2013 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[EthanEthan]

Jovialcho:

If overall papers are fairly easy, it will be interesting to know what will be top t-score n cut off points for top n hot favorite schools...

Probably not much diff but the 12 decimal points in the T score will be critical. For easy papers, children that are not careless will have a advantage

[Jovialcho]

So those avg students will have fair chance n competition for top schools; once high achievers too confident n made some careless, bump n down it goes. So better make sure no unforgivable n careless mistakes n avoid at all costs!!!

[EthanEthan]

Jovialcho:

So those avg students will have fair chance n competition for top schools; once high achievers too confident n made some careless, bump n down it goes. So better make sure no unforgivable n careless mistakes n avoid at all costs!!!

I guess that is the govt way of ensuring average students have a chance to the top schools and that top students are distributed to neighborhood schools

[Sanctuary Hut]

Anyone doing Tamil paper tomorow?

[25hr mama]

rains:

Mommybel:

Someone suggested having higher math, higher eng and higher sci in pri school. I thought that was a brilliant idea. The govt can set easier paper for the standard subjects so that parents are happy. Those who want to take higher whatever should not complain if paper is difficult. Parents made their choice and they should live with it. This way all are happy.

But you will only take something more difficult or at a higher level if it comes with certain benefits eg. Higher Chinese gives you 1 to 3 points more.

If the higher EMS are not going to add more points to their t-scores, why would any pupil want to take them and disadvantage or penalise themselves?

On the other hand, if pupils who take higher EMS get to score more points becos of the difficulty level of the papers, then everyone, except those who just want to make it to the express stream or pass psle, will want to take them.

Further to my earlier post abt offering higher level in all 4 subjects, I pointed out that it is a optional path, one that allows students who have the ability and passion for the subject to learn things at a greater depth & width, to meet their learning needs.

I hv friends whose kids are taking HMT, not because they need the 3 extra points which will give them advantage to enter any school. In fact, these kids' choice of school are not SAP schools, the few schools they hv in mind, do not view HMT as a plus point at all for admission.

For any parent or student who decide to opt for it, for whatever reason, whether its to further stretch their potential, because of passion or other perceived advantage which we are unable to say now, since they are non existence, then I feel it is unlikely that they will complain of stress and they shouldn't, since it is their own choice.

I won't hv the chance to look at the PSLE paper, & can't comment on the level of difficulty. But one thing is for sure, I dun think it's the government intention to hv a drastic drop in education standard, unless they hv very good reason for doing so, like other changes to go along, which are not made known to the public yet, or may be a reform of the system is underway.

Many other countries have the competitive advantage of a low wage structure, hence singapore must stay competitive by leading over its economic rivals. With many countries surging ahead in school attainment, it is necessary for Singapore to maintain or not better it's standard, and not the other other way round. Maintaining a education system that prepares students, to stay competitive in the global skills race is essential.

Overall, whatever changes the government is going to implement, it is impossible to please everyone. As long as it is for the good of our country, our future generations, then I'm all for it.

[Jovialcho]

Good to mix top performers n distribute spreading to other hot schools ; moe is driving that direction n on right track.

[Prodaddy]

When the Cohort average is high because of very easy paper then how about the Standard deviation? Will it be narrow or wide? Normally what will be the average SD for Maths ? Any idea?

[Jovialcho]

Believe next year to avoid such stress, more n more students n parents will head n try dsa option; surplus of candidates to compete for limited places through dsa. This will be next national challenge in future to secure a place in top schools !!!

[skyhigh_18]

Jovialcho:

Believe next year to avoid such stress, more n more students n parents will head n try dsa option; surplus of candidates to compete for limited places through dsa. This will be next national challenge in future to secure a place in top schools !!!

DSA is one option.. But a very tiring one

[clay569]

Goodluck8:

My DD does not aim for top school and her only strength is Maths. She cant write a good composition as others as she is not so creative and her oral is poor because she seldom speak most of the time.


Now i need to lower down her expectation and put my finger cross if the result is worse than i thought.

I am not able to sleep well for the past two days. I know i should put it aside but cant.

:snuggles: divert focus to MT and sci. DS is also a careless mistake king. Hope they spotted the careless mistakes while checking the papers. May not be so bad ok? Take care