Frequently Asked Questions 🔎

Bestminds Academy specialises in Primary 5 and Primary 6 Science, with every regular weekly class personally taught by Mr Daniel Tay.

Our programme combines clear concept teaching, structured answering practice, carefully developed materials and written homework feedback.

Through our OAC Method, students learn to Observe Carefully, Analyse Logically and Communicate Clearly. The aim is to help them understand Science and express that understanding in answers that meet the question's requirements.

Mr Daniel is an NIE-trained former MOE teacher and former PSLE Science marker, with 10+ years of full-time teaching experience.

His qualifications are:

- B.Sc. (Hons) in Biological Sciences, Nanyang Technological University (NTU)

- Postgraduate Diploma in Education, National Institute of Education, NTU He is also the author of Examiners' Secrets: How to Consistently Score AL1 for Science.

Yes. Our lessons are aligned with the current Singapore Primary Science syllabus and PSLE requirements.

Students develop their understanding of key concepts, scientific thinking, application skills and clear answering techniques.

On top of covering the syllabus, Mr Daniel also teaches relevant science knowledge and concepts beyond the syllabus.

Knowing a concept is only part of answering a Science question well.

Students may lose marks because they overlook important information, apply the wrong concept or leave out a necessary explanation.

Mr Daniel teaches them to observe carefully, identify what the question requires, reason through the evidence and write a complete answer in the correct context.

Yes. Students do not need to be strong in Science before joining, but they should be willing to learn, practise and act on feedback.

Clear explanations, guided practice and corrections help students recognise gaps in their understanding and answering skills. Progress also depends on regular attendance, participation and effort.

Parents are encouraged to support regular homework practice and corrections. Homework submission for marking is optional.

We do not guarantee a particular grade or overnight improvement.

Yes. Stronger students can benefit from applying familiar concepts to unfamiliar situations, analysing evidence carefully and refining the precision of their explanations.

The focus is on strengthening understanding and reducing avoidable mistakes, and expressing themselves clearly in writing.

Yes, subject to class availability.

From 2027, students receive the full current-year Bestminds Learning Pack regardless of their joining date, together with access to relevant earlier online lesson recordings under our recording-access policy.

Catching up requires time and effort. Contact us to discuss your child's starting point and a suitable class.

No. We prepare students to understand concepts, apply process skills and handle unfamiliar questions.

Our approach builds transferable skills rather than relying on predictions.

You can read parent reviews through our Google review page: https://share.google/rkJ7vQkzoHWAkb9Qd Reviews describe individual experiences. Each child's progress depends on their starting point, attendance, practice and response to feedback.

The OAC Method, developed by Mr Daniel Tay, guides students through three stages:

• Observe Carefully: Read the question, diagrams and data closely.

• Analyse Logically: Identify the relevant concept and use the evidence to explain what happens.

• Communicate Clearly: Write a scientifically accurate answer that addresses the question.

This gives students a consistent approach to working through any Science challenge.

Students learn to identify command words, important conditions and the specific context of each question. They practise connecting the relevant Science concept to the information given, then writing clear explanations without leaving out essential links.

Students will also be given ample opportunity to do practice questions with a wide variety of contexts so they are more prepared for the exams.

There will be homework prescribed for most lessons. Homework reinforces concepts and examination skills. Submission is strongly encouraged but optional.

Weekly homework has two parts. The MCQ and cloze part is the Weekly HW Quiz on the Bestminds Learning Space (BMLS), where your child sees an explanation for every option after answering. The written part is done on paper, scanned into one PDF and uploaded through your child's personal Homework Hub link by the class cutoff.

Written work uploaded by the cutoff is assessed by our appointed marking team, which includes former PSLE Science markers and Science Heads of Department. We aim to return the marked script and a feedback sheet to your child's private Google Drive folder within 72 hours after the cutoff. Full-length homework comes with a feedback sheet covering strengths, mistakes to correct and a suggested next step; shorter homework comes with a shorter sheet covering what went well and what to fix. Uploads after the cutoff are not marked.

Our markers follow standardised Bestminds guidelines. Written feedback helps students identify missing points, correct misconceptions and improve their explanations. Mr Daniel oversees marking quality.

Mr Daniel monitors understanding through class participation, active-recall activities, practice questions and submitted homework.

On your BMLS parent dashboard, you can see your child's Weekly HW Quiz scores, accuracy by topic, practice activity, Formal Diagnostic Test results and a weekly summary of subtopics that need attention.

BMLS is included for regularly enrolled students at no extra cost.

Students are encouraged to act on feedback and complete corrections, so mistakes become opportunities to improve.

BMLS, at bmlearningspace.com, is our online practice platform for P5 and P6 Science. It is included at no extra cost for regularly enrolled students. Your child can:

• complete daily quests;

• do topic practice, with an explanation for every option;

• attempt practice papers and Formal Diagnostic Tests;

• explore the Singapore Science Adventure Map and the Library (FAQ Cheat Sheet, mind maps, posters, NobiTube videos and the Virtual Lab); and

• earn coins and rewards.

