The Think Tank Academy

Differences Between H1 Math And H2 Math

The O level results has just been released. Many students are probably contemplating which Junior College to enroll into. Many students assumed that JC Maths are just like Elementary or Additional Maths, just that they are a little harder. Prior to progressing to junior college where they will take their A-Levels, students have had an easier time learning math because the questions used for Secondary level do not require heavy computation work or conceptual understanding.

However, by the time they enter junior college and take their A-levels, they often find mathematics difficult to understand because the lessons are more complicated and require computation work not normally required or focused on in their previous mathematics classes. The lecture and tutorial style of teaching in junior college also compounded the problem as many secondary students are too used to being “spoon-fed” answers during their secondary days.

Adding to a student’s dilemma is the fact Singapore A-level math comes in two different levels: H1 Math and H2 Math. What are the key differences between the two of them and why should students study hard for them?
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Is H1 Math really easier?

Some say H1 Math is easier to do than H1 Math because it would just be a recap of what you learned during Secondary 3 and 4 Math. Computations are also easier to do for H1 math. It also does not require students to learn a lot of new concepts and questions asked may lack the depth of H2 questions. While H1 Math may appear easier on surface, the questions for H1 Math would still require intense study because they may still have the same difficulty as that of H2 math. Take statistics for instance. It can be very tricky to work on if one is not familiar with its terms and techniques.

H2 Math, based on its syllabus alone, end to be more difficult since students will need to be familiar with various types of mathematical questions that can be solved with a certain formula or analysis. The depth and width of topics covered under the H2 Math syllabus may also pose a serious problem for junior college students. Furthermore, the compositions of examinations of either H1 or H2 math may cause students to find difficulties in getting a passing grade.
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Exam difference between H1 and H2 Math

Formats of both papers are different for a start. For H1 mathematics, students are required to answer one 3-hour paper which will consist of statistics questions worth 60% and questions requiring pure mathematics worth 40%.

On the other hand, H2 mathematics will have students answer 2 3-hour papers. The first paper will challenge the student’s skills in pure mathematics, while the second paper has questions on statistics and pure mathematics. Considering this setup, 70% of the exams will be on pure mathematics and the remaining 30% will be on statistics.
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Entry into University

Being practical Singaporeans, students tend to question as to whether passing their H1 and H2 mathematics are essential for their entry into a course of their choice in the university, especially when they wish to pursue a course that does not require math.

It must be noted that for course like Medicine, Law, Dentistry, Advanced Sciences, Economics, and Statistics, it is still crucial to take and pass H2 Math. These courses may require in-depth computations that require a lot of data and statistical analysis. H2 Math also develops a student’s capacity to answer various types of questions which cannot be solved with simple mathematics or formulas.

H1 Math, on the other hand, is crucial for those who are taking business, social science and economics courses that requires a good statistical foundation. Having a good foundation in statistics also prepares them in data analysis and trains them to make decisions or conclusions that fit the question.

Even as you are deciding which junior college to enroll into, it is essential that you consider your future course because it will determine how you should prepare for your H1 and H2 mathematics and if you will require any Math tuition for it.
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Seek Help Early

Fortunately, students who experience difficulties learning H1/H2 Maths will be able to can seek the aid of one of Singapore’s A-level tuition schools or a tutor offering Maths tuition. RTC is proud to announce that we have just welcomed on board Mr Oliver Ching as our H1/H2/H3 Maths tutor. Mr Ching is a MOE trained teacher and brings with him more than 20 years of experience teaching H1/H2/H3 Maths and H2 Further Math. Classes size are kept small (max. 8 per class) so that every student will get personalized attention from our tutor.

So what are you waiting for? Seek help before it is too late. Give us a call at 9844 2074. We are here to help.

https://www.schoolbag.sg/story/small-fish-or-big-fish-how-we-decided-on-our-son-s-secondary-school

Small fish or big fish: How we decided on our son’s secondary school Faced with the happy problem of better-than-expected PSLE results, a mum considers whether to keep her son in the comfort zone of a small...

Factors to consider when choosing a secondary school for your child.

Celebrate effort, not results.....

Are We Preparing Our Kids For The Future?

Let us tell you a secret. We knew all along that the education we provide for our kids is insufficient and to a large extent, a waste of time. Of course, we have swept this under the carpet for ages, for generations, but it turns out we could not hide this anymore. We must stop educating our children like we did to industrial workers.

