KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

My girl is given a list of subjects to choose for her sec 3 classes next year. As she is from the normal academic, the school has asked the class to choose either Phy/Chem or Bio. Can any parents advise on the implications please as this is the first time we have to choose?

thanks in advance!

lovejoypeacce wrote:My girl is given a list of subjects to choose for her sec 3 classes next year. As she is from the normal academic, the school has asked the class to choose either Phy/Chem or Bio. Can any parents advise on the implications please as this is the first time we have to choose?

thanks in advance!

Just my personal views, based on what I understand from my nephews and nieces who did Pure Sciences / Combined Phy/Chem (Express and NA).

1) In Sec 1 and 2, Science is breakdown into Physics, Chemistry and Biology curriculum. In this way, the students know what will be covered in each curriculum and what they are good at.

If your girl's school also do it in the same way, then I would recommend your girl to choose the 2 modules she is good at or has interest in.

2) Most schools offer Combined (Phy/Chem) or Combined (Chem/Bio). Personally I think it is useful to study Chemistry as it is more relevant to our daily lives but it can be the most difficult to score out of the 3. To do Physics, you must be good with Mathematics, especially Algebra. To do Biology, you need to have good command in English, and have a good memory as there are lot of Biology terms to remember.

Somehow, all my nephews and nieces like Chemistry as compared to the other 2. They find the curriculum more interesting and easier to understand except for one particular chapter (mole calculation).

3) Ask your girl what she likes to do after 'N' level, to go Poly or JC, and what courses/ subjects she prefer to do.

Poly
If she prefers to do Life Sciences courses, it is better for her to study Bio/Chem. If she prefers engineering like aerospace, electronics, civil, it is better to choose Phy/Chem. If she wants to do chemical engineering, it is good to do one with Chemistry. If she prefer non-engineering courses, then choose the one she has is most interested with and most confident to do well in.

Say she study Phy/Chem but wants to do Life Science in Poly, there is no worry as there are modules in 1st year to build up the Biology foundation required for the programme. But she needs more time to catch up those who already studied Bio in Sec 3 and 4. One of my nephew did Pure Bio still struggles with the Bio unit in his 1st year study in the Poly.

4) If your daughter prefers to go JC, then it is best to choose the combination where she intends to do in JC. Say if she does Phy/Chem, then she can only continue to do Phy and/or Chem in the JC. Not all JCs will allow her to do Bio in "A" level.

Hopefully the info i provided is what you need. Let me know if you need more info. I am sure the rest of us will be able to give you our views.

I have a question that i am really unsure about.
I am a Primary 6 student this year and will be going to Secondary One next year at Dunman High.
When will we be asked which subject for Science (Chemistry, Biology or Physics) we want to take?
Will we have to make that choice at Secondary 1?
Also, if so, then which topic would be more suitable for different types of students (etc. does not like to remember too many facts should take Chemistry, Biology or Physics)?
Thank you, i appreciate your help.

Oh, yes and i think i should be in the Express stream - is there a difference between N/A?

icecubism wrote:I have a question that i am really unsure about.
I am a Primary 6 student this year and will be going to Secondary One next year at Dunman High.
When will we be asked which subject for Science (Chemistry, Biology or Physics) we want to take?
Will we have to make that choice at Secondary 1?
Also, if so, then which topic would be more suitable for different types of students (etc. does not like to remember too many facts should take Chemistry, Biology or Physics)?
Thank you, i appreciate your help.

Oh, yes and i think i should be in the Express stream - is there a difference between N/A?

Icecubism, you'll only be asked to select your Upper Sec subject combi in Year 2. By then you would have been exposed to all three Sciences, sat for exams for them and so will know which one appeals to you more and which one you're better at. Your school will also give you a briefing on each Science and the subject combis that are available to you. So no need to be too concerned now.

jtoh wrote:

icecubism wrote:I have a question that i am really unsure about.
I am a Primary 6 student this year and will be going to Secondary One next year at Dunman High.
When will we be asked which subject for Science (Chemistry, Biology or Physics) we want to take?
Will we have to make that choice at Secondary 1?
Also, if so, then which topic would be more suitable for different types of students (etc. does not like to remember too many facts should take Chemistry, Biology or Physics)?
Thank you, i appreciate your help.

Oh, yes and i think i should be in the Express stream - is there a difference between N/A?

Icecubism, you'll only be asked to select your Upper Sec subject combi in Year 2. By then you would have been exposed to all three Sciences, sat for exams for them and so will know which one appeals to you more and which one you're better at. Your school will also give you a briefing on each Science and the subject combis that are available to you. So no need to be too concerned now.

Pretty much said and summarized. I'm sure she sat for both sections of Life Science and Physical Science. Compare the results of her CA & SA and that should tell.

hi, just to ask.

is physics diffcult? and is it really challenging? should i take physics or elect hist?

Hi,

This is how we typically advise our sec 2 going sec 3 students:

1. In this case, i'll advise to go with a combi with Chem (Chemistry is the central science. Without any O-level Chemistry, most likely you will not be allowed to do Chemistry in JC/ poly which in turn will bar you from taking any unversity courses related to the life sciences, such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy etc.) Impt at this stage not to close doors on such opportunities.

2. Physics-wise. It can be challenging. Which makes learning exciting. It is basically a test of concepts and how well one applies it. A lot of times, students are overwhelmed with too much info and examples. But if we take a step back and understand the concept behind it, it is actually just but a simple concept.

FYI, If student wants go into Engineering or Aviation, you must take Physics.

Hope this helps
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Hi!

My ds just got back his year-end exam results. Have to decide soon which Science subjects to choose for sec 3/4. From his results, it's clear he is better at humanities.

Eng - A1
Maths- A1
Biology - A1
Chemistry - A2
Physics - Failed!
Lit- B3
H.Chinese - B3
History- A1
Geography - B3

I want him to take Pure Chem, but the other science subject, should he take combined Bio/Phy (not sure if there's such subject) or Pure Bio? I think Physics is more useful and important than Bio.

Thanks for your advice!

Hi, hi, please help. My Sec 2 girl (Express) not good in Maths (esp Algebra), English also not good and poor memory. However, she passed Physics but failed Biology for SA2. Now in dilemma, choose phy or bio in Sec 3? BTW, Chem is compulsory. Appreciate any thoughts/views on this. Thanks!

shine, you will have to ask her whether she is more interested in Biology or Physics.