Anderson Secondary School

Briefing for Secondary 2 Express

Subject Combination for 2020

Polytechnic or Junior College? Which one is BEST for me?

POLYTECHNIC

Early specialisation

Technical education

Prepares you for the workforce

Broad-based, holistic education

Prepares students for university education

Faster, more direct route to the university

JUNIOR COLLEGE

2020 Compulsory Subjects

9 Sub 8 Sub 7 Sub

1 English Language

2 Mother Tongue Language

3 Additional Mathematics

4 Mathematics

No. of subjects offered - 9 subjects, 8 subjects, 7 subjects

2020 Subject Combination

9 Sub 8 Sub 7 Sub5

Combined Humanities

✓Social Studies + History Elective

OR

✓Social Studies + Malay Literature Elective

OR

✓Social Studies + Geography Elective

2020 Subject Combination9 Sub 8 Sub 7 Sub

6 Chemistry Chemistry Chemistry Combined Science

7 Physics Physics / Biology Physics / Biology

EnglishLiterature / Geography

8 Biology Physics / Biology

English Literature / Geography

9 Geography / English Literature

Sec 3 Subject Allocation Criteria

(A) Based on ability and interest

(B) Ranking by calculated total based on

✓Mathematics (× 2 weighting)

✓Science (× 2 weighting)

✓Other subjects (× 1 weighting)

(B) Minimum number of 20 students to form a class

(C) Subject to staff availability

MOE’s Criterion for offering 10 ‘O’ Level Subjects

➢ Score 9 Distinctions at Secondary Three

➢ Seek approval from MOE

Admission to Junior College &

Polytechnics

Admission Criteria for JCs

L1R5 : 20 or less

L1 R5

Bonus Points (Max : 4 points)

English

HML

HCL

HTL

1 Humanities Subject

(Geography/Literature or

Combined Humanities)

1 Math/Science

1 Math/Science or

Humanities

2 other best Subjects

HMTL:

Passed (2 pts)

CCA :

A1/A2 (2 pts)

B3–C6 (1pt)

Computation of L1R5Category Subject

L1 First Language English Language

Higher Mother Tongue Language*

R5 Relevant Subject 1

(Humanities)

Combined Humanities

English Literature / Geography

Relevant Subject 2

(Mathematics/Science)

Mathematics/Additional Mathematics

Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Combined Science

Relevant Subject 3

(Humanities/

Mathematics/Science)

Combined Humanities/English literature/ Geography

Mathematics/Additional Mathematics

Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Combined Science

Relevant Subject 4 Any GCE ‘O’ Level subjects excluding CCA and Religious Knowledge

Relevant Subject 5 Any GCE ‘O’ Level subjects excluding CCA and Religious Knowledge

*HMTL & MTL cannot both be used in the same computation

What is ‘A’ Level Curriculum like?

Higher 1 (H1):

Higher 2 (H2):

Higher 3 (H3):

THREE LEVELS OF STUDY

Half of H2 in terms of curriculum time

E.g. General Paper, Project Work, MT,

Content subjects

Core ‘A’ Level Subjects

In-depth study of the subject (on top of the H2)

E.g. Advanced research project, university-

conducted H3 programmes

What is the typical workload of a JC student?

3 H2 content subjects

3 compulsory H1 subjects- General Paper

- Project Work

- Mother Tongue Language*

+

Note: Your combination must offer a contrasting content subject at either H1 or H2 level

1 more H1/H2 content subject

+

Here are some examples…(Subject Combinations)

SCIENCE –BASED COMBINATION

• H1 Economics

• H2 Chemistry

• H2 Physics or Bio

• H2 Math

ARTS-BASED COMBINATION

Contrasting H1

Content Subject

• H1 Math

• H2 Economics

• H2 Geography or History

• H2 English Literature

Polytechnic or Junior College? Which one is BEST for me?

POLYTECHNIC

Early specialisation

Technical education

Prepares you for the workforce

Broad-based, holistic education

Prepares students for university education

Faster, more direct route to the university

JUNIOR COLLEGE

Admission Criteria for POLYTECHNICS

EL R2 = Relevant 2 Subjects: B2

English ➢ Technology Courses

▪ Mathematics & Science

➢Business-Related Courses

▪ Mathematics

▪ Humanities

▪ Principles of Accounts

Best 2 Subjects

ELR2B2 : 26 or less

R2 & B2 for Polytechnic Courses

Group Business-Related

Courses Technology Courses Science-based Courses

R1: 1st Group ofRelevantSubjects

Mathematics Additional Mathematics

R2:2nd Group ofRelevantSubjects

ArtPrinciples of AccountsCombined HumanitiesGeographyLiterature in EnglishLiterature in Malay

BiologyChemistryPhysicsCombined Science

Biology Combined Science Physics

B2:2 other best subjects

Any 2 other subjects Any 2 other subjects Any 2 other subjects

Planning for Your Future

“Academics will not be the only yardstick;

applicants' interests and aptitude for the

course will also play a crucial part in whether

they make the final cut.”

Mr Ong Ye Kung, Minister for Education (Higher Education and

Skills)

Qualifying for University / Scholarships

Panel Interviews – Law, Medicine (Multiple Mini

Interviews at NTU Medicine), NUS Yale, SMU &/or

scholarships

Group discussion, individual presentation,

seminar-style discussion as assessment for entry –

SMU

Demonstration of talents in lieu of academic

qualifications

Assessment Centre by psychologists for PSC

scholarships

SMU Scholarship

NUS Scholarship

The Lee Kuan Yew Scholarship

Academic grades and scores are not the only indicators of one’s

success. One should learn to acquire deep knowledge and

skills and develop one’s strengths and interests.

Thank you