A Levels 101

A Levels 101

    1.   Why should I choose a JC over poly?

JCs’ curriculum are generally easier for students who are more academically inclined rather than hands-on. Furthermore, JCs provide an easier route to local universities.

2.   How are A Levels marks calculated for university entry?

Students will choose subject combination at the start of school. Compulsory subjects are H1 General Paper, H1 Project Work, H1 Mother Tongue (if take Higher Mother Tongue, not required to take).
Students will then choose either 4 H2 or 3 H2, 1 H1 subjects. H3 subjects are offered at a later date.

3 H2, 1 H1 subject (worst H2 subject if you take 4H2), H1 GP, H1 PW will be taken into consideration.

For H2,

A – 20

B – 17.5

C – 15

etc.

For H1,

A – 10

B – 8.75

C – 7.5

etc.

Total score out of 90.

Example, Melissa has the following results,
H2 Chemistry - A (20)
H2 Physics - B (17.5)
H2 Math - A (20)
H2 Geography - C (7.5)
H1 GP - B (8.75)
H1 PW - A (10)
She would score 83.75 where H2 Geog was the worst H2 subject, thus considered as H1.

*Mother tongue can be included, where the score will be upon 100 and rescaled to be out of 90.

3.   What are Academic Units?
H1 subjects count as 1 Academic Unit (AU), H2 counts as 2 AU, H3 counts as 1 AU. For example, Daniel who takes:

H1 – General Paper (GP), Project Work (PW), Mother Tongue, Economics

H2 – Physics, Math, Chemistry

H3 – Physics

Would have a total of 11AU (4 + 6 + 1)

4.   Why take more than 10AU?
Although A Levels is calculated out of 90, the extra AUs provide an avenue to impress and set yourself apart from your peers. Scholarships and competitive courses are where these extra AUs count.

5.   What is the grading systems for A Levels?

Students taking the A levels can choose from a variety of subjects. Each H1/H2 subject will be graded ‘U, S, E, D, C, B, A’, while H3 will be graded ‘Distinction, Merit, Pass, Ungraded’.

6.   What JC should I choose?

JCs differ greatly in their culture. Students should choose a JC of which culture they can adapt and excel in. For example, it is a common saying that VJC has a work hard, play hard culture, MJC has a mugger culture with school spirit and many events etc. This can be discovered through attending open houses and asking current students about their timetable, CCAs and school events.
Proximity is another consideration. JCs start early in the morning, lessons end around 4pm and CCAs end even later, especially once competition seasons begin. As such, choosing a school that is too far away is not recommended as students will waste extra energy on travel time.

7.   What subjects should I choose in JC?

Subject choice should be based on what students have an interest in and can do well in. However, for most students who are unsure, the most common subject combination is Physics, Math, Chemistry, Econs.

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