- No more GCE O- and N- level Examinations from 2027
- Entry scores for secondary schools under new PSLE Scoring system
- How Good is Your Grammar – Test 3 (Advanced Level)
- Reforms in Britain’s GCSE and A-Levels Exams
- Work-Study Degree Programmes by Local Universities
- How Secondary School Posting is Done
- How good is your Grammar? Test 2 (Intermediate Level)
- How good is your Grammar? Test 1 (Beginners’ Level)
- What makes a good tutor
- What are the benefits of Group Tutoring?
No more GCE O- and N- level Examinations from 2027
From 2027, all secondary 4 students will take a common national exam known as the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examinations. This SEC will replace the current GCE O- and N-level examinations. This year’s Secondary 1 students will be the first to sit their national examinations.
Entry scores for secondary schools under new PSLE Scoring system
Students taking PSLE next year will be the first batch of students under the new scoring system.
MOE has unveiled the indicative cut-off scores for the different secondary schools under the new system.
In short, the scoring system for each subject is as follows:
| Achievement Level (AL) | Marks |
| 1 | 90 and above |
| 2 | 85 – 89 |
| 3 | 80 – 84 |
| 4 | 75 – 79 |
| 5 | 65 – 74 |
| 6 | 45 – 64 |
| 7 | 20 – 44 |
| 8 | below 20 |
| Stream | Scores |
| Integrated Program (IP) | 7 – 9 |
| Express | 8 – 22 |
| Normal (Academic) | 22 – 25 |
| Normal (Technical) | 26 – 30 |
For more details on the entry requirements for the various schools, you may visit MOE website https://www.moe.gov.sg/microsites/psle-fsbb/posting-to-secondary-school/faqs.html
Grammar Test Part 3 – Advanced (15 Questions)
Section A
1. The students _____ more time to complete their projects.
i) request ii) request for iii) requesting
2. Parents play an important role _____ a child’s development.
i) to ii) in iii) at
3. The police _____ doing the necessary to warn the public about scams.
i) is ii) are iii) am
4. Students are only allowed to eat _____ the canteen.
in ii) from iii) at
5. Teenagers will try to fit in ______ their peers to avoid rejection.
i) to ii) with iii) by
6. Passengers are reminded to be _____ for their flight.
i) on time ii) in time iii) about time
7. I am travelling _____ the bus right now.
i) in ii) on iii) with
8. Being her best friend, you should know her better than _________.
i) me ii) I do iii) mine
9. This torchlight shines ______ than the old one.
i) brighter ii) more brightly iii) brightest
10. You will have ______ time to finish your work if you continue to waste more time.
i) even less ii) lesser
Section B
Each sentence has only one grammatical error. You are not supposed to add or omit any word in the sentence. You just have to spot the mistake and replace it with a correct word. Answers are provided after the quiz. Have fun!
One example has been done for you.
Father took us for a drive at his new car last night.
Father took us for a drive in his new car last night.
11. There are various ways to deal with different stress that we face at work or in school.
12. Some dictators are known to exert power on their people through evil means.
13. All of us bought some new luggages for the coming holiday overseas.
14. A spoilt child may become greedy and expects his parents to suit his whims and fancies.
15. My boss showed his satisfaction by nodding at me as I presented my slides yesterday.
Answers
1. i) request
The word ‘request’ means to ‘ask for’. Hence, when using the word ‘request’, ‘for’ is not necessary anymore.
2. i) to
‘To’ is a preposition to indicate towards something. Example: Smoking is harmful to your health.
3. ii) are – Police should be treated as a plural entity.
4. iii) at – The preposition ‘at’ is used when referring to a ‘place of action’.
5. ii) with – to show inclusion or togetherness
6. i) on time
To be ‘on time’ is to be punctual and ‘in time’ indicates sufficient time to spare or the last moment.
