Best way to study for private A levels.
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Is it adequate if I use the recommended texts to study (books like collins advanced science physics)
or should I go buy some JC's notes?
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You're taking private A levels in 2014? If so, a little late now to be asking about it.
If 2015, then it's up to you. Different pple work best with different materials and approaches.
You can check out my List of Recommended H2 Chemistry Materials on my website :
http://www.infinity.usanethosting.com/Tuition/#Books_for_H2_Chemistry -
2016 actually. I'll be taking during my 2nd year of ns.
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Do you have any other recommendation for self-study?
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*for other subjects, like bio, physics, math, gp, econs.
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Smarter Study Skills : http://www.smarterstudyskills.com
Examination Study Tips : http://www.hi5tutors.com/article240610.jsp
Clear Out The Cobwebs! 4 Tips To Keep Your Brain Active : http://www.mindmovies.com/blogroll/post.php?id=87
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UltimaOnline, what are the difference between a level h2 chem practical paper 5 and spa paper?
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Originally posted by Momento:
UltimaOnline, what are the difference between a level h2 chem practical paper 5 and spa paper?
SPA is assessed in 3 skill sets, twice for each set, throughout the 2 years in a JC, and is marked by your school teacher. Practical Paper 5 is done in one sitting at the end of the year, duration of 1 hr 50 min, and is marked by Cambridge. Both involve practical work, eg. titration, qualitative analysis, etc. -
UltimaOnline, I plan to retake my a levels at the 2nd year of my ns. So how do I prepare myself for paper 5? Are the experiments i have done in jc similar to the ones that are gonna be tested? Did u attempt the paper 5 for last year's a level?
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Originally posted by Momento:
UltimaOnline, I plan to retake my a levels at the 2nd year of my ns. So how do I prepare myself for paper 5? Are the experiments i have done in jc similar to the ones that are gonna be tested? Did u attempt the paper 5 for last year’s a level?
You *must* sit for all Papers. The moment you absent yourself for any 1 paper, your overall grade for the subject will be "Absent". No need to worry about the Practical Paper, and no need to prepare specially for it. Just follow the instructions given exactly, use common sense + H2 Chemistry knowledge, and you'll do ok. Preparing for the Planning Qn in P2 will help you prepare for the Practical Paper, and vice-versa. -
UltimaOnline, so for paper 5, i have to complete 2 practicals in 1h 50min?
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Originally posted by Momento:
UltimaOnline, so for paper 5, i have to complete 2 practicals in 1h 50min?
Yes, 2 practical qns which must be carried out. The 3rd qn is a Planning / Evaluation type question, which does *not* have to be carried out. Just take it as a 'theory-about-practical' type of qn. -
Guys, for H2 Biology, is it alright to use just the Campbell and Reece book? Like does it cover everything covered in the exam (although it will be scattered over different chapters).
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Originally posted by Ecxwghnk:
Guys, for H2 Biology, is it alright to use just the Campbell and Reece book? Like does it cover everything covered in the exam (although it will be scattered over different chapters).
Not completely sufficient, it covers most, but not all of the H2 syllabus (particularly the applications part of the syllabus). More than half of Campbell is also irrelevant to the H2 syllabus. -
Originally posted by UltimaOnline:
Not completely sufficient, it covers most, but not all of the H2 syllabus (particularly the applications part of the syllabus). More than half of Campbell is also irrelevant to the H2 syllabus.Is there a good alternative to JC notes?
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Originally posted by Ecxwghnk:
Is there a good alternative to JC notes for H2 Biology?
There are several H2 Biology guidebooks / notes books available at Popular bookstore, written by a couple of different H2 Biology private tutors. They're all pretty good.
NUS Science bookstore has a couple of Uni level Biology textbooks (other than Campbell) that will be useful for the H2 syllabus, particularly Biotechnology textbooks for the applications syllabus. The critically acclaimed Molecular Biology of the Cell - The Problems Book is also available at NUS Science bookstore, and is useful for H3 Biology and H2 Biology students aiming for the distinction A grade.
Free resources @ H2 Biology blog by ex-students for H2 Bio students.
http://jc-biology.blogspot.sg
Free resources @ OwlCove.Sg : lots of summarized notes for all JC H2 subjects, including H2 Biology and H2 Chemistry
http://owlcove.sg/
Lots of internet website links @ H2 Biology private tutor Duncan Ang's webpage
https://sites.google.com/site/jch2biologytuition/9-biology-concepts
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hi all...
i dae SP civil enginerring with business using A levels results and O level results but i manage to get a place reserve in 2017. but i call up SP to ask if the course is 2 year or 3 year they say 3 year because i did not met the minimum entry for 2 year course as i get a S grade for h2 physics.
