Sec 1 & 2 / IP Year 1 & 2: What It Takes to Excel in Lower Secondary
Key pointers from our January subject briefings — what it takes to score well and why the Sec 2 streaming exam matters.
The Lower Secondary years lay the groundwork for Upper Sec and beyond — and for Sec 2 students, the end-of-year streaming exam determines subject combinations that affect JC, Poly, and university options.
We’re conducting subject-specific parent briefings throughout January. Here’s a preview of key pointers we’ll be covering for Sec 1 & 2 / IP Year 1 & 2:
English: Mastering Literature analysis, the “Stand and Deliver” oral, and structured essay writing
Maths: Building algebraic fluency and tackling real-world context questions
Science: Understanding concepts deeply (not just memorising) to score on open-ended questions
Chinese: Practical writing formats, composition techniques, and oral preparation
Our bundle discount (up to 20% off) ends on 31 January — register now to secure the best savings, or chat with us on WhatsApp if you have questions.
Secondary English: What It Takes to Score
Literature questions appear in Comprehension. The focus is on “how something is written” — literary techniques and their effects. Narrative Comprehension questions are often Literature questions in disguise, so students need to analyse beyond surface meaning.
Oral requires structured thinking under pressure. The “Stand and Deliver” format gives students 2 minutes to generate ideas, organise them, and present confidently. This tests the ability to think on your feet, not just conversational fluency.
Writing has specific requirements. Essays, Situational Writing, and Summary Writing each require different approaches — understand audience, purpose, and structure for each type.
Common pitfalls to avoid:
Assuming “you cannot study for English” — language skills improve with deliberate practice
Not reading enough — this limits vocabulary and comprehension ability
Neglecting grammar and vocabulary — these are essential enablers for all language skills
Upcoming briefing: Sec 1 & 2 English Parent Briefing — Thu, 22 Jan, 7:30 PM
Secondary Maths: Building Strong Algebraic Foundations
Algebra underpins everything. From equations to geometry proofs, algebraic fluency is essential. Students who haven’t fully grasped earlier algebraic concepts will struggle with more advanced topics in Sec 2 and beyond.
Prepare for real-world context questions. At O-Level, Problems in Real-World Contexts (PRWC) appear in both Paper 1 and Paper 2. These questions require interpreting everyday situations (travel plans, household finances, data from graphs) and applying mathematical reasoning — not just computation.
Focus on presentation and accuracy. Common mistakes that cost marks:
Poor time management (spending too long on difficult questions)
Careless errors from unclear working
Forgetting units or mixing up degrees with numerical values
Not following accuracy rules (3 s.f. for non-exact answers, 1 d.p. for angles)
Why Maths matters for streaming: Results determine eligibility for Additional Mathematics in Upper Sec — a prerequisite for many JC and Poly courses.
Upcoming briefing: Sec 1 & 2 Maths Parent Briefing — Mon, 26 Jan, 7:30 PM
Secondary Science: The Bridge to Upper Sec
Lower Secondary Science covers 16 chapters across Chemistry, Physics, and Biology — and ALL of these topics reappear in the Upper Sec syllabus. Strong foundations now give students a genuine head start.
Understand, don’t just memorise. Students who simply memorise facts struggle to apply concepts in new situations — exactly what exam questions test.
Master answering techniques for open-ended questions. Common weaknesses include:
Not understanding command words (State, Describe, Explain, Suggest)
Using vague language instead of scientific terms
Missing keywords in answers
Inability to apply concepts to real-life situations
Why Science matters for streaming:
Triple Science (8 subjects): Top 15% overall, at least 75% for Maths & Science
2 Pure Sciences: Top 40% overall, at least 70% for Maths & Science
Combined Science: For students who don’t meet Pure Science criteria
Pure Science has more content and requires deeper understanding — streaming results determine which path is available.
Upcoming briefing: Sec 1 & 2 Science Parent Briefing — Tue, 27 Jan, 7:30 PM
Secondary Chinese: Formats and Techniques That Matter
Practical Writing (实用文) requires learning the correct format:
Sec 1: Personal Email (私人电邮)
Sec 2: Personal Email, Official Email (公务电邮), and Forum Reply (论坛回复) for HCL
Format errors lose marks even if content is good. Always create an outline before writing.
Composition expectations by level:
Sec 1: 250+ characters (CL) / 400+ characters (HCL) — narrative about events or people
Sec 2: 300+ characters (CL) / 500+ characters (HCL) — situational narrative or argumentative essay
Oral preparation:
Preparation time: 10 minutes (can review video repeatedly)
Part 1: Read Passage Aloud (10 marks)
Part 2: Conversation based on video (40 marks)
For HCL Sec 2: Oral Report (口头报告) replaces reading — present for ~2 minutes based on the video topic
Upcoming briefings:
Sec 1 & 2 Higher Chinese Parent Briefing — Mon, 19 Jan, 7:30 PM
Sec 1 & 2 Chinese Parent Briefing — Wed, 21 Jan, 7:30 PM
2026 Registration: Bundle Promotion Ends 31 January
Our bundle discount (up to 20% off) runs till 31 January. Register for multiple subjects now to enjoy the best savings for AY 2026.
Register for AY 2026 → | Chat with Us →
If you’d like to experience classes first, make use of our 1-week unlimited trial classes to try all subjects across all centres before committing.
Sec 1 / IP Year 1 “Survival Guide” Super Sessions
Watch our Survival Guide series for tips on succeeding in secondary school:
January Briefings for Other Levels
Have children at other levels? View our subject briefing summaries: