The Speeds: When Fast Isn’t Always Forward
By MathSifu Moses
Some students learn fast.
Like really fast.
You show them an idea once and they connect the dots before you even finish the sentence. They seem alert, confident, vocal, and ahead of the curve. Teachers love them. Parents admire them. Classmates quietly wish they “got it” like that too.
These are The Speeds.
But here’s the twist, not all fast learners are the same.
Some are genuinely strong.
Some are just… fast on the surface.
And the difference between the two can determine whether tuition accelerates them... or accidentally feeds the ego that later becomes their downfall.
So let’s break this group down properly.
Two Types of Speed Learners
In every classroom, Speed learners look similar at first glance. Sharp, responsive, active participants. But once you observe deeper, two very different profiles emerge.
✅ Speed I: The Truly Able Ones
These students:
absorb concepts quickly
think deeply and process information well
take initiative and stay curious
build knowledge and understanding
They don't just want to be fast. They want to be good.
They're the ones who ask,
“Why does this method work?” instead of just
“Is this correct?”
These are the kids who will thrive with the right guidance - sharp minds with healthy ambition.
⚠️ Speed II - The "Performance" Learners
Then there's the other type.
They look confident because they think fast…
but usually only at the surface level.
These students:
pick things up quickly but don’t digest them fully
impress teachers with speed and answers
enjoy attention and recognition
sometimes mask insecurity behind confidence
crumble when questions change slightly
They often mistake speed for mastery and rely on praise to fuel effort.
And here’s the hard truth:
Most Speeds fall here - around 85%.
They’re not weak. They’re just running fast on shallow ground.
🧠 Strengths (Both Types)
Quick processors: they see patterns and make connections rapidly
Proactive: they enjoy learning when they feel ahead
Responsive: they participate and stay mentally engaged
Speed itself is a strength - but only when paired with discipline and depth.
🚧 Weaknesses (especially Speed II)
Complacency
“I got it already.”
Until they realize later they… kinda didn’t.
Low patience
They cut corners because they think they can.
Ironically, this is why careless mistakes repeat.
Poor self-reflection
When something goes wrong?
“It’s just careless.”
But they rarely slow down to analyze why.
Low flexibility
Surface learning collapses when the problem changes shape.
In Singapore Maths, this is fatal.
Speed without stability becomes panic under pressure.
🎯 Aptitude vs Attitude
Aptitude is rarely the real problem.
Their brains fire fast - great trait.
The challenge? Attitude.
Fast learners need humility, patience, and depth.
Without those, speed becomes ego, not excellence.
🧩 Tuition Needs for The Speeds
For Speed I: the gifted accelerators
They need:
✅ faster pacing
✅ exposure beyond school syllabus
✅ deeper thinking challenges
✅ a tutor who stretches them, not just teaches syllabus
They thrive with:
strong group classes that move faster than school OR
1-1 mentorship to expand thinking beyond textbooks
These students shouldn’t be slowed down - they should be sharpened and stretched.
For Speed II: the fast-but-shallow ones
They need:
✅ slowing down, to think before answering
✅ reinforcement of foundations
✅ ego balance and learning humility
✅ private pacing to build depth
They benefit most from:
1-1 tuition, where no one is watching and they can't “perform learning”
practice explaining their thinking
being held accountable to accuracy, not speed
Sometimes, putting them in a more advanced class also helps, not to punish, but to humble. Being “not the fastest in the room” can reset their mindset quickly.
💡 Parent Guidance
To support The Speeds:
Praise accuracy and depth, not speed.
Ask questions like
“How did you know?” instead of “Got answer already?”
Don’t compare them to others, encourage internal standards.
Reduce overconfidence gently, not by pressure, but by reflection.
A healthy Speed I is a gem.
A proud Speed II is a ticking time bomb.
🧨 Final Note
The Speeds have incredible potential.
Their minds are sharp - but the real test isn’t how fast they learn.
It’s whether they can:
slow down when needed
think deeply
stay humble
stay hungry
and refine understanding, not just chase praise
The best student? A Speed I with humility.
Rare, but powerful.
The most vulnerable? A Speed II protected by ego.
Fast now, lost later.
The right guidance turns Speed II into Speed I.
And that, is where real tuition magic happens.
~MathSifu Moses