2017 PSLE Discussions and Strategies
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I tell my son that the PSLE is not a measure of his intelligence, and doing well or badly does not change the person that he is. The PSLE doesn’t test kindness, thoughtfulness, or empathy. It does not measure how happy he is or how much grit he has. I want him to take the exams knowing he has done what he can to prepare for the papers, and the marks will be what they are. If he doesn’t get the score he expects despite doing his best, then there is nothing to regret, and we are proud of his effort.
We are lucky coz he has a DSA offer to the school he wants to go to. So in a sense the PSLE matters less. But the pressure to do well is still very much there. I don’t think pressure in itself is a bad thing, but if its so much as to be debilitating, then we need to do our part to provide some perspective, yah? -
Before the start of the PSLE, I was very curious to see how MOE will set the papers this year. No doubt, it turned out to be a tough PSLE year. I will like to share my thoughts on why this could be so. Come year 2021, the PSLE scoring is based on achievement levels which in turn is based on raw marks. The ALs will be summed together for a total score for secondary school posting. There will no longer be a T-score which is moderated across the cohort. Hence, the papers must be pitched at the right level of difficulty to get that desired mix of ALs, otherwise there will be a lot of balloting to secondary schools which is not desirable. Could it be that these few years leading to 2021 could be the experiment years to get that “right level of difficulty”, and this year, being the first year post announcement, is pitched more challenging?
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For my DS, yes, the papers turned out to be challenging for him, especially Science, which is his strongest subject. In all the school or practice Science papers he worked on, he is always able to do most of the questions. But with this PSLE paper, he told me that there were a few questions he does not know the answer. Naturally, he was disappointed as this was the subject he was hoping to score in. Naturally, he was unsure if he could meet his own PSLE score target. But he accepted that it was a tough paper, decided not to talk about it and moved on. For now, he is so happy that the PSLE is over, and is not looking back at all. To him and to us, he has done his best. Preparing for PSLE was a long journey and a lot of consistent hard work, practice and determination went into it. Even though this final paper test may not bring that out, there is still a lot of knowledge gained by our DC in the process, which they will carry with them into secondary life.
For those yet to sit for the PSLE, please do not feel discouraged by the PSLE. It may be frightening as it is the one exam that will determine your next 4/6 years, but approach it with the right mindset and it will be less daunting. -
myteapot:
Good attitude for yr DS.Before the start of the PSLE, I was very curious to see how MOE will set the papers this year. No doubt, it turned out to be a tough PSLE year. I will like to share my thoughts on why this could be so. Come year 2021, the PSLE scoring is based on achievement levels which in turn is based on raw marks. The ALs will be summed together for a total score for secondary school posting. There will no longer be a T-score which is moderated across the cohort. Hence, the papers must be pitched at the right level of difficulty to get that desired mix of ALs, otherwise there will be a lot of balloting to secondary schools which is not desirable. Could it be that these few years leading to 2021 could be the experiment years to get that “right level of difficulty”, and this year, being the first year post announcement, is pitched more challenging?
\t
For my DS, yes, the papers turned out to be challenging for him, especially Science, which is his strongest subject. In all the school or practice Science papers he worked on, he is always able to do most of the questions. But with this PSLE paper, he told me that there were a few questions he does not know the answer. Naturally, he was disappointed as this was the subject he was hoping to score in. Naturally, he was unsure if he could meet his own PSLE score target. But he accepted that it was a tough paper, decided not to talk about it and moved on. For now, he is so happy that the PSLE is over, and is not looking back at all. To him and to us, he has done his best. Preparing for PSLE was a long journey and a lot of consistent hard work, practice and determination went into it. Even though this final paper test may not bring that out, there is still a lot of knowledge gained by our DC in the process, which they will carry with them into secondary life.
For those yet to sit for the PSLE, please do not feel discouraged by the PSLE. It may be frightening as it is the one exam that will determine your next 4/6 years, but approach it with the right mindset and it will be less daunting. -
Hi Twinkle Belle & tigressina,
I can totally felt your frustration. But please do not be pessimistic over this year’s PSLE papers. Regarding the CL Listening Compre for that 2 tricky questions, my DD answered correctly. But for the Math’s Ribbon question, my DD did not answer correclty. And I’m 100% sure that even without the tricky questions, can I confirm my DD will not make careless mistakes for other easy questions? NO WAY! But I did not lament over MOE’s setting of paper. Why? Coz if you minus that 3 marks or 2 marks each, give you minus maximum of 15 marks, the paper will be 85 marks. To you as a parent- is it that you cannot accept this mark range? And only if you think 95 or 98 is the acceptable marks you are going to accept, you will forever keep grudges over that couple of difficult questions that made your DC lose marks for the precious T-score that you expect for. You will forever couldnt get over those tricky qs.
