Briefing for Parents Subject Choices at Sec 3 level 21 Sept 2006

1. Briefing for ParentsSubject Choices at Sec 3 level 21 Sept 2006

2. Programme • Introduction • Subject Briefing • Q & A

3. Possible Routes • JC Education/ CI • Polytechnic Education

4. Admission Criteria for JCs & Polytechnics Junior Colleges L1R5 ≤ 20

5. Admission Criteria to JCs L1R5

6. Bonus Points • 2 bonus points for students who obtain grades of A1 to C6 for both their first languages (i.e. EL & Higher Mother Tongue) • 2 bonus points for students who obtain an ‘A’ grade in CCA • 1 bonus point for students who obtain a grade ‘B’ or ‘C’ in CCA • Students can enjoy up to a maximum of 4 bonus points

7. JC Curriculum • Old System - 3 or 4 subjects at ‘A’ level + 2 subjects at ‘AO’ level • New System - Knowledge Skills – PW and either GP or KI - Languages – MTL - Humanities and the Arts - Mathematics and Sciences

8. JC Curriculum

9. JC Curriculum Key changes Students may select subjects at 3 different levels of study: Higher 1 (H1), Higher 2 (H2) and Higher 3 (H3) H1Equivalent to half of H2 in breadth but similar to H2 in depth. H2 Equivalent to rigour of old 'A' Level subjects. H3 Subjects with a variety of learning opportunities (e.g. advanced content, research paper, university module). Besides GP, PW, and MTL at H1 level, students are required to offer 3 H2 and 1 H1 content-based subjects, at least one of which is a subject from a contrasting discipline.

10. Maths and Science Enthusiasts H2 Phy H2 Chem H2 Maths H1 Econs (contrasting subject) H1 MTL GP PW Humanities and the Arts Enthusiasts H2 Econs H2 Geo H2 Maths (contrasting subject) H1 Art H1 MTL GP PW JC Subject Combinations

11. Take KI H2 KI (contrasting subject) H2 Maths H2 Bio H2 Chem H1 MTL PW MT Language and Lit H2 MT language and Lit H2 Lit in English H2 History H1 Maths (contrasting subject) GP PW JC Subject Combinations

12. Admission Criteria for JCs & Polytechnics Centralized Institute L1R4 ≤ 20

13. Admission Criteria to CI L1R4

14. Admission Criteria for JCs & Polytechnics Polytechnics L1R2B2

15. Admission criteria to Polytechnics: ELR2B2 • EL • English • Relevant Subject 1 • E Maths/A Maths • Relevant Subject 2 • Relevant subjects depend on the type of courses applied • Best Subject 3 & 4 • Best 2 other subjects excluding CCA

16. Bonus Points • 2 bonus points for students who obtain an ‘A’ grade in CCA • 1 bonus point for students who obtain a grade ‘B’ or ‘C’ in CCA

17. Guiding Principles • Abilityof Student andInterestAre Equally Important for Academic Success • Work with the end in mind • Every subject has its merit

18. Subject Clusters • Science Enthusiasts • All-Rounders • Humanities Enthusiasts/ Budding Entrepreneurs

19. Allocation • Merit & Interest • End of Year Exam Results • Options

20. Science Enthusiasts • English • MTL • Combined Humanities • Maths • Add Maths • Physics • Chemistry • Biology

21. All Rounders • English • MTL • Combined Humanities • Maths • Add Maths • Physics • Chemistry • Humanities (Geography, History, Literature, Econs) or POA

22. Humanities Enthusiasts & The Budding Entrepreneurs • English • MTL • Combined Humanities • Maths • Add Maths • Science (Phy/Chem) • Humanities/ Art/ POA

23. Maths Additional Maths Science Combined Humanities Other Humanities Principles of Account Literature Phy, Chem & Biology Geog, History, Econs Subject Briefing

24. GCE Mathematics Ordinary Level New Syllabus First Year of Examination 2008

25. Mathematics Framework Monitoring of one’s own thinking Self-regulation of learning Beliefs Interest Appreciation Confidence Perseverance Attitudes Metacognition Mathematical Problem Solving Reasoning, communication and connections Thinking skills and heuristics Applications and modelling Numerical calculation Algebraic manipulation Spatial visualisation Data analysis Use of mathematical tools Estimation Processes Skills Concepts Numerical Algebraic Geometrical Statistical Probabilistic Analytical

26. The 3 Strands of the New Syllabus • Numbers and Algebra • Geometry and Measurement • Statistics and Probability

27. New Syllabus, New Approaches • Concrete-Pictorial-Abstract approach to the introduction of algebra • Less on manual computation, more on applications in general • Less of doing mathematics in ‘isolation’, more of seeing mathematics in ‘action’ (using more contextual problems) • Less on construction, more on analysis and interpretation in statistics

28. Assessment Objectives: • Objective 1: Understand and use mathematical concepts and skills in a variety of contexts. • Objective 2: Organise and analyse data and information; formulate problems into mathematical terms and select and apply appropriate techniques of solution, including manipulation of algebraic expressions. • Objective 3: Solve higher order thinking problems; interpret mathematical results and make inferences; write mathematical explanation and arguments.

