2017 PSLE Discussions and Strategies

[berriestan]

jyeo1963:

My DD had consistently performed well and top her class. When we were choosing her sec sch, the first 3 were IPs, next 3 SAPs. I was confident that she could score at least 250+. When the results were released, I was devastated. She scored only 235. I was in a state of shock and disappointment. My ego was humbled by the result. These few days I’ve come to terms with this reality. I’ve accepted her limitations. She is what she is. This is a valuable lesson that I learned. I hope I can share.

I can totally feel your pain jyeo1963 :hugs:

We are exactly in the same situation as you DD has consistently been in the top classes in a popular primary school (one of those in the past year exam papers school list). We had also expected her to score 25X but she ended up with 23X (she hit 26X in P6 exam). It was totally shocking and unexpected. DD also didn't expect it too cos she didn't find the PSLE papers any difficult compared to school exams.

It was really tough coming to terms with it the 1st few days, especially so when we don't get to see the papers and have no clue what went wrong...

With our support and assurance, DD recovered pretty quickly but I seriously have phobia now thinking about her O 'Levels

[mum_sugoku]

A close relative’s son, scored 23+ in PSLE, went to a neighbourhood school (COP in the 230s range). ‘O’ level result was decent enough to enter mid-tier JC but opted for poly instead. He did well in poly, receiving (poly’s?) scholarship every year. I was told that he applied, and was accepted by NUS’s law school. He’s still doing his NS now; will go NUS after that.

[fable]

Thank you, jyeo1963, for your honest sharing. The journey is a long one and success or failure at one early test does not determine one’s future. We want to protect our children from disappointment and pain, but really, without regret, how do we move forward? I’m certain that with your continued support and positive perspective she will come out of this experience even stronger!

[NishL]

[FantasyLandDreams]

For this year’s PSLE, my P6 mummy friends were telling me for my school, there is this group who were expected to get 26X based on prelim results ended up with 24X or 25X only. They were shocked as the names of the 26X did not appear in the top performers list ( usually for above 260).


Conversely, there is this group who expected to only getting 225 to 235 ended up with 245 to 252.

Not sure if the same thing is happening in other schools as well this year? Anyone can share?

[jtoh]

How did the students calculate their prelims scores to be 260+? Unless the school has an indication of how their school’s SD and Mean measures up against the national’s stats, it can’t be an accurate prediction of PSLE scores.

[Cloud Cloud]

Based on her prelim scores, my niece was expected to score 260+. She was very disappointed she got 241. She is in the top class in a neighbourhood school.

[chenlaoshi]

http://www.ifaq.gov.sg/SEAB/apps/fcd_faqmain.aspx


https://s18.postimg.org/3ltecrhcp/tscore.jpg\">

Just a random example:

John usually aces in EMS (high 80s) but is weaker in Mother Tongue (low 70s) whereas Mary is comparatively slightly weaker to A in EMS (high 70s) but has a solid foundation in MT (mid-high 80s).

Their particular P6 batch managed to do well in EMS (be it because majority happened to have strong footing in these subjects or the papers were less challenging etc.). John's 'advantage/strength' will be 'reduced', even if he maintains his usually score for EMS.

On the other hand, Mary, like majority of those in the batch did well for EMS while also upholding her standards for MT whereas majority in the batch just did fairly well. Her strength in MT will 'double' her advantage. If her raw results for EMS were as good/not far behind John's, there is every chance of her getting a higher PSLE aggregate score.

In short, the kid's overall PSLE aggregate score does depend on how they performed + how others in the same cohort did.

It is possible for a student with 3A* and 1A to be ranked lower than another student who has only 1A* and 3As. A graphical example:
https://s18.postimg.org/5iq4gv2qh/tscore2.jpg\">

[floppy]

That is the pros and cons of using a result based on a single data point (PSLE exam).


Pros:
Even if you CMI for the last 6 years, you just need to turn up for the show once (i.e. PSLE), and past results will be forgotten (and forgiven).

Cons:
Even if you are ace for the last 6 years, you just need to fail to turn up for the show once (or make a couple of careless mistakes), and past results will be forgotten.

[Mannap1]

:goodpost:

floppy:

That is the pros and cons of using a result based on a single data point (PSLE exam).


Pros:
Even if you CMI for the last 6 years, you just need to turn up for the show once (i.e. PSLE), and past results will be forgotten (and forgiven).

Cons:
Even if you are ace for the last 6 years, you just need to fail to turn up for the show once (or make a couple of careless mistakes), and past results will be forgotten.