Is there anyway to appeal for the 2 year course instead of a 3 year course?
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UltimaOnline, I've seen Paper 5 from past years in the UK edition of 'A' Levels. There is only one planning question and for the second question the tabulation and calculation of data. No handling of apparatus was required and in the SEAB and Cambridge sites, they said it is not neccessary to handle laboratory apparatus. So I'm confused. Also, just curious, do you know of anyone who attempted Paper 5 and obtained A or B?
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Originally posted by SGPBoy:
UltimaOnline, I've seen Paper 5 from past years in the UK edition of 'A' Levels. There is only one planning question and for the second question the tabulation and calculation of data. No handling of apparatus was required and in the SEAB and Cambridge sites, they said it is not neccessary to handle laboratory apparatus. So I'm confused. Also, just curious, do you know of anyone who attempted Paper 5 and obtained A or B?
You of course need to handle lab apparatus (eg. titration, which comes out as 1 of the P5 qns almost every year), just that unlike SPA, no one will observe you handling the apparatus and grade you on it.
Results for individual papers are not revealed, you only see your overall grade. Nonetheless, certainly there will be candidates who obtain A grade for P5. But as long as all your P1+2+3 are all high As, you just need to pass your P5 (eg. C grade), and you can still get an overall A grade. -
So, for Paper 5, the first two questions are like SPA, whereby candidates use apparatus to obtain results and find a relationship between two variables and the third question gives the results of an experiment and candidates have to draw graphs and attempt calculations? Or is there any planning questions similar to those of Paper 5 UK edition (9701 syllabus), whereby candidates have to draw the setup of the experiment and list the procedure?
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Originally posted by SGPBoy:
So, for Paper 5, the first two questions are like SPA, whereby candidates use apparatus to obtain results and find a relationship between two variables and the third question gives the results of an experiment and candidates have to draw graphs and attempt calculations? Or is there any planning questions similar to those of Paper 5 UK edition (9701 syllabus), whereby candidates have to draw the setup of the experiment and list the procedure?
Anything is possible. Format is only format. Content is not fixed. A bit of Planning (though not as many marks as P2 Planning Qn or the UK syllabus) may come out in P5, in the 3rd question The 1st two qns require you to carry out the practical procedure and record results and interpret and give conclusion. Eg. Titration and QA. The 3rd question is a bit of Planning, more Intepretation and Evaluation of Data (which may be given to you in a table, since you're not actually carrying out the experiment) and Conclusions and Improving procedure, etc. -
Oh so for first two questions, it's like SPA, just that there are no plotting of graphs and such? Will the planning question be like the Paper 2 one, where a diagram has to be drawn and procedures to be listed?
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Originally posted by SGPBoy:
Oh so for first two questions, it's like SPA, just that there are no plotting of graphs and such? Will the planning question be like the Paper 2 one, where a diagram has to be drawn and procedures to be listed?
Anything is possible. Plotting of graphs and constructing of tables, are possible for the 1st 2 questions (either just 1 or neither, definitely won't be both). Any planning components is minor and structured, won't be a full essay like P2. Unlikely to require diagram and full procedure planning.
For most years, for the P5 questions 1, 2 and even 3, the tables and diagrams are mostly already prepared for you, as well as detailed experimental procedural instructions. You just need to carry out the experiments (for Q1 and Q2), record the results, interpret the results (for Q1, 2 and 3), and give conclusions, and sometimes suggest improvements.
And there will be additional questions (requiring theory knowledge) related to the context of the experiment. Minimal planning required. But if you're desperately gunning for the (die-die must get) A grade, naturally you'll want to be over-prepared for anything, just in case. -
I see. The format for all 3 science Paper 5 will be somewhat similar then? Is there any way for me to get my hands on past year Paper 5?
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Originally posted by SGPBoy:
I see. The format for all 3 science Paper 5 will be somewhat similar then? Is there any way for me to get my hands on past year Paper 5?
No idea about Physics or Biology, since I only specialize in Chemistry. No, there's no way to get your hands on Singapore past years Paper 5, because :
1) SEAB doesn't release Singapore past year paper 5 for TYS publication, while Cambridge only releases UK papers.
2) Past candidates have to submit the question paper itself (just like Paper 2), so you can't get it from them either.