Subject Combination Briefing 2020

For Secondary 3 Express in 2021

Help your child explore where he/she is going

Progression:

• How does your child progress towards his/her aspiration?

• Where will his/her subject combination allow him/her to go after secondary school?

• What careers can the subjects he/she enjoys studying lead him/her to?

• What are the opportunities out there?

Your Child’s Journey• He/she may aspire for a particular occupational pathway.

• He/she may gradually discover what he/she would like in a future career.

• Encouraging him/her to find out more about the work and its environment will be helpful.

Secondary 4 /5Choice of JC / MI, Polytechnic or ITE

Post-TertiaryFurther education or

the world of work

AdulthoodCareer Aspiration

Secondary 2

Selection of Subject Combination

Encourage Your Child To Be Proactive

• Create opportunities for your child to speak with relatives or neighbours who are in various occupations

• Encourage him/her to interact with people on the job (e.g., retailers when shopping, nurses/doctors when visiting the clinic) to find out more out about their work

• Allow him/her the flexibility to explore different industries if he/she is looking for part-time work during the holidays

Remind Your ChildNot to choose a subject combination because

• it sounds prestigious– What’s the use of doing double/triple Sciences if your child

dreads them daily?

• many perceive it will lead to good pay– What may pay well today may not when you graduate in the

future.

– Money is not everything; satisfaction comes from having a sense of purpose and passion.

• of a friend/teacher/parent/guardian – Unless your child enjoys the subjects too!

Support your child in making informed choices for his/her education and career pathways!

For parents only

Subject Combination for Secondary 3E in 2021

What to expect for Secondary 3 in 2021

Express Classes: 7 – 8 Subjects

Note:

Students who are officially exempted from Mother Tongue may take 6 – 7 subjects.

Compulsory subjects

• English Language

• Mother Tongue (unless exempted by MOE)

• Elementary Mathematics

• Combined Humanities (Social Studies with Elective Geography/ Literature/ History)

• Pure Science/ Combined Science

Subjects offered in Secondary 3

• Chemistry/ Science Chemistry

• Physics/ Science Physics

• Biology/ Science Biology

• Geography (Core and Elective)

• History (Core and Elective)

• Literature (Core and Elective)

• Additional Mathematics

• Principles Of Accounts

• Art

• Design and Technology

• Food and Nutrition

• Exercise and Sports Science

Subjects are allocated based on

1) Your results (Overall percentage)

2) Your choices based on the online survey in Semester 2

3) Prerequisites for taking the various subjects

4) Number of places available

Prerequisites for offering selected subjects in the Express stream

Sec 3 Express Subject Requirement (2021)Subject Minimum criteria for eligibilityTriple Pure Sciences At least 65% in overall performance

At least 70% in Sec 2 Science

At least 55% in Sec 2 Mathematics

Students MUST take Additional MathematicsDouble Pure Sciences At least 65% in Sec 2 Science

At least 55% in Sec 2 Mathematics

Students offered Pure Physics MUST take Additional MathematicsAdditional Mathematics At least 55% in Sec 2 MathematicsGeography

Literature

History

At least 60% in Sec 2 Geography

At least 60% in Sec 2 Literature

At least 60% in Sec 2 HistoryArt

D&T

F&N

ESS

At least 55% in Sec 2 Art

At least 50% in Sec 2 D&T

At least 50% in Sec 2 FCE

At least B grade for 2.4km run, or to represent the school in a competitive sport (Excluding bowling)

Combinations available for Secondary 3 Express in 2021Combi 1 Combi 2 Combi 3 Combi 4 Combi 5

Subject 1 English Language English Language English Language English Language English Language

