PING YI SECONDARY SCHOOL

BRIEFING ON SECONDARY TWO STREAMING 2019 SEC 3 SUBJECT COMBINATIONS 2020

INFORMATION BOOKLET

EXPRESS

VISION

A School of Distinction in Learning and Service

MISSION

To nurture and develop our students to be strong and upright in character,

passionate about learning, innovative in spirit so as to serve the community

VALUES

Integrity our Foundation, Respect our Core & Care our Culture

2

A. Schedule of Events

S/No Event Time Frame

1 Briefing for parents 14 March 2019

2 Streaming Trial Exercise Term 3

3 Release of EOY results 23 October 2019

4 Selection of Subject Combination and Online Submission of Option forms

24 October 2019 (1pm) to 1 November 2019 (1pm)

5 Release of allocation of subject combinations

8 November 2019 (1pm)

6 Appeal period for change in subject combination

8 to 13 November 2019 (1pm)

7 Release of Appeal Results for change of subject combinations

18 November 2019

B. Available Subject Combinations Factors to Consider When Choosing Subject Combinations

Interest in the subject and relevance for preferred post-secondary educational pathways

Aptitude and competencies in the subject at Secondary 2

Demands of the subject (difficulty level, coursework etc.) and subject combination and ability to cope and manage

Criteria for Allocation of Subject Combinations

Students are allocated based on

Merit (overall percentage of final results in Sec 2), followed by

Choice (subject to meeting pre-requisites for selected subject combinations/ subjects

where relevant)

Availability of staff and physical resource

No appeals will be entertained when a student is given his/her first choice. Students are advised to consider their options carefully.

3

C. Subject Demands and Pre-requisites

* Higher MTL can be used to replace English only for admission to Junior College. * “Merit” or “Pass” grades for MTL B syllabus cannot be used for computation of the L1R5 for JC or Polytechnic admission.

Subject Levels Demands Pre-requisites

(based on Sec 2 final overall results)

1. Additional Mathematics

O Requires understanding and applications of advanced Mathematical concepts and problem solving skills.

At least B3 in Mathematics

2. Pure Chemistry

O Students should have an interest in the study of basic characteristics of substances such as their structure, composition, properties, as well as the reactive characteristics and the different ways in which they react or combine with other substances.

At least B3 in Science

3. Pure Physics O Students should have an interest in the scientific study of matter and energy, and the effect that they have on each other in the fields of electricity, heat, light, mechanics, and sound.

At least B3 in Science

4. Pure Geography

O Students who have an interest in Geography. The syllabus requires the student to demonstrate relevant factual knowledge and knowledge of relevant fieldwork techniques. The student is required to apply concepts learnt and make judgements/evaluations as well as interpret and evaluate geographical data given.

At least B4 in Geography and pass

in English

5. Pure History O Students who have interest in History. The syllabus requires the student to interact with historical sources and develop skills of evaluating the validity of sources based on a given context. The student is required to inquire, analyse and evaluate the evidence of the past before reconstructing the past in a methodical way in an explanation.

At least B4 in History and pass in English

6. Combined Humanities (Social Studies & Literature in English Elective)

O Students should have an interest in reading texts. The study of Literature empowers students to make meaning of texts, and see themselves and the world from diverse perspectives. Literature develops students’ ability to communicate a sensitive and informed personal response analysing the novel studied and the ways in which writers’ choices of form, structure and language shape meaning.

At least B4 in English Language

7. Higher Mother Tongue*

O By teacher’s recommendation only

(offered through school letter)

D. Tentative Combinations for Sec 3 Express (For reference only, Sec 3 subjects will be finalised in Oct)

Subject option

3E1 3E2 3E3 3E4 3E5 (only applicable for students who are

exempted from MTL)

3E6 (only applicable for students who are

exempted from MTL)

1 English English English English English English

2 Mother Tongue Mother Tongue Mother Tongue Mother Tongue Mathematics Mathematics

3 Mathematics Mathematics Mathematics Mathematics Combined Humanities (SS + Elective Geo

/Hist / Lit*)

Combined Humanities (SS + Elective Geo

/Hist / Lit*)

4 Combined Humanities

(SS + Elective Geo /Hist / Lit*)

Combined Humanities

(SS + Elective Geo /Hist / Lit*)

Combined Humanities

(SS + Elective Geo /Hist / Lit*)

