2018 PSLE Discussions & Strategies (Born in 2006)

[zbear]

floppy:

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.

TBH, I am not sure where you get the impression that A levels is not really stressful especially for non IP students. Are you speaking from personal experience 30 years ago or from your child’s experience?

Both my kids did their A levels n I didn’t hear them saying it’s not really stressful. Likewise, they told me that their friends were equally stressed.

My DS found O levels a breeze although he had to sit for 8 subjects. The only challenge is Elective History. He is very confident that he will do well in his O levels. He did very well and could enter one of the top JCs. Come to A levels, he found it a struggle trying to catch up with IP students who already had a head start. He also had to unlearn what he learnt for O levels in physics.

But his determination and resilience to reach his ultimate goal pushed him to work hard n his efforts paid off.


For my DD, being a IP student, also found A levels a challenge. The advantage is - IP students get to learn more out of syabulus n also had a head start in approaching A levels earlier than JAE students.

Regardless of whether you are a IP or JAE student, work hard and work smart are the only way to handle A levels n get yr dream results!

Just my 2 cents worth!

[lee_yl]

emoh:

floppy:

[quote=\"lee_yl\"]Just curious.


For MGS, those who have been successfully accepted into MGS (IP) will do IB at ACS (I) in yr5 and yr6.

1). How about those who only qualify for MGS (O)? Can they choose to do IB at ACS (I) in year 5/6 or can they only proceed to other JCs to do A-levels?

2). Is there any possibility for an MGS (O) to switch track to go on the IB track after year 2.

1. O Level at sec 4 = Proceed to JC for their A Level (or poly). If they want to stay in the family, would have to go to ACJC.

2. MGS has a year 3 intake for the IB track: https://www.mgs.moe.edu.sg/secondary/admissions/mgs-integrated-programme-for-year-3-intake.
That's the last chance saloon for the IB track.

After O levels, in the JAE based on O level results, can still choose to do IB at Yr 5 and 6 via ACS(I) or SJI too.[/quote]Thanks emoh and floppy for the reply.
I didn’t know that too. Oops, I gave my friend wrong info.

[floppy]

zbear:

floppy:

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.

TBH, I am not sure where you get the impression that A levels is not really stressful especially for non IP students. Are you speaking from personal experience 30 years ago or from your child’s experience?

Both my kids did their A levels n I didn’t hear them saying it’s not really stressful. Likewise, they told me that their friends were equally stressed.

My DS found O levels a breeze although he had to sit for 8 subjects. The only challenge is Elective History. He is very confident that he will do well in his O levels. He did very well and could enter one of the top JCs. Come to A levels, he found it a struggle trying to catch up with IP students who already had a head start. He also had to unlearn what he learnt for O levels in physics.

But his determination and resilience to reach his ultimate goal pushed him to work hard n his efforts paid off.


For my DD, being a IP student, also found A levels a challenge. The advantage is - IP students get to learn more out of syabulus n also had a head start in approaching A levels earlier than JAE students.

Regardless of whether you are a IP or JAE student, work hard and work smart are the only way to handle A levels n get yr dream results!

Just my 2 cents worth!

My time / experience is lagi more relax lah. 3 months of prep for O, 6 months of prep for A. Pick from any course except med and law That said, a combo like double math and physics in A Level is a godsend in my time.

What you mentioned is in part 2 lah. IP has advantage over non-IP. Easy to do well in O Level but will realize the need to catch up in JC. If grounding is strong and proper, there isn’t any unlearning to do (and how do you unlearn Newton law anyway?). Good that your son did, I have seen many during my time while working in our tertiary institutions who didn’t.

[valiant88]

jtoh:

valiant88:

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.

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.

Thanks it does sound consistent with what they said which is reassuring. Thanks.

[oliveminx]

vectorbiz:

oliveminx:

[quote=\"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 !

Quite safe. COP will likely be the same or a little lower.

Hi I hope this is true , may I know why you think so ? appeciated your view :)[/quote]The general feel is the aggregate is a bit lower this year due to the easier paper. The COP may not drop since you may have the same number of students with scores at/above last year's COP applying but I doubt it will increase.

[deardear07]

does anyone know 250 for catholic high is about the trend for the past few years? they were previously slightly lower… like 248…

[floppy]

deardear07:

does anyone know 250 for catholic high is about the trend for the past few years? they were previously slightly lower.. like 248..

2016 - 253
2017 - 252
2018 - 253

Not sure when was 248 but I think you can expect 252 / 253 this year.

[anxious.01501dad]

floppy:

deardear07:

does anyone know 250 for catholic high is about the trend for the past few years? they were previously slightly lower.. like 248..

2016 - 253
2017 - 252
2018 - 253

Not sure when was 248 but I think you can expect 252 / 253 this year.

Above COPs are for the IP track. For the OP track:
2016 - 251
2017 - 248
2018 - 250

[Fern12]

RI’s COP went down last year from 260 to 257. I’m not sure what was the cause of the 3 point drop.


Any predictions as to what could happen this year?

[floppy]

anxious.dad:

floppy:

[quote=\"deardear07\"]does anyone know 250 for catholic high is about the trend for the past few years? they were previously slightly lower.. like 248..

2016 - 253
2017 - 252
2018 - 253

Not sure when was 248 but I think you can expect 252 / 253 this year.

Above COPs are for the IP track. For the OP track:
2016 - 251
2017 - 248
2018 - 250[/quote]Ah. I see.
Likely to be between 248 and 251 then (I guess 249 since the number has not appeared yet).