He aces N levels after opting to remain in Normal (Tech)

Three As for teen who declined transfer to Normal Academic) stream three years ago

- Elisha Tushara

In 2020, Wallace Seow was disappointed with his PSLE results, which placed him in the Normal (Technical) stream in Meridian Secondary School.

Determined to improve, he focused on his studies and did well enough to be offered a lateral transfer to a Normal (Academic) class after his Secondary 1 examinations.

To the surprise of his teachers and family, he opted to remain in the Normal (Technical) stream, and he aced his N levels three years later, attaining As in mathematics, science and computer applications. He scored Cs for English, Chinese and elements of business skills.

Wallace was one of 13,575 students who received their N-level exam results on Dec 18.

Of the 4,422 Normal (Technical) candidates, 97.9 per cent passed, just slightly lower than the 98 per cent in 2022. The pass rate for Normal (Academic) candidates was 99.4 per cent.

And of the 9,153 Normal (Academic) candidates, 77.2 per cent are eligible for progression to Secondary 5 in 2024, compared with 78.4 per cent in 2022.

This year, 49 per cent of school candidates from the Normal (Academic) course took subjects at the O-level exams.