Combined Humanities

(SS + Elective Geo /Hist / Lit*)

Combined Science (Phy, Chem) / (Chem,

Bio)

Pure Chemistry

5 Pure Chemistry Combined Science (Phy, Chem) / (Chem, Bio)

Combined Science (Phy, Chem) / (Chem, Bio))

Combined Science (Phy, Chem) / (Chem, Bio)

Design & Technology / Food & Nutrition / Art

Pure Physics

6 Pure Physics Additional Mathematics

Design & Technology / Food & Nutrition /

Art

Pure History / Pure Geography

#Pure History/ Pure Geography/ ^Additional

Mathematics

Additional Mathematics

7 Additional Mathematics

--- --- --- --- ---

Total number of subjects

7 6 6 6 6 6

Eligibility Criteria

At least B3 in both Science and

Mathematics and L1R5 less than or

equal 20.

At least B3 in Mathematics

--- To take Pure Humanities, at least

B4 for relevant subject and a pass in

English.

#To take Pure Humanities, at least B4 for relevant subject and

a pass in English. ^To take Additional

Mathematics, at least B3 in Mathematics

At least B3 in both Science and

Mathematics and L1R5 less than or equal 20.

*To offer Elective Literature in English, student must obtain B4 in English Language. For Subject Option 3E4, 3E5, the Humanities subject for Combined Humanities and Pure Humanities cannot be the same.

E. SUBJECT SYNOPSES ‘O’ LEVEL PURE PHYSICS (6091) PURE CHEMISTRY (6092)

Paper 1 consists of 40 compulsory MCQ questions and carries 40 marks. Paper 2 consists of two sections. Section A carries 50 marks and consists of compulsory structured questions. Section B carries 30 marks and consists of 3 free response questions. The first two questions are compulsory questions. The last question will be presented in an either/or form. Paper 3 Assessment of the Science Practical Skills is grouped into the skill sets as follows: Planning Manipulation, measurement and observation Presentation of data and observations Analysis, conclusions and evaluation Examination Format

Paper Type of Paper Duration Marks Weighting

1 Multiple Choice 1h 40 30%

2 Structured and Free Response 1h 45min 80 50%

3 End of Course Practical Assessment

1h 50min 40 20%

6

SCIENCE (PHYSICS, CHEMISTRY) (5076) SCIENCE (CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY) (5078) Paper 1 consists of 40 compulsory MCQ questions and carries 40 marks. Paper 2 consists of two sections. Section A carries 45 marks and consists of compulsory structured questions. Section B carries 20 marks and consists of 3 free response questions. Candidates choose two out of three questions. Paper 3 – Science Practical Examination consists of one or two compulsory questions on each of the two Sciences. This paper carries 30 marks. Examination Format

Paper Type of Paper Duration Marks Weighting

1 Multiple Choice Questions

1h 40 20%

2 Structured and Free response (Physics)

1h 15min

65 32.5%

3 Structured and Free response (Chemistry)

1h 15min

65 32.5%

4 Structured and Free response (Biology)

1h 15min

65 32.5%

3 Practical

1h 30min 30 15%

Science (Physics, Chemistry), Syllabus 5076 Paper 1 will be based on the Physics and Chemistry sections of the syllabus. Paper 2 will be based on the Physics section of the syllabus. Paper 3 will be based on the Chemistry section of the syllabus. Paper 5 will be based on the Physics and Chemistry sections of the syllabus. Science (Chemistry, Biology), Syllabus 5078 Paper 1 will be based on the Chemistry and Biology sections of the syllabus. Paper 3 will be based on the Chemistry section of the syllabus. Paper 4 will be based on the Biology section of the syllabus. Paper 5 will be based on the Chemistry and Biology sections of the syllabus.

7

PURE GEOGRAPHY (2236)

Paper 1: Geographical Investigations / Structured Questions

Sections A and B:

Coasts

Global Tourism

Paper 2: Structured Questions

Section A:

Living with Tectonic Hazards

Variable Weather and Changing Climate

Section B:

Food Resources

Health and Diseases

Examination Format

The examination consists of two papers – Paper 1 and Paper 2, taken at separate sittings.

The duration of Paper 1 is 1 hour 40 minutes and Paper 2 is 1 hour 30 minutes.

Candidates will answer a total of four questions and each question carries equal weighting

(25% each). It is 50 marks for each paper.

Paper 1

Section A: One compulsory question (25m)

Section B: Students select ONE question out of two questions set (25m)

Paper 2

Section A: Students select ONE question out of two questions set (25m)

Section B: Students select ONE question out of two questions set (25m)

8

PURE HISTORY (2174)

THE MAKING OF THE CONTEMPORARY WORLD ORDER 1870s - 1991

Paper 1: European Dominance and Challenges (1870s – 1945)

Unit 1 European Dominance and Expansion in the late 19th Century

Unit 2 The World in Crisis

Paper 2: The Bi-Polar World Order (1945 – 1991)

Unit 3 Bi-Polarity and the Cold War

Unit 4 Decolonisation and Emergence of Nation States

Examination Format

The examination consists of two papers – Paper 1 and Paper 2, taken at separate sittings.

The duration of each paper is 1 hour 40 minutes. It is 50 marks for each paper

Paper 1

Section A: Source-Based Case Study (30m)

Section B: Structured-Essay Question (20m) - Students select ONE question out of two

questions set

Paper 2

Section A: Source-Based Case Study (30m)

Section B: Structured-Essay Questions (20m) - Students select ONE question out of two

questions set

9

HUMANITIES (SOCIAL STUDIES, GEOGRAPHY) (2272)

HUMANITIES (SOCIAL STUDIES, HISTORY) (2273)

HUMANITIES (SOCIAL STUDIES, LITERATURE) (2274)

SOCIAL STUDIES *COMPULSORY

Issues

Issue 1: Exploring Citizenship and Governance

Issue 2: Living in a Diverse Society

Issue 3: Being Part of a Globalised World

Examination Format

One paper of 1 hour 45 minutes (Total marks: 50).

Paper comprises 2 sections:

Section A: (35 marks)

One source-based case study

Section B: (15 marks)

One structured-response question

Candidates are required to answer the compulsory source-based case study from

Section A and the compulsory structured-response question from Section B.

10

GEOGRAPHY ELECTIVE (2272)

Section A: Geographical Investigations

Global Tourism

Variable Weather and Changing Climate

Section B: Structured Questions

Global Tourism

Variable Weather and Changing Climate

Section C: Structured Questions

Living with Tectonic Hazards

Food Resources

Examination Format

One paper of 1 hour 40 minutes (Total marks: 50).

Section A: Students select ONE question out of 2 questions set (13 marks)

Section B: Students select ONE question out of 2 questions set (12 marks)

Section C: Students select ONE question out of 2 questions set (25 marks)

HISTORY ELECTIVE (2273)

The Making of the Contemporary World Order, 1900s-1991

Unit 1: The World in Crisis

Unit 2: Bi-Polarity and the Cold War

Examination Format

One paper of 1 hour 40 minutes (Total marks: 50)

Section A: One compulsory source-based case study and question set (30 marks)

Section B: Students select ONE structured-essay question out of 2 questions set (20 marks)

LITERATURE IN ENGLISH ELECTIVE (2274)

Syllabus Content Literature as an elective subject consists of two sections. Section A: Prose Candidates will read one prescribed text. Section B: Unseen Poetry There is no set text in this section. Examination Format

One paper of 1 hour 40 minutes (Total marks: 50) Students must answer one question (25 marks) from Section A. In Section B, students will answer one question from Section B (25 marks).

11

ADDITIONAL MATHEMATICS (4047) The content is organised into three strands, namely, Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry, and Calculus. Besides conceptual understanding and skill proficiency explicated in the content strand, the development of process skills, namely, reasoning, communication and connections, thinking skills and heuristics, and applications and modelling are also emphasised. The GCE ‘O’ Level Additional Mathematics Syllabus assumes knowledge of GCE ‘O’ Level Mathematics. Examination Format

COURSEWORK ELECTIVES

ART (6123)

Paper 1: 2h (80 marks, 44%) There will be 11 – 13 questions of varying marks and lengths. Candidates are required to answer all questions. Paper 2: 2h 30min (100 marks, 56%) There will be 9 – 11 questions of varying marks and lengths. Candidates are required to answer all questions.