7. ii) on
You use the preposition ‘on’ for transportation like buses, trains & planes. The preposition ‘in’ will be used for taxis and cars.
8. ii) I do
9. i) more brightly – The adjective ‘brighter’ cannot be used as an adverb.
10. i) even less
The word ‘lesser’ is not used to show quantity but intensity. Example: He will get a lesser punishment if he pleads guilty.
11. There are various ways to deal with different stresses that we face at work or in school.
12. Some dictators are known to exert power over their people through evil means.
13. All of us bought some new luggage for the coming holiday overseas.
14. A spoilt child may become greedy and expect his parents to suit his whims and fancies.
15. My boss showed his satisfaction by nodding to me as I presented my slides yesterday.
How well did you fare?
Top of the pack!
Well done if your score is 13 or higher! Your proficiency of the language is excellent. You have a good understanding of grammar.
On the right track!
If your score is from 10 to 12, put more emphasis on accuracy and you should be on your way.
Please take note!
If you score 8 to 9, you need to take note of your common mistakes. It may be affecting your interaction with others.
Please get help!
If you score less than 8, you should seek help on improving. Don’t let your lack of proficiency affect how you communicate with people.
Reforms in Britain’s GCSE and A-Levels Exams
Under the reforms, grades for subjects will be progressively switched and completed by 2020. There will be nine grades under the new system, compared with eight under the old one.
Exams for some subjects such as Science will also be made more rigorous by including Maths content.
Kindly click on http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/british-exam-reforms-wont-affect-spore-students for more information.
Work-Study Degree Programmes by Local Universities
The Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and SIM University (UniSIM) have launched degree programmes in engineering, hospitality, IT and business finance. The programmes enable its undergraduates to work and receive sponsorships for their studies at the same time. The offer is also made available for working adults who may like to pursue a degree. Kindly click on http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/universities-to-run-apprenticeship-degree-schemes
How Secondary School Posting is Done
All students are ranked based on their aggregate scores that extend to decimal points. The top student is posted to the school at the top of his list of six choices. Likewise, the second pupil and so on, until there are no more vacancies in the school. A student who fails to get his top choice will be posted to the next school on his list. If that school is also full, he will be sent to his third-choice school, and so on.
Where there are two or more pupils with the same rounded aggregate score vying for the last place in a school, they will be posted based on their citizenship. Singaporeans get in first, followed by permanent residents and international pupils. In the event where there is still a tie, between two Singaporeans for instance, the one with the higher unrounded aggregate score will be posted to the school first. If the two have the same unrounded aggregate score, then posting will be determined by computerized balloting.
For students who fail to get a place in any of their choices of schools, they will be posted to one near their home that still has vacancies. But they must have met the school’s lowest PSLE aggregate. Those still without a school will be posted to one in other postal districts that still has vacancies.
If a child whose school has an affiliated secondary school and he wants to go there, he must indicate it as his first choice. This gives him priority. However, it is still subject to the availability of places.
Source: The Ministry of Education
Grammar Test Part 2 – Intermediate
20 Questions
(Answers at the bottom of the page)
1. She suggested _______ to the movies but no one was interested.
i) going ii) to go iii) go
2. Choose the correct sentence:
i) I have fed the dog already.
ii) I have already fed the dog.
3. Please remember to shut _______ the lights when you leave the room.
i) down ii) off iii) up
4. Though we _______ be there at 9pm, the shop will be closed by then.
i) shall ii) will
5. She _______ be there at the party this Saturday.
i) shall ii) will
6. None of the boys _______ going to the beach.
i) is ii) are iii) am
7. Choose the correct sentence:
i) I want to feedback on the poor service quality.
ii) I want to give feedback on the poor service quality.
