From the Editor’s Desk
6th October 2023

For this article, a H1 Math student who has passed A Levels with flying colours was interviewed. She is now in her 3rd year of Computing and Law in Singapore Management University. This article hopes to inspire H1 Math students and let them know that they will overcome A Levels.

1. What are your biggest takeaways in H1 Math?

In the area of probability and statistics, hypothesis testing was the most helpful area as it has helped me make better decisions in my personal life as well as in university, where statistics is compulsory. Such knowledge and exposure to different distributions (albeit limited) has helped me ease myself into statistical thinking for computational topics such as AI or Data Science.

2. Why did you choose H1 Math, and what is the difference compared to other levels?

There are different categories: H1 Math, H2 Math, Further Math, and H3 Math, in the order of difficulty. I chose H1 Math as H1 Math is less in-depth compared to H2 Math. For example, H1 Math only covers basic distribution models, but there is a larger variety of models for H2 Math. H3 Math has the widest range of topics.

3. How did you best prepare for H1 Math?

Doing the entire 10-years series for Math helped a lot as it made me practice with questions which would simulate the questions asked in the exam. Furthermore, I made it a point to go through past mistakes I had made in tests and internal exams, as sometimes the trial exam set internally would be harder than the actual paper. If I did not understand anything, I would consult my tutor in school.

4. Did you have tuition and did it help?

I did not take tuition, but I needed a lot of motivation to practice a lot. Good teachers at school helped to fill in some gaps in my knowledge, as the explanation of essential concepts is key to your understanding. Math was not a hard subject at the H1 level as long as I did my due diligence and practiced.

5. If you could go back in time and tell yourself something, what would it be?

I would tell myself that keeping consistent and investing a fraction of my time for every subject will get you very far. Studying with friends can be helpful, as a good support system you can go for subject consults with and use as a sounding board for clarifying concepts and pushing through the subject together is important for your mental state as well.