Your parent dashboard shows progress by topic.

Yes. The BMLS 2027 Grand Challenge for P6 runs from 1 January to 30 September 2027.

• Prizes: the top eligible coin earner receives an Apple iPad and a Bestminds Gold Medal. The second receives Apple AirPods Pro 3 and a Bestminds Silver Medal.

• Eligibility: students must stay enrolled in Bestminds 2027 P6 until the programme ends and achieve AL1 or AL2 in PSLE Science.

• Medallion: students who keep up Daily Quest streaks can also earn a Bestminds medallion.

Full rules are in Handbook clauses 5.18 and 5.26 to 5.29.

Read the full Handbook rules.

Yes. Enrolled students may seek clarification on Bestminds questions and their own school-issued Science questions.

For school-issued work, support is limited to one full question, including its subparts, per student per week (Monday to Sunday). WhatsApp Mr Daniel at 9365 1228 with clear photos of the complete question and the student's own attempt, and state what they need help understanding. School-issued questions are not submitted through the Homework Hub. Assessment books and other tuition providers' materials are excluded.

Replies depend on Mr Daniel's availability. Assigned Bestminds homework solutions are reviewed during the scheduled lesson. Full support guidelines are explained in the Handbook.

We offer fully onsite and fully online classes.

We do not conduct hybrid lessons. Having fully online or fully onsite classes allows students to focus better in one learning environment. It also allows Mr Daniel to better monitor every student's participation and understanding.

From 2027, every regular lesson lasts two hours.

From academic year 2027, regular enrolment is capped at 12 students per onsite class and 14 students per online class. Approved replacement and trial students are additional to these regular-enrolment caps, so total attendance at a particular lesson may be higher. Their attendance requires prior approval and is subject to available space and the Academy's ability to conduct the lesson safely and effectively. Each session may include no more than one trial student.

Homework arrangements are explained in question 12, with step-by-step Homework Hub and BMLS instructions provided during onboarding.

Bukit Timah · Sunday 170 Upper Bukit Timah Road, Bukit Timah Shopping Centre, #B2-13B, Singapore 588179 Tampines · Saturday Blk 201E Tampines Street 23, #02-106, Singapore 527201 Yishun · Friday, from 8 January 2027 Blk 156 Yishun Street 11, #01-497, Singapore 760156 Bukit Timah is approximately a two-minute sheltered walk from Beauty World MRT. Tampines is approximately a ten-minute walk from Tampines East MRT.

For Yishun, enter through the #01-497 door at the rear gate of Little Smarties Student Care. The stairs lead to the Level 2 classroom. It is approximately a five-minute walk from Yishun MRT.

Contact us for available timeslots. Walkthrough videos are available at our website bestmindsacad.com.

Online lessons are conducted through ClassIn.

Digital sketchpads, polls, timers and student-response tools allow students to participate and help Mr Daniel check their understanding.

Students must keep their full faces visible during lessons, except during breaks and short washroom absences notified in the ClassIn chat.

Setup instructions are provided upon enrolment.

From 2027, the Bestminds Learning Pack (BLP) includes current-year notes, worksheets and revision resources curated and regularly updated by Mr Daniel.

Students joining partway through the year receive the full BLP, together with access to relevant earlier online lesson recordings under our recording-access policy.

The BLP now includes hands-on experiment kits. It comes in two boxes per level, mailed to every student in December (Semester 1) and June (Semester 2), with no delivery charge. Experiments are for home use under adult supervision.

Yes. For the 2027 programme, a trial costs $50 for one full two-hour lesson, available for P5 or P6, onsite or online.

Each child may attend one trial. Soft-copy materials for the lesson are included. No homework is set for trial lessons.

Trial fees are non-refundable for parent cancellation or absence. One parent-requested rescheduling is allowed, subject to availability and at least 48 hours' notice before the booked trial. If the Academy cancels and no mutually acceptable replacement is arranged, the trial fee will be refunded. The refund will be paid within 7 working days after the parent chooses a refund. A trial does not reserve or confirm a regular weekly seat.

Online trials are recorded, with parental consent obtained before booking confirmation. Trial students do not receive recording access.

WhatsApp your child's full name, school and level to 9365 1228.

We will explain the available classes and confirm your preferred arrangements, start date and fees before payment.

A seat is secured only after full payment of the confirmed enrolment quotation and Mr Daniel's final confirmation.

Payment priority is determined by the timestamp of the WhatsApp message containing the successful-payment screenshot sent to Mr Daniel.

An enquiry, trial booking or waitlist deposit does not confirm a regular weekly seat.

We can suggest another available class, or you may join our free waitlist.

An optional priority waitlist is available with a deposit equivalent to two lesson fees. Priority families receive seat offers before free-waitlist families, and the deposit offsets lesson fees upon enrolment.

The unapplied deposit is refundable if you withdraw from the waitlist. It is also refunded if no seat is taken up within three calendar months, unless an extension is agreed in writing.

