2013 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[clay569]

Good morning!!! 2 more weeks! :boogie:


Steady! Keep calm! Stay healthy! Run, run, run! Go for it!

[Shan]

Morning,


It is kind of late to ask but may I know for Science, how much of p3/p4 topics will be tested? Is it necessary to do/revise p3/p4 assessment books? I have upper primary science assessment books (topical revisions which do not cover p3/p4 topics) but not PSLE assessment books. Thanks in advance.

[Jennifer]

Shan:

Morning,


It is kind of late to ask but may I know for Science, how much of p3/p4 topics will be tested? Is it necessary to do/revise p3/p4 assessment books? I have upper primary science assessment books (topical revisions which do not cover p3/p4 topics) but not PSLE assessment books. Thanks in advance.

Did u buy the authorised PSLE booklet? This booklet should give you an idea of how much of P3/P4 topics will be tested.

I would strongly encourage the revision of lower pri topics.

[yogaqueen]

Hi


I was the one who posted earlier on my experience on the usage of Algebra in PSLE Math. I dug out my email correspondence and will be reproducing it here. I have a correction to make. While I wrote directly to MOE, MOE forwarded my query to SEAB (Singapore Examinations & Assessment Board) to handle. So, the replies given were from SEAB.

Please read and judge for yourselves:

MY EMAIL TO MOE

I was informed by the school that while Algebra is accepted as a method for solving PSLE Math questions, no \"method\" marks (or marks for showing correct working), will be awarded. Full marks will be awarded only for final correct answers. This means that it is a \"do-or-die\" if you choose to use Algebra. However, if a student uses the Model Method, this can earn him method marks even if the final answer is incorrect.

I would like to seek clarification on whether the information above is accurate. And if so, the rationale behind it?

I find the preference for Model Method puzzling, all the more so because after PSLE, the secondary curriculum rarely mentions the Model Method. Instead, Algebra is taught. I know this because I have an elder son in Secondary school.

While the Model Method has its merits, I believe the examination process should give the child the choice to use other effective methods. This is more so for Algebra -- a problem-solving method which is fundamental to Mathematics and for which he or she will be using anyway in a few more months.

Both Algebra and Model Methods, therefore, could be accorded method marks. Answer sheets for standardized PSLE marking could include Algebra as well as Model solutions so as to ensure fairness in the marking process.

MOE FORWARDED MY QUESTION TO SEAB. SEAB'S REPLY:

SEAB can only provide broad guidelines as marking at the PSLE is a confidential exercise. The broad guideline to your query is “All solutions presented in a clear and systematic manner which demonstrate the candidate’s correct understanding of mathematical knowledge and application of skills will be given credit in the PSLE marking exercise.”

MY CLARIFICATION REPLY TO SEAB

I take it that since \"all solutions\" are accepted, Algebra is also accepted alongside any other solution and will be awarded method marks, not just for the final solution?

I believe answering this question will not entail reveal specific details in the marking process.

SEAB’S FINAL REPLY TO ME

We regret we are unable to reveal specific details in the marking of PSLE as it is a confidential exercise. In general, all solutions presented in a clear and systematic manner which demonstrate the candidate’s correct understanding of mathematical knowledge and application of skills will be given credit in the PSLE marking exercise.

As you can see, SEAB stopped short of saying Algebra is acceptable, preferring to give general, un-committal answers. But I personally take it that Algebra will also be awarded method marks.

Hope this clarifies, rather than confuses.

[ngl2010]

yogaqueen, thank you for sharing your email correspondences with us.


Yesterday I WhatsApp my son’s Maths teacher asking about method marks for using Algebra and she said the marking is confidential. Now I understand that it is SEAB’s guideline to keep the marking confidential.

[Jennifer]

yogaqueen:

Hi


I was the one who posted earlier on my experience on the usage of Algebra in PSLE Math. I dug out my email correspondence and will be reproducing it here. I have a correction to make. While I wrote directly to MOE, MOE forwarded my query to SEAB (Singapore Examinations & Assessment Board) to handle. So, the replies given were from SEAB.

