2018 PSLE Discussions & Strategies (Born in 2006)
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cherryc:
I find it interesting that many people mentioned about hoping the kids will not be stressed up in the schools they go . At the end of the road they will all be taking A levels exam ( some IB) and it is a highly stressful exam ! More so than psle ! So opt for the school that can max out yr kids potential rather than thinking which school potentially can be stressful . If they have good friends going with them to the TOP schools all the more encourage them else they will spend the rest of their lives listen to the stories of the schools they wanted to go ( if they are still friends!)
TBH, I feel A Level is not really stressful. Most students (non-IP) can afford to have fun in the first year, buck up in the 2nd year, and still make it past the finish line.
That said, most of the syllabus and exam materials are built upon what you have learnt in the O Level. Hence, a strong foundation and sound fundamentals for the subjects are important (which is where pure sciences and double maths students have an advantage).
O Level, on the other hand, if you have 8 subjects or more, can be a real nightmare.
It's good that the IP route takes away some of these O Level stress / issues. -
It is stressful In the sense that it is bell curved like psle. And they keep increasing the difficulty and changed the syllabus or exam questions like chemistry paper last year. From what I heard some jc were better prepared than others . No prize guessing which one
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valiant88:
As far as I know, the school will try its best to help the students to bring them up to par. There are remedial classes for those who need it. Those who might not do well at Years 5/6 are identified early as well so they can be brought up to speed. I don't think the school has asked students to go. There might be a very small handful who choose to leave of their own accord for whatever reasons, including going overseas for studies.Hi all,
A question which I am not sure anyone knows. Does any student in RGS drop out because they cannot make it? If so, when will the school let them know and where can they go given that RGS does not have O level track.
I called the school and they say as far as they know there are no such cases. Sounds very good but still a little doubtful given things I have read online saying about 5% cannot make it.
Someone with insight to share would be good. -
cherryc:
It is stressful In the sense that it is bell curved like psle. And they keep increasing the difficulty and changed the syllabus or exam questions like chemistry paper last year. From what I heard some jc were better prepared than others . No prize guessing which one
Every exam is a bell curve, be it PSLE, O Level or A Level.
The problem with the A Level is that you are no longer competing among the entire cohort, where there are always weaker students (no offence) to cushion the base. Even if you are among the 'top' scorers in O Level, have to be aware that the O Level does not include the top 10~20% of the cohort in the IP (O Level somewhat eliminates both ends of the bell curve, albeit more so on the top end as NT is usually a very small group). Thus, the real position may be somewhat lower when everyone is being accounted for - a possible stress factor when he / she realises that he / she isn't as 'strong' as he / she imagines in JC.
Another problem with A Level is not so much in the difficulty or changing of syllabus (happens all the time), but having most secondary schools / students getting street-smart. They design or choose their subject combinations / options not necessarily in the pursuit of knowledge but for easy scoring. E.g. instead of offering 2 or 3 pure sciences, many picked a combined science option, or L1R5 that doesn't include all the 'real' exam subjects for A Level but with FNA, DNT, etc instead. While it may be easier to get that A1 or A2 at O Level, or a low score for O Level, that weaker foundation would be exposed in A Level - another possible stress factor. The better prepared JC also tend to have the better students with the better foundation
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Hmm does this mean it may be more advantageous to read the IB instead of the A levels as the curve, if any, would be an international pool (and not among the streamed Singapore kids)?
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doodbug:
Hmm does this mean it may be more advantageous to read the IB instead of the A levels as the curve, if any, would be an international pool (and not among the streamed Singapore kids)?
https://www.reddit.com/r/singapore/comments/7982kv/ib_vs_a_levels/ -
oliveminx:
Hi I hope this is true , may I know why you think so ? appeciated your view
Quite safe. COP will likely be the same or a little lower.yymm03:
By the way, in general, 2 points above last years COP, is it safe to get in? Fox example, last year school A with COP 250, we have 252 this year to apply this school, is it safe in general basis ? We just worry if the COP will raise by 3-4 points this year, because we have no visibility of the overall result for this year.
Any parent to share your view ? Thanks a lot !
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mdas:
Hi, my girl got 246. I am considering Bukit Panjang Govt High School, St Margaret's Secondary School, Swiss Cottage Secondary School. We are staying at Bukit Panjang area. Anybody can recommend any other school? Also any review on St Margaret's Secondary School? Appreciate your feedback.
Hi, my boy got 248+2 and I staying at Bukit Panjang also. I am considering Nan Hua High, Bt Panjang Govt High, SJI (O), Catholic High, RV & Swiss Cottage.
You can consider for Nan Hua High, take DTL to King Albert Park then bus 151 (abt 15-20 mins) to Nan Hua High. -
Dear Experienced Parents
Our child would have gotten into his dream secondary school, Fairfield Methodist, if we have put him in its affiliated primary school. However, due to our ignorance of the system, we did not. The non-affiliated COP is just too high at 241 compared to 200 if affiliated. He was greatly disappointed as he got 230+.
Not to repeat the same mistake twice, can experienced parents advised whether it is also critical to go to secondary schools that are affiliated with Junior College ?
Please advise. Thank you so much.
:thankyou: -
emoh:
From a mathematical point of view, that is correct. We are taking the top 10-20% (COP > 253) of our streamed kids (not counting international and private schools) to compete against the rest. That’s like Korea vs Singapore in a football match. No need to guess but we should know the outcome 99.9% of the time.doodbug:
Hmm does this mean it may be more advantageous to read the IB instead of the A levels as the curve, if any, would be an international pool (and not among the streamed Singapore kids)?
https://www.reddit.com/r/singapore/comments/7982kv/ib_vs_a_levels/
That said, still has to access each individual suitability, whether A Level or IB, is better.
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