BY EUGENE TOH

Just got your posting results? The next thing left to do, is to decide on the subject combination that you will be taking at the A Levels. In many years as an A Level Economics tutor, one of the most frequently asked questions that parents ask me - what should my child take at the A Levels?

I’m naturally biased and will tell you that many of the ex-students who took A Level Economics tuition with us have passed the A Level exams with distinctions - JC Economics will of course be the way to go!

Leaving bias aside, let’s make use of the Decision-Making Framework, a key topic learnt in both the H1 Economics and H2 Economics curriculum to help you make the best and right decision!

The basic things you need to know

You will need to take H1 General Paper & H1 Project Work - those are compulsory so there’s nothing to think about there.

You will also need to take H1 Mother Tongue if you did not previously take Higher MT at O levels and scored at least a D7.

That’s H1 GP, H1 Project Work + H1 Mother Tongue. Since they are mandatory, nothing to decide here.

Beyond the above 3 subjects, you will also need to take another

3 H2 + 1 H1 subjects

OR
4 H2 subjects

“H1” subject is typically ‘lighter’ in both content and the format of testing vs the “H2” version of the subject.

Of the 4 subjects, you will need to ensure that 1 subject is a contrasting subject.

These are considered Science subjects

Physics / Chemistry / Biology / Mathematics / Computing

These are considered Arts subjects

History / Economics / English Literature / Linguistics / Geography / Art / China Studies

The contrasting subject can be taken at either a H2 level or H1 level.

Your constraints - subjects & combinations that the school actually offers

If you are looking at common subject combinations like Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics & Economics - those are offered by every JC in Singapore.

Yet, if you are looking for ‘unique’ subjects offerings such as

China Studies in English

Art

Chinese Literature

Computing

For example, there are only 5 JCs in Singapore offering China Studies in English and JPJC is one of them. 

If you have already been posted to a school, find out what subject combinations are available before you start on your decision-making.

If you have not yet been posted to a school, one of the key things you should think about before deciding on a school to go to, would be whether the school offers a subject combination that you want to take

Maximise your benefits - take something you have a higher possibility of doing well in

There are certain subjects that you may have done well in at Secondary school level. If you did well in Mathematics at the Secondary level - for sure, take Mathematics at A Levels.

If you are fluent in writing essays, take subjects that are ‘essay-based’ as good writing is a beneficial skill to have for essay-based subjects like Economics, Literature, History & Geography.

Align with your ambitions

If you are already certain of the university courses you would like to take in the future, then use those to help you in your decisions

For example, if you are likely to take Engineering courses, you will want to ensure that you take both Physics & Mathematics.

If you are thinking of Finance / Economics / Business courses, Economics would be a good choice to take.

Take a look at the curriculum for university courses you are interested in, and have a look at the SEAB curriculum for the various subjects at the A Levels - do a comparison.

There are many students at the age of 16/17 who may still not have a clear idea the path they would like to take - in this case, choose a course that opens up the most number of pathways, and that’s typically the standard PCME combination (Physics / Chemistry / Mathematics / Economics).

Engage your interests

Motivation to study is one of the key factors to doing well at the A Levels. This is especially important because you have only less than 1 year and 9 months to complete the curriculum & revision before the A Level starts.

Make sure that not all 4 subjects are “boring” subjects that you are going to dread studying! Balance it out with some subjects that are interesting to study.

In my case - Geography was one of those subjects that I enjoyed taking at the A Levels. There were certain topics in both physical and human geography that were fascinating to me. 

Economics is a subject that involves real world application. In fact - in our classes right now, we have recently visited these issues

1. Why are we facing a semiconductor shortage?

2. Why are stock prices crashing because of the Federal Reserve’s announcement to hike interest rates?

3. Why is MAS allowing an appreciation of the SGD?

4. Why have housing & COE prices been rising lately?

5. Should COVID-19 vaccinations be made mandatory?

The concepts we’ve learnt in A Level Economics can actually be applied to the world around us!

Conclusion

Take time to come to a conclusion to best fit your needs - and your chances to do well at the A Levels!

Economics is one of the most popular subjects taken at the A Levels as it is relevant to our daily lives - and none of your friends are likely to have an advantage over you since for most, this is a fresh new subject taken for the first time.

Thinking about taking A Level Economics? Try out our tuition classes here! Or attend an upcoming webinar / masterclass.

Read our other post about taking A Level Economics as a subject