Originally posted by fox_hound_33:
I have a few questions regarding secondary education in Singapore:
1. I understand there are 4 to 5 levels: sec 1,2,3,4 &5
When a student is about to complete one level, does he or she need to sit and pass a examination before proceeding to the next level? or is it that moving from one level to another is based on continuous assessments?
2. What type of training materials are used in the schools, do all the schools have a standard MOE issued textbook that they follow or they have their own text books? Do schools have their own study notes and such?
3. How is the grading system in the examination? A, B, C, D , F??
4. How many subjects can a student take, maximum?
I tried MOE website but cant get any "first-hand" info.
Thanks
1. There are 2 continuous assessments and 2 examinations to take. All these are cumulative and affect the grades at the end of the year.
At Sec 2, students will be streamed into the different courses, depending on how well they did. Students who did well will go to a Science class, doing one, two or three Pure Science subjects. They will also do Additional Mathematics.
Those who didn't really fare well will be doing some other subjects, such as Food and Nutrition. They may do an additional Accounting subject as well, if the school offers it.
At Sec 4 (for those who are doing 4 years of sec education), they will have to take GCE O Levels, an exam prepared by Cambridge and Singapore together. Results will be released the next year, after which they will progress to the next level of education (GCE A Levels, ITE or polytechnic, MI or other institutions).
For those taking the 5-year course, they will take N Level at Sec 4. If results permit, they will take O Levels at Sec 5.
A recent change in the education policy also allow these students to take some O Levels subject at N Level, thus not wasting time and allow them to focus more time on their weaker subjects.
2. Textbooks approved by MOE are used. Others, such as study notes, are not regulated. Most, if not all, will have study notes of their own.
3. A1 - 75 and above
A2 - 70 to 74
B3 - 65 to 69
B4 - 60 to 64
C5 - 55 to 59
C6 - 50 to 54
D7 - 40 to 49
E8 - 31 to 39
F9 - 30 and below
4. Max I've seen is 10 or 11. Not too sure.