Please read and judge for yourselves:

MY EMAIL TO MOE

I was informed by the school that while Algebra is accepted as a method for solving PSLE Math questions, no \"method\" marks (or marks for showing correct working), will be awarded. Full marks will be awarded only for final correct answers. This means that it is a \"do-or-die\" if you choose to use Algebra. However, if a student uses the Model Method, this can earn him method marks even if the final answer is incorrect.

I would like to seek clarification on whether the information above is accurate. And if so, the rationale behind it?

I find the preference for Model Method puzzling, all the more so because after PSLE, the secondary curriculum rarely mentions the Model Method. Instead, Algebra is taught. I know this because I have an elder son in Secondary school.

While the Model Method has its merits, I believe the examination process should give the child the choice to use other effective methods. This is more so for Algebra -- a problem-solving method which is fundamental to Mathematics and for which he or she will be using anyway in a few more months.

Both Algebra and Model Methods, therefore, could be accorded method marks. Answer sheets for standardized PSLE marking could include Algebra as well as Model solutions so as to ensure fairness in the marking process.

MOE FORWARDED MY QUESTION TO SEAB. SEAB'S REPLY:

SEAB can only provide broad guidelines as marking at the PSLE is a confidential exercise. The broad guideline to your query is “All solutions presented in a clear and systematic manner which demonstrate the candidate’s correct understanding of mathematical knowledge and application of skills will be given credit in the PSLE marking exercise.”

MY CLARIFICATION REPLY TO SEAB

I take it that since \"all solutions\" are accepted, Algebra is also accepted alongside any other solution and will be awarded method marks, not just for the final solution?

I believe answering this question will not entail reveal specific details in the marking process.

SEAB’S FINAL REPLY TO ME

We regret we are unable to reveal specific details in the marking of PSLE as it is a confidential exercise. In general, all solutions presented in a clear and systematic manner which demonstrate the candidate’s correct understanding of mathematical knowledge and application of skills will be given credit in the PSLE marking exercise.

As you can see, SEAB stopped short of saying Algebra is acceptable, preferring to give general, un-committal answers. But I personally take it that Algebra will also be awarded method marks.

Hope this clarifies, rather than confuses.

:thankyou: for sharing.

I checked with ah boy ytd on what he was told by sch teacher.

He says:

writing let x be number of apples and y be number of oranges - no method marks awarded.

writing an equation based on the qn info, eg x + y = 100 - no method marks awarded

only the solving of equations correctly will have method marks awarded.

I wrote an email to MOE ytd afternoon, giving a specific qn and writing down in detail the equations, hoping to get a clear reply. But from your earlier correspondence with SEAB - marking scheme is confidential, it seems like I wont be getting any clear cut answer :rant:

[ngl2010]

Would writing to The Straits Times get a straight forward answer from SEAB? What is so confidential about got method marks or not? :scratchhead:

[Shan]

Jennifer:

Shan:

Morning,


It is kind of late to ask but may I know for Science, how much of p3/p4 topics will be tested? Is it necessary to do/revise p3/p4 assessment books? I have upper primary science assessment books (topical revisions which do not cover p3/p4 topics) but not PSLE assessment books. Thanks in advance.

Did u buy the authorised PSLE booklet? This booklet should give you an idea of how much of P3/P4 topics will be tested.

I would strongly encourage the revision of lower pri topics.

His school is using the EPH PSLE exam questions which is usually done & kept in school. I did not buy any other PSLE booklet or exam papers. I asked DS to do the old p3/p4 assessment books but he said no need cos at PSLE level, the questions are set more difficult (for p3/p4 topics)??? :scratchhead:

[zeemimi]

ngl2010:

Would writing to The Straits Times get a straight forward answer from SEAB? What is so confidential about got method marks or not? :scratchhead:

Ya la! What is so confidential about marking math? Unlike science and the languages where some subjective elements are involved, math is straight forward at this level. Seab's reply is so typical - don't come straight to the point. Shouldn't the children know what can earn marks and what can't? I suspect the markers themselves are not very sure cos there were many occasions the students in DS' class argued successfully to be awarded some method marks. Unfortunately in PSLE the students can't argue for marks.

[JohnYeo]

Maybe just to give themselves more flexibility? Just in case…hehe