Private O-level Biology Exam

NerdzRulz SG

Could you recommend any private schools that would allow me to take pure biology for my O-levels privately? That includes the O-level Exam. I am currrently Sec 4 but have taken pure bio when i was sec 3.

UltimaOnline SG

FYI, you're not allowed to register as a school candidate and a private candidate simultaneously in the same year (is that what you were planning?).

The only chance you have of taking 'O' level Biology in the same year as your other school subjects, is if you convince your HOD and principal to let you take the examination in school, while you study privately on your own.

HODs and principals are usually unwilling to do this, as it means it will risk lowering their school ranking if you do badly in the exams.

NerdzRulz SG

I mean last year when i was sec 3, I was able to take up bio. I managed to convinced the HOD to let me try out. this year however, The HOD did not allow me to continue to take Pure biology as school candidates due to cetain requirements the teacher had set. so i dun think i'm a school candidate, therefore i would like to finish the bio syllabus as a private candidate, is that possible??

UltimaOnline SG

You can register as a private candidate for 2009 as long as you're not a school candidate for 2009.

NerdzRulz SG

You can register as a private candidate for 2009 as long as you're not a school candidate for 2009.

What if I'm taking other subjects as a school candidate but not bio? Does that mean I will be both a school and private candidate? For example, I'm taking the subject English as a school candidate and taking Biology as a private candidate. Is that possible? and if I take Biology privately, will it affect the school's ranking?

UltimaOnline SG

It doesn't matter what subjects you're taking. In one year, you can be EITHER a school candidate OR a private candidate, not both.

So as far as MOE/SEAB/Cambridge is concerned, there's no such thing as taking one subject privately and other subjects in school.

Your only hope is to (get your parents to) convince your HOD and principal to let you register for your Bio papers together with your other subjects (ie. you take Bio in your own school exam hall), and you study the subject yourself for the rest of the year (since the school won't let you attend their Bio classes).

gunner77 SG

u cannot be a school candidate and a private candidate in one year

if u are still schooling u are considered as school candidate.

so if ur HOD dont allow u to take pure bio, u cant take it as a private candidate if u are taking the rest of the subjects as a school candidate.

skythewood SG

I think the HOD did the correct thing to let you drop bio.

a simple thing like

"FYI, you're not allowed to register as a school candidate and a private candidate simultaneously in the same year (is that what you were planning?)."

"You can register as a private candidate for 2009 as long as you're not a school candidate for 2009."

"It doesn't matter what subjects you're taking. In one year, you can be EITHER a school candidate OR a private candidate, not both."

needed to be repeated 3 times for you to get it. Read and understand. Now go concentrate on your other subjects.

skythewood SG

NerdzRulz SG

Ok, thanks

Darkness_hacker99 SG

Come on, dun lose hope :)

You can ask your parents to write letters to the P.

or pull your resources together. like.. asking your teachers from other subjects to persuade the HOD.