Every secondary 2 student in Singapore faces a huge decision at the end of their Sec 2 end of year exams. Which subject combination to take in upper secondary?
For some students, they already have a decision in mind, and they work hard to ensure they get the results that will allow them to choose their desired combination. If you are one of those students aiming to get better results for your streaming year, we can also help you through our classes like our IP math tuition!
Otherwise, most students may still be in a dilemma. For O Level students, this will be their subjects for the major exam. For IP students, it will still affect their upper sec and JC studies, as the subject combination system is quite similar. If you are not sure how to begin making your decision, read on to learn more!
Factors affecting your choice
First, you should read up and understand how the subject combinations work. You should also listen carefully at your school’s briefing to find out the exact options your school offers. You may not always have the luxury of all the options, as it boils down to whether your results are eligible for certain combinations, or whether your school has those options available. Most schools only offer a few combinations and subjects, and other constraints like cohort size and timetabling issue may further limit your choices.
But if you are fortunate enough to have some freedom of choice, here are some factors you should consider before locking in your preferences.
-
Future prospects
You can’t escape the fact that your subject choices now will affect your options down the road. Whether you plan on going to JC, poly, or even overseas, your subject combination now will open or close doors to certain schools and courses.
You may find yourself in one of two scenarios:
- You have a clear direction of what you want to study next: Check the prerequisites for the courses and/or schools you are aiming for, and ensure you choose the required subjects
- You are not too sure of what you want to study next: Choose your subjects with flexibility in mind, playing to your strengths and/or interests
Don’t wait until it’s too late to regret your choices!
-
Interests
Some students are very passion-driven, and they find motivation to study only if they are interested in the subject. Definitely, having interest in a subject helps, and you may even do better at it because you simply want to find out more about it and spend time on it.
It’s common to hear that triple science is the ‘best’ stream and for the smartest students. However, you shouldn’t choose it simply because everyone says so. Think about it carefully, because you will be stuck with these subjects for at least 2 years, and perhaps even more if you continue taking them in JC.
That said, some students are able to do well in subjects that they don’t like, thanks to sheer determination and hard work. It’s up to you to decide how important your interests are to you – but don’t let someone else decide it for you!
-
Difficulty and aptitude
There’s always discussion about which subjects are ‘easier’ – but that could be subjective as it depends on your abilities.
Some subjects, like biology and history, are well-known for being very content-heavy. That means there is a lot of information to learn and commit to memory. If you are good at memorising huge chunks of information, these subjects could be a breeze for you.
Subjects like math and physics are known as subjects that are ‘easy to score’. There are clear right and wrongs and most students can become very good at it just by practising and applying the right formulae. If you are good at math and formulae, these subjects are ideal for you.
Then, it is widely known that the humanities subjects like literature and history are not easy to score well in, because of the subjective nature. Knowing your content isn’t good enough – you need to be good at arguing your point and critically analysing the given material. If you are strong at persuasive writing and critical analyses, you may do well in these subjects.
Conclusion
It may feel scary making this decision at Sec 2, when you are still not quite sure what you want to do. You may find it helpful to speak to your teacher, a trusted adult, or seniors who have gone through the same decision.
Getting good results is also important for Sec 2 if you want a higher chance of getting the combination you want. If it’s streaming year for you, consider bucking up on your studies by studying more diligently or joining a tuition class near you!
At Future Academy, we have a team of experienced tutors that can help you through classes like Secondary School Science Tuition. Unlike lecture-style tuition, we do small group classes with a small student to teacher ratio, so every student can get individual guidance. With tutors that understand your strengths and weaknesses, they can also advise you on the most suitable subjects you should take!