What should I do if I failed my A’levels?
(This is a post by one of our former students, whom we encountered when she began her journey of retaking her A’Levels. In this blog, she opens up about her challenges and experiences during the process.)
The mere prospect of typing these words were nothing short of horrifying.
Hey, my name’s Leng and if you’re reading this, you probably relate to the feeling of failure. But I’m not here to sugarcoat things – I jam writing this blog partly because my GP tutor cajoled me into doing so. And honestly, I just want to share my story in another space other than reddit, because I know I am probably not alone in this struggle. Maybe you’re in a similar place, trying to make sense of what went wrong and what happens next.
So goes nothing.
I sat for my A’levels in 2021. Coming from a highly traditional Asian family with over the top expectations from tiger parents who insist that all of us go to University and the frequently mentioned “What do you want to be when you grow up?” conversations, the type of jobs in my family throws around range from accountant to doctor, it was natural that I follow the footsteps of my sisters, enter JC, take the A’levels, go into Uni and start a stable career. It doesn’t help that my cousins are all professionals, working as architects, dentists and teachers.
Two years ago, I walked into junior college (JC) with big dreams and high expectations. I thought I could handle the pressure. After all, I came from a “top girls school” and O’levels was not exactly peaches. But wow, JC was something else. It felt like I was suddenly plunged into a world where nothing made sense, and I was drowning in a sea of homework, lectures, and exams.
It’s wild how when I’m scrolling through TikTok and Instagram, I see my classmates living their best lives, looking all chill and like they’re absolutely killing it in JC. Makes me lowkey wonder how they do it.
For the first few months, I kept up with everything. I tried to be organised and stayed on top of my assignments. But then, slowly, everything started piling up, especially in term 3. Before I know it, it was Promos. Here I was trying to balance school, social life, and the pressure to perform. I also started comparing myself to everyone around me – my classmates who seemed like they had it all together, the ones who could answer every question in class without breaking a sweat. I couldn’t even keep up with the lectures, let alone memorise all the facts I was supposed to remember. It didn’t help that I didn’t feel like I belonged, like I was constantly behind those IP students and never good enough.
Two years of intense pressure and sleepless nights, and at the end of it all, I failed two of my H2 subjects at A-Levels. I didn’t even come close to what I had hoped for. Not gonna lie – it was crushing. My heart sank when I saw those grades. All the dreams I had of going to university, pursuing a career I was passionate about – it all felt so out of reach now. The reality of failing hit harder than I ever imagined.
The feeling of failure is still fresh. I feel embarrassed when people ask about my results. There’s a certain stigma attached to not making it through JC, and I’ve had to fight the urge to make excuses. But after a lot of thinking, I’m starting to realise something. Failing my A-Levels doesn’t mean the end. It’s a setback, sure, but it doesn’t define me.
Now, I’m left with questions: What comes next? Do I just give up on my dreams? Should I try again? I don’t have all the answers, but I do have options, and I’m starting to see them more clearly.
Common Questions and Options after failing A’levels in Singapore
- Retake A-Levels again with your school or Private Candidate
As challenging as it may seem to overcome the A-Levels, if you need higher grades to meet the entry requirements for certain universities or courses, you’ll have to retake them.
Retaking the A-Levels means re-sitting your General Paper (GP) and H2 subjects, as university applications require these to be taken in the same sitting. However, it is an option not to retake your H1 subjects, like Project Work (PW), Mother Tongue Language (MTL), and any content-based H1 subjects, and use the grades you earned previously. If you decide to retake them, the university will consider your best scores.
Keep in mind that repeating A-Levels through another year of junior college is not available to every student. To qualify for this option, you must have failed a H2 subject or GP. Otherwise, you would have technically passed, even if you didn’t meet the entry requirements for local public universities. If that’s the case, you’ll need to retake your A-Levels as a private candidate, which can be rather daunting.
2. How do I retake A-levels as a private candidate?
One option is to sign up with institutions like MDIS or BMC where you can register with them and take A’Levels again through their school. They provide structured courses and have classes for the subjects just like a JC. The thing is, they are not exactly cheap but if you need structure, they will be a good option. I didn’t choose this option because I prefer to work part time and prep for A’Levels on my own and with help of private tutors. I don’t know what gave me the courage but I somehow managed to pull it through with the blessings of my mom.