8. We _______ the plans but came to no conclusion.
i) discussed about ii) discussed iii) discussed on
9. I saw her _______ the old lady at the market yesterday.
i) help ii) helped iii) helps
10. This building used to be a school _______.
i) last time ii) previously
11. My dad is taking my brother and _______ to the mall tomorrow.
i) I ii) me iii) both correct
12. James, as well as his friends _______ going to the movies tonight.
i) is ii) are iii) were
13. Stay _______ for further announcement on the situation.
i) tune ii) tuned iii) tuning
14. There are far _______ people buying compact discs these days.
i) less ii) lesser iii) fewer
15. His dad insists he _______ his food before eating the ice cream.
i) finished ii) finish iii) finishes
16. There _______ no trucks on this road on Sundays.
i) are ii) is iii) will
17. After working so hard, I look forward to _______ my holiday soon.
i) have ii) having iii) get
18. She is angry _______ him for forgetting her birthday.
i) at ii) with iii) about
19. Popular TV advertisements are usually aired _____ prime time.
i) on ii) at iii) during
20. Choose the correct sentence:
i) Can you tell me how much that pen is?
ii) Can you tell me how much is that pen?
iii) Both correct
Answers
1. Correct answer is (i).
The verb ‘suggest’ is an unusual verb. It can only be used in the following ways:
1.suggest + that
2.suggest + noun
3.suggest + gerund (a gerund is a continuous form of a verb)2. Correct answer is (ii).
The word ‘already’ has to be used before a verb in the present perfect tense.3. Correct answer is (ii).
‘Shut off’ is used to used when the action is almost immediate. ‘Shut down’ requires a process such as in a computer, factory etc… before the operation is completed. To shut something is to close.4. Correct answer is (i).
The modal verb ‘shall’ is used when the subject is in the first person such as “I” or “we”.5. Correct answer is (ii).
Only modal verb ‘shall’ is used when the subject is in the first person such as “I” or “we”. All others should use the modal verb ‘will’.6. Correct answer is (ii).
Although the word ‘none’ indicates not a single subject (noun), the plural indicative form in this sentence belongs to the plural noun “boys”.7. Correct answer is (ii).
The word ‘feedback’ is a noun and should not be treated as an action.8. Correct answer is (ii).
The word ‘discuss’ indicates to ‘talk about’. Hence, it does not take the prepositions such as ‘on’ or ‘about’.9. Correct answer is (i).
In a two-verb sentence, the correct tense is indicated by the first verb (saw) whereas the second verb (help) would disregard the tenses and nouns; retaining the root form.10. Correct answer is (ii).
The word ‘previously’ means ‘in the past.’ The phrase ‘last time’ indicates the last incident or occasion. For eg. The last time I saw him was 2 weeks ago…11. Correct answer is (ii).
The pronoun ‘I’ would be correct if
For eg. My brother and I are going to the mall…12. Correct answer is (i).
In this sentence, the noun (James) is a singular entity. The phrase “as well as his friends” is not regarded as part of the noun.13. Correct answer is (ii).
The word stay indicates that you have already tuned in and to remain so.14. Correct answer is (iii).
The word ‘few’ is used for countable noun and ‘less’ for uncountable noun.15. Correct answer is (ii).
Similar concept as Question 916. Correct answer is (i).
The noun (trucks) is a plural, and so the plural indicative form ‘are’ should be used.17. Correct answer is (ii).
When you look forward to something, it indicates the future. The future tense, which is also the present continuous form, should be used.18. Correct answer is (ii).
You can only be ‘angry with’ or ‘mad at’ someone or something.19. Correct answer is (ii).
Just like how we indicate time, we say at 7pm for instance and NOT on 7pm.20. Correct answer is (i).
This is a case of a question (How much is that pen?) within a question (Can you tell me).In such a scenario, the whole sentence has to be restructured.
For eg.
How old are you? (direct question)
Can you tell me how old you are? (question within a question)How well did you fare?
Top of the pack!
Well done if your score is 17 or more! Your proficiency of the language is excellent. You have a good understanding of grammar.On the right track!
