By Looi Ee Xin (26S03M) and Tan Yan Qi (26S06M)

It’s the time of the year for incoming Year 5s to choose their subject combination. Usually, the big question is, science or arts? Physics or Biology? But it’s about time to add one more question to that list:

4 H2s or 3 H2s and 1 H1?

While 4 H2s have long been the ‘default’ option, we know that there are some of you out there wondering if it truly is the right decision for you. As students who have experienced the H1 syllabus for (probably) the two most common subjects to be offered at H1 (Math and Economics), here’s our advice to you. 

So… what does Higher 1 actually mean?

There’s no need to state the obvious. When you choose to offer H1 over H2, you’re signing up for a smaller syllabus, less content, and shorter papers. What this means is fewer lessons, shorter lectures, and an overall lighter workload in comparison to H2 subjects.

The difference in difficulty is rather stark. Unlike your H2 subjects, which can feel like a trainwreck with every new topic that is thrown at you, H1 subjects, in comparison, are more like a comfortable stroll in the park. While this isn’t to say that you can pass without studying, it certainly can be that breath of fresh air to keep you from sinking under the weight of H2 subjects.

On a general basis, you will definitely be able to save a fair amount of time and energy. In reality, the amount of time and energy saved by taking H1 can differ for 2 main reasons: subject and individual. For H1 Math and Economics, the writers felt that they saved a significant amount of time and energy compared to their peers on studying the subject, in both revision and homework. An apt description of the amount of time and energy we both saved would be: I barely acknowledged the existence of my H1 subject.

Of course, that experience will not be universal for all H1 subject-takers. However, there are some factors that would definitely save some time and energy for you if you choose to take H1. For one, H1 subjects have fewer lessons than H2, which provided us with extra free blocks that could be used for revision and homework. (H1 Economics has 2 free blocks, while H1 Math has 1) For another, H1 subjects often have less homework to complete than H2 subjects and the syllabus is reduced which makes for less topics to revise for. 

Before you get excited, it is worth noting that subjects such as H1 Biology have their syllabus reduced less than Economics or Math, which will affect the amount of time and energy saved. Ultimately, it is up to you the amount of time and energy you choose to spend on the H1 subject, which would determine the amount saved. Allocate time wisely, and the writers assure you that you can save a reasonable amount of time and energy by taking H1! 

Why choose H1?

If you clicked into this article, it probably means that you are considering taking the 3 H2s and 1 H1 combination. Or, at least, it’s a thought at the back of your mind, itching at you. There are a few main reasons why one would choose, or think about, offering H1 instead of H2: 

1. You want to focus on your “more important” H2 subjects

2. The subject isn’t required/not important in your desired university course

3. You have little interest in the subject, or its alternatives 

Debunking FAQs

Taking a subject combination that isn’t the norm can be quite daunting. After all, whatever the majority takes must be the safest option, right? Here are some questions we know you have, and what we have to say to you:

Q: Everyone else is taking 4 H2s. Will I be losing out by choosing to do 3 H2s and 1 H1? 

A: It’s easy to get FOMO from your peers when most of them are likely to choose the common route of 4 H2 subjects. Especially when it feels like you’re choosing the “easier route”. It can feel like admitting defeat to the looming horror that is A Levels, like you’re throwing up the white flag and saying, “I can’t do it”. After all, many batches of seniors have done it before. So you should be able to, right?

To be honest, making the decision to take H1 for either writer was not easy. There will be this tiny cloud of doubt hovering in the back of your mind, wondering if you made the right decision. If, by choosing to take H1, you closed off a door for yourself. 

But here’s another way of looking at it. By closing off one door that you probably weren’t going to go through anyways, you’re also opening new ones for yourself. With the extra time, you can choose to focus on extracurriculars, such as investing more time into your CCA, engaging in more VIA, or participating in more competitions or external workshops to hone other skills. 

But here are some very real considerations you have to make before choosing this subject combination.

1. University applications

For most universities, 3 H2s and 1 H1 is the standard subject combination, with most courses only having requirements for 3 H2 subjects. If you’re intending to apply to top universities such as Ivy Leagues, you might want to take 4 H2s, which showcases greater academic ability. Top universities in the UK (e.g. Cambridge) which tend to have a greater emphasis on academic strength do favour this subject combination (although it’s not a hard requirement). 

Taking 3 H2s and 1 H1 can give you a small disadvantage in comparison to a peer who excels in 4 H2s. Do note that a fourth H2 subject can be substituted with a H3 subject, if that is something you wish to pursue. 