29. GCE Mathematics O Level Scheme of Assessment

30. Various Assessment Modes used by Mathematics Department • Common Test / Examinations • Quizzes • Assignments • Classroom Participation • Groupwork / Discussion • Presentation • Journal Writing

31. GCE Additional Mathematics Ordinary Level New Syllabus First Year of Examination 2008

32. Features of Additional Mathematics • To prepare students for further study by providing a strong foundation in mathematics • Emphasise depth rather than breadth • Extend learning of Algebra and Geometry • Emphasise algebraic manipulation and mathematics reasoning skills • Introduction to Calculus • Assume knowledge of GCE Mathematics Ordinary Level • Coherence and completeness

33. The 3 Strands of the New Syllabus • Algebra • Geometry and Trigonometry • Calculus

34. Assessment Objectives: • Objective 1: Understand and use mathematical concepts and skills in a variety of contexts. • Objective 2: Organise and analyse data and information; formulate problems into mathematical terms and select and apply appropriate techniques of solution, including manipulation of algebraic expressions. • Objective 3: Solve higher order thinking problems; interpret mathematical results and make inferences; reason and communicate mathematically through writing mathematical explanation, argumentsand proofs.

35. GCE Additional Mathematics O Level Scheme of Assessment

36. Various Assessment Modes used by Mathematics Department • Common Test / Examinations • Quizzes • Assignments • Classroom Participation • Groupwork / Discussion • Presentation • Journal Writing

37. Who will do well for this subject? Students who possess the following: • Acute Procedural Skills • Acute Analytical Thinking • Acute Reasoning Skills • Interest in Mathematics • Perseverance • Self-discipline to practice, practiceandpractice Mathematical problems

38. Textbooks: • Mathematics: • Math Insights Secondary 3, Lim Siew Hoon, Teo Peck Hoon Whey Kin Pheng / Pearson • Additional Mathematics: • Panpac Additional Mathematics, Ho Soo Thong, Khor Nyak Hiong / Panpac

39. Website: • http://www.moe.gov.sg/cpdd/doc/2007%20Sec%20Math%20Syllabuses.pdf

40. Pure Physics Pure Chemistry Pure Biology Combined Science (Phy/Chem)

41. Science Curriculum Framework

42. Assessment: GCE ‘O’ Levels Exam Format(Physics, Chemistry & Biology) Paper 1 (30%) • 40 MCQ questions • Duration 1 h Paper 2: (50%) • Structured-Essay • Duration: 1 h 45 min Paper 3: (20%) • School Based Practical Assessment • Duration: 1 h

43. Assessment: GCE ‘O’ Levels Exam Format(Physics, Chemistry & Biology) • For Pure Physics and Chemistry: Change in weighting of assessment objectives for “Knowledge with understanding” from 60% to 55% and for “Handling information and solving problems” from 40% to 45%. • A compulsory data-based question, which involves interpreting, evaluating or solving problems using a stem of information, will be introduced in Paper 2.

44. School - Base Practical Assessment (SPA) • Assessment starts when they are in Secondary 3 • A total of 5 assessments will be carried out during sec 3 and sec 4 • Students are to keep a portfolio of their practicals as this will be submitted to SEAB

45. 2007 Subject Combinations • Triple science is not a requirement for entry into Medicine in NUS. • Triple science as a subject combination in JC in not available

46. Assessment: GCE ‘O’ Levels Exam FormatCombined Science(Phy, Chem) Paper 1 (20%) • MCQ 40 questions (Physics & Chemistry) • Duration 1 h Paper 2 (32.5%) • Structured-Essay (Physics) • Duration: 1 h 15 min Paper 3: (32.5%) • Structured-Essay (Chemistry) • Duration: 1 h 15 min Paper 5: (15%) • Practical Test (Physics & Chemistry)

47. Assessment: GCE ‘O’ Levels Exam FormatCombined Science(Phy, Chem) Paper 5: (15%) Practical Test (Physics & Chemistry) • It is not a school-based practical assessment.

48. Website: http://www.seab.gov.sg/SEAB/oLevel/syllabusSchool.html

49. COMBINED HUMANITIES SOCIAL STUDIES [Exp / NA] 2190/1 & 2191/1

50. OBJECTIVES OF SOCIAL STUDIES: The syllabus is organized around 2 core ideas – “Being Rooted” and “ Living Global”. It aims to develop our students into well-informed, responsible citizens with a national identity and a global perspective. Students will develop competence in 3 areas: knowledge and understanding, skills and processes, values and attitudes.