Forum: A-level academic unit limits restrict students’ potential

Pre-university students pursuing the A levels can take subjects that add up to 12 academic units, unless they successfully appeal to take another subject. This maximum can correspond to combinations like four H2 content subjects, three H1 subjects (inclusive of H1 Mother Tongue Language) and one H3 subject, or three H2s, four H1s and two H3s.

This prevents students from being overwhelmed by too many subjects and exams in their final year.

However, certain H3 subjects like H3 Science Research are completed in the first year and examined in the beginning of the second. I cannot see a reason for us to limit students from taking a second H3 subject in their second year, given that they have already completed their first.

While we wish to move past merely valuing students for their academics, I do not think Singaporeans wish to begin limiting students when it comes to academic development.

The current system limiting pre-university students to 12 academic units has its reasons, but this also limits students’ academic potential. We should try to cater to students with the interest.

Adwin Lau Yu Tan, 17