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Chemistry tuition for Raffles Institution students
Live online Chemistry tuition for Raffles Institution students in secondary 3–4. Bring recent schoolwork and teacher feedback so our tutors can see where your child needs help and plan the lessons.
Secondary 3–4
Courses and years
IP Chemistry
Years 3–4
Bring recent schoolwork and the current topic list so we can choose a suitable class.
Study guide · 01
Build a revision plan from the school’s assessment scope
IP schools organise their Chemistry topics differently. Use the school’s current topic list, assignment instructions and teacher feedback to plan revision.
For each assessed topic, try a question without notes: explain a property, write an equation, calculate a quantity or interpret results. Mark the first step you cannot complete or explain, then practise that part.
Bring the question and marked answer. A comment such as “explain further” might mean a particle is missing, a condition is unstated or the data does not support the conclusion. The tutor works through that point and checks it in another question.
Study guide · 02
Connect a chemical model to an observation
A useful explanation names the relevant particles, describes what changes and links that change to the observation. Begin with the conditions: state, temperature, concentration or the substances present. If a condition changes, the explanation may need to change too. Avoid transferring a memorised sentence before checking its assumptions.
Compare cases where one important feature differs. For conductivity, ask which charged particles are present and whether they can move through the material. For a reaction, distinguish what was observed from the particle-level explanation. These checks make the answer specific enough to support its conclusion.
The task
Solid magnesium chloride does not conduct electricity, but molten magnesium chloride does. Explain the difference.
Worked response
Both states contain ions. In the solid the ions occupy fixed positions in the lattice and cannot carry charge through the substance. In the melt the ions can move and carry charge, so it conducts electricity.
Both states contain ions. What changes is whether the ions can move and carry charge. Free electrons would be the wrong explanation for this ionic substance.
Study guide · 03
Show calculation steps and explain results
Write the balanced equation and label each quantity with its substance. Coefficients relate amounts in moles, not masses directly. Convert units before substitution and state any condition on which a method depends. In a limiting-reagent question, compare the available amounts against the equation rather than choosing the smaller mass.
Describe what the results show, then check the variables and controls before drawing a conclusion. Repeated measurements help you see how consistent the results are; other changes in conditions may limit what you can conclude.
We discuss experimental plans, data and written explanations online. Share the school’s task instructions and feedback so the tutor can choose what to work on. Students practise using apparatus at school.
Your class
Lessons and practice, every week
Class registration for the 2027 school year is open.
Trial
$30 subsidised trial rate
A dedicated trial session at a different timeslot is offered at a subsidised rate of $30. We’ll help you explore the available options.
Class format
Live online
Weekly duration
1.5 hours
Levels
Secondary 3–4
Between lessons
Subject practice on the DeepThink platform
Practice is included as part of the classes.
Registration
2027 school year
Open now. Request a trial class and we will message you to confirm the level and schedule.
Meet your tutor
Try a Chemistry class
Class registration for the 2027 school year is open. Bring recent schoolwork to help us plan a useful first lesson.
About Raffles Institution
PSLE cut-off point for Raffles Institution
MOE publishes the PSLE score of the first and the last student posted into each school at each posting group. Below are Raffles Institution's figures for the 2026 Secondary 1 intake — the 2025 PSLE cohort. The last student's score is what is usually meant by the school's cut-off point.
| Posting group | PSLE score range |
|---|---|
| Integrated Programme | AL 4–6 |
Cut-off points move by a few points from year to year, and not every student who met the cut-off was posted here — some are tie-broken out. Read these as a guide to where a school sits, not as a threshold to clear.
Actual 2026 Secondary 1 intake, from MOE School Finder — last verified on 12 August 2026. MOE School Finder ↗
About Raffles Institution
Raffles Institution (RI) is an independent educational institution in Singapore. Founded in 1823, it is the oldest school in the country. It provides secondary education for boys only from Year 1 to Year 4, and pre-university education for both boys and girls in Year 5 and Year 6.
