Secondary 3 Math Tuition
in Bukit Timah
E-Math and A-Math classes for G2 and G3 students at King Albert Park, Bukit Timah, with online and hybrid options available.
What changes in Secondary 3 maths?
If your child takes A-Math, Secondary 3 is the first year they study two maths subjects at the same time.
Hello parents and students. In Secondary 1 and 2, your child learned to expand, factorise and solve equations. In Secondary 3, they use that algebra in almost every question. E-Math adds indices, quadratic equations solved by formula and by completing the square, circle properties, the sine and cosine rules, and vectors. Over Secondary 3 and 4, A-Math covers quadratic functions, surds, polynomials, logarithms, trigonometric identities and calculus.
Your child sits these topics in the O-Level / SEC exam at the end of Secondary 4. From 2027, the O-Level is called the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC), and students sit each subject at G1, G2 or G3.
When a Secondary 3 student finds maths hard, I usually find one of two causes. A Secondary 2 skill may be missing, such as factorising. Or no one has shown the student why a new method works. I look for both when I first meet your child, and I start with the one I find.
Signs your Secondary 3 child could use help
I see these in the exercise book before they show up in a test.
Completing the square goes wrong in one line
Your child writes x² − 6x + 4 = (x − 3)² + 4. The correct line is (x − 3)² − 5, because (x − 3)² already contains +9. That one slip changes every answer after it.
Negative and fractional indices
2⁻³ comes out as −8 or −6. The answer is 1/8. And 8 to the power 2/3 is 4: take the cube root first, then square it.
Geometry answers come without reasons
In circle questions, the marks are for the reason as well as the angle. If the angle at the circumference is 35°, the angle at the centre is 70°. Your child must also write the reason: the angle at the centre is twice the angle at the circumference.
A-Math algebra feels too fast
A-Math expects quick, clean algebra. For example, 1/(√3 − 1) must be rewritten as (√3 + 1)/2. A student who is still unsure of Secondary 2 algebra finds this hard.
Discriminant questions look unfamiliar
A question asks for k when the line y = x + k touches the curve y = x² + 3. Your child knows b² − 4ac but does not see that it applies. Setting x² + 3 = x + k gives x² − x + 3 − k = 0. "Touches" means b² − 4ac = 0, so k = 11/4.
Doing well and wants more
Some students find Secondary 3 comfortable. I give them harder questions that use two topics at once, so they are ready for Secondary 4.
How I teach Secondary 3 at MathArchery
These are four things I do in every Secondary 3 lesson.
I explain why a method works
Before I give a rule, I show your child where it comes from. For completing the square, I draw x² + 6x as a square with two strips beside it. The missing corner is 3 × 3 = 9. After that, your child knows why the 9 is there and does not need to memorise it.
I show the links between E-Math and A-Math
Many A-Math topics build on E-Math. Finding the turning point of a quadratic in A-Math uses the completing the square your child learns in E-Math. I point out each link, so your child learns one idea instead of two.
I give short practice every week
I set short Mathercises each week on the skills Secondary 3 uses all the time: indices, factorising, rearranging formulae and surds. I aim for accuracy first, then speed, then consistency.
I teach students who struggle and students who want more
I hold a Specialist Diploma in Specific Learning Differences, and I have taught high-ability students, including IB students. Some students need a slower start. Some need a harder question. I give each student the one they need.
What does Secondary 3 maths cover?
These are the new topics for Secondary 3 and 4. MOE lists Secondary 3 and 4 content together, and your child's school decides which topics come in which year. I follow your child's school scheme of work.
E-Math (G3 Mathematics)
Indices and standard form
Positive, negative, zero and fractional indices; laws of indices; standard form
Equations, inequalities and graphs
Quadratic equations by formula, by completing the square and by graph; sketching quadratic graphs; equations that lead to quadratics; forming equations from word problems; simultaneous linear inequalities
Other graphs
Graphs of y = axⁿ and y = kaˣ; gradient of a curve by drawing a tangent
Sets and matrices
Set notation and Venn diagrams; adding, subtracting and multiplying matrices
Congruence and similarity
Tests for congruent and similar triangles; areas and volumes of similar figures; scale drawings; constructing perpendicular and angle bisectors
Circles
Symmetry and angle properties of circles
Trigonometry
Sine and cosine of obtuse angles; area = ½ab sin C; sine rule and cosine rule; bearings; problems in 3D
Mensuration
Arc length, sector area, area of a segment; radians
Coordinate geometry
Gradient and length from two points; the equation y = mx + c
Vectors
Vector notation, position vectors, magnitude; adding and scaling vectors
Statistics and probability
Quartiles, cumulative frequency, box-and-whisker plots, standard deviation; combined events with tree diagrams
G2 Mathematics covers most of these topics. Sets, matrices, vectors, and the tests for congruent and similar triangles are not in the G2 syllabus for Secondary 3 and 4.
