Key changes to exams and assessments

[phtthp]

huh ? So, next year 2019 (P3, P5, Sec 1, Sec 3) still have mid-year SA1 exam ?

[zac's mum]

phtthp:

huh ? So, next year 2019 (P3, P5, Sec 1, Sec 3) still have mid-year SA1 exam ?

Yup. But I think those schools which used to have graded CA1 and CA2 are supposed to cut them out.

[phtthp]

I see.


So, 2019 still have SA1, SA2 for odd-levels (P3, P5, Sec 1, Sec 3), but no more CA1, CA2.

[Zappy]

"Secondary 1 students will also no longer have a mid-year exam from next year. From 2020 and 2021, this will also apply to Primary 3, Primary 5 and Sec 3 students."


So, no SA1 for Sec1s in 2019.

[janet88]

Zappy:

\"Secondary 1 students will also no longer have a mid-year exam from next year. From 2020 and 2021, this will also apply to Primary 3, Primary 5 and Sec 3 students.\"


So, no SA1 for Sec1s in 2019.

unbelievable isn't it? sec 1 will not have mid year exams from 2019, but no mid year exams will only apply to P3/5 and Sec 3 in 2020 :?

p3, p5 and sec 3 are 'crucial' years - science is introduced at p3, social studies/A math at sec 3 and a significant difficulty level increase at p5 and these students are also 'introduced' to psle standard of marking. with all these big changes, why can't mid year exams be removed from 2019?

[phtthp]

zac's mum:

phtthp:

huh ? So, next year 2019 (P3, P5, Sec 1, Sec 3) still have mid-year SA1 exam ?

Yup. But I think those schools which used to have graded CA1 and CA2 are supposed to cut them out.

as long as they remove CA1, CA2, great ! Just leave the SA2 (EOY) intact

removed odd-level SA1 (mid-year exam), great ! can make use of the spare time (instead of preparing for SA1) to learn a new hobby, a new interest

[janet88]

mid year is 30%. if mid year is taken away, there must be weighted tests to make up for the 30%. otherwise that end of year exam 70% will be a killer for the students. I would prefer to have weekly tests in place of the mid year…1) it is a good way to keep students on the ball by revising consistently and 2) bite size tests are easier to handle than a chunk of topics.

[phtthp]

Even though schools had removed mid-year odd level SA1, however schools still conduct mock Written paper (tests), at regular time frame. Just that since is not weighted, so doesn’t enter into Report card content. But, still provide a way to keep track of students’ academic progress. This way, students more relaxed.



For 2019 Primary (1 and 2) pupils, since no more weighted exam, make best use of these 2 precious years’ golden opportunity valuable time wisely, to build a strong foundation in your Mother Tongue well. Singapore kids no issue with English, but Chinese …

If possible can, go and learn a 3rd foreign language while u are still so young, in P1 and P2, only 7 or 8 years old. For languages, the earlier you learn, the younger u learn, the easier to absorb. Your brain absorb languages fast, like a sponge. For adults grown up, too much distraction in life, hard to focus on learning new languages.

In Malaysia, children in the Chinese private schools learn 3 languages. Over there, Malaysian children learn Malay (their National language), Chinese and English.

[floppy]

janet88:

...
p3, p5 and sec 3 are 'crucial' years - science is introduced at p3, social studies/A math at sec 3 and a significant difficulty level increase at p5 and these students are also 'introduced' to psle standard of marking. with all these big changes, why can't mid year exams be removed from 2019?

Because the subjects have just been introduced, they are actually ‘non-crucial’ years. The message is really for students to learn and understand the new subjects well and not be exam ready within 5 months - which means having to be tutor trained.