Founded: 1823
School Overview
Raffles Institution (RI) was established in 1823 by Sir Stamford Raffles, originally under the name Singapore Institution. It holds the distinction of being Singapore's oldest school. Today, RI operates as an autonomous boys' school offering secondary education across Years 1 to 4 for students aged 13 to 16. The upper years (Years 5 and 6) become co-educational, with students from Raffles Girls' School joining for the pre-university phase.
The school's Latin motto, Auspicium Melioris Aevi, translates to "Hope of a Better Age" and reflects the founding aspiration that education should contribute meaningfully to society. RI's stated mission is to develop learners, leaders, and pioneers who are driven by purpose and committed to service.
RI runs a six-year Integrated Programme (IP) that allows students to proceed directly to the GCE A-Level examinations without sitting for O-Levels. The school also provides school-based Gifted Education, the Regional Studies Programme, and the Music Elective Programme (MEP). At the pre-university stage, RI partners with Raffles Girls' School for combined cohort classes.
Admission Process
Entry to RI at Secondary 1 is through two main pathways: the PSLE posting exercise and the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme.
For the PSLE route, admission is based on Achievement Level (AL) scores. For the 2024 intake, the indicative cut-off for the Integrated Programme was an AL score of 4 to 6 for non-affiliated students. RI does not offer a separate O-Level track — all students follow the IP pathway.
The DSA scheme enables students to apply based on demonstrated talent before PSLE results are released. RI accepts DSA applications in the following areas:
Academics: English Language, Malay Language, Mathematics, Science, Leadership and Character.
Sports (boys only): Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Cross Country, Hockey, Judo, Rugby, Sailing, Shooting, Softball, Squash, Swimming, Table Tennis, Tennis, Track and Field, Water Polo.
Arts: Music, Visual Arts.
DSA applications are submitted through the MOE DSA-Sec Portal at no cost, with the application window typically running from May to June. Trials and interviews take place in July and August. Students admitted via DSA must commit to the full Integrated Programme and achieve a PSLE AL score between 4 and 22 to confirm their placement.
RI uses Full Subject-Based Banding (SBB) within the IP framework, allowing students to take subjects at levels suited to their individual strengths. Parents considering RI are encouraged to attend the school's open house, usually held between May and June, to visit the campus and speak with staff.
Curriculum and Academic Programme
RI's Integrated Programme curriculum is structured for depth, leading students through six years of study culminating in the GCE A-Level examinations. Core subjects at the secondary level include English Language, Elementary Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geography, History, and Literature. Mother Tongue options include Higher Chinese and Malay under the Special Programme, with electives such as Economics and Computing available for further specialisation.
The school has received the MOE School Excellence Award for holistic education and maintains consistently strong academic results, with near-complete pass rates at A-Level and high performance in Mathematics and the Sciences. RI students regularly perform well in national and international academic competitions, including multiple Olympiad gold medals.
Specialised programmes include STEM enrichment through dedicated robotics laboratories, bilingual development aligned with Special Assistance Plan (SAP) principles, and structured leadership training delivered through the Raffles Leadership Institute. The Regional Studies Programme and Music Elective Programme provide additional pathways for students with specific interests.
Facilities and Co-Curricular Activities
RI's campus in Bishan is equipped with modern classrooms featuring interactive technology, a library with more than 50,000 volumes, well-resourced science and computer laboratories, and an extensive sports complex that includes Olympic-sized swimming pools and turf playing fields. The school has also installed solar panels as part of its sustainability efforts.
Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs) are a central part of student life at RI, with more than 40 options available. Participation rates are high, with approximately 80% of students actively involved.
Sports: Badminton, Basketball, Cricket, Fencing, Hockey, Rugby, Sailing, Shooting, Swimming, and Track and Field. Several teams have achieved national-level titles.
Clubs and Societies: Robotics, Debate, Environmental Club, Infocomm Club, and Research Club, among others.
