Category: O Level
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!
For queries on how to best use the 2023 O Level A Math formula list to your advantage,
Contact us via WhatsApp
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)
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.
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. Advertisements
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. |
Are you or your child in Secondary Three this year? If you are a parent, are you aware that there has been a syllabus change for O’Levels English when you are buying new assessment books for your children? Are your tutors trained in the requirements of the new syllabus?
Most of the assessment books that you see in the popular local bookstores are still based on the old syllabus. If you are taking O’levels next year in 2023, it is pertinent that you are equipping yourself with the right resources and hiring the best tutor for your child. Most resources available in the bookstores right now are still based on the old syllabus (EL 1128). A check by our staff at the local bookstores show that most of the assessment books are not updated to the new syllabus yet because changes take time.
What is the new EL syllabus and where can we can free resources for that?
In school, our teachers are teaching based on the new syllabus and if you have not caught up, subscribe and stay tuned to our youtube channel and blogs for a series of FREE resources for O’levels English O’levels New Syllabus 1184. You can also reach out to our team of MOE trained (current) or ex-MOE teachers and get 1 on 1 tuition with them. Whatsapp or email us today.
English Paper 1 Syllabus 1184- Situational Writing
To start off, we are looking at Paper 1: Situational Writing (Formal Letters/Email)
Situational Writing Notes for English O’levels New Syllabus 1184
Format: Letter Writing – Formal Email / Writing
Section B: Situational Writing (30 marks)
Requirements: Candidates must write 250–350 words on a given situation which will involve viewing a visual stimulus. Our focus for today is Email/ Letter Writing, specifically, formal letter writing. Students could be tasked to write a formal letter to a manager or a restaurant complaining for its shoddy service or complimenting a restaurant for impeccable service. Other scenarios include writing application letters for internship, applying for a course/programme or nominating someone for an award.
How to get a better score for Situational Writing?
You will never go far in Situational Writing if you don’t write with the correct tone and register. For formal letters, you should sound ‘business-like’ and official.
2. Start with a Good Hook /Introduction!
Examples of Introductions for Formal Letter:
| How to greet and Introduce yourself |
Dear Sir / Dear Madam Dear Mr Leong (address the recipient by their last name / surname) I am Simon Woo, a Secondary Three Student from Kangkong Secondary School. I am writing to apply for an internship at XXX. Advertisements
|
| How to end a formal letter / email | Thank you for your valuable time. Should you need to clarify any details, feel free to contact me. I am looking forward to the good news that my internship has been accepted. |
| Signing Off |
Yours Faithfully (Yours faithfully’ should be used for emails or letters where the recipient is unknown, meaning you start the letter with ‘Dear Sir/Madam’.) Yours Sincerely (should be used when you have the name of the recipient). |
Study Notes for EL Syllabus 1184 Paper 1: Formal Letter Writing
|
Types of Formal Letter |
How to write introductions |
How to write conclusions |
|
As a concerned member of the public, I am appalled to see that … As a resident of West Coast Group Representation Constituency (GRC), I am writing to offer some feedback about … |
I urge you to take immediate action and hope to hear from you soon. |
|
2. To commend |
I am writing this letter to nominate a student for the Excellent Character Award / MOE Caring Teacher Award 2023 |
I strongly believe that Mr Ouyong is a very deserving candidate. He often goes beyond the call of duty and does his utmost in nurturing the holistic development of their students. Advertisements
|
|
3. To invite guest for an event |
On behalf of my CCA, I am honoured to invite you to the annual gathering dinner that will take place at the [Venue] on [Date, Timing].
It is my privilege to have you with us at this special occasion. |
I sincerely hope that you will be able to grace us with your presence. |
|
4. To apply for internship |
I am writing to you regarding (internship opportunity title) that opened up recently/advertised on (website). I am drawn to this exciting opportunity as I am seeking a challenging but rewarding internship during my year end holidays.
I am most delighted to find that my academic accomplishments meet the necessary requirements. |
I sincerely hope that you will consider my application. Looking forward to your favourable reply. I can be contacted at (insert your hp/email). Advertisements
|
For more study notes by teachers and if you are keen on getting that coveted A1 for English, subscribe to us today and watch our youtube videos for Paper 1 tips, Sample Oral Questions and Listening Comprehension. If you need more guidance on Secondary School English, reach out to our team of teachers, we have classes running both online and 1 to 1 private tuition. Whatsapp or email us today.
如需您需要更多英文（EL1184）的学习笔记，如果您渴望孩子获得梦寐以求的英语 A1，请立即订阅我们， 并观看我们的 youtube 视频。如果您需要更多关于中学英语的指导，请联系我们的教师团队，我们提供在线课程和在新加坡一对一私人英文补习。
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?”
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.
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
“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.
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.
| 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.
| 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’ ?
Morning / Afternoon
E.g. It is 7am in the morning.
E.g. My birthday is in July
E.g. I was born in the year 2005.
E.g. As we usher in the 21st Century …
E.g. I was born on National Day.
E.g. I forgot that my homework was due on Monday.
E.g. Singapore’s National Day is on 9th August.
E.g. I am always busy at Deepavali because I have many relatives to visit.
E.g. I am going to meet my best friend for lunch at 1.30pm.
Prepositions of Place >> in, on, and at.
E.g. I live in Clementi
E.g. I work in London
(China)
E.g. My family lives in China
E.g. I live on the Sixth Avenue
I live on Sentosa Island
E.g. Train, Bus, Ship
E.g. I lost my wallet on the train
E.g. I live at 210 Riverdale Street
E.g. I am at home now
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.
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.
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.
Advantages of going Sec 5
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.
Every student should be given the opportunity to maximize their educational potential. Looking for professional tutors? Get help from our team of MOE, NIE trained teachers and full time tutors. Looking for free study notes and resources? We provide the latest test papers and quality study notes for Primary, Secondary, IGCSE, IB, JC students. Subscribe to our Youtube Channel and exclusive access to PSLE, O’levels, A’Levels materials. WhatsApp us today,
新加玻补习老师， 试卷和学习笔记
寻找专业导师，补习老师？我们的 MOE、NIE 培训教师和全职导师团队可以帮助您的孩子补习英文。要上英文网课？那里有最好的IB英文老师补习？寻找免费的学习笔记和资源？ 我们为AEIS，小学、中学、IGCSE、IB、JC学生提供最新的试卷和优质的学习笔记。 订阅我们的 Youtube 频道并独家访问 PSLE、O’levels、A’Levels 材料。今天就WhatsApp我们。
