School Of The Arts, Singapore

[anonymousguru]

luckyone:

Hi my dd is writing the Cognitive Exm & Talent Academy end of June 2014..for visual Arts..can anyone pls post any useful info on what to expect in the exam/interview?

Hey luckyone! I am a Year 2 VA student from SOTA! The Cognitive Exam is a written paper test in which the students writes an at least 300-400 word essay on a chosen topic (the one I chose in my year was \"Is it beneficial for children to watch TV?\" I think) within a time limit.

Why do they want candidates to take this test? Well, I think its because there is one very important subject (like super important) called ARC (Analysis, Research and Communication) or ToK (Theory of Knowledge in the upper years) which is similar to the General Paper, which tests the students ability of understanding issues in today's society. These tests (when one gets into SOTA) are either in a comprehension style format (Year 1 to 2) or essay format (Year 1 to 6)

Why is ARC so important and crucial? Many students consider this subject as the hardest to score in, and a pass in this subject is needed to pass all years and not get retained. However, it is also because it helps build the student's understanding of the issues in the world today and help them write essays in their upper years.

The next part (the audition+interview+portfolio review) are what many consider as the important part. It is true: a candidate need not have a superb, flawless and fully professional portfolio. What they want to test is your passion, and how much you really love it.

I will share my personal experience: the day I went for the audition, I was so scared. I looked around, and there were art pieces there were miles better than mine, and even people from those 'branded' schools like RGS. My mum also had little faith that I would make it, like we just 'see see' and 'try try'.

However, my mum was extremely supportive. She helped set up my portfolio, and arranged a great day for me. (the first day she concluded the teachers would be strict and 'more alert' and the last day the teachers were probably tired and disinterested, so she set up the day in the middle day for me.)

The day of the audition didn't start too well. I think I did a sub-par drawing of a still life that was presented to me, and I was to present it later on. What made matters worse was that I was the FIRST one to go. :scared: Even worse, the interviewers all looked very unfriendly and strict, with one who I later found out was the Head Of Visual Arts.

I was too flustered to remember all the questions I was asked that day, but I did remember one. \"Why do want to come to SOTA?\" I (sort of) vented my frustrations of not having a proper arts program in primary school. I think that was what won me in, (but don't copy answer ah.)

To clarify, I brought many (11-15) sketches (or cartoons more like), paintings, ink drawings and a photo of a scene in one of Colin Thompson's books (check him out!).

Sorry for the long reply, and hope this helps. Congrats to your dd, for she has made it this far! I have read the requirements this year, and they were more demanding than in my year. Congrats to your dd, and hope to see her next year. She has made it this far! :rahrah: :rahrah:

[mamabung]

Hi anonymousguru,


Thanks for being so forthcoming in your reply about what the CE entails.

As for the still-life drawing component, what kind of objects can a candidate expect to draw and how much time is given to complete that?

[mamabung]

Does anyone know how many made the shortlist this year? And from that number, how many more will be eliminated?


This is the first year that SOTA has introduced shortlisting. What could be the possible reason behind this - did SOTA expect a deluge of applicants this time round?

[delsa]

Hi all,


My dd is shortlisted too…for dance(non-ballet). Would any parents or SOTA students share their experience on what to expect during the TA for this?

Thanks in advance:))

[luckyone]

Thanks so much for your reply … It’s v helpful indeed … My heartfelt thanks … Really .

[yip33]

delsa:

Hi all,


My dd is shortlisted too..for dance(non-ballet). Would any parents or SOTA students share their experience on what to expect during the TA for this?

Thanks in advance:))

Hi, I'm a year one dance student. I got in through non-ballet. So basically, the dance audition is split into two parts: Introduction to Ballet/Movement Audition and Individual Specialized Audition.

The Introduction to Ballet/Movement is to see how well you can pick up new movements and whether you would be able to cope with ballet, as ballet is the basis of all dances and is learnt through all six years in SOTA. This part of the audition is like an open class, and there will be a teacher watching the class. So to prepare for this, just come with an open mind, be dillegent with your stretching before class and have fun!

The Individual Specialized Audition is basically just you dancing your solo in front of a panel of teachers. So smile and again, have fun.

Both auditions will be recorded on video, but don't feel intimidated. You want the teachers to feel that you love dancing.

PS: do come and say hi to me as I'm the videographer for the non-ballet auditions.

Good luck! (Have fun)

[Ragamuffin shinobi]

yip33:

delsa:

Hi all,


My dd is shortlisted too..for dance(non-ballet). Would any parents or SOTA students share their experience on what to expect during the TA for this?

Thanks in advance:))

Hi, I'm a year one dance student. I got in through non-ballet. So basically, the dance audition is split into two parts: Introduction to Ballet/Movement Audition and Individual Specialized Audition.