Subject 2 Mother Tongue Mother Tongue Mother Tongue Mother Tongue Mother Tongue

Subject 3Elementary

Mathematics

Elementary

Mathematics

Elementary

Mathematics

Elementary

Mathematics

Elementary

Mathematics

Subject 4

• Social Studies/

E. Geography

• Social Studies/

E. Literature

• Social Studies/

E. Geography

• Social Studies/

E. Literature

• Social Studies/

E. Geography

• Social Studies/

E. History

• Social Studies/

E. Geography

• Social Studies/

E. Literature

• Social Studies/

E. Geography

• Social Studies/

E. History

Subject 5Additional

Mathematics

Additional

Mathematics

Additional

Mathematics

• Sci Phy/ Sci Chem

• Sci Bio/ Sci Chem

• Sci Phy/ Sci Chem

• Sci Bio/ Sci Chem

Subject 6 Chemistry Chemistry ChemistryPrinciples of

Accounts

• A. Mathematics

• Principles of

Accounts

Subject 7 Physics Physics Physics

• Core Literature

• Core Geography

• Core History

• A. Mathematics

• Design & Tech

• Food & Nutrition

• Art• Exercise & Sports Sci

Subject 8 Biology

• Core Literature

• Core Geography

• Core History

Points to note

1) Minimum enrolment to open a class for a specific subject: 10 students

2) A Preliminary Online Survey will be carried out in Term 3 Week 5. This is to find out the subject interest of the students.

Subjects for Secondary 3 Express

HumanitiesCombined Humanities

• Social Studies is compulsory for all students.

• Social Studies will be taken with an elective either in Geography, History or Literature.

Core Humanities

• Geography, History or Literature may also be taken as a Core Humanities, with a 100% assessment weightage.

50% Assessment Weightage 50% Assessment Weightage

Social Studies Geography

Social studies History

Social Studies Literature

Social Studies

What will the students learn in the subject?

– Better understand the interconnectedness of Singapore and the world

– Ignite students’ curiosity to inquire into real-world issues

– Deeper understanding of the values that define Singapore society

Literature

What will the students learn in the subject?

– Given the opportunity and support to enjoy the reading of literature

– Engage with text-based questions, write essays, give oral presentations, engage in role-play and group drama projects

– Active participation in class discussions/ debates and other related activities such as dramatisation and improvisation

History

What will the students learn in the subject?

– Learn about the recent past which would allow them to better understand the political realities of the world they live in

– Develop in students a critical appreciation of past human experiences and connections between the past and present

Geography

What will the students learn in the subject?

– Topics: ‘Living with Tectonic Hazards’, ‘Weather and Climate’, and ‘Tourism and Food Resources’

– Understanding the different types of physical and human environments and the inter-relationships between them

– Develop values and attitudes critical to their roles as global citizens in a rapidly changing world

SciencesCombined Sciences

• Science Chemistry is compulsory for all students.

• Science Chemistry will be taken with either Science Physics or Science Biology.

Pure Sciences

• Chemistry, Physics or Biology may be taken as Pure Sciences, with a 100% assessment weightage.

50% Assessment Weightage 50% Assessment Weightage

Science Chemistry Science Physics

Science Chemistry Science Biology

Pure VS Combined Sciences

• Pure Science covers more topics.

• Pure Science contents have greater depth.

• Pure Science assessments are more demanding.

Chemistry/ Science Chemistry

What will the students learn in the subject?

– Emphasize on the application of scientific concepts and principles

– Learn about substances, chemical reactions and abstract molecular structures

– Learn skills such as chemical analysis and will also be required to apply problem solving skills

Physics/ Science Physics

What will the students learn in the subject?

– Coherent understanding of energy, matter and their relationships

– Investigation on natural phenomena and then applying patterns, models, principles, theories and laws to explain the physical behaviour of the universe

– Develop skills that will be of long-term value such as accuracy and precision, integrity, enquiry, initiative and inventiveness

Biology/ Science Biology

What will the students learn in the subject?

– Study of plants and the human anatomy.

– Stimulates interest in, and develops care for, the local and global environment.

– Provides awareness that the applications of science may be both beneficial and detrimental to the individual, the community and the environment

Additional Mathematics

• O-Level Additional Mathematics syllabus assumes knowledge of O-Level Elementary Mathematics

What will the students learn in the subject?

