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How to make the best use of tuition classes

March 6, 2023 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

From the Editor’s Desk
6th March 2023

Taking tuition classes for help with school subjects is a common practice amongst Singaporean students. However, there are some students who make the best use of tuition classes so that they can maximise their time (and possibly save money). This article will provide tips on how students can maximise their time with their tutors so that they can achieve the best results in their subjects.

1. Come with genuine questions about revision which you have undertaken yourself

Students should first do some preliminary revision and try to go over a topic themselves before coming to their tuition teacher. This method is more effective that letting the tuition teacher teach a topic from scratch, as the student will have areas in their understanding which lack that the tuition teacher does not know about.

2. Attempt and mark past year papers first and ask about the mistakes you have made

Furthermore, students should attempt and mark their past year papers before coming to the tuition class to revise their mistakes. This way, students can address their mistakes directly instead of wasting time doing the papers during the class itself. Tutors can better get a sense of which mistakes students are more prone to making and tailor their revision to those mistakes.

3. Do not be afraid to ask about any concepts you do not have a solid foundation in

Students should bear in mind that tutors are there not to question knowledge but to help build an understanding of different concepts. If there are concepts where students do not understand the full extent of knowledge required for the exam, they should ask their tutor to explain it from the beginning. Students should be humble and honest about what they do not know and what gaps there are in their knowledge.

To conclude, it is important for students to make full use of their tuition classes. It is entirely possible for a student to undertake years of tuition and yet still not learn a substantial amount about their subjects. However, a student who is diligent and knows how to maximise the utility of their tutor’s time will be served well.

The surprising utility of attempting drill or repetitive questions when learning Mathematics

January 18, 2023 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

From the Editor’s Desk
18th Jan 2023

When studying Mathematics, it is not enough to do practice questions from the textbook or understand the concepts in theory. It is imperative that a student drills with past questions before their examinations, as this will help them identify the pattern which is prevalent in these questions to score well for the subject.

Students should perform these practice exam papers and time themselves so that they are sure that they can finish answering the questions in time. It is important that students simulate the actual examination as much as possible, as they will be used to exam conditions. Students who are more used to examination conditions will be less likely to panic when they sit for their actual exams.

Alternatively, if students want to revise a particular topic, they could obtain a book which sorts the past examination questions by topic. If a student is weak in a certain topic, they should focus on revising that topic and understanding the relevant concepts for the topic. For example, if the student needs help with translating graphs, they could do all the past year questions for the topic and check with their teacher or tutor if they are unsure about their work.

Aside from doing the questions as practice, students should mark the questions according to the answer scheme. It is not enough to merely do the questions; students must find out why the answers they have given are right or wrong. Students must take the initiative to find out the reason for their mistakes and how they can improve themselves. At times, the mistakes made by students are due to their carelessness, and at other times, the mistakes made are due to the student’s lack of understanding. By knowing the cause of the mistake, students will be able to improve themselves.

What is the difference between IB and A Levels?

December 23, 2022 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

From the Editorial Team
23rd December 2022

When deciding on a Junior College, students and their parents alike must contemplate the difference between A Levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculums. This article will hopefully shed some light on the key components of the IB curriculum which are not present in A Levels, so parents can make a meaningful comparison.

In the IB curriculum, students can take subjects at either Higher Level (HL) or Standard Level (SL). In Singapore schools which offer the IB diploma, students typically take 3 HL and 3 SL subjects, so as to not overburden them.

The maximum number of points obtained for each subject is 7 points. Students taking 6 subjects will be able to obtain 42 points from their subjects, with another 3 points obtained from the combination of the grades attained for Theory of Knowledge and the Extended Essay. The highest amount of points obtained is 45, which is considered a perfect score.

There is a greater emphasis on independent research and assignment writing, along with preparing for the major exams at the end of 2 years spent studying the content. Students will undertake their various assignments and essays, all the while studying for the exams, which allows them to have a more holistic perspective of education.

Below are 4 components of the IB diploma which students must consider before choosing to undertake it:

Individual Assessments for Higher and Standard Level Subjects

Both HL and SL subjects have Individual Assessments (IAs) which comprise at least 20% of the subject grade. These Individual Assessments can be externally or internally assessed by the school itself. For example, the Mathematics subject for both HL and SL has a Math Exploration IA where students must choose a topic of interest and write about it, demonstrating how their thesis statement has been proven.

Compulsory Theory of Knowledge Component

The Theory of Knowledge (TOK) component is a quasi-philosophy subject which deals with epistemology. In short, it is about how we think about the way we think. There are 2 graded aspects of this subject which count towards the final IB score – a presentation and a 1600-word essay. The presentation can either be done individually or in pairs, and the essay must be written individually. Students will be allowed to choose their own “Knowledge Question” for their presentation. Every year, the questions are released for the essay and students may choose from the options available.

Extended Essay

The Extended Essay is a 4000-word essay written by the student independently with the guidance of an Extended Essay mentor. This essay must be from one of the student’s Higher Level subjects and it must be independently researched. For example, if the student’s chosen subject is Biology, he/she must undertake the relevant experimentation on his own, designing his methodology. There will be opportunities for the student to check in with the Extended Essay mentor and submit reflections about the process so that the student knows he is going on the right track.

Creativity, Activity, and Service (CAS)

Although the CAS component is not graded, it is compulsory for students to submit a portfolio of the other activities they have undertaken during the IB diploma, showing that they have taken part in a holistic educational experience. Co-curricular Activities (CCA) can be included in this portfolio. Creativity is fulfilled by undertaking artistic endeavours such as dancing, music, art, or photography; Activity is fulfilled by taking part in sporting events, and Service is fulfilled by performing community service for others.