Every year there’s bound to be tricky questions to distinguish students from A or A*. But I’m pretty sure there are 90% questions that are not difficult. These "basic" qs require students to understand on their concept for the subjects tested & meticulous on their paper. Because most of the time, our dc lost 10 over marks due to carelessless. E.g. 24 x 2 can see as 24 + 2 ?? Etc…
I told my DD b4 PSLE, this year the papers sure will be tough. You just make sure you are not complacent over easy qs, meticulous & alert always during the exam; forget about qs that need to tweet your brain, (just use your knowledge to tackle all qs), you will either secure A* or High A. My mentality is as long as you "just precious your easy qs & dont make careless mistakes – I’m very happy for you liao!"
If parents dont feel a pinch over that couple of marks, I’m sure your DC will get over it easily. Most of the times it is parents who cannot get over it.
I apologise for my bluntness if any. And I do hope parents here can quickly get over that few marks of difficult qs. I’m sure your DC will not score that bad (depends on your perspective for good or bad score) if they have been working very hard. Be optimistic! Cheers! -
there will definitely be tricky or challenging questions. if the paper is EASY, most kids become complacent. in any case, PSLE is over. mulling over that ribbon question is pointless. like what Ganjiongspider mentioned, the tricky questions are to distinguish students from A or A*…the kids have worked so hard since beginning of the year until now. what they deserve now is a complete break from the entire exam.
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Just sharing a bit of experience. Last year's Science paper was tough also. I do not know how tough it was in relation to this year. But my DS said it was the toughest Science paper he had ever done. So many parts and he did not finish one question. He felt like towards the end he was rushing thru and had to abandon all the advice about being meticulous that his teachers and myself had emphasized to him. Frankly speaking, he was utterly devastated after the paper and told me he might fail.
He didn't - he got an Astar.
1) If the paper is deemed hard by those who consistently do well in Science, then it is likely that the paper is hard
2) As we all know, the cohort performance determines the cut offs for the various grades.
Please do not be discouraged. Take heart.
Enjoy the end of PSLE
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Only this yr then i realise top 30% of cohort will be awarded the HCL bonus points.
Anyone can confirm if tscore > 250 is actually top 10% of cohort or it’s top 30%? -
Agree with Ganjiongspider. It is a pity that kids should feel this demoralised over a few challenging question. If kids cannot see things in perspective, parents have to help them see it.
I asked DS how he felt about the whole PSLE. He said Math and Science had some challenging questions but overall manageable. He actually said cannot expect to know how to do every question right? Chinese, no matter how easy also will be challenging for him. He said you yourself said so. That there will be questions pitched at 'genius level' to sieve out the brightest from the brights. Just try my best to attempt them, right or wrong, at least I tried.
Asked him what happens if his results are below what he expected and he cannot make it into his 1st choice. He said the exams are over already, nothing he can do. If he has put in his best effort and that is the results, then he will have to make the best of it. If he did not put in his best effort then serves himself right, he reaped what he sowed.
End of the day, the exams are over, move on! It's party time! When results are out then we worry about school choices.
This from my 12yr old boy. -
Funz:
Agree with Ganjiongspider. It is a pity that kids should feel this demoralised over a few challenging question. If kids cannot see things in perspective, parents have to help them see it.
I asked DS how he felt about the whole PSLE. He said Math and Science had some challenging questions but overall manageable. He actually said cannot expect to know how to do every question right? Chinese, no matter how easy also will be challenging for him. He said you yourself said so. That there will be questions pitched at 'genius level' to sieve out the brightest from the brights. Just try my best to attempt them, right or wrong, at least I tried.
Asked him what happens if his results are below what he expected and he cannot make it into his 1st choice. He said the exams are over already, nothing he can do. If he has put in his best effort and that is the results, then he will have to make the best of it. If he did not put in his best effort then serves himself right, he reaped what he sowed. End of the day, the exams are over, move on! It's party time! When results are out then we worry about school choices.
This from my 12yr old boy.
Funz,
You've taught yr boy so well. He's so sensible for his age, much more to make most of us parents back to ground level. -
Dear parents,
Please take a look at this latest post
https://passioninlearning.wordpress.com/2017/10/04/used-resources/
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