Change in A-levels syllabus?

[truthseeker]

I heard that Cambridge and London Edexcel A levels syllabus are going to change next year. When will the new syllabus be used?
If that is so, can anyone give me a general or even a detail comparison between the new and old syllabus for subjects like mathematics, further mathematics, physics and chemistry? Thank you.

[Miracle_seed]

I heard that Cambridge and London Edexcel A levels syllabus are going to change next year. When will the new syllabus be used?
If that is so, can anyone give me a general or even a detail comparison between the new and old syllabus for subjects like mathematics, further mathematics, physics and chemistry? Thank you.
I don't know about Edexel but Cambrigde International Examination has changed the syllabus of Biology, Physics and Chemistry (No for Maths and I don't know about others) starting May/June 2007......

In conclusion, it's tougher.....

[truthseeker]

Oh I see. Thank you. :)

[princessclarissa]

u mean is tougher than the old syllabus?? oh gosh..gonna suffer..

[Sillyboy]

u mean is tougher than the old syllabus?? oh gosh..gonna suffer..

Lots of coursework for Edexcel A levels

[Miracle_seed]

There is no coursework for Cambrige A-Level and the final results depend on 2 exam sessions only- AS and A2 examination.

[princessclarissa]

has anyone heard of the coming As level examination is tougher than the oct/nov As examination??

[SaMURaI-Y]

where can I get alvels books? Cant find it in popular...

[princessclarissa]

u cant find those books in popular..but u can get them from MPH, though not much..

[SaMURaI-Y]

what or which books are for science students?

[princessclarissa]

u can refer to ur course structure..basically u cant find an ultimate reference books for a level..im facing this kind of difficulties too..

[SaMURaI-Y]

oh, where are you doing your a levels?

your lecturers dint recommened any a level books?

[princessclarissa]

INTI college.. yea they did.. mostly they recommended us to refer to general text books..i doing CIE, what examination board u taking??

[jane_gun]

where can I get alvels books? Cant find it in popular...

You can buy pre-U and uni level books from the University Bookstore - there's one branch in Section 14, PJ (above Hong Leong Bank, if I'm not mistaken) near Jaya 33 and PJ Digital Mall - 10% off if you're a card member... All the best in your A-Levels! =)

Alumnus of HELP UC Edexcel A-Levels (2005-2006)

[princessclarissa]

thanks alot jane_gun. :D

[Miracle_seed]

For CIE A-Level, normally Oct/Nov will be tougher than May/June.

And there isn't many reference books, textbooks and past year papers are quite sufficient, but if you need extra exercises, you can look for questions from other A-Level boards, but be smart to pick only relevent questions, some questions are not in the syllabus....

[princessclarissa]

For CIE A-Level, normally Oct/Nov will be tougher than May/June.

is it true??

[jane_gun]

thanks alot jane_gun. :D

You're most welcome! ^_^

[jane_gun]

For CIE A-Level, normally Oct/Nov will be tougher than May/June.

And there isn't many reference books, textbooks and past year papers are quite sufficient, but if you need extra exercises, you can look for questions from other A-Level boards, but be smart to pick only relevent questions, some questions are not in the syllabus....


Past year papers do come in handy. A reference book I recommend for physics would be Advanced Physics For You - concepts are explained in an easy and concise manner plus past year questions from different boards (including Edexcel, Cambridge, AQB, etc.) are included... Worth browsing at least... =)

[princessclarissa]

how bout chemistry?? any book recommended? and how to score well in it?

some of my friends do suggest me to browse through some STPM reference books..

[sithan]

Edexcel Further Math:

FP1 is going to become an AS subject whereby students will be learning it in the FIRST semester. You needed to have C1 to C4 knowledge before the change in syllabus. But now, only C1 and C2 knowledge needed.

Edexcel Chem and Physics:

Practical Exams: abolished! (quite a radical move)

Others:

Not too sure.

[AppryL89]

i will taking AS level exam this may/june..
i prefer the notes given by the lecturers especially chemistry and pure maths.. easier to understand..so hard to find A-level books that really follow the syllabus..huh!
and our lecturers always said Cambridge system keep on changing and getting harder..

[capablanca]

Get the redspot book. Supplement your reference books well.

[Miracle_seed]

i will taking AS level exam this may/june..
i prefer the notes given by the lecturers especially chemistry and pure maths.. easier to understand..so hard to find A-level books that really follow the syllabus..huh!
and our lecturers always said Cambridge system keep on changing and getting harder..
Yea... Most A-Level reference books in the market are from Singapore, which use a different syllabus from CIE. It's true that Cambridge A-Level is getting harder, and you can really see this if you study the past year papers, especially starting May/June 2007...

[syamil_1]

its hard to say which is harder, the may/june exams or the oct/now exams, but from what my lecturer told me, the may/june exams is a little bit tougher (maybe rumors idk).

And he also said that the may/june paper is marked during the hot season, so the markers would be in a great discomfort and would affect our marks indirectly (haha i dont know if its true)

[TheArtOfMedicine]

Edexcel Further Math:

FP1 is going to become an AS subject whereby students will be learning it in the FIRST semester. You needed to have C1 to C4 knowledge before the change in syllabus. But now, only C1 and C2 knowledge needed.

Edexcel Chem and Physics:

Practical Exams: abolished! (quite a radical move)

Others:

Not too sure.

WOW! What a good news..but that's too late for me. What a close shave! I really hate the physics practical exams..though i absolutely fell in love with Chemistry's practicals.

[sithan]

I'm on your side TheArtOfMedicine. Physics practicals are quite tough. Especially the Jan 2008 paper. Arrgh....

[Sillyboy]

Edexcel Further Math:

FP1 is going to become an AS subject whereby students will be learning it in the FIRST semester. You needed to have C1 to C4 knowledge before the change in syllabus. But now, only C1 and C2 knowledge needed.

Edexcel Chem and Physics:

Practical Exams: abolished! (quite a radical move)

Others:

Not too sure.

Dear! Practical exams are not abolished! We international students now can opt to sit for theory papers for the 2 practical units.

I'm on your side TheArtOfMedicine. Physics practicals are quite tough. Especially the Jan 2008 paper. Arrgh....

Physics practicals are not tough at all! Many scored full marks for practicals. And they are no geniuses mind you.

[TheArtOfMedicine]

I agree with you that Physics aren't that tough, but i have no idea why was i marked down for the Jan08 paper. My percentage difference turned out to be 150%, and i have 5 other friends who got the same answer, yet all of them scored 110+/120. I'm one of the better students in the class and i was so shocked to see myself scoring the lowest in that practical!! I signed up for a re-sit already, so i'll see what happens this time. Personally, i think students should be given the rights to choose whether or not they'd like to sit for practicals or theory. The wannabe scientists might favour practicals, but that's a nightmare for students who hate lab work.