Here is the list of the most common Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs), regarding Economics, as a subject, and the materials provided on the site:
1. Why are the Economics case studies and essay question papers provided on this website for Cambridge-UCLES-SEAB as well as for the JC Econs Prelim papers incomplete, or in some cases, look different from the actual TYS exam papers?
Answer: Yes, you are right. The questions provided here are either incomplete, missing, or just rephrased from the junior college (JC) Econs and Cambridge GCE A-Levels. This is to ensure that we do not violate any relating copyright issues.
On the other hand, our Economics pupils do receive the full set of complete question sets and comprehensive Economics notes when they join us for the Economics group tuition lessons in Bishan. These set of questions, answers and notes are also made available to students who opt for Economics home tutoring services.
2. What is H1 Economics?
Answer: H1 Econs (Syllabus Code: 8823 / 8819, previously it was 8816 prior to 2009), is a scaled down version of the full A-Level rigour (i.e. the H2 Economics subject).
To put into old terms, H1 Economics is similar to the equivalent of an ‘AO’ subject, a GCE ‘A’-Level subject, taken at ‘O’-Level.
It is scaled down in two ways. One, it has less breadth, that is, it has less Economics topics. Specifically, it does not include the topic of Market Structures. Two, it has less depth, meaning some of the topics are less in-depth as compared to that of the H2 subject. For example, the topic of globalisation is kept to the context of the Singapore economy only, whereas for H2, it covers the entire international economy.
The last critical difference is this: A grade for H2 Economics is more valuable than that of the grade achieved in H1 Economics. The result grade point will accumulate to the overall Grade Point Average (GPA) of any A-Level student, taking the entire set of
a. H1 GP (General Paper, with Knowledge & Inquiry, H2 KI, being the exception to taking of GP)
b. H1 Project Work (PW),
c. H1 Mother Tongue, and
d. 3 H2 subjects and 1 contrasting subject @ H1 level. (Some students opt to take all 4 subjects @ H2 level!)
Here is the crux: A distinction for H1 economics (10 grade points) is worth less than a ‘C’ in H2 Economics (15 grade points)!
3. What is H2 Economics?
Answer: As understood from above (H1 Econs), H2 Economics is a full-fledged GCE A-Level subject that is really at the advanced level! It is more rigorous than H1 subject, and the assessment scope is relatively larger than that of its H1 counterpart.
Furthermore, in terms of the weighting of the case study and essay components, 60% of the marks go to essays, meaning JC Economics pupils must be well versed with answering of Economic essays.
(That’s why in our Economics group tuition lessons in Bishan, we provide numerous Econs model essay answers, so as to learn and internalise the essay writing skills in the shortest time possible!)
4. Should I take H1 or H2 Economics?
Answer: Well, there is no right or wrong answer here. It is a matter of choice. If you choose H1 Econs, it is likely you are more inclined to the Sciences and Mathematics. If you instead opt for Econs @ H2 level, you are more inclined to the Arts and Humanities, and prefer to write. And for some of you, you love the challenge of having 4 H2 subjects, and are equally strong in maths and words!
(If you ask us, go for H2 Economics! The topic of Market Structures not only tells you how to accumulate wealth for yourself, it also shows you how to structure a business successfully!
