This is for all the Normal Academic students.
There are 8 different routes that are possible for you to take, I'm just here to clarify doubts and help those that don't know what to do after their Ns.
1) Route 1: PFP
2) Route 2: DPP
3) Route 3: Secondary 5
4) Route 4: Retain
5) Route 5: NITEC
6) Route 6: Private studies
7) Route 7: Go out work
8) Route 8: Overseas
The first five are usually the common ones, there might be other routes that I have yet to mention but this is all I can think of for now.
Here's a short elaboration of each routes in hopes to help you make your decision!
1) Route 1: PFP
If you have done extremely well securing an EMb3 of 5-10points, this route is for you to consider. This route allows you to directly enroll into any Polytechnic courses that is offered to you.
2) Route 2: DPP
If your EMb3 is better than 19, this route is available for you. This is where you will end up with a higher nitec course, it is in ITE. It's where you can secure a spot in poly only if you do exceptionally well. However, it's not really EMb3 better than 19 means can go for it already. Due to higher demands, some popular courses have their EMb3 cut off points differing.
3) Route 3: Secondary 5
This is self explanatory. Complete your Ns, get better than 19, you're allowed to enter. However, it's best if you ask your seniors for advice, many that scored 16-19 for their Ns find themselves suffering during Os. I have friends scoring EMb3 better than me, yet suffering more than me cause they started being cocky about having better results than the majority. As for me, my grades slipped a little. I achieved the same L1r4 for my secondary 5's MYE and Preliminary examinations. But its two points worst than my last year's Ns EMb3.
Didn't regret staying for secondary 5 though. Since I don't even know what I want other than the fact that I want to get into Singapore polytechnic cause its nearer than other ITEs and JCs and also cause I'm only interested in one course and its in SP. Chasing after my dreams I guess? Not so sure about that but I do know for a fact that I've been laid back and slightly complacent ever since I joined secondary 5. It seems easier than secondary 4 so I kind of lackadaisical a little too much. (Sec 4 is harder than Sec 5 only because I missed Sec 1-3 so I need too catch up with everything)
4) Route 4: Retain
EMb3 = 20? It's either retain or go NITEC. Trust me though, new environment may be undesirable, but retaining motivates people to have the tendency to do exceptionally well, hence getting into PFP after they retain. It's about the attitude though, don't get cocky and start to be laid back if you retained. You're just gonna waste the whole year away in the end and that, is pure stupidity.
5) Route 5: NITEC
EMb3 = 20/more than 20. In a matter of fact, many that have their EMb3 15-20+ also choose nitec, why? Cause they know very well what they want. Some went to learn about hair, some went for culinary arts. One of my friends is a 15 pointer, he went for nitec just for the culinary arts course. Amazing isn't it? This is following your passion; your dreams. Many said ITE only stand for It's The End" trust me, it's not the end. I have friends that graduate in ITE only to receive a monthly salary of approximately $7k. It's not about the course of the school you land into or the degree you hold, sometimes, it's purely about your attitude, your mindset, your capabilities.
6) Route 6: Private studies
Rich parents, go ahead. I don't know much about this, but yea, a few of my friends went for it. Apparently they didn't do so well for their Ns so they just went for private studies, thats all I have to say really, I know nothing much about this but I don't encourage people to go for it too, it seems complicated.
7) Route 7: Go out work
Hate studying, stop studying. That's what some did, minority only though, it's not advisable. A 16 years old out for an adventure, in luck? get a good stable job. Bad luck? Screwed.
8) Route 8: Overseas
Rich kids again. None of my friends chose this path though, so I'm not sure about this either. If I know you personally, don't take this route. Not advisable. Purely only because I'm not ready for a long distance relationship with any of my friends.
Well that's all for now. Hope this clarified some of your doubts. Some school doesn't educate anything about the routes, so students just go wandering off like a headless chicken. This is in cohesion to that I guess, to give people a better view of what exactly is going on. Like I've said, it's not always about your education level, it's also about your attitude. Stay smart, stay out of trouble, happy holidays!
