The O-Levels loom large in the journey of most students through Singapore’s education system. In terms of importance its only rivals are the PSLE and the A-Levels, and it has no peer when it comes to the number of subjects examined. Subject combinations might vary, but make no mistake — taking the O-Levels is a difficult and arduous task for everybody.
This is arguably true for the parents of O-Level candidates as well! Given the magnitude of the task, being able to anticipate and prepare for the challenges ahead is key in making a stressful year less so and laying the foundations for success. Here are 5 such challenges that you and your child should look out for when preparing for the O-Levels:
1. Information Overload
The sheer amount of content that students are required to absorb for the O-Levels may appear daunting to both you and your child. For example, roughly 60% of O-Level content is taught in Secondary 3, and the challenge for your child lies in continuing to maintain a good grasp on all they have learnt going into Secondary 4.
This is easier said than done, as it is only natural for mastery of past content to fade a little as students tackle new subject matter.
Your child will have to develop the good habit of periodically reviewing older material across the school term, in order to avoid having to do so late in the year when time is especially precious.
Information overload becomes much less of a problem when the information is spread out in bite-sized portions over a longer period of time. At TLL, we recognise the importance of consistent work, and our teachers are always happy to go over past content with students.
2. Working Through and Eliminating Common Mistakes
Your child’s common mistakes would not be common if they were that easy to get rid of, and the simple truth is that they are often not able to do so if left to their own devices.
But the O-Levels leave little margin for error, which is why it is absolutely crucial that your child gets adequate help in identifying, and then eliminating, the little niggling mistakes or blind spots that tend to trip them up time and again.
These could include getting more practice for certain types of Mathematics or English comprehension questions that they struggle with, or addressing conceptual confusion for any of the various Science subjects.
As parents, you can offer your support by working closely and communicating with your child’s teachers, both in school and at TLL, to find out which areas your child might need to focus more on. And as always, talking to your child directly to understand their concerns and struggles is important and helpful too.
3. Acquiring Exam Skills
But absorbing all the content taught in the classroom is just the first step to success for your child in preparing for the O-Levels. The next step comes when he or she actually sits down for the examination, when he or she is expected to execute after all the hours of hard work.
This is when possessing the right toolbox of exam skills will prove critical, skills such as time management and knowing which questions to prioritise first, as well as knowing which questions to choose for subjects that require essays such as the languages (English and Mother Tongue) and the humanities (Literature, History, Social Studies).
These are skills that can be acquired and honed through practice, and while investing the time to do so on top of revising content might seem like an added burden for your child, it will almost certainly pay off come the big day.
4. The Last-Minute Syndrome
If your child is taking the O-Levels, the chances are that you are already well-acquainted with the bane of all parents with schooling children around the world: Last-Minute Syndrome — the mad rush to pull everything together at the last moment.
And with an undertaking as challenging as the O-Levels, the temptation to procrastinate and avoid the problem will be stronger than ever for your child.
Consistent work from an early stage is the key here, and that requires commitment and discipline from your child, as well as a robust support system set up around them.
5. Dealing With Great Expectations
Finally, your child will have to deal with the pressure that is being heaped on them ahead of the O-Levels. Working under pressure is a fine balancing act, and as parents, you will need to observe your child closely as the O-Levels edge ever closer.
It’s okay to set goals and remind your child of what is expected of them, but to do so excessively may have the opposite effect instead.
Your child may also be struggling under the weight of his or her own expectations, and an unequivocal show of support and love from their parents may be exactly what they need.
Generating the Momentum Your Child Needs to Excel
The O-Levels are a uniquely demanding undertaking for all students who pass through Singapore’s education system. To be able to navigate all the challenges that will come his or her way, your child needs to adopt a multi-pronged strategy that blends on-paper learning with soft skills.
At The Learning Lab, we are keenly aware of the key ingredients your child will need on their O-Levels journey, and committed to helping him or her identify and avoid any potential pitfalls.
Click here to find out more about how our students conquered the many challenges surrounding the O-Levels.
Resources to Excel in the O-Levels
The Learning Lab has a wealth of resources you can benefit from. Check out our secondary students' guides to mastering English, Maths and Science below.
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The Learning Lab is now at 9 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may contact us at 6733 8711 or drop us an email at enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.
The Learning Lab is now at 9 locations. Find a location that suits your needs.
If you have any questions about our range of programmes or class schedules, you may fill in the form below or contact us at 6733 8711 / enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg.