERS instead of just roping in my cousin in NUS (whom I appreciate) to coach me on weekends. It took a lot of stress away from us as a family. I also like to thank my grandma and grandpa for letting us stay at their place when we came back. Last but not least, I would also like to thank my tutors for their time and dedication. Without all these people, I don’t think I would be able to achieve such spectacular progress. 

Sincerely,

Elijah 

_______________

This email comes from one of our students who has achieved their desired results through our SPERS online tuition programme. 

Get in touch with us today for an immediate SPERS placement diagnosis test and be paired with our team of highly qualified MOE Teachers and tutors today. 

For more information on SPERS and AEIS programme, whatspp us today. The application period for the 2022 SPERS-Sec will start in July 2022. Tests will be conducted in September or October 2022. These periods are tentative; details will be available on MOE website by end of April 2022.

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Returning Singaporeans who are unable to return to Singapore for the SPERS-Sec tests may participate in the supplementary placement exercise which will be announced at a later date. 

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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

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“Should I choose JC over Poly?” is THE perennial question that all secondary students (or their parents) have to ask themselves.

Despite the pandemic, the 2021 batch of Sec Four and Sec Five students achieved the best O-level results in at least 30 years with close to 90% of the students attaining 5 or more passes. This is indeed impressive and reflects strongly the resilience of our students in Singapore.

According to the Ministry Of Education, over 50 percent of the 20,300 students who took O’levels in 2020, were posted to the five polytechnics. Another close to 40 percent of these O’levels holders were allocated slots in Junior Colleges and MI. Other 10 percent were posted to ITE. 

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In every cohort of graduating Secondary 4 and 5 students, there will always be some students who have long decided on a polytechnic education. More often than not, this group of students are aware of their career aspirations and are keen to go to poly to further their goals vocationally. They are almost certain of their career path and see poly as a natural stepping stone that provides key industrial insights to their future career. Typically, these students are motivated and have the blessings of their parents, and they would choose to go for Early Admissions Exercise (known as EAE or the DSA route to Poly) so as to secure their ideal course before the release of O’levels results. 

There exists another group (which arguably may make up the majority) where these Secondary Four students would hover on ambivalence, and would keep their options open till they receive their results. Like most typical sixteen and seventeen year olds, they are uncertain about their career path and see the O’level results as a push and determinant nudge towards their future. They adopt ‘see-how’ mindset and will only decide and take the final plunge when they received their results.

Whichever group you belong too, in today’s blog post, let’s look at the advantages of choosing JC over Poly vice versa. 

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Advantages of choosing JC  Disadvantages of choosing JC
1) Shorter duration – Two years over three years at a Polytechnic.  1) Potentially overwhelming workload – the JC Workload can be challenging and the pressure is on to perform above or within expectations within a span of less than two years for a high key national examination. 
2) A more direct route and better chance to enter local universities – With the current pandemic, it has become increasingly more appealing and competitive for students to stay in Singapore. Statistically, over 70 percent or more JC students get into Uni while 30% Poly students get into Uni (Local). There is admittedly more certainty to get into the local Universities when you go to JC.  2) No real change in the environment. The school rules continue, CCA remains similar and subjects available are still close to those offered in secondary. 
3) JC are more cost effective – It is cheaper (for Singaporeans especially). The cost of school fees for a non independent JC is less than $10 per month. School Fees for Polytechnic on the other hand is around $250 per month. Tuition grants are available for students. In addition to this, there is no need to factor in a ‘wardrobe budget’, in JC , you wear Uuniforms every day. Hurray for the budget and eco conscious. Another serious consideration that you need to have is that if you value a local University degree but have no budget to go overseas, JC is definitely a very attractive option. 3) Lack freedom, You feel ‘kiddie’ and a Fashionista nightmare – Unlike the Poly students, JC students can only wear their uniforms. Rules are stricter and you have your usual assembly and other familiar obligations. There are limited subjects to choose from and most are extensions from secondary school. 

 

4) It is similar to secondary school and you do not have to decide on your preferred course yet. A plus for students who have yet to decide on their career routes, JC would ‘buy more time’.  4) You will need to take another major national exams, the A’Levels in less than two years. You are stuck with subjects like GP which have gained the notoriety of being ‘hard to pass/score.’ Just as you are ‘recovering’ from O’Levels, you are ushered into another round of preparation for yet another National Exam. 

Choosing Poly or Jc is definitely a daunting task. Admittedly, It may seem more prestigious ‘to go on the ‘Junior College’ route, which is a path that leads to the studies of even more theoretical applications. However, it is pivotal to consider your own strengths and weaknesses before making the decisions. Do not choose a route because your best friend is choosing it. Talk to your seniors, parents or the school career counsellors, whatever your choice may be, our team of former and current MOE teacher tutors will be able to support you in your journey to academic excellence. Our online GP tuition starts from just $35 onwards. Get in touch with us today and let us support you in your academic endeavours with the best tutors in Singapore. 

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GRAMMAR QUIZ: 
Should you say “I am wearing an or a uniform.” ?

Read on for the answer below. 

When do you use An or A?
Simply put, you use ‘An’ when initials sound a e i o u. In uniform ‘u’ sounds like ‘you’ which starts with ‘y’ not ‘u’ sound like the one in an umbrella. Hence a uniform is correct.’
How can you improve on your Editing? 
In O’levels English Paper 1 (1128), Editing is a weighty section worth 10 marks. Many students are unable to score a good grade for this section because they may not be familiar with some key rules of grammar. Read on for some quick tips for editing and common preposition mistakes. 