Seat offers have a 24-hour window: parents must accept the offer, complete successful payment and send the successful-payment screenshot to Mr Daniel within 24 hours of the offer message timestamp. Waitlist placement does not guarantee a seat. Full conditions are provided before any deposit payment.

From 2027, all regular lessons last two hours.

All amounts are in Singapore dollars. Bestminds Academy does not charge GST.

For a new student taking four lessons in 2027, the standard initial payment is:

Your confirmed quotation will reflect any applicable waiver, package discount or different number of lessons.

The registration fee is a standard one-time charge. The Bestminds Learning Pack is charged once per academic year and is not prorated.

Registration and Bestminds Learning Pack fees are normally non-refundable, subject to the exceptions in the Handbook. If the Academy cannot offer a suitable class meeting the agreed arrangements before regular lessons start, all enrolment payments are refunded, excluding fees for trial lessons already attended.

Yes. Package discounts apply to lesson fees only:

Academic-year packages require upfront payment for the full programme or all remaining scheduled lessons from the agreed start date to the programme's end. New academic-year packages cannot begin in MOE Terms 3 or 4. Academic-year package eligibility and the discount are determined by the first scheduled lesson covered by the package, not the payment date. A first lesson during a school holiday is classified under the following MOE term. A full academic-year package beginning with the programme's first lesson qualifies for 5%, including when paid before the year begins.

All discounted packages must cover at least 12 lessons. Packages of fewer than 12 lessons receive no package discount and are charged at the standard per-lesson rate.

Discounts do not apply to registration or Learning Pack fees. The 2027 programme comprises 48 lessons for P5 and 36 lessons for P6.

Your confirmed quotation will state the lessons covered and applicable discount. Packages already purchased retain the terms agreed at the time of purchase.

Payment is accepted through PayNow only, using UEN 202502484D.

Include your child's full name and level in the remarks, for example: Marcus Lee P6 Send the successful-payment screenshot to Mr Daniel at 9365 1228.

Standard billing covers four lessons per cycle. Payment is due at least one week before the next cycle begins. If payment remains outstanding when the cycle starts, the seat may be released.

Please confirm availability and your quotation before paying.

Give Mr Daniel at least 14 calendar days' written notice. Lessons scheduled during the notice period count as used, whether attended or not. In special circumstances, you may ask Mr Daniel privately to waive all or part of the notice period.

For parent-requested withdrawal, the refund is the prepaid lesson fees paid minus used lessons charged at the full undiscounted rates that applied when the package was purchased. The minimum refund is zero, and this recalculation does not create an additional payment obligation.

Refunds are paid within 7 working days after the effective withdrawal date, without an administrative deduction.

Different provisions apply if the Academy ends enrolment or materially reduces agreed services. Full conditions are supplied before payment.

Your child may attend one approved replacement covering the same numbered lesson, subject to availability.

Replacements may be onsite or online. An online-to-onsite replacement costs an additional $10; other replacement combinations have no additional charge.

Both onsite and online students receive access to the corresponding online lesson recordings, subject to availability. Fees for lessons missed for personal reasons are non-refundable.

Replacement procedures are explained in the Handbook.

Students completing the programme retain access:

- P5: Until 31 December of the same academic year.

- P6: Until the end of their PSLE Science paper day.

Access ends earlier upon withdrawal or termination.

Recordings are for the enrolled student's personal revision and must not be downloaded, recorded or shared.

Trial students do not receive recording access.

Changes of regular timeslot or lesson mode, including between onsite and online, are allowed subject to availability and written confirmation. Any difference in lesson fees applies from the first lesson in the new class and is adjusted in the next payment cycle. Registration and Learning Pack fees are unaffected.

Transfer procedures are set out in Handbook clause 2.6.

If your family's circumstances change, contact Mr Daniel to discuss the available arrangements. Permanent class transfers are separate from one-off replacement lessons.

We will first offer a live replacement covering the same content.

If no workable live replacement can be arranged, parents may choose a refund or credit at the lesson rate actually paid. A recording serves as the replacement only with the parent's agreement.

Yes. Bestminds runs selected Science crash courses and workshops throughout the year.

Enrolled students usually receive priority registration and special rates for selected courses. Dates, coverage and fees are announced separately through the Bestminds Telegram Channel at https://t.me/bestmindsacad

Mr Daniel's book, Examiners' Secrets: How to Consistently Score AL1 for Science, is available at POPULAR bookstores and on Shopee and Lazada.

For free Science content and updates, follow:

- Bestminds Academy on YouTube: https://youtube.com/@bestmindsacademysg

- TikTok LIVE: @danieltaysworld https://www.tiktok.com/@danieltaysworld

- Bestminds Telegram Channel: https://t.me/bestmindsacad

Yes. A referrer receives a $100 cash reward once the referred student has completed 12 paid regular lessons, whether paid through four-lesson cycles, a 12-lesson package or an academic-year package. One reward is paid per new student.

The programme is open to everyone, with no limit on successful referrals. Sibling referrals are excluded.

Please obtain the family's permission before sharing their contact details with Bestminds.