Transitioning to Secondary English: A Student’s Guide

1. No More Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs)

Secondary school English exams do away with MCQs completely. Instead of selecting from four options, you’ll now need to:

• Write full-sentence answers

• Support your responses with explanations and evidence

• Focus on reasoning—how and why, not just what

This change encourages deeper thinking and clearer expression. While it may seem tougher at first, it also gives you more room to showcase your own ideas.

2. Comprehension Becomes More Complex: Two Passages + Summary Writing

In primary school, comprehension usually meant one passage with short-answer and vocabulary questions. In secondary school, you’ll face two passages—one narrative (story-based) and one non-narrative (factual). These are longer, more challenging, and often include advanced vocabulary and themes. You’ll be expected to infer meaning, analyse language, and evaluate the writer’s intent.

Additionally, summary writing is introduced in the non-narrative paper. Worth 15 marks, this task requires you to:

• Identify key points across several paragraphs

• Paraphrase them in your own words

• Produce a concise summary within 80 words

This section tests both comprehension and your ability to write clearly and precisely.

3. Writing Broadens Beyond Stories (And Picture Prompts Disappear)

In primary school, compositions often began with three pictures to guide your story. In secondary school, those pictures are gone. Instead, you’ll be given a single essay prompt or theme, and it’s up to you to plan, structure, and write with purpose.

Writing is divided into Continuous Writing and Situational Writing:

• Continuous Writing: You’ll choose from essay types such as:

• Narrative (storytelling)

• Descriptive (painting a scene with words)

• Personal recount (real-life experiences)

• Expository (explaining an idea)

• Argumentative (presenting and defending a viewpoint)

Your essay should be well-developed, with a clear beginning and conclusion. It’s not just about events—it’s about meaning, impact, and how effectively you communicate.

• Situational Writing: In primary school, this focused mainly on emails and articles. In secondary school, you’ll still write emails, but also:

• Reports

• Letters

• Speeches

• Proposals

Here, you’ll be assessed on how well you understand the task’s purpose, audience, and tone, as well as your ability to organise ideas and use the correct format.

4. Oral Exams Become Fully Interactive (No More Reading Aloud)

Primary school oral exams had two parts: reading aloud and stimulus-based conversation. In secondary school, reading aloud is removed. Instead, the oral component centres on spoken interaction. You’ll watch a short video (about 1–2 minutes) and then:

• Answer questions about its content and message

• Share your personal views on the theme

• Engage in a two-way discussion with the examiner

Topics often connect to real-world issues—like environmental care, kindness in society, or responsible social media use. To prepare, keep up with current affairs and practise expressing your ideas clearly and confidently.

5. Editing Gets a New Format

Editing appears in both primary and secondary English, but the format changes. You’ll be given a short passage of ten lines, with eight containing grammar or spelling mistakes. Your task is to:

• Identify the errors

• Correct them accurately

This section tests your grasp of grammar, spelling, punctuation, and word forms in context—skills you’ve been building since primary school.

6. Visual Text Comprehension: Thinking Beyond Words

You may recognise this section, but in secondary school, the questions are mostly open-ended. You’ll study a visual text such as:

• Advertisements

• Posters

• Infographics

• Web pages or social media posts

Then, you’ll answer questions that assess your understanding of both visual features (layout, images, fonts) and language (slogans, persuasive techniques, tone). This helps you think critically about how information is presented in everyday life.

How to Prepare for Secondary School English

Here are some simple ways to get ahead:

• Read widely: Books, articles, and news will expose you to deeper themes and varied writing styles while keeping you informed.

• Practise different writing forms: Go beyond stories—try reviews, reflections, or persuasive essays.

• Grow your vocabulary: Learn new words and use them naturally in speech and writing.

• Speak up: Share your thoughts in discussions with family and friends to build oral confidence.

• Stay curious: Ask “why” and “how” whenever you read or write.

Secondary school English may feel more demanding, but it’s also more rewarding. You’ll learn to think critically, write persuasively, and speak with confidence—skills that will serve you well in school and beyond. Remember, every Secondary 1 student starts fresh. What matters most is your willingness to learn and grow.

From all of us at Kim & You Academy, we’re cheering you on as you take this big step. We’re here to support you through the transition—check out our secondary school classes if you’d like extra guidance. You’ve got this!