If you are like me and you prefer to engage your own tutors to prepare for A’levels together, you should find more experienced ones and preferably those who used to teach in JCs or if you somehow can manage to find current JC teachers, it will be definitely helpful. Problem is, the tuition fees are higher but in my opinion, it was worth it. This is a more flexible option but you need to be real disciplined and have to make sure you find the right and capable tutors who are able to guide you to your desired results.
You will need to register as a private candidate on SEAB website which is usually available around March or April, roughly a month after A’Levels results being released. During my year, I registered in early April. If for some reasons, you wish to withdraw, do note that the withdrawal date is around September 2025.
Should I take A’levels during my NS? How long does it take to prepare for A’levels on my own?
After my sharing on lemon, I had tonnes of DM asking how long does it take to prep for A’levels. Many of you were hoping to do so during NS, some were poly students who were asking because they wanted to enter the local university. Honestly, I would caution those from poly trying to take A’Levels on their own. It will take a lot of discipline and time to self study. Depending on your NS obligations, you may not have the time to straddle both. It is important to ask yourself what course you are looking to enter into for University as you may end up with lacklustre scores and end up nowhere (again). A better choice perhaps is to go with MDIS or some local private institution and take A’levels with them if you have zero JC experience.
What subject combination should I take in JC?
To be eligible for university admission with an A-levels certificate, you must complete a minimum of three H2 subjects, one H1 subject, along with H1 General Paper (GP) and Mathematics (MT).
It is important to note that your subject combination should include at least one contrasting subject. This means that if your three H2 subjects are from a science-based discipline, your H1 subject should be from the arts, or vice versa. While it is possible to have a contrasting H2 subject, it is more common for students to contrast their H1 subject.
For example, if your subject combination includes H2 Economics, History, and Literature, your H1 subject should ideally be in a contrasting field, such as Chemistry, Mathematics, or Physics.
When choosing your subject combination, there are a few important things to keep in mind to ensure you’re making the right decision. First, think about your level of interest in the subjects. It’s much easier to stay motivated and do well in subjects you’re genuinely passionate about. Also, consider your own talents and future aspirations—selecting subjects that match your strengths and career goals will set you up for success.
Don’t forget to check the university prerequisites for the degrees you’re thinking about, as these can influence your choices. No point taking an easy subject which does not allow you to gain entry to your preferred course.
Lastly, if you are in still a JC, take the time to talk to your seniors and speak with the ECG Counsellor (Education & Career Guidance Counsellor). They can offer valuable insights from their own experiences that will help you make a more informed decision.
3. Do I need tuition at A’Levels?
Obviously a personal decision that depends on your wallet (or parent’s wallet) and what subjects you most need help with. Personally, I chose to have Chemistry, GP and Econs tuition as I’m not a language person and I’ve never passed Chemistry on my own before *gasped*. To me, these are subjects I struggle with so I took tuition for these. My GP lessons in schools were all about presentation and my GP tutor just goes on each day telling us to present and hardly gives us any study notes. Many tuition centre provides GP tuition and they have good GP study notes too. You can also exchange notes with your friends in other JCs.
Taking A’levels on your can be lonely. Hope this post helps you in your journey. Before I end, do scroll down below and check out how to calculate your rank points.
Rank Points – How to calculate your rank points (GCE A-Level 2025 Scoring System)
Firstly, in order for you to learn how to convert your GCE A-Level grades, you first need to know what rank points are. In essence, the subjects we take at the GCE A-level examination grades get converted into Rank Points which act as a basis for one to know where you stand when you enrol into Uni.
It is important to note if that next year onwards, 2026, students from JC and Millennia Institute won’t have to include their fourth content-based subject when applying to universities, unless it boosts their overall score. Additionally, Project Work, a subject that involves group research and presentation, will be assessed as either a pass or fail instead of receiving letter grades. This is a plus for many especially if you have jitters when it comes to “Show and Tell”.
How to calculate Rank Points?
Grades are calculated by adding the total marks secured by a student in various subjects. In JC, subjects are divided into H1 (lower difficulty) or H2 (more difficulty). The marks secured in H1 and H2 are graded between A to U. Each grade is allotted A-level rank points from 0 to 90, the latter being the highest possible score.
H1 Subjects versus H2 subjects
‘A’ grade in H1 has 10 points while in H2 it has 20 points. ‘B’ grade in H1 has 8.75 points while H2 has 17.5 points. See the chart below for details.