A-Math (G3 Additional Mathematics)
Quadratic functions, equations and inequalities
Maximum and minimum values; when a line meets, touches or misses a curve; quadratic inequalities
Surds
Working with surds; rationalising the denominator; surd equations
Polynomials and partial fractions
Remainder and factor theorems; cubic equations; partial fractions
Binomial expansions
The binomial theorem and its general term
Exponentials and logarithms
Graphs, laws of logarithms, change of base, equations and models
Trigonometry
Six trigonometric functions, graphs, identities and proofs, compound and double angle formulae, equations
Coordinate geometry
Parallel and perpendicular lines, circles, linear law
Proofs in plane geometry
Midpoint theorem, tangent-chord theorem, proofs with congruent and similar triangles
Calculus
Differentiation and integration, rates of change, maximum and minimum problems, area under a curve, motion in a straight line
G2 Additional Mathematics leaves out binomial expansions, exponentials and logarithms, plane geometry proofs and linear law.
Source: MOE G2 and G3 Mathematics Syllabuses (2020), pages 19 to 21 and 29 to 31; SEAB SEC 2027 syllabuses K341 and K232.
In person, online or hybrid
I teach Secondary students in person at my studio, online, or a mix of the two. Older students handle online lessons well. If your child is busy or unwell one week, they can join that lesson online.
My studio is MathArchery, 9 King Albert Park #02-22, KAP Mall. It is about 10 minutes' sheltered walk from King Albert Park MRT (DT6), and there is basement parking with a 10-minute grace for drop-off.
About Your Coach
I'm Elaine Goh, Teacher Elaine to my students. I have taught Primary, Secondary and IB Mathematics for 10 years, and I hold a Specialist Diploma in Specific Learning Differences. I teach both E-Math and A-Math, and I teach every lesson myself. If your child is willing to learn and work alongside me, and puts in the effort, any challenge in secondary maths can be overcome. Your child sits Secondary 3 topics in the O-Level / SEC exam, so I make sure they learn them well.
More about meWhat students and parents say about learning with Teacher Elaine
Teacher Elaine is an outstanding teacher. One who takes the initiative to ensure her students are on the right path to success. She is often patient and detailed in her explanation to allow me to fully grasp the topic whether E Math or A Math. She also motivates me to keep on striving no matter how challenging the times may be. All in all, thank you so much Teacher Elaine.
Aiman Danish Ridzuan, Google Review
Teacher Elaine is really a diamond amongst tuition teachers. She goes the extra mile to help my daughter when she had difficulty loving math due to her school's math teacher in P5 and teacher Elaine helped her to love the subject so much that she is now asking me to sign her up for year end math to learn more before school lessons. My daughter is now much more confident and does not delay doing her math homework.
Catherine Chan, Google Review
Questions parents ask
What is the SEC? Is it different from the O-Level?
From 2027, the O-Level is called the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC). Students sit each subject at G1, G2 or G3. In 2027, G3 Mathematics and G3 Additional Mathematics have the same topics and paper format as the 2026 O-Level. I will check the 2028 syllabus when SEAB publishes it.
Do you teach G2 and G3 students?
Yes. I teach E-Math and A-Math at G2 and G3. E-Math and A-Math are separate classes. G2 and G3 students can join the same class, and I give each student questions at the level they will sit.
My child finds A-Math hard. Where do you start?
A-Math uses more algebra in each question than E-Math. If your child is unsure of Secondary 2 algebra, I start there. Then I move to the A-Math topic.
Do you follow my child's school?
Yes. Bring the scheme of work and the latest test. I teach in the order your child's school teaches and use the school's notation.
Is there a trial lesson?
Yes. My Secondary 3 classes start in 2027. Message me on WhatsApp and we will arrange a trial lesson.
Can my child join online?
Yes. I teach Secondary classes in person, online or hybrid.
My child is in an international school. Can they join?
Yes. Message me with your child's school and syllabus, and I will tell you which class fits.
Coming from Secondary 2? See my Secondary 2 class. Getting ready for the exam year? See my Secondary 4 class.
Explore other levels
Tell me about your child
Share with me how Secondary 3 maths is going for your child, and anything you have noticed. We can arrange a trial lesson so I can understand your child better.