Advice on educational pathway

[nicholasandsoup]

Hi, so last year I took my O levels and received pretty bad results
English-A2
E.Maths-E8
Chinese-C6
Combined Science-D7
DNT-C6
Combined Humans-B3
With an additional CCA grade of A1.
Due to my maths score and low aggregate, I could not get into poly, and could only enrol into ITE. However, I decided not to pursue ITE as there was no higher nitec course that I had a high amount of interest in, as such I was worried even if I got in, my gpa wouldn't be good enough to secure a good course at poly in the future.
Right now, my choices are to either pursue a private diploma at SIM GE, or to retake certain O's subjects. If taking a private diploma, I would also be sitting for the SATs.
Since I went to sec 5 and just turned 18 this year, would it really be worth it to retake O's? I would be retaking Maths and science, as well as swapping out DNT for literature. However that would mean that, provided I do well in the second sitting, I would be 19 when I enter poly/JC. After the second sitting, I may consider going to a JC instead of poly as well.

Any advice including any not related to the aforementioned choices are appreciated, thanks

 

[Kyoji83]

1) What course you want to apply into Poly to the extend that ITE do not have similar courses?

2) Are you going to stop with a private Diploma or you will study up to a degree?

3) Are you sure that you can score better to the extend that you can enter JC with 2nd attempt GCE O?

4) If you are considering JC, have you consider to take private GCE A?

Hi, so last year I took my O levels and received pretty bad results
English-A2
E.Maths-E8
Chinese-C6
Combined Science-D7
DNT-C6
Combined Humans-B3
With an additional CCA grade of A1.
Due to my maths score and low aggregate, I could not get into poly, and could only enrol into ITE. However, I decided not to pursue ITE as there was no higher nitec course that I had a high amount of interest in, as such I was worried even if I got in, my gpa wouldn't be good enough to secure a good course at poly in the future.
Right now, my choices are to either pursue a private diploma at SIM GE, or to retake certain O's subjects. If taking a private diploma, I would also be sitting for the SATs.
Since I went to sec 5 and just turned 18 this year, would it really be worth it to retake O's? I would be retaking Maths and science, as well as swapping out DNT for literature. However that would mean that, provided I do well in the second sitting, I would be 19 when I enter poly/JC. After the second sitting, I may consider going to a JC instead of poly as well.

Any advice including any not related to the aforementioned choices are appreciated, thanks

 

[nicholasandsoup]

1)Mass Communications
2)If private diploma, will move on to degree as well, although won't be local
3)It won't be easy, but I really will have to work hard. I am hopeful that my previous results woken me up and made me understand how important O's are.
4)Won't private A's be harder though? As in private O's aren't that easy, and without attending a normal school, won't studying for A's purely on private classes/myself be extremely hard?

 

[Kyoji83]

1 & 2) This is my personal opinion. I feel that Mass Communications have limited jobs in the industry. So PEI graduate may lose out to Poly & Local graduate for jobs. And most of Mass Communications graduates are not working in the industry that they are trained. My advice to you is to select other course or study public education (Nitec -> Higher Nitec -> Poly Dip -> Workforce grain experience to see if this is what you want & earn some money -> Degree)

3 & 4) Your motivation for retaking GCE O are not convincing which is the reason why I advice you to go ITE. I'm not asking you to study on your own but you can go private school which is the same as JC (1 year course instead of 2 years). However if you are not ready, you can chose not to take GCE A on 1st year & attend the same private course again for another year before you take GCE A. Same apply to GCE O.

1)Mass Communications
2)If private diploma, will move on to degree as well, although won't be local
3)It won't be easy, but I really will have to work hard. I am hopeful that my previous results woken me up and made me understand how important O's are.
4)Won't private A's be harder though? As in private O's aren't that easy, and without attending a normal school, won't studying for A's purely on private classes/myself be extremely hard?

 

[eddief4]

1 & 2) This is my personal opinion. I feel that Mass Communications have limited jobs in the industry. So PEI graduate may lose out to Poly & Local graduate for jobs. And most of Mass Communications graduates are not working in the industry that they are trained. My advice to you is to select other course or study public education (Nitec -> Higher Nitec -> Poly Dip -> Workforce grain experience to see if this is what you want & earn some money -> Degree)

3 & 4) Your motivation for retaking GCE O are not convincing which is the reason why I advice you to go ITE. I'm not asking you to study on your own but you can go private school which is the same as JC (1 year course instead of 2 years). However if you are not ready, you can chose not to take GCE A on 1st year & attend the same private course again for another year before you take GCE A. Same apply to GCE O.

I can tell you from experience that 1 year for A levels is just simply not enough for someone without the basic foundations.

I took MDIS college's 16 month course which more resembles JC timeline (without the month long school holidays) and it was already intense. Those who started the 10 month program with barely any foundation struggled so much many dropped out.

I think going to ITE or retaking O levels would be a much better idea.

Granted, I myself did atrocious for O levels a decade ago and now did well enough for A levels to enter a local university but unless you are truly sure of your capabilities, I recommend not to pursue it.

For reference, my O level results in 2006 were:
English - B3
History - B3
Combined humanities - B3
Mother Tongue - C6
E maths - F9
Combined Science - F9
Principles of Accounting - F9

A level results for 2016 were:

AAC/D with a B for GP. Not the most spectacular but respectable enough.

 

[Servitude]

I can tell you from experience that 1 year for A levels is just simply not enough for someone without the basic foundations.

I took MDIS college's 16 month course which more resembles JC timeline (without the month long school holidays) and it was already intense. Those who started the 10 month program with barely any foundation struggled so much many dropped out.

I think going to ITE or retaking O levels would be a much better idea.

Granted, I myself did atrocious for O levels a decade ago and now did well enough for A levels to enter a local university but unless you are truly sure of your capabilities, I recommend not to pursue it.

For reference, my O level results in 2006 were:
English - B3
History - B3
Combined humanities - B3
Mother Tongue - C6
E maths - F9
Combined Science - F9
Principles of Accounting - F9

A level results for 2016 were:

AAC/D with a B for GP. Not the most spectacular but respectable enough.

Good for you ^^ To everyone its never the end. Try, try and try again! Cheers.

 

[grapewall]

O levels is important. Do it again until you have a decent results. Many higher education institutes will look at your o levels results to determine your foundations skills.

 

[Whirling_Dervish]

1)Mass Communications
2)If private diploma, will move on to degree as well, although won't be local
3)It won't be easy, but I really will have to work hard. I am hopeful that my previous results woken me up and made me understand how important O's are.
4)Won't private A's be harder though? As in private O's aren't that easy, and without attending a normal school, won't studying for A's purely on private classes/myself be extremely hard?

If you plan to pursue tertiary education overseas, how about embarking on a overseas university foundations programme?

 

[Z1NN14]

It's never "too old" for anything.
As long as you can score a min. D7 for your math and and C6 for science, you will be eligible for many courses in poly.

HardwareZone Forums app

 

[xballerinakels]

I would actually suggest private A levels with 2-3 years of studying (tuition plus revision daily without fail). This will save your time. If you are rich enough, you can even take A levels every year to check your progress until you are satisfied.

Universities do not bother to look at your O levels once you have an A level cert.

My recommended subject combination would be

H2 Maths
H2 Physics
H2 Chemistry/Biology
H1 Economics
H1 (choose your own)
H1 General paper
H1 Mother tongue

Those in Bold you have to take together in one year. The rest you can take any other year. I suggest splitting your exam into 2 years rather than taking all in one sitting. seriously.

For all exams there is just one rule. Hardwork.
You really need to be disciplined if you want to do well for your exams.