In Singapore, Junior College (JC) students can take either H1 or H2 Math as part of their A-Level subject combination. This will have a significant bearing on the courses available to them in university, as well as their eventual career path. For example, certain degree programmes in engineering, sciences and mathematics will require H2 Math as a subject prerequisite. If your child has a clear idea of what they would like to study at university, it can be helpful to choose subjects that will meet the entry requirements and give them a solid foundation in that area.
Alternatively, if your child is still undecided about their future plans, they can use JC to explore different fields of interest and find out what they are passionate about. Whichever route they choose, it is important to remember that the decisions they make now can have a big impact on their future career prospects, so it's worth taking the time to think carefully before deciding on the subject combination. With this in mind, here are the key differences between H1 Math and H2 Math.
Differences between H1 and H2 Math
1. Topics covered
In either subject, your child will be exposed to the graphing calculator with other online tools like the desmos graphing and scientific calculator which they can use in their learning. The material covered under both H1 and H2 Math is mostly the same, with the latter being more complex. For instance, H2 Math goes into greater detail on topics such as calculus and statistics. The H2 Math syllabus will introduce additional concepts not covered in H1 Math, such as double angle formula, differential equation and definite integrals. As a result, H2 Math is generally considered to be more difficult than H1 Math.
Despite the extra challenge, majority of students still opt to study H2 Math in JC as it opens up more university courses and gives them a better foundation to build upon, since math can be applied in many different fields. Generally, students who wish to study science-related courses would opt for H2 Math, and those in the art stream are thought to choose H1 Math. However, as art and science become more interlinked today, most students would push for H2 Math.
2. Exam format
In preparation for their H1 and H2 A-Level Math exams, your child will gradually become familiar with using the formula sheet – also known as MF26 – that is provided to them. When it comes to the actual exam, both H1 and H2 Math papers will generally test your child’s understanding of Pure Mathematics, along with Probability and Statistics. There will also be questions that require the application of Mathematics in real-world contexts, including those from business, social sciences, sciences and/or engineering. For H1 Math, the exam will consist of one 3-hour paper marked out of 100 as follows:
Section A worth 40 marks: 5 questions based on the Pure Mathematics section of the syllabus
Section B worth 60 marks: 6 to 8 questions testing Probability and Statistics
Unlike H1 Math, H2 Math have two 3-hour papers, each carrying 50% of the total mark. Each paper will be marked out of 100. This comprises:
Paper 1: Based on the Pure Mathematics section of the syllabus and will have 10 to 12 questions
Paper 2: Divided into two sections - Section A (Pure Mathematics) and Section B (Probability and Statistics). Worth 40 marks, Section A will have 4 to 5 questions of different lengths and marks, based on the Pure Mathematics section of the syllabus. Section B, worth 60 marks, will have questions drawn from the Probability and Statistics section of the syllabus. This section will have 6 to 8 questions of different lengths and marks.
3. Rank points allocated
In JC, rank points are tabulated based on a student's performance in academic subjects. The total number of rank points a student has for their A-Level examinations will ultimately determine their admission into the selected university, with the maximum being 90 points. With this in mind, H2 Math has a higher weightage than H1 Math. For example, your child will be given 10 rank points for a score of 70 to 100 marks in H1 Math. On the other hand, your child will gain 20 rank points for the same result with H2 Math.
How Math Academia can help
Overall, if your child is confident in their Math, H2 Math is definitely essential in their subject combination in JC to increase their chances of achieving higher rank points. If they are hesitant but still need this subject to get into their dream university in Singapore, not to worry as your child can get a head start with Math Academia’s tuition help.
A good math tutor can provide students with the attention they need to develop a strong foundation, master the material and take the A-Level exams with confidence. Whether your child need help with a tricky H2 Math problem or have questions about using the desmos graphing and scientific calculator, our tutors can provide guidance that is geared towards their individual needs.
Most recently, we also organised a June holiday programme where students got to understand H1 and H2 Math through real-world application. Our tutors designed a crime case and got students to use the concepts taught in class to solve the mystery. For example, students had to use vectors to determine the location of the suspect from a CCTV recording. This allowed them to see the relevance in real situations, one way to better connect them to Math beyond what they have learnt from their textbooks.
To complement our JC math tuition, your child can also use the extra resources available on our portal to challenge and sharpen their problem-solving skills outside of class. Our notes also contain links to video playbacks for difficult questions so that your child can revisit them during revision.
For more information, take a look at the key benefits of group tuition if you are interested in enrolling your child into Math Academia.
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