2017 PSLE Discussions and Strategies

[jtoh]

Not surprising. You can’t sail through in secondary school just because you did well in PSLE, regardless of whether it’s O levels or IP. There are 3 pointers in O levels who don’t do well in A levels.

[floppy]

jtoh:

Not surprising. You can't sail through in secondary school just because you did well in PSLE, regardless of whether it's O levels or IP. There are 3 pointers in O levels who don't do well in A levels.

Likewise, there are a number of 1st Class Honours from our local universities who actually struggled to get into the mid tier JCs due to their less than stellar O level results.

[Tokidoki]

janet88:

Tokidoki:

So even a 250 tscore doesn't mean steady performance in sec level.

IP is a long and stressful journey.
a friend of mine told me the same thing...when daughter was in year 4, she was also facing the fear of not being promoted to year 5.

Seems like taking the 4 yrs (O Level) and 2 yrs (A Level) path separately is still better.

[alng]

I had the first reunion with my primary school classmates a few years ago. This was our first reunion after 3 decades. Interestingly, the first thing we did was to compare our PSLE results and which schools we went after the primary school (followed by whom we had crushed on then LOL) . The conclusion is the top 2 PSLE scorers are not the top two earners today, if earning power is one measure for comparison.

[janet88]

Tokidoki:

janet88:

[quote=\"Tokidoki\"] So even a 250 tscore doesn't mean steady performance in sec level.

IP is a long and stressful journey.
a friend of mine told me the same thing...when daughter was in year 4, she was also facing the fear of not being promoted to year 5.

Seems like taking the 4 yrs (O Level) and 2 yrs (A Level) path separately is still better.[/quote]honestly i don't find this path advisable because it is very stressful and hectic...poor kids don't have time if tuition is required. it's easier to get a tutor for O level but difficult to for IP.

[fable]

Tokidoki:

janet88:

[quote=\"Tokidoki\"] So even a 250 tscore doesn't mean steady performance in sec level.

IP is a long and stressful journey.
a friend of mine told me the same thing...when daughter was in year 4, she was also facing the fear of not being promoted to year 5.

Seems like taking the 4 yrs (O Level) and 2 yrs (A Level) path separately is still better.[/quote]I don't think it necessarily means the IP is bad. Or good. Rather, these observations show that alot depends on the personality of the child (teen), and is not determined by T score alone. And thats where we as parents can help. Personally I like the idea of a dual track school, where a student can move between O level and IP paths without too much disruption. That way if they didn't do that well in PSLE but have the personality and drive to benefit from IP or mature in that direction, there are opportunities for them to move over, and if they discover that they prefer more structured learning, they can move the other way.

I think the idea that IP is for the academically elite doesn't really help. Its kinda like how some parents want their kids in the GEP as a badge of their intelligence(?), ability(?). I have so many students at university end up in the course I teach because they have always chosen the \"best\" option based on their grades, without really thinking about what interests them. And they are smart, no doubt, but no smarter than their poly classmates who perhaps took a less sparkling path.

[jtoh]

floppy:

jtoh:

Not surprising. You can't sail through in secondary school just because you did well in PSLE, regardless of whether it's O levels or IP. There are 3 pointers in O levels who don't do well in A levels.

Likewise, there are a number of 1st Class Honours from our local universities who actually struggled to get into the mid tier JCs due to their less than stellar O level results.

Indeed. Effort and finding the right match for your interests and ability is so important.

[jtoh]

Tokidoki:

janet88:

[quote=\"Tokidoki\"] So even a 250 tscore doesn't mean steady performance in sec level.

IP is a long and stressful journey.
a friend of mine told me the same thing...when daughter was in year 4, she was also facing the fear of not being promoted to year 5.

Seems like taking the 4 yrs (O Level) and 2 yrs (A Level) path separately is still better.[/quote]One is not better than the other. It depends on the fit for each child. Some children thrive better in a structured environment. Some are able to excel in an environment that allows for more exploration in depth and width. Contrary to belief, IP is not that stressful. In fact, I would say that the stress level my daughter had at IP Years 1-4 was far lower than the stress her friends faced in Sec 1-4 in an O level path, with the latter's weekly tests and copious homework.

[Nebbermind]

I believe it’s probably very stress if you are at either end of the IP cohort - if you are at the top, you stress over keeping your position or needing to beating those ahead of you…if you are at the bottom, the 'chers will always be breathing down your neck

[Milly13]

Tokidoki:

janet88:

[quote=\"Tokidoki\"] So even a 250 tscore doesn't mean steady performance in sec level.

IP is a long and stressful journey.
a friend of mine told me the same thing...when daughter was in year 4, she was also facing the fear of not being promoted to year 5.

Seems like taking the 4 yrs (O Level) and 2 yrs (A Level) path separately is still better.[/quote]I think it’s really how motivated the child is. Individual learning attitude become very important as you reach Sec as in Primary sch I think some kids can do very well with parent support and push.

My niece did her O levels quite well a 4 pointer but not so well in A levels as compared to those in IP stream from her school. She mentioned those who go by O levels have to switch school and get used to new friends and Teachers and within 2 years sit for A levels as compared to those IP stream who are in same school and already set their goal for A level at the start, less disruptive.