Hi,
I am planning to retake A-Levels during NS. I took A-Levels back in 2016 and managed to get into a course with lower requirements in NTU. I understand that the syllabus has changed, and hence I have to adapt to these changes. However, I still have several questions regarding the retaking A-Levels:
1) I took 3H2,1H1 for my A-Levels back in 2016. I have heard that people taking 3H2 1H1 are exempted from retaking GP and the other H1 subject during the second attempt. However, my results have a 1 year gap, and there is a change in syllabus, does this mean I have to retake everything?
2) Do I still get to keep my course if I screw up the 2nd attempt? Also, does the screw-up negatively affect anything else?
3) I understand that the 2nd attempt's RP would be not as worth as the first attempt, but what is roughly the ratio? Is the difference large(eg you need to get 85 RP on your 2nd attempt to get into a 75RP(1st attempt) course) or small?
Thanks for any input.
Hey man,
I took As in 2015, then re-did during my first year of NS in 2016. As for your queries,
1. There isnt really a "exempted" or not. You need to look at the uni you wanna apply to. Typically, most unis require your four core subjects plus GP taken in one seating (same year). But an agreement can be struck with the uni course administrator, or some unis have other requirements. Best to check before you opt to retake. Or else, taking everything again would be good so that you leave yourself open to other choices later on.
2. No. To my knowledge, when applying for uni you submit your academic records on your own, not via SEAB or MOE. (at least i applied to NUS and UCAS--UK unis on my own and not via school). Meaning to say, even if you dont do well the second time round, nobody has to know you retook your As.
3. To my knowledge there isnt really a "ratio" thing. But some unis prefer first-time achievers over those who do well on a second attempt. Again, best to check with the uni of your choice.
Actually, since you already have your NTU course as a safety net, why not just go ahead and apply to do As?? since it's during your NS, you dont really waste an additional year of your life. At worst, if you do really badly (or perform worse than attempt #1), you have only lost:
- $$ from exam fees (a few hundreds, yes, but only a one-time payment)
- slack-time during year 1 of NS (honestly doesnt amount to much. better to study than let MINDEF rot your brain.)
Like you, i retook my exams. I didnt really do badly the first time round, but had to pull up a couple of grades to get into the unis/courses that i originally aimed for. Against the odds, I managed to achieve that improvement. Here are some challenges you'll probably have to overcome:
1. Juggling military duties and studies.
It's really difficult to maintain a balance between the two, regardless of whether you are service/combat in NS. You either drain physical strength (training) or brainpower (doing pointless **** for regulars). By the time you move on to studying, you probably have no energy left. Still, you need the mental fortitude to carry on.
2. Discipline.
During admin time / lull periods, your sectionmates or friends will be slacking. It wont be uncommon for bouts of Mobile Legends / Clash Royale or whatever games there are during your time. I was in SCS helping out as stay-back force when the rest of my Company went to Taiwan for training. While i was studying in the bunks, all my friends (those who didnt go) were playing Call of Duty on the PS4. It will be daunting as you try to study while everyone around you is relaxing. You need the discipline to focus and not be influenced to join in.
3. Apathy of superiors.
You are retaking A levels in NS. Do your regulars give a damn about your academic pursuits? Hopefully yes -- but realistically, its probably a no. It is YOUR duty to ensure you have enough time to study. Dont expect them to set aside time for you to. Your regulars have only one goal in mind -- to squeeze the **** out of your very soul as long as you work under them. Yes it sounds impossible, but you HAVE TO allocate your own time.
^ this is from a non-combat POV, not sure if it will apply to you.
4. Lack of resources.
You are no longer a student of whichever JC you were from. New resources, notes, tutorials, papers will no longer be available to you. Reach out to juniors, friends, ex-tutors to see if they can help you in any aspect. In my experience, the lack of guidance will definitely be a depressing aspect, since you're likely to have almost no idea if you're improving or not.
All in all, I'm really proud that you've mustered the courage to take on Goliath once again. While retaking really sucks, bear in mind that you're not the only one (or one of the only few) doing so. In my office, I retook in 2016. In mid 2017 a new guy posted in and he was also retaking!! haha.
Anyways, what are your subjects? H1 and H2. Hook me up if you have further queries, I'd be glad to be of any help. Can email me at zhenyoung.heng(at)gmail.com