We have been warned countless times by our leaders that soon, artificial intelligence (AI) and robots could take on all repetitive tasks available. They are better suited to such jobs, anyway. With those tasks executed by artificial intelligence, that leaves us human beings, with only the creative jobs that AI robots are not ready to do (but be warned - they might encroach on this territory someday as well). We need a plan to train our children to adapt to unpredictable situations and to be creative.

At The Th!nk Tank Academy, we strive to teach our students to think creatively. Do not accept a formula or established methods at face value. Explore multiple ways to solve a problem, we asked them. Critique the approaches - tell us what works best for you and what doesn't. Think out of the box, some educators might say. But at The Th!nk Tank Academy, we boldly tell our students this - forget about the existence of the box.... just TH!NK!

The future is here.
Th!nk.
For the future.

The Th!nk Tank Academy will be embarking on our much talked about Maths Olympiad training across all levels during the school holidays. Our strength lies in the comprehensive curriculum designed to focus on the Number Theory (back bone in most primary Maths Olympiad contests) including the followings topics:

• Prime Factorisation
• Modular Arithmetic
• Square and Cubic Numbers
• Numerical Algorithm
• Analytic Number Theory
• Diophantine Equations
• Computational Number Theory
• Pythagoras Theorem/Pythagorean Triplets
• Simultaneous Equation
• Worst-case scenario
• Pattern recognition (AP and GP)
• Number Properties I - Integers, Evens/Odds, Consecutives, Divisibility
• Number Properties II - Exponents, Primes & their applications, Digit behaviour

Classes commencing on 9 December 2019. Do drop us a note at 9010 4714 should you be interested.

Why choose us??

- Rates starting from $136 per month.
- Taught by qualified, dedicated ex-MOE teachers.
- 4 x 1.5 hour sessions a month
- Small class size (max 10 students)
- Conducive environment
- Centrally located (Jurong West Ave 1)

Call us at 9010 4714 to book a slot. Classes starting in December 2019.

When you think of passion for learning, you might conjure up an image of Albert Einstein. Einstein was regarded as the greatest intellectual mind of our time. Einstein did not conform to a mold. He was passionate. He thought outside the box. When he was studying at Zurich Polytechnic he had trouble landing a job as a professor due to his unconventional approaches. If you looked at his school record, you may be shocked to know what Einstein’s son said about his father:

At The Th!nk Tank Academy, we strive for that moment when we see the hunger and desire for knowledge in our students’ eyes. When learning becomes a necessity, they follow the passion they feel in order to achieve something. Einstein often talked about this thirst for learning and the power of imagination. We aim to ignite this thirst for learning in our students by asking the unconventional questions..... questions such as:

How do you add eight 8's to get 1000?

Mathematics isn't hard. It is a language.

"As an educator, it’s my duty to challenge kids to reach higher, so I leave you with this challenge. Our country is stuck at 26% proficiency, and I challenge you to push that number higher. This is important because mathematical thinking not only builds young minds, but our kids need it to imagine and build a future that doesn’t yet exist. Meeting this challenge can be as simple as apples + apples. Insist that we teach Math as a human language and we will get there sooner, rather than later."

Math isn't hard, it's a language | Randy Palisoc | TEDxManhattanBeach This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Is 26% proficiency in math acceptable to you? That's the question t...

A sneak preview of our eBook. Get your copy now by sending us a PM and we will send you a copy of the PSLE Mathematics eBook for free! No strings attached!!

What's inside this eBook?
- 365 commonly asked problem sums
- Arranged by topics and question genre
- Worked solutions with explanation
- Step-by-step guide for complicated problems
- Tips and suggestions on how to handle such tricky problems
- Workbook (without solutions) also available for self practice.

Dear Students,

Please take time to go through the following topics for your up-coming E-Maths Paper 2:

1. Trigonometry (Shortest distance)
2. Quadratic equation in real world
3. Algebra (Change of subject)
4. Graphs
5. Vector
6. Radian measure
7. Probability (Combined)
8. Properties of circles
9. Hire purchase/Exchange rate
10. Polygons/Properties of Quadrilaterals.

All the best for the remaining papers in the O Level examinations! Go Ace it!