Previously, we discussed some ways the removal of the mid-year exams in Singapore would impact students. Importantly, we realised that removing exams would not necessarily achieve the aim of reducing stress in students. In fact, it might even add on to their stress, due to the uncertainty of this new system, and one less checkpoint in their studies before their year-end exams.
These points were echoed in a new article by Yahoo News, which gathered insights from several tuition providers in Singapore. Our Principal Tutor, Ms Yvonne Chen, was also asked to comment on the situation, and her views were featured in the article.
Three main points were highlighted:
1. There will be more emphasis on the year-end exams
Removing the mid-year exams removes one fairly important checkpoint in a student’s academic year. Now, the year-end exams becomes the only ‘proper’ exam that a student has to sit for. And all of a sudden, that one exam includes everything they have learnt in the year. Students also have less feedback on their progress throughout the year.
Naturally, students will feel more pressure for the year-end exam. It may feel more like a ‘make or break’ situation, where if they don’t do well for it, it would affect their whole year’s grade.
2. More parents and students will turn to tuition
Tuition is already very common and in high demand in Singapore. The uncertainty and new pressures created by this change in exam system may spur more parents and students to seek out help from external sources. It is a classic ‘kiasu’ reaction that wouldn’t be surprising in Singapore.
More specifically, parents may be looking for tuition centres that can ‘replace’ the role of schools in providing mock mid-year exams or similar mock tests that can help them track their child’s progress in their studies. As some schools move away from traditional teaching and do more ‘self-learning’ and project-based assessments, parents would also be looking for tutors that can hone in on exam skills and provide a more structured curriculum.
3. Students may feel less exam-ready
With the mid-year exams, students could use it to check their progress and understanding of all the topics from the first half of the year. It is also a practice in going through the revision and study process, equipping them to prepare for an exam.
In the new system, although there will be other forms of assessments (mostly in the form of assignments or shorter, topical quizzes), students will not experience that same rigour in preparing for exams – up until the year-end exam itself. Eventually, students may not have enough opportunities to develop that resilience and study know-how to prepare for major exams like the O Levels and A Levels.
Conclusion
We are grateful to Yahoo News for featuring our tutor’s comments in their article! As an established chain of tuition centres in Singapore, it is our role to support students who want to receive help for their studies. At the same time, we hope to do so in a manner that is not adding pressure and stress to our students, but in a way that would empower and inspire them.
Our tuition philosophy is not based on drilling practice questions or rote memorisation without understanding. Instead, in our classes like IP Math Tuition, we focus on conceptual understanding and answering techniques, through patient and clear explanations, fun and interactive classes, and teachers who are truly passionate about the subject.
At the end of the day, we hope to make studying more efficient for our students through high quality classes, including Physics JC tuition and more. This way, they can be more confident learners and actually have less stress about their studies.