– Content: Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, and Calculus

– Prepares students for further study of mathematics or science at post-secondary education institutions

– Provides a strong foundation in algebraic manipulation skills and mathematical reasoning skills are required

Principles of Accounts

What will the students learn in the subject?

– Designed to teach age-appropriate and relevant accounting knowledge, skills and values

– learn basic business skills, including recording and interpreting financial statements

– Understand how businesses use accounting and non-accounting information to make decisions

– Acquire transferrable skills that they can apply in their daily lives

Coursework Subjects

Should I take up a Coursework Subject?

• Coursework subjects are suitable for students who:

✓ can work independently

✓ can think critically

✓ can put in consistent effort in the coursework

✓ has a curious mind and a passion for the subject

What are the Coursework Subjects?

• Art

• Design and Technology (D&T)

• Food and Nutrition (F&N)

• Exercise and Sports Science (ESS)

* Choice of only ONE coursework subject.

Art

What will the students learn in the subject?

– Designed to provide students with the opportunity to give form and meaning to their ideas, thoughts and feelings through visual and tactile forms

– Use of a variety of media and technologies, as well as its role in the development of critical and creative thinking, will be involved.

– Visual literacy skills such as perceiving and responding to visual images, and analysis of visual information in its many forms will be developed

Design & Technology

What will the students learn in the subject?

– Designed to engage students in designing and prototyping ideas through applying technology

– Learning leverages and builds on their experiences in design and technology, and emphasizes on understanding everyday activities and creating possibilities to make life better

Food & Nutrition

What will the students learn in the subject?

– Develop the students’ understanding of the concepts of

o nutrition and meal planning

o diet and health

o principles of food science

– Equip students with the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions concerning food and nutrition

Exercise and Sports ScienceWhat will the students learn in the subject?

– Acquire and apply the knowledge in exercise physiology, biomechanics, and sports psychology to analyse, evaluate and improve practical performances in physical exercises and sports

– Develop the movement concepts and motor skills to be proficient in the performance of an individual / dual and a team sport

– Understand the benefits and risks associated with physical exercise and sports to manage personal participation in physical activities

– Examine issue related to sports and participation in physical activities from socio-cultural and global perspectives

O-Level CourseworkSubjects Art

Design & Technology

Food & NutritionExercise & Sports Science (O level)

Written Paper

Weighting 40%

(Paper 2 - Drawing & Painting)

30%

(Paper 1 – WrittenExam)

40%

(Paper 1 – WrittenExam)

40%

(Paper 1 – e-Exampaper)

Duration 3 hours 2 hours 2 hours 2 hours

Coursework Weighting 60% (Paper 1) 70% (Paper 2) 60% (Paper 2) 60% (Paper 2)

Components 1. The finished artwork

2. Not more than eight A2 sheets of preparatory studies

3. Duration - Jan to Sep

1. Design Journal

2. Final presentation –Not more than two A2 size presentation boards and prototype

3. Duration - Jan to Jul (22 weeks)

1. Coursework folio – not more than 50 pages

2. Duration - Jan to End Jul/Early Aug

1. Development log (20%)

2. Physical performance of 2 practical activities (40%)

3. Duration – Jan to Jul

More Information

• Syllabuses Examined in 2021

o O-Level: https://www.seab.gov.sg/home/examinations/gce-o-level/o-level-syllabuses-examined-for-school-candidates-2021

o N(A)-Level: https://www.seab.gov.sg/home/examinations/gce-n(a)-level/n(a)-level-syllabuses-examined-for-school-candidates-2021i

• Admission Criteria for JC/MI/Polytechnic/ITE

o Subject Combi Briefing 2020\Aggregate Computation for JC_MI_Poly_ITE.pdf

o Subject Combi Briefing 2020\Entry Requirements to JC_MI_Poly_ITE.pdf

Questions and FeedbackForm SG: https://form.gov.sg/5e83f2994013e50011d2ef36

* For FAQ: Subject Combi Briefing 2020_FAQ.pdf

For parents only

Thank you