The Introduction to Ballet/Movement is to see how well you can pick up new movements and whether you would be able to cope with ballet, as ballet is the basis of all dances and is learnt through all six years in SOTA. This part of the audition is like an open class, and there will be a teacher watching the class. So to prepare for this, just come with an open mind, be dillegent with your stretching before class and have fun!

The Individual Specialized Audition is basically just you dancing your solo in front of a panel of teachers. So smile and again, have fun.

Both auditions will be recorded on video, but don't feel intimidated. You want the teachers to feel that you love dancing.

PS: do come and say hi to me as I'm the videographer for the non-ballet auditions.

Good luck! (Have fun)

wow! You are in year 1 and going to help out at the audition this year? SOTA sure involves their students in many aspects!
You mentioned the audition process for the non ballet side, but would you happen to know how the audition for the ballet side will be like?
I also wonder how many people they are shortlisting for dance this year. Do let us know and thanks in advance!

[delsa]

yip33:

delsa:

Hi all,


My dd is shortlisted too..for dance(non-ballet). Would any parents or SOTA students share their experience on what to expect during the TA for this?

Thanks in advance:))

Hi, I'm a year one dance student. I got in through non-ballet. So basically, the dance audition is split into two parts: Introduction to Ballet/Movement Audition and Individual Specialized Audition.

The Introduction to Ballet/Movement is to see how well you can pick up new movements and whether you would be able to cope with ballet, as ballet is the basis of all dances and is learnt through all six years in SOTA. This part of the audition is like an open class, and there will be a teacher watching the class. So to prepare for this, just come with an open mind, be dillegent with your stretching before class and have fun!

The Individual Specialized Audition is basically just you dancing your solo in front of a panel of teachers. So smile and again, have fun.

Both auditions will be recorded on video, but don't feel intimidated. You want the teachers to feel that you love dancing.

PS: do come and say hi to me as I'm the videographer for the non-ballet auditions.

Good luck! (Have fun)

Hi yip33!

Thank you so much for sharing your experience.It is always great to hear from a student
Appreciate all your sharing my dear!

[yip33]

Ragamuffin shinobi:

yip33:

[quote=\"delsa\"]Hi all,


My dd is shortlisted too..for dance(non-ballet). Would any parents or SOTA students share their experience on what to expect during the TA for this?

Thanks in advance:))

Hi, I'm a year one dance student. I got in through non-ballet. So basically, the dance audition is split into two parts: Introduction to Ballet/Movement Audition and Individual Specialized Audition.

The Introduction to Ballet/Movement is to see how well you can pick up new movements and whether you would be able to cope with ballet, as ballet is the basis of all dances and is learnt through all six years in SOTA. This part of the audition is like an open class, and there will be a teacher watching the class. So to prepare for this, just come with an open mind, be dillegent with your stretching before class and have fun!

The Individual Specialized Audition is basically just you dancing your solo in front of a panel of teachers. So smile and again, have fun.

Both auditions will be recorded on video, but don't feel intimidated. You want the teachers to feel that you love dancing.

PS: do come and say hi to me as I'm the videographer for the non-ballet auditions.

Good luck! (Have fun)

wow! You are in year 1 and going to help out at the audition this year? SOTA sure involves their students in many aspects!
You mentioned the audition process for the non ballet side, but would you happen to know how the audition for the ballet side will be like?
I also wonder how many people they are shortlisting for dance this year. Do let us know and thanks in advance![/quote]From what I know, there will be a ballet audition and a contemporary class audition. These should probably be open classes, I guess.

I forgot to mention, I think there will be interviews and diagnostic tests for all dance auditions, but I don't know what it will be like.

There has always been the least students in th dance faculty as compared to other art forms, so I would say about 20+ to 30+ dancers?

[anonymousguru]

mamabung:

Hi anonymousguru,


Thanks for being so forthcoming in your reply about what the CE entails.

As for the still-life drawing component, what kind of objects can a candidate expect to draw and how much time is given to complete that?

mamabung:

Does anyone know how many made the shortlist this year? And from that number, how many more will be eliminated?

This is the first year that SOTA has introduced shortlisting. What could be the possible reason behind this - did SOTA expect a deluge of applicants this time round?

Hi mamabung! Thank you for the compliment. I try to answer as clearly as I can. For the still life component, the objects expected to draw are very varied, in my year it was a couple of broken wheels that came off some table and rope. They will provide materials, like charcoal (the willow and the compressed kind), pencils and erasers. I think the time was about 45 mins to an hour, if I remember vaguely.

I hear from some teachers they wanted to make the school standards better by putting in more talented or qualified students through audition. I am not quite clear about the shortlisting process because I never went through that.

Also, the intake for VA students is usually around 80, with theatre and dance a little lesser, maybe 40-50? and music students the least, maybe around 20-30. Teachers estimate that 1000 people try to get through the first step each year (shortlisted). I don't know how many are shortlisted, but the chances of getting into SOTA VA are quite high compared to other art forms, about a 1 in 12/13 people chance.

Hope this helps.