KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

My child is now in Secondary 2, streaming year.

Currently the secondary school has only 1 pure triple science class.
The rest of the other classes offer only one pure sci subject (either Phy, Bio or Chem) with combine science.

The school does not have any classes which offer double science.

If my child could not get into triple science class, will he /she be in a disadvantage position in JC, assuming that the child continue the education in Sci stream. Will the child be able to cope with all the pure science subject in JC?

AffectParent wrote:My child is now in Secondary 2, streaming year.

Currently the secondary school has only 1 pure triple science class.
The rest of the other classes offer only one pure sci subject (either Phy, Bio or Chem) with combine science.

The school does not have any classes which offer double science.

If my child could not get into triple science class, will he /she be in a disadvantage position in JC, assuming that the child continue the education in Sci stream. Will the child be able to cope with all the pure science subject in JC?

Me not trying to offend you, but think your kid is in an ordinary neighbourhood school. In this instance, aim for the top class, if unable, just have to attend poly later.

AffectParent wrote:My child is now in Secondary 2, streaming year.

Currently the secondary school has only 1 pure triple science class.
The rest of the other classes offer only one pure sci subject (either Phy, Bio or Chem) with combine science.

The school does not have any classes which offer double science.

If my child could not get into triple science class, will he /she be in a disadvantage position in JC, assuming that the child continue the education in Sci stream. Will the child be able to cope with all the pure science subject in JC?

Is your child happen to be in a school in the north? If yes, you can be assured that the school is a good school . Btw, I know of top schools that allow their students to do one Pure Science only (i.e. no combined science). These students are usually better in Humantities Subjects.

Different JCs have different requirements when come to subject combinations. Hence it is useful for you to check out those JCs that your child would like to go to.

In general, if the student gets A1 or A2 for the combined Science in O level, most JCs will allow the student to do the relevant science subject as a H2 subject. Example if the student do combined science (Phy/ Bio) and gets A2, then the student will be able to do H2 Phy or H2 Bio (some JCs only allow one H2 subject for combined science). Hence if you child do Pure Chem and combine science (Phy/Bio), then he/she can do H2 Chem and H2 Phy or H2 Bio.

Of course your child must do well in the Pure Science subject in order to do the same subject at H2 level. If your child gets a C6 for Pure Chem, some JCs will not allow the child to do H2 Chem.

In JCs, you are still a Student Stream student if you do H2 Maths, H2 Chem, H2 Econs and H2 Geog. Alternatively, your child can choose to do H2 Maths, H2 Chem, H2 Econs and H1 Phy if H1 Phy is the miminum requirement for the course he/she wants to do in University. Your child is still consider a Science Stream student.

Whether he /she be in a disadvantage position in JC depends on which JC the child goes to, and whether he/she put in the extra efforts to do well. The child can get A1 in O level does not mean that he/she will get A for the same subject in A level.

If you need more info, feel free to post. Hope my explaination gives you a clearer picture.

koguma wrote:

AffectParent wrote:My child is now in Secondary 2, streaming year.

Currently the secondary school has only 1 pure triple science class.
The rest of the other classes offer only one pure sci subject (either Phy, Bio or Chem) with combine science.

The school does not have any classes which offer double science.

If my child could not get into triple science class, will he /she be in a disadvantage position in JC, assuming that the child continue the education in Sci stream. Will the child be able to cope with all the pure science subject in JC?

Is your child happen to be in a school in the north? If yes, you can be assured that the school is a good school . Btw, I know of top schools that allow their students to do one Pure Science only (i.e. no combined science). These students are usually better in Humantities Subjects.

Different JCs have different requirements when come to subject combinations. Hence it is useful for you to check out those JCs that your child would like to go to.

In general, if the student gets A1 or A2 for the combined Science in O level, most JCs will allow the student to do the relevant science subject as a H2 subject. Example if the student do combined science (Phy/ Bio) and gets A2, then the student will be able to do H2 Phy or H2 Bio (some JCs only allow one H2 subject for combined science). Hence if you child do Pure Chem and combine science (Phy/Bio), then he/she can do H2 Chem and H2 Phy or H2 Bio.

