Sec 3 Subject Combination Matters (For Sec 2, 2023)

No.

Questions and Answers

1

Q: What is the criteria for a Sec 2 student to be promoted to Sec 3?

A: Please refer to (pg 35 to 36 of the GRIT Handbook): https://www.hougangsec.moe.edu.sg/files/Students/GRIT%20Handbook%202023.pdf

2

Q: What is considered in the allocation of subject combinations?

A: The allocation of subject combinations will be based on merit, choice and vacancy.

If there is a high demand for a particular subject combination, choice order and overall grades for the subject will be the deciding factors. E.g., if a student chooses Combined Science (Chemistry/Biology) as his/her first choice, the school will rank all students who opted for Combined Science (Chemistry/Biology) based on their overall results for Lower Sec Science, to the point where all the vacancies are filled up. This applies to the coursework subjects as well.

3

Q: Is there a minimum number of students that is required to take a subject before it is offered?

A: The school will try to cater to the needs of students as far as possible depending on the availability of school resources.

4

Q: What is the maximum and minimum number of subjects that students from Express, N(A) and N(T) can offer? Is it possible to drop any subjects after subject allocation has been confirmed?

A: Express students in our school typically take 7 subjects and students in N(A)/N(T) stream are offered 6 subjects. Students need a minimum of 6 subjects to be registered for the national examinations for Express stream and 5 subjects for the Normal stream.

Students are to consult their subject teachers and ECG Counsellor before they consider dropping any subject, as it may have an impact on his/her post-secondary options in terms of educational institutions or courses.

5

Q: Can students switch from the N(A) to Express mid-way in Sec 3?

A: Students are not allowed to switch streams once they are in Sec 3.

6

Q: How can students qualify to take up Out-of-stream Subjects (OSS) at Sec 3?

A: At Sec 3, students may take/continue a subject at a more demanding level (Out-of-Stream Subject or OSS, for short) if they meet the following criteria: -

* For Sec 2 N(A) students who are currently not taking any SBB (Subject-based Banding) subjects, they are eligible to take up OSS subjects (i.e. at the Express level) if they meet the school-based criteria of 75% or better for the subject;

* For Sec 2 N(A) students who are already taking an SBB subject, they would need to score 50% or better for the SBB subject in order to be eligible to continue taking the subject as an OSS subject (i.e. at the Express level) in Sec 3;

* For Sec 2 N(T) students who are already taking an SBB subject, they would need to score 60% or better for the SBB subject in order to be eligible to continue taking the subject as an OSS subject [i.e. at the N(A) level] in Sec 3.

* For 2N(T) students who are currently not taking any SBB subjects, they need to score 75% or better for the subject in order to be eligible to take it as an OSS subject [i.e. at the N(A) level] in Sec 3.

Students can take up a maximum of 3 OSS subjects. However, taking OSS subjects does not qualify students to be promoted to a more demanding stream. Students need to meet the promotion criteria for lateral transfer to a more demanding stream.

For Sec 2 N(A), students who meet the promotion criteria and obtain 70% or more in the overall percentage of all subjects combined may be laterally transferred to Sec 3 Express.

For Sec 2 N(T), students who meet the promotion criteria, obtain 70% or more in the overall percentage of all subjects combined may be laterally transferred to Sec 2N(A).

No.

Questions and Answers

7

Q: Will the school consider opening 2 classes of Nutrition and Food Science (NFS) or Design & Technology (D&T) for each stream if there is demand?

A: In general, considerations in opening a class include factors such as safety requirements and availability of school resources. Based on current resources, the school is only able to offer 1 class per stream for subjects such as NFS and D&T.

8

Q: What are coursework subjects?

A: A coursework subject involves working on a performance task such as a rigorous research paper or design/art project. Students are required to analyse, think critically, plan and carry out comprehensive, thorough research in which they ask questions, examine issues, gather, record, collate, interpret and evaluate data to complete a working Artefact, Design Journal, Presentation Boards, Artwork and/or Research Paper.

National examinations for the coursework subject consist of two papers (Paper 1 and Paper 2). Students are expected to attempt a performance task examination (design project/final artwork/research paper) and a written examination.

The examination question paper for the performance task will be issued in January of the national examination year. Students are expected to work on their coursework during scheduled sessions in school after curriculum time. Coursework students are required to work independently and adhere to the scheduled submission timeline under the supervision of the subject teacher. The written paper will be done in a single seating with the rest of the national examination subjects at the end of the year.

No.

Questions and Answers

9

Q: Can students offer Higher Mother Tongue Language (HMTL) in Upper Secondary?

A: Higher Mother Tongue Language is typically offered from Sec 1, to provide students with sufficient runway to learn and do well. Students who do not take HMTL in Lower Sec but are interested in taking HMTL starting from Sec 3 are advised to consult their subject teachers and they may be considered on a case-by-case basis. However, as we do not offer Higher Malay Language (HML) or Higher Tamil Language (HTL) in-school, students will have to attend these lessons in external centres.

10

Q: Can a student opt for Mother Tongue Language ‘B’ (MTL ‘B’) in Upper Secondary?

A: Currently, the school does not offer MTL ‘B’ for Sec 1 to 3 students, and students have to go to external centres for MTL ‘B’ lessons. As the lesson timings are decided by these external centres, there may be clashes with some of our school programmes. Students are strongly encouraged students to try out MTL for 3 years before deciding on taking MTL ‘B’.

CL ‘B’

Students who have difficulties coping with CL since Lower Sec will be identified and given the option to do CL ‘B’ in Secondary 4. Students who are not identified but would like to take CL ‘B’ in Secondary 4 will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

ML ‘B’ or TL ‘B’

As the school does not offer ML ‘B’ and TL ‘B’, students have to go to external centres for ML ‘B’ or TL ‘B’ lessons.

11

Q: Can students drop MTL as a subject in Upper Secondary?

A: Students may be eligible for MTL exemption in a mainstream secondary school if they:

* Are returning from overseas and had no opportunity to learn an official MTL, a Non-Tamil Indian Language (NTIL) or an approved Foreign Language or Asian Language for a sustained period of time.

* Have special educational needs, with severe difficulties in coping with overall learning.

The school needs to request approval from HQ for dropping MTL and such requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by HQ

Other than the above, students are required to take MTL or MTL ‘B’ for their National Examinations.

No.

Questions and Answers

12

Q: What is the criteria for a student to take Geography or History in the Upper Sec? If a student scores better in Geography than History, will he be allocated Geography even though he has chosen History?

A: There is no criteria for a student to take Geography or History in the Upper Sec. As far as possible, the school will allow students to study the subject of their choice, subject to availability of school resources.

No.

Questions and Answers

13

Q: What is the criteria for an N(A) student to take Principles of Accounts (POA)? How many places are there?

A: For N(A), students must pass Mathematics in order to take POA. The school is able to take up to one class of POA students.

No.

Questions and Answers

14

Q: Can a student switch to Combined Science after first getting into a Pure Science subject combination?

A: Students are strongly advised to consult their subject teachers and ECG Counsellor before they consider dropping their Pure Science subject and taking up a Combined Science subject, as it may have an impact on his/her post-secondary options in terms of educational institutions or courses.