Who should take 'O' Level Math?
For Lower Secondary, the only gauge that we can use to determine is your PSLE score for Math. However, it may not be the best indicator because the skill needed in Primary Math and Secondary Math is totally different. The following is for reference only.
PSLE Math: A or B (O level Math) PSLE Math: C or D (N level Math)
After Secondary 2 EOY exam, students are required to make the choice again and using your EOY results to decide will be much accurate of your Secondary School Math proficiency.
‘N” Level Math EOY result: 65% and above (change to O level Math) ‘N’ Level Math EOY result: 65% or less (stick with N level Math)
What is the difference?
Firstly, we shall look at the difference in the syllabus. For ‘N’ Level Elementary Math, a few topics will be excluded. The following topics are excluded:
- Set Notation
- Matrices
- Vector
These topics are very technical and can prove to be a problem for those who face difficulty in Math.
Secondly, the way questions are set.
The questions in ‘N’ level Math are easier to understand and for students to identify the chapter to use to tackle a specific question. The questions in ‘O’ level Math may require students to use a combination of chapters to solve a question.
Typically, questions in N level Math require students to take a 1-2 working to solve a questions. But for ‘O’ level Math students are expected to analyse and take multi-step approach to solve a questions.
The BIG JUMP for 'N' level Math to 'O' level Math
For other subjects, the answer is probably “NO”. However for E.Math, it is generally the case.
Information from: https://pfp.polytechnic.edu.sg/PFP/pfp_eligibility.html
The above table reflects the grade conversion for all ‘O’ level subjects to ‘N’ level subjects.
- O level A1 to B3 will convert to N level A1
- O level B4 to C6 will convert to N level A2
- O level D7 will convert to N level B3
Based on past experience and students’ result, the conversion of Elementary Math from the table is pretty accurate. However, it may not be the case for other subjects.
For those students who score a B3 for N level Math most students will end up scoring between C5 to D7 unless you double your effort.
To sum up, there is a BIG difference in N level and O level syllabus for E.Math in terms of syllabus, difficulty and grading. So for those who have no choice but to move on to Sec 5, it will be a challenging and difficult year for E.Math. However, nothing is impossible, work hard and put in your effort and you will be rewarded.