Of course your child must do well in the Pure Science subject in order to do the same subject at H2 level. If your child gets a C6 for Pure Chem, some JCs will not allow the child to do H2 Chem.

In JCs, you are still a Student Stream student if you do H2 Maths, H2 Chem, H2 Econs and H2 Geog. Alternatively, your child can choose to do H2 Maths, H2 Chem, H2 Econs and H1 Phy if H1 Phy is the miminum requirement for the course he/she wants to do in University. Your child is still consider a Science Stream student.

Whether he /she be in a disadvantage position in JC depends on which JC the child goes to, and whether he/she put in the extra efforts to do well. The child can get A1 in O level does not mean that he/she will get A for the same subject in A level.

If you need more info, feel free to post. Hope my explaination gives you a clearer picture.

Your reply is simply misguided. If a student can't even score A1 for combined science at 0-level the student will most likely be struggling doing H2 science.

Many many mistakes are being made students each year. No matter which jc a student goes to, he/she sits for the same exam. His/her standard will be assessed within the entire cohort.

Why give the students undue stress? Poly is more suitable for such students.

I think top JC (not sure about others, you can check with individual JCs) only allow students to offer H2 science if they score A1 in combined science. But if the take pure science for O levels, they need only score C and above I think to opt for H2 science.

You may want to check out the following JCs on their requirements

1) AJC
http://www.ajc.edu.sg/ajc-experience/ac ... ombination

2) NJC
http://www.njc.edu.sg/education_subject.htm

3) CJC
http://www.cjc.edu.sg/cos/o.x?c=/wbn/pa ... id=1081781

4) HCI
http://www.hci.edu.sg/uploadfile/colleg ... ramme1.pdf

Most schools will require you to have obtained a certain grades for taking combined sciences (usually one or two grades Higher as compared to Pure sciences).

If your child scored Cs for his/her combined science, it is unlikely the college will allow the student to take up H2 sciences. They will advise the student to take it as H1 subject instead. In any case, if your child scores Cs for this subject then you should reconsider taking up sciences even if you qualify for JC.

Therefore, yes your child will be disadvantage but should be able to cope well with the A level syllabus. Many of my college friends who came from neighbourhood schools doing combined sciences did as well as if not better than others who came from "brand" schools with distinctions in pure sciences.

In addition, someone with Combined (Physics/Chem) will only qualify for H2 Physics and/or H2 Chemistry and not Biology. Likewise, if the pure science student only studies Pure Physics (or another) he/she will only qualify for H2 Physics.

All in all, your child will be at the losing end for taking up Combined Sciences as H2 sciences syllabus are done up on the assumption that the student is well versed in the respective pure sciences subject. Most colleges will conduct bridging classes in the first two weeks of college (after school) for combined sciences students.

Very disheartened.
Now I really felt that Singapore education system is a one way system, no turning back.
Once my child loose out in PSLE and end up in neighbour school, it is pretty hard to keep up the race.

Don't lose heart AffectParent! O level is a good chance to turn things around!

I studied in a neighbourhood secondary school, ended up in a neighbourhood JC and now I've finished NS and waiting for university. This despite my annual household income being below S$26k, have a brother and I was born with learning difficulties.

There is hope and many chances for your child to shine. It is up to him or her to do it.

Edureach wrote:Your reply is simply misguided. If a student can't even score A1 for combined science at 0-level the student will most likely be struggling doing H2 science.

Many many mistakes are being made students each year. No matter which jc a student goes to, he/she sits for the same exam. His/her standard will be assessed within the entire cohort.

Why give the students undue stress? Poly is more suitable for such students.

Hi Edureach, I appreciate your views. But I believe every kid should be given a chance to study what he/she likes, including late bloomers.

Cheers