Ai Ling Ong

GCE O level 2009 Timetable

Singapore GCE O level 2009 timetable is available at the SEAB website. Click here for direct link.

As indicated, both Elementary & Additional Mathematics would be completed within a week, with 1 paper a day which I thought is a better arrangement compared to 2008 (where there are 2 Math papers within a day!)

All Mathematics papers will end by the last week of October' 09!

4016/01: Elementary Mathematics 27th Oct 09 230-430pm
4016/02: Elementary Mathematics 28th Oct 09 230-500pm

4038/01: Additional Mathematics 29th Oct 09 230-430pm
4038/02: Additional Mathematics 30th Oct 09 230-500pm

Countdown to GCE O level 2009: Less than 7 months!

Don't Ever Give Up

I guess many of you have completed your common test and have received your results. You must be happy or disappointed. Whichever the case is, PERSERVE ON! Like the 2 animals in the picture. Whoever can withstand the longer wins!

What can you do if you have not done well in your common test?

Reflect honestly.

Did you put in the effort in prepare for it? If yes, then what is the problem? You will know it better than anyone. If you do not have the answer, ask the people around you. Your parents, friends, classmates and teachers. They can probably share some observations and thoughts with you.

Take corrective measures.

Take action immediately to change for the better. Action can be a very simple one, like paying more attention during lesson or even completing your homework assignments. The important thing is get started!Never wait!

Pace yourself & observe the changes.

Constantly review the results you are getting for the effort you are putting into your work. If they are getting better, celebrate! Yes, you hear me right, celebrate by doing something you love! It can be 1 hour more computer playing time, a shopping trip over the weekend, catch a movie. This will work as you are happy and will continue to work even harder!

Conclusion: NEVER GIVE UP!

Share with us what you do if you did not do well in your common tests or exams so that history does not repeat itself!

Schedule Changes to Sunday O level A-Math Programme

Dear students and parents,

Please note that there are slight changes to Sunday A-Math Ultimate Leap Programme schedule.

These are the new timings:

Sec 4: 1pm - 3pm

Sec 3: 9am - 11am

Find out more about this programme here.

Registration details here.

O level A-Math: Collection of Differentiation Tips

Usually at this period, many Additional Mathematics students would be 'sweating' over the rather foreign topic, Differentiation (part of calculus).

Today I have decided to gather all the tips I have written on Differentiation to be on this post so that they are easily accessible for you. Let's take a look what have been discussed so far:

Differentiation Basic Techniques
Stationary points (Includes a video on the step by step solution)
Differentiation involving exponential

So, how have you found Differentiation so far? Easy? Tough?I would love to hear from you on your learning experience so far.

In my coaching programme, I relate Differentiation to Freezing. Do you know why? Well, there is one common property both shared: Decrease.

E-Math: Set Notations

Lately, I have received some readers' request for me to discuss more about SET. This topic used to be in the GCE O level Additional Mathematics syllabus, but has recently made its appearance in Elementary Mathematics (E-Math)

SET itself is yet another way of representation of data, like matrix. Just like matrix, we need to know about the 'language' for SET.

Here's a list of notation which you must be familiar with:

Below is a typical question which requires your translation skills from English to Set Notation:

TIP: Draw a set diagram to illustrate the statements first!

(i)

(ii)

Update: MORE Secondary 3/4 O level A-Math & Chemistry Programme Open For Registration

If you are Secondary 3/4 student or RGS/RI/RVHS/Dunman High/NYGH/HCI/ACSI (or any other IP students), read on.

If right now, you are

not understanding what is taught in school.
losing momentum.
not having any interest or motivation in A-Math or Chemistry.
totally lost during lesson.
consoling yourself that things will get better eventually (without no actions taken)

AND

You want to do better because you deserve it.
You want to improve because you can't stand others looking down at you, adults' nagging at you ...
You want to prove it to the rest of the world that you can do it.
You want to get bettter grades so that you want more choices after your O levels/IP programmes.

All these will not be possible UNLESS ... ...

You start taking action NOW instead of waiting (Perhaps you can manage on your own? Wait for common test results and see how?)

Major Misconceptions:

I can study the last minute for my Os ... (2-4 years of work for 6-9 subjects cramped in 1-2 months?) What happens when it backfires?
There is still much time left for preparation of examinations. Is 8 months and counting down a long time?
Teachers in school will give us extra lessons. You wouldn't want to wait till then. Start now & be consistent.
O level examinations are much easier to score. What does it show when you consistently do not perform well in tests?

Just like pulling up of weeds, a gardener has to pull up the unwanted, useless plants consistently so that the crops are growing healthier in a plot of fertile soil. Imagine what happens when the gardener loses the momentum in maintaining the plot of land. Weeds are everywhere, overshadowing the crops which will eventually die off due to lack of essentials.

You are just like the gardener taking care of the plot of land by growing perhaps 6 - 9 different crops (Subjects). Weeds are your doubts, if unclear, they pile up till they overwhelmed you!

Clear your weeds consistently & be a happy gardener harvesting your returns in the end.

We have opened up MORE Sec3/4 A-Math/Chemistry Ultimate Leap Programme - The Weekly Coaching Programme.

SCHEDULE OF PROGRAMME: CLICK HERE

To register, click here. Fill up the details, we will be in contact with you. Or you can contact us at 9685 7675 (Ai Ling) / 9828 7357 (Sean)