I had received a couple of emails from Secondary 5 Normal (Academic) Students asking for help to cope for their ‘O’ Level this year. Transiting from completing the GCE N Levels to preparing for the GCE O Levels in Sec 5 is not an easy journey indeed. This is also mentioned by Beetsma, the Singapore Top O-Level Performer among the Sec 5 cohort for 2007 GCE ‘O’ Level examinations.
As mentioned by Beetsma, “the gap is very wide because they teach us more in a shorter amount of time. The classes were getting harder and harder and I had difficulties.” In recent weeks, they has been controversies of cases that Sec 5 students attempting O levels are being “discouraged” by their school principal to transfer to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) as they are unlikely to do well at ‘O’ Levels.
Even though the road to ‘O’ Level from ‘N’ Level is not easy, i personally felt the principal should have been more tactful in his speech. Perhaps, the principal (and thus the school) should have a meeting/briefing with parents and students together and let them know the options that are available. I remembered in my early school days, such “talks” on Options that are available, have always been very smooth and positive.
Having said that, i strongly urge Normal (Academic) Students to keep their focus and study hard. Starting from now, go learn all the fundamental concepts in Chemistry that you are not strong with. It is important to have a good understanding of the basic Chemistry Concepts in order to appreciate the Sec 5 chapters.
Following are some fundamental chapters In Chemistry that you need to master:
- Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
- Atomic Structure
- Bonding (Ionic, Covalent & Metallic)
- Writing Chemical Equations (including Ionic Equations) –> Most Students have problems
- Mole Concepts & Chemical Calculations –> Most Students have problems
- Acids, Bases & Salts
- The Periodic Table & Its Elements
You can do it! Start your revision early, so that you can find help. Do not revise on the 11th hour.
PS: I will be sharing with you on questions that emphasize on Essential Chemistry Concepts in this post. Stay Tuned!
Related Articles:
- Intensive GCE O Level Pure Chemistry & IP Chemistry Sec 3 Topical Revision Crash Course Workshops
- Chemistry Questions – Mole Calculations
- O Levels: How to master Physics & Chemistry without memorization
- O Levels Chemistry Tips Blog Marathon – Day 3
- How to Revise for O Level Chemistry Effectively & Quickly
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