Singapore’s academic curriculum is so rigorous and grueling that even primary school students have been known to be stressed. Needless to say, junior college is a significant step up and that’s when things start getting real. And at the centre of it all lies the A levels examinations.
The A levels exams determine the choice of university or further education that the student can be admitted to and the field of study. It is an exam of the highest stakes, and the pressure to perform is often overwhelming for students, especially if they are struggling in certain subjects. Don’t worry, we at Private Tutor SG are here to help! With our team of highly qualified, experienced tutors, we aim to help all our students succeed in junior college and ace those A levels!
Overview of Our A-Level Tutoring Services
A Level English
In junior college, English is taught at an extremely high level. Students will have to demonstrate a thorough understanding of reading, writing, listening comprehension, and oral communication skills. There are two required papers; the General Paper and the Knowledge and Inquiry paper. GP focuses on broadening the student’s knowledge of current affairs and global outlook while being aware of the unique positioning of Singapore. The Knowledge and Inquiry focuses on areas like mathematics, aesthetics, and the sciences, teaching students how to develop critical thinking and independent learning skills.
A tutor can be invaluable in helping students prepare for A Level English by providing personalized support tailored to the student’s specific needs. They can help improve critical reading and analytical skills, guiding students through complex texts and explaining difficult themes, literary devices, and contextual influences.
A Level Math
At Private Tutor SG, we tutor four different syllabuses; H1 Math, H2 Math, H2 Further Math, and H3 Mathematics, all subjects with significantly increasing difficulty. We believe that a strong foundation in math will pave the way for many lucrative job opportunities and careers in the future, for example, in engineering, data analytics, or business.
Our math tutoring program encourages students to develop critical thinking and a strategic, mathematical approach to problem-solving. Students are guided to appreciate the value of math and will understand the theoretical applications to real-world examples. In addition, students will be taught to connect formulae and solutions, developing reasoning skills that will not only benefit them in their academic life but also well into adulthood.
A Level Science
A Level Science comprises three core subjects; Physics, Chemistry, and Biology, in any combination. These demanding subjects require a thorough understanding of the world around us and how each piece of the puzzle relates and interacts with each other. Students often struggle with science subjects due to the complex nature of the topics taught, and if knowledge gaps develop, keeping up with the rest of the class will be difficult, if not impossible.
Tutors can help with targeted revision and practice strategies, focusing on the student’s weaker areas. Through personalized lesson plans and one-on-one sessions, our tutors will help boost their student’s confidence by correcting mistakes and ensuring a student thoroughly understands each concept before moving on to more complex topics.
N Level Science
N Level Science comprises the core subjects of physics, biology, and chemistry, or any combination of the three depending on the student’s chosen subjects. Topics can include mechanics, heat, acids, chemical reactions, the periodic table, and natural ecosystems. Students must demonstrate their ability to interpret data, solve problems, and explain scientific phenomena.
Our tutors will focus on building a solid foundation in the core concepts of each subject, conducting experiments if necessary for more hands-on learning to help students better apply theoretical knowledge to real-world examples. In addition, they will administer extensive practice on past-year exam papers to familiarise students with question formats and common types of questions.
A Level Exam Prep
Preparing for the A levels can be exhausting and extremely stressful. The pressure to perform well often overwhelms students, especially if they are struggling in certain subjects. A tutor can offer personalized, one-on-one support to identify a student’s weakness and address any knowledge gaps, strengthening the understanding of a specific subject.
Tutors are well-versed in MOE’s exam syllabus and will constantly administer tests and exams to assess a student’s progress, identifying knowledge gaps and correcting mistakes to ensure that the student has a thorough understanding. In addition, practice makes perfect, and with adequate practice, students can go into the A level examinations with more confidence, which typically leads to better academic performance. In addition, tutors can teach time management and stress-relief techniques, enabling students to handle the intense pressure more effectively.
Our Private A Level Tutors
Our A level tutors are mostly current MOE or ex-MOE teachers, making them extremely well-versed in the exam format that they will impart to their students. In addition, they are highly qualified and hold academic qualifications that range from Bachelor’s Degrees to post-graduate PhDs. Not only do they possess a deep understanding of the subject they specialize in, but they are also trained to communicate complex principles in a clear, engaging manner.
With a tailored approach to the unique needs and learning styles of each student, they will first assess a student’s strengths and weaknesses, developing a customized lesson plan and strategy to address them. In addition, our selection criteria also looks for other traits like patience, kindness, adaptability, and empathy, as we seek to create a nurturing, student-centric environment that is conducive to learning.
Educational Philosophy and Approach
Our Educational Philosophy and Approach for A Levels
We pride ourselves in providing all our students with an engaging and supportive environment for them to be their best.
At Private Tutor SG, we thoroughly understand how pressurizing the A levels are, and the lead-up to the exams can be a trying time for all, not just students but also tutors, parents, and teachers. From the numerous subjects and the complex principles associated with each one, students often get overwhelmed with study time, research, homework, and school lesson. We like to help the students be the best that they can be. While this revolves around the A levels and the subsequent academic performance, we also want to help students in stress management and anxiety reduction.
While grades are important, our student-centric approach always places the needs of the student first, helping them enjoy learning and their JC years, which is a significant milestone in their lives.
Why Have Private A Level Tuition
Common Challenges When Taking The A Levels
The A levels is a high stakes exam, and it is no wonder that students often experience high levels of stress and anxiety, especially as the exams draw closer. When a student is extremely anxious, he or she might have trouble focusing, and that can lead to impaired judgement, careless mistakes, distractions, and ultimately, a weaker performance even though the potential to score was much higher.
Students also tend to feel overwhelmed by the intensive school work that has to be combined with study time and other out-of-school activities.
All the A level papers are timed, which means students need to complete them in the allocated time. If a student lacks practice, knowledge, or confidence, he or she might take more time than normal and be unable to finish the paper, leading to a significant loss in marks.
Extensive practice on past-year exam papers and tests is required for students to familiarise themselves with the exam format and be sure that they can complete the paper in the allocated time. By practicing on past exams and successfully giving the right answers, they will be quicker in doing the same during the actual paper.
Not everyone can be strong in all subjects, and each student has their own strengths and weaknesses. If a student is weak in a certain subject, there’s also a risk that he or she will lose confidence and hence, interest in learning that particular subject and the downward spiral will continue until it ends in failure.
Students need great discipline to focus on their weaknesses and pay extra attention to them, a practice that is often unpleasant yet has to be done.
JC life is intense, and between school lessons, coursework, homework, study time, and revisions, students can get overwhelmed and become unable to attain a balance of all. Discipline is needed to come up with a schedule and stick to it, adjusting it when necessary. For example, if a student is weak in math, he or she should be allocating more study and practice time, but when the scores start to improve, another subject can be targeted instead.