To conclude, students must decide for themselves whether they are willing to undertake these additional components instead of devoting their full time and energy to prepare for a major exam at the end of two years. Students more suited for the IB diploma are creative, unafraid to think outside the box, and good at time management.

Three important skills for all students of all levels

December 21, 2022 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

From the Editorial Team
18th Jan 2023

In the Singaporean education system, there is a high emphasis on academic excellence. However, in the real world, there are more factors than mere academic prowess which a student requires to succeed.

Clear Communication

The ability to write concisely is important to communicate messages to others. Often, learning how to write proper emails and reports is something that students are not taught in schools. The techniques used to write essays will not always be relevant in preparing documents in the working world. Students should learn the appropriate language, cadence, and tone to use when preparing documents and presentations during their employment.

Critical Thinking

The Singaporean education system often does not train students to question things, emphasising rote memorisation and a systematic application of taught concepts to answer difficult problems. Often, the student who will do best is one with a large memory and the ability to perform complex tasks according to specific directions.

However, students should learn how to question information and reason whether they are true or not. There is a lot of false information swirling around in the media and the truth is not often straightforward. It would be unwise to blindly accept everything a figure of authority says and critical thinking would serve a student well in navigating complex areas of life.

Constructive Collaboration

There is a marked difference between school and real life in group projects. In school, there is sometimes the option of selecting who to work with. However, we are unable to choose the people we work with and the people we answer to when we are employed. An important skill is therefore constructive collaboration.

Students should seek to develop a tolerance for others and a task-focused approach. An awareness of team dynamics and strengths and weaknesses of others is important in working in any organisation or team. Students should be aware that everyone can contribute something in a team, albeit in different ways. Not everyone has the same views and skills, but they are still able to contribute something to achieving a common goal.

Qualified tutors are important for the well-being of students

October 19, 2022 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

From the Editorial Team
19th October 2022

On platforms advertising tuition services, there are 2 main demographics of tutors – part-time tutors looking for jobs to tide them through periods between National Service and University, or full-time tutors who have taught at reputable schools. There are marked advantages of the 2 options most frequently presented to parents looking for a tutor for their children.

Advantages of Part-time Tutors

Generally, part-time tutors have been most recently exposed to the syllabus of the subjects which they are teaching. As an added bonus, they may have been from the school the child is currently studying in. This may give them more exposure to changes in the syllabus and the style of the teachers within the school, which can lend more credibility to their advice despite their young age.

Furthermore, as many parents search for tutors in preparation for an exam, tutors who have recently completed the exams could have their examination preparation fresh in their minds and can assist with the time management of the student. Often, a student juggling co-curricular activities and other commitments would feel lost regarding their timetables, and a former student who has recently completed their studies could best provide advice, given that they are closer to their age.

Advantages of Full-time Tutors

An obvious advantage of full-time tutors is the credibility of their credentials and experience. Tutors who have been teachers at a particular school have a bird’s eye perspective of the type of exams their students will be taking, with knowledge about how the student’s answers are marked. This could help in the correction of answers which the student provides, as the tutors will be able to give sample answers and tips on what they are looking for.

Ultimately, parents should understand their children’s needs and personalities best and should vet potential tutors to see which is the best for them, while weighing all the advantages and disadvantages of their decision.

Should my child take additional tuition classes?

October 11, 2022 by Maths Statistics Science Tutor

From the Editorial Team
11th October 2022

The overwhelming workload of the Singaporean education system could come as a shock to many parents, despite them having been through the very same system before. Many parents opt to send their children to tuition classes to lighten some of the burdens on themselves.

In Singapore, good grades and the necessary qualifications (usually a university degree or prior experience having taught in an MOE school) are the norm for tuition teachers. This allows parents to rest assured that the tutors themselves have had hands-on experience in the very subject and style of teaching which their children experience.

Tutors can help their students in attempting past year papers of the various exams they need to take. For example, secondary school students sitting for their O Levels usually practise using their “10-years Series”. This helps them spot the patterns in the way questions are asked and craft answers according to the model answers provided.

Tutors can also help in various other ways which may not be obvious at first. For example, if a student has problems managing his or her time and coping with the studying of the many topics needed to sit for their exams, a tutor could help in managing their workload and time so that their tasks are divided into more manageable pieces.

The traditional form of tutoring for exam preparation is not the only benefit of having tuition classes for students. With a tutor, students may feel as if there is a figure of authority who is capable of guiding them through the complex mass of subjects and topics required to be prepared before any examination.

Parents should decide which subjects their children require tuition for before signing up for tuition classes. Talking to their children to find out the areas of difficulty could be a good first step for parents to assess how much a tutor is required to better help their children with their workload.

About Myself

I am a private tutor specializing in Mathematics tuition and Statistics tuition for Junior College and Undergraduate levels.  
 
I also tutor Physics and Chemistry for Junior College and Secondary School levels.
 
 
Contact Information  
-- H/P: 9724-0163 (Mr Ng)  
-- Email: ngejaysuss@gmail.com  
 
Academic Qualifications  
-- Ph.D. in Mathematics, National University of Singapore (2011)  
-- B.Sc. First Class Honours in Mathematics, National University of Singapore (2002)

Student Testimonial

A testimonial from my student, Rui En, whom I tutored for five years from 2011 to 2016:  
 

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We are proud to announce that we are now collaborating with The Maths Lab (Singapore). We will be working closely with them and pooling our materials and resources to bring you an engaging and productive maths tutoring experience!



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This site was last updated: 6th March 2023

 
 

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