2. Scholarships

Some scholarships, such as the A*STAR NSS, explicitly state a preference of 10-11 AUs to apply, which you would not obtain with a 3 H2s and 1 H1 combination. However, this requirement is not the majority, and usually apply only to hard-science research scholarships which demand strong academic rigour. 

Remember that scholarships look not just at your academic grades, and many focus more on leadership skills, interview performance and extracurricular excellence. 

If you already have an inkling of what you want to pursue in the future, maybe the small extra range of options won’t be worth it. If you have zero clue as to what you want to do, then it would do you good to keep your doors open. Both options have their pros and cons, it’s simply a matter of what is more important to you.

Q: Isn’t it safer to take 4 H2s since I can just drop to H1 if I can’t keep up with the workload?

A: Of course, the permanence of this subject combination is quite daunting. By taking 4 H2s, you’re assured knowing that you have a choice. With 3 H2s, you don’t. If your main concern about taking 4 H2s is the workload, then by all means, you can try out that combination for the first year and drop a subject to H1 if it doesn’t work out. It would be rather disastrous to realise that you have an affinity for a subject you took at a lower level, and even more so to realise that you have zero affinity for your H2 subject. 

If your considerations for taking H1 is one of the other options, however, you might want to think a little more before simply going for what’s “safe”. If your chances of dropping the subject to H1 are high, spending that one extra year learning the extra content can be an inefficient use of your time. Time that could have been spent focusing on your H2s, and building a good foundation for your other subjects. 

Keep in mind that JC is a two-year marathon. Falling behind in Year 5 can be detrimental to your learning. Even if most students choose to take 4 H2s, it is not easy to keep up with the rigour of the A-Level curriculum, much less master it. So if you’re currently struggling to keep up, perhaps choosing 3 H2s and 1 H1 would be the better option in the long run. 

Q: Is there a better H1 subject to take ? 

A: While the writers cannot say that there is a definitive better H1 subject to take, H1 Math and Economics are always the most popular H1 subjects to take. H1 Economics can also be a popular option for Science stream takers who intend to pursue STEM in the future, as most science related courses in university would not have H2 Economics as an entry requirement. 

Personally, the writers feel H1 Math can be the most “worth-it” subject to take as the drop from H2 to H1 is fairly drastic with the elimination of a large portion of the H2 math syllabus, and a near revamp of the syllabus. 

In comparison, H1 Biology would have a similar syllabus to H2 Biology with the only exception being the removal of practicals and 1-2 topics. For that reason, H1 sciences have a relatively low uptake rate. All hope is not lost, if you find yourself unwilling to overload yourself with the sciences but still have an interest in taking a science subject. The Hybrid stream can be a good option for you, with some opting to take dual arts subjects with chemistry and math. For example, a popular hybrid combination is Geography/History, Economics, Chemistry and Math. 

Conclusion

In the end, the decision is up to you. You are now at an important crossroads of your school life, and for something like this, there is no ‘right’ answer. The best advice that we can impart onto you is to choose what you feel is most suitable for you, and what feels best for you. 

If it helps, the writers recommend this method to evaluate if a H1 subject is suitable for you. 

1.  Write down all your existing commitments, new projects you wish to embark on in JC (turning 17 does give you access to some opportunities that would not be possible at 16) and possible university courses/career opportunities that you are interested in. 
2. Look into the requirements for those courses (if you have one in mind) which might better guide your decision, and ask yourself if you are struggling in or do not enjoy taking any subject currently. Note: Compared to from Year 2 to Year 3, the jump in difficulty is quite large. 

Being in an environment where going forward seems to be the only option can be a lot of pressure, but remember that sometimes, the best step forward is one step back. Before you lock in your decision, take the time to reflect upon your learning experience and understand what you want to get out of your two years in JC. 

As former Year 4 students who were in your shoes just a year ago, we know how hard out of place it can feel to be the odd one out. But know that you aren’t truly the odd one out. There will be others amongst you (whom you may not know yet) mulling over the same decision. And there will be others amongst you making the very same choice as you. 

We can never (maybe sometimes, but rarely) have perfect information before we make a decision. Choosing one thing means giving up another (as you’ll learn if you take Economics), and it can feel uncomfortable to sit with that reality. Going astray from the norm will always feel a little iffy, but as long as you know that you’ve made the right decision for yourself—not others, mind you— then stick with that decision and run along with it to wherever it takes you.