If your score is between 13 and 16, you have a fairly good command of the language. Put more emphasis on accuracy and you should be on your way.Please take note!
If you scored between 10 and 12, you need to take note on your common mistakes. It may be affecting your interaction with others.Please get help!
If you scored less than 10, you should seek help on improving. Don’t let your lack of proficiency affects how you communicate with people.
Grammar Test Part 1 – Beginners
20 Questions
(Answers at the bottom of the page)
1. Don’t touch the kettle! ______ hot!
i) It’s ii) Its iii) Its’
2. _____ do you think this bag belongs to?
i) Who ii) Whom iii) Whose
3. Can you please help me to ______ the dog out for a walk?
i) bring ii) take iii) fetch
4. “Hello Ben! Can I _____ to your office at 3pm today?” asked Richard.
i) come ii) go iii) visit
5. Mr Tan’s home is in East Coast. He _____ in East Coast because he loves the beach.
i) stays ii) lives iii) both correct
6. He had lived in _____ flat before moving to a landed home.
i) a HDB ii) an HDB iii) HDB
7. Please _____ by this week whether you are able to attend the seminar.
i) revert ii) revert again iii) revert back
8. The children are usually dismissed at half_____ one.
i) passed ii) pass iii) past
9. This place is so beautiful. If my mother _____ here, she would love it!
i) is ii) was iii) were
10. The service in this restaurant is _____.
i) no good ii) not good iii) no-good
11. Singaporeans are working harder and longer on _____.
i) an average ii) average iii) the average
12.When I was a child, I studied _____ that school.
i) in ii) from iii) at
13. Can you please help me put these files _____ the box?
i) into ii) in iii) inside
14. I could not buy a drink as the vending machine was _____.
i) spoilt ii) spoiled iii) broken
15. He _____ in bed the entire day as he had a high fever yesterday.
i) lay ii) laid iii) lied
16. Please _____ your report by this week.
i) hand up ii) pass up iii) hand in
17. The meeting will commence at 8.30am. Please be there _____.
i) on time ii) in time iii) about time
18. Judy runs 5km _____ to stay fit and healthy.
i) every day ii) everyday iii) one day
19. What _____ you do if won the grand prize?
i) would ii) will iii) are
20. Although the task is difficult, I shall take _____ the challenge!
i) on ii) up iii) down
Answers
1. Correct answer is (i).
‘It’s’ is a contraction of ‘it is’
2. Correct answer is (ii).
This is a case of subject vs object. Subject refers to the doer of an action while object is the receiver of an action. Hence, “who” refers to the doer and “whom” refers to the receiver.
For eg. He is someone who is helpful (doer of action) whom everyone likes (receiver of adoration)
3. Correct answer is (ii).
You use the word ‘take’ from point of origin to destination and ‘bring’ from destination back to origin.
In this case, the person is leaving the point of origin to a destination.
4. Correct answer is (ii).
‘Go’ indicates from point of origin to destination and ‘come’ from destination back to origin. In this case, Richard is leaving his point of origin to a destination.
5. Correct answer is (ii).
‘Live’ is used when something is permanent and ‘stay’ when it is temporary.
6. Correct answer is (ii).
The word ‘H’ in HDB makes a vowel sound and ‘an’ is required.
7. Correct answer is (i).
‘Revert’ here is ‘to get back’. So if you use ‘revert back’ means ‘to get back back’.
8. Correct answer is (iii).
‘Past’ here is a preposition indicating ‘beyond in time’ whereas ‘passed’ is the past tense of the action word ‘pass’.
9. Correct answer is (iii).
Subjunctive form is used when you imagine yourself to be someone or an unlikely event happening. The word ‘were’ is usually used in this form. It also does not matter if the noun or subject is singular or plural in subjunctive form.
10. Correct answer is (ii).
‘No-good’ is only used as an adjective. For eg. This is a no-good deal.
