How to Prepare for Your Exams: The Most Popular Topics and How to Score Easily

As students progress through secondary school, they start preparing for their exams, especially in English. Most topics in the composition paper are quite familiar—they tend to repeat year after year with slight changes. In fact, the content for your exam is often the same as what you’ve been practicing in Secondary English tuition and with the best English tutor at Bishan. If you focus on the right topics early on, it becomes much easier to score those top marks. The key is to target the “sure thing” questions that are likely to appear in your exam paper. Here are some popular topics that you can confidently prepare for, knowing they’re highly likely to come up.

Popular Topic 1: Reflecting on Your Personal Experience

Have you come across questions that ask you to describe a time when something went wrong? These are very common in exams. Preparing for topics that involve sharing your own experiences is one of the best ways to get ready. Think about a moment where you faced failure, obstacles, or challenges. For example, writing about “a time I failed at doing something” is often easy to handle because everyone has faced setbacks at some point. If you plan your story well—highlighting your problems, how you overcame them, and what you learned—you’ll find it straightforward to write a strong composition.

A good way to prepare for such questions is to think about personal stories that show resilience. Practice storytelling during English tuition in Singapore*, and your essay will flow smoothly during the exam.

Popular Topic 2: Lifestyle and Personal Observations

Not everyone enjoys writing in a narrative or reflection style. If descriptive writing is more your style, then you might prefer to choose an easier, more familiar topic. These often involve describing your family, your food, or your daily routines. For example, a question about describing your family tradition or your favourite hobby is popular because it allows you to draw from your own experiences. These topics are easier because you don’t need statistics—just real examples from your own life that make your writing colourful and genuine.

When you attend Secondary English tuition, teachers often encourage students to observe their daily lives carefully. This practice makes it much simpler to write detailed and relevant responses during your exams.

Popular Topic 3: Media and Society

Media-related topics are always in style, especially in today’s digital age. Questions might ask about cyberbullying, social media influence, or the effects of apps like Instagram or TikTok on teenagers. These are very current issues, and having a good grasp of recent news and examples can help you score well. For example, a question might require you to discuss how social media affects friendships or mental health.

The best way to prepare is to keep up with the latest news and trending topics. Watch the news and online discussions, and memorise standout events. When you master this, you’ll be ready to write confidently and provide relevant examples in your exam.

Popular Topic 4: Climate and Environment

Environmental issues like climate change, pollution, and recycling are “hot” topics and are always at the top of news reports. Questions about these issues are common because they are global problems that affect everyone. For example, you might be asked to describe ways to help save the planet or explain why saving resources is important.

To do well on these questions, it’s important to stay updated on current events. Read newspapers and learn about how cities are becoming greener. Use recent statistics and examples when you answer—this makes your responses more convincing and impressionable.

Popular Topic 5: Descriptive and Community-Based Questions

Finally, descriptive questions are often straightforward but require you to stick strictly to what the question asks. You might be asked to describe your neighbourhood or talk about amenities in your community. These questions are easy if you think of examples nearby—your school, a park, or a shop. Remember, no need for statistics here—just relevant details and examples.

The key in these questions is to read the question carefully and include examples that fit the requirements. Practice describing your community or neighbourhood during Best English tuition in Singapore and you’ll find it easier to score well.

Final Words of Advice

These popular topics are very unlikely to go out of style. If you prepare them early and get used to writing on these themes, you'll be well-equipped for your future tests. Focus on understanding the questions, gather relevant examples, and practise regularly. Whether you attend English tuition in Singapore or study with a best English tutor at Bishan, targeted preparation can help make your exam day much easier. Good luck—your success is within reach!