Jan 16 • 5 min read
A-Levels
Junior College

The GCE A-Level Exam: H1, H2 and H3 subjects explained

In Singapore, the A-Level examination is conducted and structured a little differently from its namesake equivalent (the International Cambridge A-Level examinations) in other parts of the world. This 'revised' Singapore A-Level curriculum model came into effect in 2006, as part of an enhanced curriculum framework to emphasize multi-disciplinary learning, breadth and flexibility of learning, and to better prepare students for university education.

In the Singapore system, candidates select subjects from three levels of study, namely 'Higher 1' (H1), 'Higher 2' (H2) and 'Higher 3' (H3). Subjects are divided into knowledge skills and content-based subjects. Knowledge skills subjects include General Paper, Knowledge & Inquiry and Project Work; content-based subjects are divided into languages, humanities and the arts, and mathematics & sciences.

H1, H2, H3 - What exactly do these levels mean?

So what exactly is the difference between H1. H2 and H3 A-level subjects?

The numbers beside each 'H' generally denote a 'more advanced' level. Viewed in this light, a subject taken at H3 level would then generally be 'more complex' than a subject taken at the H2 level. which in turn would be 'higher' in complexity compared to a subject assessed at the H1 level.

It is important to note that H3 subjects are not a choice which can be exercised by any JC student. H3 Subjects are for the more academically advanced students who are looking to distinguish themselves from the crowd - perhaps to gain some advantage for admission to certain universities or to win scholarships.

How it works

In junior college, students generally take either the Science or Arts stream. All subjects in these two streams, are divided into two categories: Knowledge-Skills & Content-based, as explained earlier.

Under the MOE regulations, students sitting for the A-level in a junior college are required to take at least one subject that is from a contrasting discipline. In other words, you are not allowed to take all Science-based subjects - Physics, Chemistry and Biology. This is different from the time when I was studying at junior college 3 decades ago, when I could take 3 Science subjects & Mathematics (at the H2 equivalent level). JC students are also required to fulfill additional academic requirements of Singapore's education system, such as having to take Project Work and a Mother Tongue Language.

Given the above, a candidate is thus generally expected to take the A-level subjects in the following combinations:

  1. Three content-based H2 subjects

  2. One content-based H1 subject

  3. H1 General Paper

  4. H1 Mother Tongue Language

  5. H1 Project Work

H1

The compulsory H1 subjects that should be taken by all students would be General Paper and Project Work. A very small minority of JC students may also take Knowledge & Inquiry in lieu of General Paper (GP).

Students can be exempted from taking H1 Mother Tongue if they have passed their Higher Mother Tongue Language (HMTL) in Secondary School. However, if the student did not undertake O-Level HMTL in Secondary school ‘O’ Level, it will be compulsory for him/her to complete H1 MTL in junior college.

The national examinations for H1 subjects will be taken at the end of JC2 (second year of JC), with the exception of H1 Mother Tongue Language and H1 Project Work (both of which are taken at the end of JC1).

H2

Students can take up 4 H2 subjects instead of the standard combination of 3 H2 and 1 H1 at the beginning of their JC1. The junior college will determine whether a student can offer to take up 4 H2s (based on the JC student's raw cut-off point when he/she enters JC). Do note that the requirements may differ from JC from JC.

H3

H3 subjects are taken as an extension to H2 subjects. They allow for a more in-depth study and advanced content exposure. Not all subjects are available at the H3 level though.

A JC student must be able to cope with their standard combination before deciding whether to to extend their study of their H2 subject and take it at the H3 level. H3 is an additional subject on top of all your H1 and H2 subjects, therefore, you have to be mentally prepared to devote more and sufficient time to all your subjects.

Academically strong students can choose to take up an additional H1 or H2 subject OR up to two H3 subjects (subject to approval).

Final Words

The Singapore A-Level examination is one of the most gruelling exams you can take in the country, and it can significantly impact your plans for further studies. In fact, you need to get a good score (i.e. score well for the various subjects in the A-Level exams) if you want to get into Singapore’s most prestigious colleges and universities. Now that you have a clearer idea of the H1, H2 and H3 subjects, it is important that you embark on a systematic and strategic study plan to maximise your scores for university admission. Good luck!

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