The Truth behind those high T-scores

[PlatypusAsia]

Thank you for the most eloquently written piece of observation.


I just want to add that to achieve that stratospherically high T-score, I give credit to the synergy achieved by both a very resourceful (financial, emotional, time resources) family and a child who is willing to be guided / molded / pushed (depending on your perspective). Very often, one part of the equation is missing. You get parents who are so deeply committed but a very unwilling child or a highlly motivated child with parents who cannot or care not.

To me, everything should have a balance. No child or parent should reach the tipping point in this brutal pursuit.

In life, there are many more enduring moments than PSLE T-score. When was the last time a person of significance to you asked about your PSLE Tscore?

Happy Holidays!

[rains]

PlatypusAsia:

When was the last time a person of significance to you asked about your PSLE Tscore?

While we don't ask for psle scores, I find that it's common to ask about the schools one comes from and from there, we are able to tell if the person had done well for their psle eg. 'I was an RGS girl.' must mean the person had an exceptionally high score while 'I am from Changkat Sec Sch.' would mean another (rather fixed) set of scores unless the person is an outlier ie. scored 270 but went to a neighbourhood school.

[zbear]

I agree with rains. I tend to think a student from RI/RGS is smarter n better than one from Siglap Sec Sch or similar.


I think such perception is normal n many people will feel the same on first impression unless you know the student personally.

[sleepy]

High t score referring to how high?

[Fresco]

zbear:

I agree with rains. I tend to think a student from RI/RGS is smarter n better than one from Siglap Sec Sch or similar.


I think such perception is normal n many people will feel the same on first impression unless you know the student personally.

First, we need to acknowledge the fact that top grades do not always go to the brightest students.

I think what SpartanMum is trying to say in this thread is, what exactly attributes to the success of smart and not-so-smart students in attaining high psle t-scores. Is that right, SpartanMum?

Precisely it is this perception of most people, if not all, thinking that a student from RI/RGS is 'smarter and better' than someone from Siglap Secondary that spur some parents and kids to make desperate attempts to go against all odds and at all costs to prep for exams; to attain high t-scores to get into these top schools in Singapore, simply because they can perhaps look better and not be stigmatised as underachievers. Hence, the vicious cycle of stress, anxieties, sweat and tears for both parents and child. Sadly the child always ends up bearing the consequences if the desired result is not achieved.

Whatever happens to being the best in your own ability and capacity to perform. That 3-digit figure does not necessarily determine your life path. Period.

[SpartanMum]

Firstly thank you to all who read the post and also to those who posted comments.

Secondly, yes the article was just my reflection on what contributes to higher t-scores.
Thirdly, I believe Siglap and Changkat Changi Sec have wonderful attributes too…every school does or has the potential. Let’s not compare them
negatively with any other school.

Parents , schools and students … When they work hand in hand the child’s potential is maximized . That’s what I was trying to say.

High, low, good, better, best… These are all relative terms . For my kids, when we set targets , I try not to get bogged down by these terms. For my kids, the target we set together was quite simple … Just get enough to go into the school you want to get into. Anything higher is a bonus. That way they didn’t get too stressed out with trying to make it for EESIS , edusave scholarships and what not. Oh and the school we chose was one which was not a stretch target for them. It was a very realistic one based on their performance . I think that helped a lot to reduce all of our stress.

Sorry I digress. Take care all !

[iRabbit]

To me, PSLE is impt for 2 reasons -


a) A good PSLE score gives one more choices. With more choices, it’s easier to find a good match between child and sec sch. That’s the next 4-6 years of a child’s education journey.

b) It takes grit, intelligence and diligence to get a good PSLE score. Humans are creatures of habits. More often than not, PSLE top scorers carry forward their habits of grit and diligence into sec sch. So while PSLE T-score is only a 3-digit number, the habits that go into achieving that result are what really matter (once one gets into his dream sch).

Let’s not forget that even with strong parental support and school system, ultimately it’s the diligence and intelligence of the student that will make or break the result. So let us give credit when credit is due.

Edit: I full heartedly agree that that 3-digit number does not have to map out one’s future if we don’t allow it to.

[janet88]

iRabbit:

To me, PSLE is impt for 2 reasons -


a) A good PSLE score gives one more choices. With more choices, it's easier to find a good match between child and sec sch. That's the next 4-6 years of a child's education journey.

b) It takes grit, intelligence and diligence to get a good PSLE score. Humans are creatures of habits. More often than not, PSLE top scorers carry forward their habits of grit and diligence into sec sch. So while PSLE T-score is only a 3-digit number, the habits that go into achieving that result are what really matter (once one gets into his dream sch).

Let's not forget that even with strong parental support and school system, ultimately it's the diligence and intelligence of the student that will make or break the result. So let us give credit when credit is due.

Edit: I full heartedly agree that that 3-digit number does not have to map out one's future if we don't allow it to.

:goodpost:
with psle results out in 3 weeks time, this is the right time to repost this message.

[CatMoon]

The REAL TRUTH is that … the PSLE is the NEW O-levels!


It determines what a child will be doing for the next 6 years.