An Interview With 2022 SUEC’s Top Scorers

Reported by:
Ng Yi Phin Jr3Z(2)
Victoria Hwang Jr3S(3)

On the 11th of January 2023, the results for 2022’s SUEC (Senior Unified Examination Certificate) came out, and lots of people achieved satisfying results, with three 10 A’s, five 9 A’s, twenty-three 8 A’s, twenty-five 7 A’s, thirty-five 6 As and fifty-five 5 A’s.

2022’s SUEC results

We, at Kuen Cheng Newsletter Club, were lucky to be able to interview six of SUEC’s top scorers, namely Chloe, Ming Toh, Mei Qi, Min Ling, Yong Yu, Yue En and Qi Hung.

Chloe	Ming Toh	Min Ling
Mei Gi	Qi Hung	Yong Yu
	Yue En

1) What were your feelings when receiving your SUEC results?

Chloe: I can’t explain how nervous I felt. I felt so nervous to the point I could only look at my own results after all my friends saw theirs first. Once I saw my results (10As), I was quite satisfied with myself and thought “Oh, not bad!”.
Ming Toh: I felt extremely nervous because I thought I didn’t do very well in the exam. Not only that, I was afraid that my expectations would be too far off from reality. When I got my results (10As), I finally felt like my senior life was completed.
Min Ling: I remember being in a very hazy mood because I had purposely slept late the day before to prevent myself from feeling nervous on the day the results came out. But, I was happy and delighted to see my results in the end (10As).
Mei Gi: I was very happy. In the past, I could never imagine getting these kinds of grades (9As), and even when I took the exam I felt as if I didn’t do very well. Which is why I felt happy and shocked when I received my results.
Qi Hung: I didn’t feel much like checking the results myself, so I asked my mother to help me. She gave me a scare, joking that I got loads of Bs and Cs. Then, I went to check it myself. Turns out, I received 9As! I guess the whole process can be described as an emotional roller coaster.
Yong Yu: I was quite jittery at the time, as these grades signified the outcome of all my hard work made in 2022. My parents were with me while waiting for the results, and they were nervous as well. However, once I finally received them (8As), we were all so happy.
Yue En: It was a pretty funny experience. On the day the results came out, I was in a class reunion. I still remember the moment when everyone was waiting to open the site to check their results. The site kept crashing! I was actually the first one to see my results, which shocked me. I wasn’t expecting 8As because I don’t think I did well in the examination.

2) Can you share some of your studying techniques with us?

Chloe: For me, I always preferred making my own notes for studying. However this time, since there was so much to study, I decided to buy notes from people who sell them online on platforms such as Xiaohongshu.
Ming Toh: I would make notes. Every time there was a class test, I would make notes for that specific test too. Even before the exam, I quickly read my notes to fully understand the important points. I would also use my computer to take notes because typing is more convenient.
Min Ling: I personally believe that it depends on yourself. I have noticed that some students prefer to make notes themselves, however I can’t say the same for myself. I don’t take any tuition either, but I had a studying method that suited me best, so I can say with confidence that you should find a method that works for you before studying for SUEC.
Mei Gi: I started reading more after Sr1 to improve my writing. As for essays, I feel like they are not a type of question you can answer simply. Therefore, I read more books and memorised some good sentences.
Qi Hung: Do prioritise class tests, so that taking major exams will just seem like refreshing information you have studied and been tested on before. I do not think study apps help much, so I always discipline myself. I also set targets for studying, and look up videos (other extra information) so I won’t be too bored with the course.
Yong Yu: You’ve got to be quick, accurate, and fully understand what a question is saying when answering it. As for languages, I usually read more, listen more, and memorise more useful vocabulary. The important fact is that there are different ways to confront different subjects, so you should try to find a way that suits you best.
Yue En: To memorise information quickly, solve more questions. Also ask teachers regarding topics you don’t understand. Personally, I read and make my notes in textbooks instead of notebooks. For language subjects, you should read more. The key is getting used to writing and conversing in the language subjects. As for mathematics, you have to keep solving more and more questions. Lastly, use study methods that you are used to.

3) What are the challenges you have faced when preparing for SUEC, and how did you solve them?

Chloe: One major challenge I had faced while preparing was time management. This is because my physical classes collided with my online tuition, so I would often need to skip tuition and watch the recording during the weekends. My recommendation is that if your classes collide with one another, you should always find a way to be able to take them without having to miss out on one or another.
Ming Toh: I can say with confidence that time management was the biggest challenge I’ve faced. There was definitely too much to read and too little time to study, making me feel more stressed.
Min Ling: Honestly, I feel a bit regretful, because there were so many things going on in my life the past few months I’ve been preparing for SUEC. I would recommend finding a friend if you are facing any problems, because in the end, you aren’t the only one going through this.
Mei Gi: I felt tired most of the time. The year I prepared for SUEC was the year I felt as if I couldn’t take a break. I had approximately 5 days of tuition in a week, and little time for myself.
Qi Hung: I found it hard to stay concentrated with distractions all around me. Therefore, I kept my phone locked up in a drawer.
Yong Yu: It was very tiring, because I took all the subjects for SUEC. I used to be very depressed when I couldn’t even solve a single question. As to how I solved the problem, I always took an hour or two to do my hobbies such as watching television, so that I could have work life balance.
Yue En: I felt very nervous when preparing for SUEC, but never showed it as I was afraid that it would affect other examinees around me. However, I managed to open my heart to people I’m good with, lessening my stress.

4) What is your advice/encouragement to those who are taking their UECs this year?

Chloe: If you plan on staying back for SUEC then you should take it seriously, because it is a very important factor to get into university. The better your SUEC grades are, the better the university you can get into. I hope that all students who are taking SUEC this year can get good grades.
Ming Toh: Do not take your class tests lightly. Besides that, you should definitely pay more attention during Sr3 because time flies.
Min Ling: Never give up on yourself! It is impossible to get a good grade out of nowhere. Getting a good grade is like receiving a reward after days or months of hard work. You should always set a goal for yourself to follow.
Mei Gi: Studying is not the only important factor you need to get into a good university. I would recommend you to take your extracurricular activities seriously too.
Qi Hung: Do not be scared! Treat your UECs as a part of your study journey. To be honest, UECs are much easier than A-levels (or other higher-level international examinations).
Yong Yu: Everyone should prepare themselves, making sure they are ready to face their UECs as it is not easy to overcome.
Yue En: Firstly, do join study groups if possible. I joined a study group between classmates, and it encouraged everyone to study together and work hard. Another piece of advice is to find a goal for yourself in every aspect. Make sure you don’t devote your whole life to studying, as you should pay attention to other aspects in your life such as having fun. I think this is the only way you can have work life balance. As for a source of motivation to work hard on your SUECs, you can only experience Sr3 once, and you can only be 18 once too. The kind of life you want depends on your decisions.

In conclusion, we would like to congratulate all those who have received amazing results for their SUEC. We hope that all future SUEC takers will also get exceptional results.