12

ART (6123) The examination requirements for Art (GCE O-Level) are as such: Examination Format

Paper Type of Paper Duration Weighting Remark

1

Coursework 7-9 months 60% Compulsory

2

Drawing and Painting 3h 40% Compulsory

Paper 1: Coursework (60%) Candidates are required to hand in a project which is completed over a period of 8 months. They can choose the theme of the project, which can be a 2-dimensional or 3-dimensional piece based on the skills of the candidate. Candidates are also required to hand in 8 pieces of A2 mounting boards of Preparatory Work with their initial sketches and drawings that show the subsequent development of the final piece. Paper 2: Drawing and Painting (40%) Candidates will be given this paper 3 weeks in advance of the examination date. They are to choose 1 out of the 6 themes given for this examination. During the 3 weeks, they are required to prepare for their final piece by researching and developing on the chosen theme. On the day of the examination, candidates have to complete their final piece in 3hours on a piece of A3 paper. They are also required to hand in no more than 5 sheets of A3 paper for their Preparatory Work. This paper is optional for candidates offering GCE O-Level Art.

In Section A, Part A - two visual stimuli questions will be set. Candidates must answer one question. In Section A, Part B - three non-visual stimuli questions will be set. Candidates must answer one question.

In Section B, three questions will be set. One visual stimulus and two non-visual questions will be set. Candidates must answer one question.

Candidates will have to answer a total of 3 questions: Two questions from Section A (Part A and B) and one from Section B. Skills covered for both Papers 1 and 2:

Drawing and Painting

Other technical skills required for their chosen project medium

Brainstorming and lateral thinking skills

Problem-solving skills

13

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY (7059) This is an elective subject that provides a more practice-oriented dimension to the mainly academic curriculum and its main objective is to broaden the educational experience of pupils. Design & Technology is interdisciplinary in nature and has direct applications to real world situations. It is a platform to introduce new technologies, knowledge and skills as well as to promote creativity and innovation. Examination Format

Syllabus Weighting

Design & Technology

Paper 1 (Theory) Paper 2 (Coursework)

40% 60%

Section 1 Design Design method, design thinking and communication skills, user centric design Section 2 Technological Structure, mechanism and electronics for designing and making controlled systems Building mock-ups for experimenting and evaluating ideas (Content is organised to give greater focus to skills, processes and habits of mind that are integral to design-and-make activities)

14

FOOD AND NUTRITION (6087) Syllabus Content

Nutrition and health-nutrients, balanced diet and health, energy balance, digestion, meal planning and analysis

Food Choices - main food commodities, food labels, food spoilage & preservation

Food Science - the science of food preparation and cooking, reactions in food during preparation and cooking, evaluation of food, the science of food processing

Examination Format

Paper 1 - Structured

and open-ended type

questions

Theory 1. Relationship between Nutrition and Health 2. Food Choices –food commodities, labels. 3. Scientific principles underlying food preparation, processing and safety

40%

Paper 2 - Analysis,

Planning, Application &

Overall Evaluation

processes

Coursework

A problem-solving and investigative approach,

with an emphasis on experimental work.

Assignment is given at the beginning of the year.

60%

15

HIGHER MOTHER TONGUE LANGUAGES

The target group for this subject is students with an aptitude in the MTL language. They must have attained at least a B3 in core subjects (i.e. Mathematics, Science) for Sec 2 overall combined results. The subject emphasizes on the training of students’ reading, writing and oral skills. The benefits of offering Higher MTL are: 1. Two bonus points will be awarded to students in their application to JC/MI. 2. English Language grade can be replaced by Higher MTL grade for the first language

component (L1). (Only applicable for JC/MI admission). However, if such is the case, the grade obtained for MT cannot be used towards the computation of LIR5 aggregate score of ‘R5’

3. Students who attain D7 or better in the GCE ‘O’ Level Higher Mother Tongue Examination do not need to offer Mother Tongue at H1 level in JC.

Examination Format

Paper 1 (2 hours, 40%): Functional writing/ essay writing Paper 2 (1 hour 45 minutes, 40%): Cloze passage / text editing / grammar / comprehension / summary Paper 3 (20%): Oral

Students offering Higher Mother Tongue will sit for the GCE ‘O’ Level MT Examination at the end of Sec 3 (Express). Sec 3 (Express) students who have sat for the GCE ‘O’ Level MT Examination at the end of Sec 3 will have to sit for their GCE ‘O’ Level Higher Mother Tongue Examination at the end of Sec 4. Failing to do so, they will need to re-sit for their GCE ‘O’ Level Mother Tongue Examination.

For more information, please visit http://www.seab.gov.sg.