To get professional help for English Tuition in Singapore, reach out to us and our team of tutors (MOE Trained Teachers, Full Time Tutors and University Undergrads) today. For a limited time, you can get a trial lesson for online Secondary English Tuition at just $40 onwards.  

Tips for Editing at O’Levels

(i) Prepositions of Time 

When do you use ‘In’ , ‘On’ and ‘At’ ?

In

  • Parts of days

Morning / Afternoon

E.g. It is 7am in the morning. 

  • Months

E.g. My birthday is in July

  • Years

E.g. I was born in the year 2005.

  • Centuries 

E.g. As we usher in the 21st Century …

On

  • Holidays that end with ‘day’

E.g. I was born on National Day.

  • Days of the week

E.g. I forgot that my homework was due on Monday. 

  • Days of the month 

E.g. Singapore’s National Day is on 9th August.

  • Dates 
At

  • Holidays without ‘day’ (Lunar New Year, Deepavali) 

E.g. I am always busy at Deepavali because I have many relatives to visit. 

  • Time (Midnight, Noon, 10am, 1pm) 

E.g.  I am going to meet my best friend for lunch at 1.30pm. 

Prepositions of Place >>  in, on, and at.

In

    • Neighbourhoods

    E.g. I live in Clementi 

    • Cities

    E.g. I work in London

    • Countries

    (China)

    E.g. My family lives in China 

On

    • Streets, Avenues

    E.g. I live on the Sixth Avenue 

    • Islands

    I live on Sentosa Island

    1. Large Vehicles or surfaces 

    E.g. Train, Bus, Ship

    E.g. I lost my wallet on the train 

At

    • Addresses

     

    E.g. I live at 210 Riverdale Street 

    1. Specific Location 

    E.g. I am at home now

For a limited time only, we are offering a special promotion for Secondary 1 to 5 O’levels Express Online Tuition at just $40 for one class (50% off). You will gain access to notes and coaching by our team of ex and current MOE Teachers. Whatsapp us or email us today.

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How do I get into a polytechnic after my N’Levels? What are my options?

Option 1. Apply to a Polytechnic via DPP

According to the Ministry of Education, N’level students can go for the Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP). This is one of the two Normal (Academic) through-train pathways that were launched in 2013. It enables Secondary 4 N(A) students who are interested to go to Polytechnic but may not be meeting their academic targets as yet, to 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.

Students would then need to complete the course with the minimum required Grade Point Average (GPA, typically around 2.5 to qualify for Polytechnic Admission) so that they can be guaranteed a place in a polytechnic diploma course which in turn will be mapped to their Higher Nitec course.

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Who can apply ?

Secondary 4 N(A) students who have taken the most recent N-Level examinations as a school candidate. The DPP application starts right after receiving the N’levels results and will go on for around a week or so. Students can find out more by clicking this link. The posting results will typically be released after Christmas.

How do I know if I can go for DDP?

 According to MOE, Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students who scored an aggregate of not more than 19 points in English language, mathematics and the best three subjects, and at least a Grade 5 for all subjects used in the computation of this five-subject score, can apply for the Direct Entry Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP). Students can also enter the PFP (Poly foundation Programme) which is a year long foundation programme conducted at polytechnics which serve to prepare students for entry to diploma courses. Students need to pass all the modules in the PFP programme to move on to a diploma course in polytechnic.  

 

Option 2: Continue to Secondary 5

Why should your child continue to promote to Sec 5? In 2021, over 79.2 per cent of the close to 9500 candidates were able to move on to Sec 5. Students who wish to go to Junior Colleges or Millennia Institute(three year Pre University course) will typically choose this route. 

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of going to Secondary 5?

 

Advantages of going Sec 5

  1. Students will still stand a chance to continue their aspirations of going to a Junior College or taking the A’Levels.
  2. Secondary 5 helps to buy time. It is the most direct route for students to pursue when they are still uncertain of their career options. Entering a polytechnic when you are not certain of what course you want can potentially result in three years of ‘hell and misery’, although for some, having a new social circle may mitigate this. 
Disadvantages of going Sec 5
1) You have to relearn the O’levels syllabus in just one year or less. Unless you have the help of a qualified tutor, it will be extremely challenging to take on the O’levels on your own. The syllabus are largely different and students have to re-learn many subjects. 
2) What if you fail the O’levels?
Some students who have gone on to Secondary 5, realised the leap in academic expectations and simply cannot manage the stress and subjects. Having just taken the N’levels last year and to pursue another major National Levels such as O-Levels so soon is a potentially tedious process, especially in this pandemic.

With the release of O-levels results, happening on 10 January 2022, more N’levels students and their O’levels counterparts will be facing this beckoning conundrum. Whether it’s polytechnic or to continue with Secondary 5, students are well advised to attend virtual open houses and go for career fairs in order to obtain an inkling of their career directions.

Our team of qualified tutors and MOE trained teachers are standing by to give students academic support and strategies. From now till 31 January, all O’levels and N’Levels 2021 candidates are eligible to sign up for our online English and Math tuition courses at just $40 (usual price $60) for a trial lesson. 
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