Sec 4 N(A) to Sec 5 - What's The Difference?

Exam Format

N Level Science (Chemistry) - Sec 4 N(A)

https://www.seab.gov.sg/docs/default-source/national-examinations/syllabus/nlevel/2020syllabus/5105_y20_sy.pdf

Total duration: 1 h 15 min (One paper Only)

• MCQ - 20 marks (20 compulsory Chemistry MCQ) - 20% of Science grade
• Structured - 30% of Science grade

1. Section A - 14 marks (all compulsory)
2. Section B - 16 marks (3 Questions, Choose 2)

The remaining 50% of the Science grade comes from either Physics or Biology component.
Students only need to sit for 2 papers for Science (Chemistry + Physics or Biology).

O Level Science (Chemistry) - Sec 5 N(A) or Sec 4 O Level Track

https://www.seab.gov.sg/docs/default-source/national-examinations/syllabus/olevel/2020syllabus/5076_y20_sy.pdf

Total duration for MCQ paper: 1 h 

• 40 MCQ (20 Chemistry, 20 either Physics or Biology) - 20% of Science grade (only 10% for Chemistry component)

Total duration for Structured paper: 1 h 15 min

• Structured - 32.5% of Science grade

1. Section A - 45 marks (all compulsory)
2. Section B - 20 marks (3 Questions, Choose 2)​

Practical Assessment - For O Level Science (Chemistry) only

Total duration: 1 h 30 min
30 marks - 15% of Science grade
​Format: 1 or 2 Questions on Chemistry (15 marks) + 1 or 2 Questions on Physics/Biology (15 marks)

Implications?

• It is much easier to score in N Level Science (Chemistry) as the Chemistry MCQ component is already 20% of the entire Science grade. For O Level Science (Chemistry), the Chemistry MCQ component is only 10% of the entire Science grade.
• There are only 2 papers for N Level Science. O Level Science requires student to take 4 papers. (MCQ + 2 Structured papers + practical)
• For O Level Science (Chemistry), the marks allocated for Structured paper (65 marks) is more than twice of N Level Science (Chemistry) (only 30 marks). Students are expected to answer longer and more in-depth questions.
• There is no practical assessment for N Level Science (Chemistry). Most schools neglect the importance of bringing the students to the laboratory in Sec 3/4. The students will face difficulties when they have to conduct experiments for O Level Science (Chemistry) in Sec 5.

Addition of New Topics

1. Energy Changes
2. Speed of Reaction
3. Redox
4. Alcohols
​5. Carboxylic Acids
​6. Qualitative Analysis

Extension of Old Topics

Experimental Design
- Know how to design experiment to measure rate of reaction

Identification of Ions and Gases
​- Describe tests for ammonia, chlorine and sulfur dioxide

Mole Calculations
- Formulas 
- Concept of limiting and excess reagent

Alkenes
- Addition polymerisation
- Pollution problems caused by plastics

These topics are exactly the same as those studied by Sec 4 O Level students. However, the questions set for these questions are no longer as simple as those seen in Sec 4 N(A) papers. Students are expected to answer questions which require them to "explain", "describe", "elaborate" or "suggest".

Difficulties faced by Sec 5 students

• Doing well in N Level Science (Chemistry) is not enough to do well in O Level Science (Chemistry). 
• Students who intend to continue their Sec 5 education should start preparing for O Level Science (Chemistry) since Sec 3/4.
• They should be aware of the differences in syllabus content, as well as the format of the exam papers as early as possible.
• They should also be exposed to more challenging questions for all the topics covered in Sec 3/4 before starting Sec 5.