After spending more than a decade in Singapore’s local education system, the GCE A-Level Examination is the final lap for students before graduating to tertiary institutes or beyond.
Given its rigour and short runway, students preparing for the A-Levels tend to buckle up and double down on their revision efforts. But without stopping to recalibrate, laser-sharp focus can turn into tunnel vision. This article highlights oft-overlooked pointers to help students channel their time and energy effectively.
Unlike in secondary school where every academic year has four key examination periods, the next test or examination is never too far away when students are in junior college. As period assessments become the norm, it can be tempting to accord less importance to them. But treating them flippantly can be detrimental, especially since preliminary examination results might be used on the off-chance that students are unable to sit for the A-Levels.
Treating mock examinations as the real thing helps to acclimatise students to the intensity of A-Level examinations. With an extensive syllabus crammed into two years, students need not obsess about perfecting every mock paper. Rather, they are a tool for highlighting blind spots that can be rectified in a timely manner.
Being diligent about following up on these mock examinations is key. If there is anything a student would have learned in their second year, it is the danger of letting uncertainty slide. Talking through their learning gaps with teachers and peers and understanding the nature of their mistakes go a long way to achieving excellence at the A-Levels.
While keeping tabs on their progress in multiple subjects, students should not neglect the difference across their examination formats. The fundamental things to note for every subject are the number of papers, the exam duration, and the allocation of marks. Knowing these in advance helps students to optimise the time spent on different sections according to weightage and gives them a chance to customise their approach for different subjects.
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Students would be remiss to neglect the limitations of using dated papers from the past decade for practice. For example, 2017 saw a refresh in the A-Level Chemistry examination which reduced Multiple Choice Questions in Paper 1 and accorded more weightage to Paper 2. Last year, a handful of Common Last Topics had also been removed due to the pandemic. To avoid spending their time on topics that are not examinable, students can keep themselves updated on SEAB’s page. Plus, they can also find specimen papers for a clearer picture of the examination formats.
Forget L1R5 - the scoring system for A-Levels is a whole other ball game.
For students reading this before starting JC, here’s a crash course:
The H in H1, H2, and H3 stands for higher, and the number increases with depth. Compulsory H1 subjects are General Paper and Project Work, though the former can be replaced with Knowledge and Inquiry. On top of these H1 subjects, students can either take up 4 H2 subjects or the 3H2 and 1 H1 combination, depending on their cut-off points and JC of choice.
Since H2 subjects are more complex than their H1 counterparts, they are worth up to 20 and 10 points respectively - depending on the alphabet that follows - in the A-Levels.
According to this table, scoring 65% in the General Paper exam will put a student at H1B and earn them 8.75 rank points. The same score in their Chemistry paper, however, would earn them twice as many rank points at H2B. At best, a student can score a maximum of 90 rank points.
The total GCE A-Level Examinations score is derived by adding up the rank points across all the subjects.
Now, why would students need to know this ahead of time? Three words: University Admission Score.
Across university courses in engineering, science, business, medicine, law, humanities, arts, and social science, the prerequisites are not the same. Whereas an aspiring lawyer might prioritise H1 General Paper or H2 Knowledge and Inquiry, a student who wishes to pursue psychology might be more focused on H1 Mathematics.
With a clear picture of the scoring system, realistic targets can be set based on performance in the academic term. By optimising their revision efforts, students can boost their chances of qualifying for their preferred universities and programs.
Two years is a short runway to prepare for the GCE A-Levels. Strategic preparation has never been more important, which is why The Learning Lab’s Junior College programmes focus on structure, content, and skill application. Read more about them here.
Who was the best teacher you ever had? Which mentor immediately stands out as the one who has been most influential and inspirational in your life? This could have been a teacher from primary school, secondary school or junior college. It could be a tutor or even your dance instructor. Whoever it was, your teacher was someone who was an absolute master at helping you learn far more than you ever imagined possible.
Bring to mind a clear image of this remarkable teacher. Hear your teacher’s voice, concentrating on not only its unique cadence and tone but also something they have said that has stuck with you throughout all these years. Feel the inspiration that still lives within you as a result of your relationship with this teacher. Think about the personal qualities this person exuded that commanded your respect and reverence.
As you recall memories of this individual who was such a powerful role model in your life, it is likely that you can identify and list certain personal characteristics that were most memorable. As you review this list of qualities, it may surprise you to realise that very few of these notable attributes have to do with the content of what this teacher taught.
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As some of the most influential role models for developing students, teachers are responsible for more than just academic enrichment. If you want to be a great educator, you must connect with your pupils and reach them on multiple levels, because the best teachers are committed to their students’ well-being both inside and outside the classroom. By forging strong relationships, educators are able to affect virtually every aspect of their students’ lives, teaching them the important life lessons that will help them succeed beyond term papers and standardized tests.
The Learning Lab is now at 8 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may fill in the form below or contact us at 67338711 / enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.
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