Performing Arts: Chinese Orchestra, Symphony Band, Drama, Visual Arts, and Guitar Ensemble.
Uniformed Groups and Service: Scouts, National Cadet Corps (Sea), and Red Cross Youth, which emphasise discipline and community contribution.
CCA involvement complements academic learning and supports character development. Many CCAs also align with DSA talent categories, allowing students to develop their strengths from an early stage.
Student Life and School Culture
RI promotes a school culture grounded in Rafflesian values of integrity, empathy, and innovation. The school day typically runs from 7:45am to 3:30pm, with advisory sessions built in for pastoral care and mentoring.
Class sizes range from 30 to 35 students, and the school maintains a teacher-to-student ratio of approximately 1 to 15. RI takes a proactive approach to student well-being through counselling services, peer support networks, and wellness programmes aligned with MOE guidelines. Resilience workshops and leadership retreats are part of the school's broader personal development framework.
The secondary years at RI are boys-only, which the school uses to foster a sense of brotherhood and camaraderie before students enter the co-educational environment in the pre-university years. For families transitioning into the IP, the school encourages students to build consistent study routines and develop strong time management habits to manage the academic workload effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions about Raffles Institution
Is Raffles Institution a good school?
Raffles Institution is one of Singapore's most established pre-tertiary institutions, with a history dating back to 1823. The school offers a six-year Integrated Programme focused on developing well-rounded individuals through academic rigour, character formation, and leadership development. It has received the MOE School Excellence Award and produces strong results at the A-Level examinations.
Is Raffles Institution a co-educational school?
RI admits boys at the secondary level (Years 1 to 4, ages 13 to 16). At the pre-university level (Years 5 and 6, ages 17 to 18), the school becomes co-educational, with female students from Raffles Girls' School joining the cohort.
What are the PSLE cut-off points for Raffles Institution?
For the 2024 intake, the indicative Achievement Level cut-off for the Integrated Programme was 4 to 6 for non-affiliated students. These figures reflect the score of the last student admitted in that cycle and may vary from year to year.
What is the history of Raffles Institution?
RI was founded in 1823 by Sir Stamford Raffles as the Singapore Institution, making it the oldest school in the country. Over the years, it has developed into an autonomous pre-tertiary institution offering the Integrated Programme, with a continued emphasis on academic depth and character development.
Does Raffles Institution offer the Integrated Programme?
Yes. RI offers a six-year Integrated Programme that takes students from Secondary 1 through to the pre-university level, bypassing the O-Level examinations and leading directly to the GCE A-Levels.
How can I apply to Raffles Institution?
Students can apply through the PSLE posting exercise based on their Achievement Level scores, or through the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme for those with demonstrated talent in academics, sports, or the arts. DSA applications are submitted via the MOE DSA-Sec Portal, typically between May and June. Students continuing from the secondary IP track proceed directly to the pre-university phase.
What CCAs are available at Raffles Institution?
RI offers more than 40 CCAs spanning sports (such as Rugby, Swimming, and Track and Field), performing arts (including Chinese Orchestra and Symphony Band), clubs and societies (such as Robotics and Debate), and uniformed groups (including Scouts and NCC Sea). Several sports teams compete at the national level.
Does Raffles Institution offer leadership development programmes?
Yes. Leadership and character development are integrated into the Raffles Programme through the Raffles Leadership Institute and various co-curricular activities. Students participate in leadership retreats, resilience workshops, and community service initiatives as part of the school's broader approach to developing future leaders.
What university pathways are available after Raffles Institution?
Graduates from RI's A-Level programme typically apply to local universities such as NUS and NTU, as well as international institutions. The Integrated Programme is designed to build strong analytical, research, and communication skills that prepare students for higher education.
What are the school fees for Raffles Institution?
As an autonomous school, RI's fee structure follows MOE guidelines. Singapore citizens pay subsidised rates, with additional miscellaneous fees. Current fee details are available on the MOE website or by contacting the school directly.
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