11. Correct answer is (ii).
In this sentence, the word ‘average’ is a generalisation. ‘The average’ or ‘an average’ is used for something more specific or definite.
12. Correct answer is (iii).
The preposition ‘at’ is used when referring to a ‘place of action’.
13. Correct answer is (i).
The preposition ‘into’ is usually used with verbs indicating movement.
14. Correct answer is (iii).
‘Broken’ indicates equipments and machines that are no longer working whereas ‘spoilt’ is more appropriately used on people; such as ‘a spoilt brat’.
15. Correct answer is (i).
We need to use the past tense form of ‘lie’ which is ‘lay’.
16. Correct answer is (iii).
To ‘hand in’ is to give something typically to someone of authority and ‘hand up’ is a form of broken English. ‘Pass up’ usually indicates ‘giving up’ an opportunity.
17. Correct answer is (i).
To be ‘on time’ is to be punctual and ‘in time’ indicates sufficient time to spare or the last moment.
18. Correct answer is (i).
‘Every day’ written separately indicates ‘daily’, and a single word ‘everyday’ is used as an adjective. For eg. This is my everyday task.
19. Correct answer is (i).
Besides being a past tense form of ‘will’, the word ‘would’ is usually used to indicate hypothetical (imaginary) situations.
20. Correct answer is (ii).
In this sentence, to ‘take up’ is to accept a task. ‘Take on’ is usually used when challenging an opponent. For eg. He decided to take on the bully.
How well did you fare?
Top of the pack!
Well done if your score is 17 or more! Your proficiency of the language is excellent. You have a good understanding of grammar.
On the right track!
If your score is between 13 and 16, you have a fairly good command of the language. Put more emphasis on accuracy and you should be on your way.
Please take note!
If you scored between 10 and 12, you need to take note on your common mistakes. It may be affecting your interaction with others.
Please get help!
If you scored less than 10, you should seek help on improving. Don’t let your lack of proficiency affects how you communicate with people.
What makes a good Tutor?
Choosing the right tutor is the first step in helping your child. Never leave it to chance! Below are some points to take note:
Educational Qualifications –
This is the most basic any good tutor must possess. Having gone through the rigour of examinations, the tutor will be able to identify the stress and psychological aspects students face. More importantly, the right qualification enables the tutor to impart the right knowledge and even tips to handle the respective subjects.
Experiences –
Tutors with more experience tend to learn from mistakes made previously to ensure more effective coaching. Coupled with the right qualification, students are more likely to develop confidence to handle exams leading to academic success.
Passion –
Passion is a motivation that comes from within. It is a force that propels an individual to always do better and more importantly, enjoys every moment of what he does. A passionate tutor never fails to motivate and engage his students. He keeps abreast of the latest developments and come up with effective strategies to benefit the students. A tutor with great interest should not see tutoring as job. He ensures that students understand and are able to apply what they have learnt and soar in schools.
Empowerment –
A good tutor helps a student to become better learners and be empowered in the classroom. He must be able to help students progress to the point where they can be independent and confident. A successful tutor is also one that empathises and has an engaging sense of humour.
A tutor with empathy can read the attitude and emotions of a student. He is capable of discerning if students are frustrated or even how they feel about being tutored. The latter is especially true with younger kids who may not appreciate the rationale of tutoring.
Some students may not be enthusiastic about getting help with their academic issues. However, if a student can feel a tutor’s genuine concern, the student will begin to open up. This is the time where the tutor is able to enter the student’s model of the world and guide him.
Having a good sense of humour and an engaging personality can also make the student comfortable enough to open up to the tutor.
What are the benefits of Group Tuition?
- Cheaper tuition fees. Rate per student will be lower as compared to 1-on-1 tuition.
- Provoke competition. With someone who is deemed as a competitor side by side, it will instigate one to work even harder.
- Students benefit from a diversity of ideas and points of view.
- Encouraged Participation. Provides opportunities for quiet students to participate.