DISTED COLLEGE NEWS Excelling in A-Level By bagging 5 straight As in the Cambridge A-Level 2009 November examination, DISTED College student Chin Da-Xing is proud to be another academic jewel in his family. In 2005, his brother Chin Jun-Xing, also a former DISTED pre-university student, scored the same par excellence results in the A-Level examination before going on to read engineering and business at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. “A-Level is challenging and widely recognized for university entry. I chose to do it at DISTED as the college is well-established in running the course with very experienced lecturers. “Furthermore, DISTED offers a 1-year fast-track A-Level Science option that gives the advantage of earlier entry into university,” said Da-Xing, an ex-student of SMK Tinggi Bukit Mertajam with SPM 13As and all As in A-Level Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics, Further Mathematics and General Paper.
As for success recipe, he said: “Be diligent in studying. Good time management also helps.” “Doing past years’ exam papers gives valuable exposure to real exam requirements and expectations,” said Da-Xing, who intends to take up mechanical engineering in Singapore or UK. For relaxation, he plays basketball, surfs the internet and hangs out with friends.
Da-Xing was among the 12 DISTED students who attained 3As and above in the A-Level examination, together with Chuah Chian Yeong, Alan Lim Zhang Yan, Hariharan Narendran, Surajdeep Singh Sangay, Vivian Tan Wei Wen, Yew Chun Kai, Chuah Jia Ying, Darius Cheong Huang Wei, Dexter Chew Tze Huan, Ooi Peng Sheng and Elaine Tan Hui Chuen. Another 9 students obtained 2As. The examination also saw the college’s students did well at the Advanced Subsidiary (AS) Level, which is the first half of the A-Level programme, with 11 students attaining 3As and above, and 7 others with 2As. Attaining 5 straight As in the AS Level were Lim Yan Lei and Tan Xinyi.
DISTED School of Pre-University Studies head Dr Teo Soon Beng said: “They’re yet another testament of the capability of the college in churning out students of the highest calibre in pre-university education. “We’ve some of the most qualified, experienced and excellent pre-university lecturers in the country. Coupled with the high standards that we’ve consistently upheld over the years, DISTED is well-placed to see world-class A-Level students through to top universities around the globe.” In congratulating the achievers, Dr Teo said: “They’ve done us very proud with their brilliant performance.” “Also, I wish to thank the lecturers and lab staff for their hard work, dedication and excellent teaching, and the college management for their support,” he added.
By scoring 4As in the A-Level, Alan Lim Zhang Yan is one step closer to his academic aspiration. “The A-Level, which is internationally recognised, fits well into my plan to study medicine in Britain,” he said. “DISTED lecturers are dedicated. They strive their utmost to teach well and cover the syllabus properly in the time-constrained, fast-track 1-year A-Level Science,” he noted. “To do well, I put in a lot of efforts in my studies. But relaxation is important too to avoid mental fatigue,” he advised, adding that he joined the college’s badminton and tennis clubs and is active in church activities particularly sports. “Prayer helped me too as it gave me encouragement and confidence to push on to excel,” he added.
A-Level 4As scorer Chuah Chian Yeong is thankful to his lecturers for his success. “The lecturers are not only experienced but also, very helpful in guiding students to do better academically. “I cherish the good efforts of Mr Chan Ka Kieng, Mr Tan Chuan Huat and Mr Ng Ju Kee who were my mathematics, physics and chemistry lecturers respectively,” said the former SMK Ibrahim student with SPM 12 1As. “Study consistently and don’t hesitate to ask course mates and lecturers for help to better understand a topic. “Group study with friends is good for brainstorming, mutual assistance and encouragement,” said Chuah, who intends to do a twinning programme in engineering. “To me, the Cambridge A-Level is the best pre-university programme as it gives a solid grounding for tertiary studies and is accepted by universities the world over,” he added.
Tan Wen Zhong excelled in the Cambridge A-Level Arts with 2As. “I always attempt to understand the lesson well rather than just trying to memorize the facts. “Consistent study, more so before the exam, also boosted my performance,” said the ex-SMJK Chung Ling Pulau Pinang student with SPM 9 1As. “My A-Level lecturers are friendly and helpful. They’re very involved in the academic well-being of students. I could freely call them to make a consultation appointment outside class hours,” he said. “Doing a pre-university course gave me more time to think about what degree field I wanted to pursue. I chose the A-Level as it’s academically challenging and widely recognized,” Tan said, adding that he would be studying accountancy at a local university college.
DISTED College 340 Macalister Road, 10350 Penang, Malaysia Tel: 604-2296579 E-mail: info@disted.edu.my Website: disted.edu.my |
