Frequently Asked Questions

1) Is there a cap on the number of students for each HSS subject?

The School’s priority is that you make an informed choice. Each student will be allocated to his/her choice of HSS subject, subject to the school's manpower resource constraints. If any of the subjects are oversubscribed, admission to study the subject will be based on merit, ie., how well you perform in the overall examinations, and if there is a tie, EYE marks will be used as a tie breaker.

2) What choices do I have for HSS subjects in Years 5-6 to fulfil the requirements of the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)?

We offer 4 choices for students to fulfil the Group 3 requirements of the IBDP. They are: (i) Economics, (ii) Geography, (iii) History and (iv) Social and Cultural Anthropology at Higher and Standard Levels.

3) Must I continue the subject I choose for Years 3-4 when I move to Years 5-6?

No, you are free to continue with the same subject or to choose a different one in Years 5-6. It is important to note that the IBDP is a two-year course. No particular background is required. The specific skills required by the course are developed during the course in Years 5-6. E.g. A student who offers History in Years 3-4 would be able to offer Economics, Geography or Social and Cultural Anthropology in Years 5-6. He/She can also choose to continue with History.

4) Would a student who did History in Years 3-4 be disadvantaged if he/she chooses to do Geography in Years 5-6, and vice-versa?

No. Whether a student chooses History or Geography in Years 3-4, he/she would have acquired similar critical writing and analytical thinking skills that are transferable to the other HSS subject. As such, a student who did History in Years 3-4 will not be in a disadvantaged position if he/she chooses to do Geography in Years 5-6. Likewise for a student who did Geography in Years 3-4 and later chooses to do History in Years 5-6.

5) Would a student be disadvantaged if he/she chooses to do Economics or Social and Cultural Anthropology in Years 5-6 since he/she has not done the subject prior to that?

No, the IBDP is a two-year course and no particular background is required. The specific skills required by the course are developed during the course in Years 5-6. The pursuit of either History or Geography in Years 3-4 would have provided students with a sound foundation to pursue and attain mastery in any one of the 4 subjects offered in Years 5-6. The writing and analytical thinking skills developed in Years 3-4 are transferable to any other HSS subject in Years 5-6.

6) Who can I ask if I have other questions?

If you have any enquires on HSS subject selection, you may email Ms Low Wai-Peng, Head, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, at wai-peng.low@sota.edu.sg.