2020 PSLE Discussions and Strategies(for those born in 2008)

[Tookies]

Hi, I would like to ask parents with kids currently in secondary school. I heard that are some CCAs like robotics, IT clubs require students to be very good in their Math. These clubs are very popular but limited in slots bc some are taken up by those dsa students. But how will school know the kids are very good in their math at beginning of sec1? Is it that they will still look at their psle results eg shortlist based on A* for Math/Sci?

[Zappy]

Tookies\" post_id=\"1991621\" time=\"1597721770\" user_id=\"124548:

Hi, I would like to ask parents with kids currently in secondary school. I heard that are some CCAs like robotics, IT clubs require students to be very good in their Math. These clubs are very popular but limited in slots bc some are taken up by those dsa students. But how will school know the kids are very good in their math at beginning of sec1? Is it that they will still look at their psle results eg shortlist based on A* for Math/Sci?

In sec school CCA, those who have DSA'ed in certain domains would have their CCA's assigned.

For all the rest, there would be a CCA fair some time in the early part of the year. The CCA is not assigned right at the start of school - usually in end Jan/ or early Feb time. During this fair, the students would go around the booths and are able to ask questions and also apply for the ones they are interested in.

There are also trials and auditions for the CCA's as the popular ones may have an overwhelming number of applicants but limited slots. Typically, they have 5-6 choices in order of preference. It would be during this time that the school makes the decision based on speaking to the applicants, assessing the attitude, aptitude, etc. So if Math is indeed a criteria, this would be where they would assess that component.

Note: for Math Olympiad, there could be a level-wide quick test in class to identify who may be suitable to be called up for training/ competition

[Tookies]

:thankyou:

Zappy\" post_id=\"1991643\" time=\"1597727005\" user_id=\"134817:

Tookies\" post_id=\"1991621\" time=\"1597721770\" user_id=\"124548:

Hi, I would like to ask parents with kids currently in secondary school. I heard that are some CCAs like robotics, IT clubs require students to be very good in their Math. These clubs are very popular but limited in slots bc some are taken up by those dsa students. But how will school know the kids are very good in their math at beginning of sec1? Is it that they will still look at their psle results eg shortlist based on A* for Math/Sci?

In sec school CCA, those who have DSA'ed in certain domains would have their CCA's assigned.

For all the rest, there would be a CCA fair some time in the early part of the year. The CCA is not assigned right at the start of school - usually in end Jan/ or early Feb time. During this fair, the students would go around the booths and are able to ask questions and also apply for the ones they are interested in.

There are also trials and auditions for the CCA's as the popular ones may have an overwhelming number of applicants but limited slots. Typically, they have 5-6 choices in order of preference. It would be during this time that the school makes the decision based on speaking to the applicants, assessing the attitude, aptitude, etc. So if Math is indeed a criteria, this would be where they would assess that component.

Note: for Math Olympiad, there could be a level-wide quick test in class to identify who may be suitable to be called up for training/ competition

[coast]

About 1 more month to PSLE Listening Comprehension (Friday, 18 Sep)


Check out the following articles:

https://www.superstarteacher.com.sg/Blo ... pre-guide/
https://learningpoint.com.sg/psle-tips- ... rehension/
https://smiletutor.sg/how-to-prepare-fo ... amination/

I have also highlighted some important points from the article below.

:rahrah: All the best to your child! :rahrah:

https://smiletutor.sg/how-to-prepare-fo ... amination/

During The First Reading
• All passages are read out twice.
• The passage could be in the form of a news item, an announcement, a speech, a story, an advertisement etc.
• Before the first reading of the script, time is given to go through the questions. Try not to be distracted.
• Reading the questions silently beforehand helps in being prepared and looking out for information when the passage is being read.
• It is important to listen attentively and understand what the passage is talking about.
• Creating a mental picture of what is being read makes it easier to recall.
• The meaning of a difficult word can be understood by contextualizing it.
• Look out for intonation and emphasis on keywords and phrases which may have clues to the answers.
• Avoid being in a hurry or being overly impulsive.
• Circling the answer before the next question is read, helps to avoid confusion and circling of incorrect answers.
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During The Second Reading

• Don’t start daydreaming or get overconfident in your abilities once the second reading begins.
• Be focused and use this opportunity to listen again and process any information that may have been missed in the first reading.
• Think carefully and confirm that the circled answer is correct.
• Shade the answer on the sheet using the pencil.

[coast]

Tookies\" post_id=\"1991621\" time=\"1597721770\" user_id=\"124548:

Hi, I would like to ask parents with kids currently in secondary school. I heard that are some CCAs like robotics, IT clubs require students to be very good in their Math. These clubs are very popular but limited in slots bc some are taken up by those dsa students. But how will school know the kids are very good in their math at beginning of sec1? Is it that they will still look at their psle results eg shortlist based on A* for Math/Sci?

If secondary schools have certain CCAs or programmes that require students to be very good in their Math, it is likely that they will conduct selection tests and/or interviews. If it is beginning of Year 1, it is likely that they will also look at PSLE results.

We have not heard the requisite of “very good in Maths” for Robotics clubs based on the few IP schools that we visited a few years ago.

If your kid has a strong interest, maybe he should learn some coding (and logic) after PSLE. There should be courses available (some are free especially the basic ones).

If you have an iPad, there is a free app Swift Playgrounds (by Apple). Refer to the links below:-
https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/games-apps/apple-releasing-swift-way-for-kids-to-learn-coding
https://www.apple.com/sg/swift/playgrounds/

Arduino
We bought a set of Arduino from Amazon (my DS heard from his friends and requested for it).

My DS started from scratch and had lots of fun with Swift Playgrounds and Arduino after his PSLE. It probably laid a good foundation and he did very well for his computer studies during Year 1 in his school.

All the best to your kid!

[Tookies]

coast\" post_id=\"1991739\" time=\"1597747067\" user_id=\"38933:

Tookies\" post_id=\"1991621\" time=\"1597721770\" user_id=\"124548:

Hi, I would like to ask parents with kids currently in secondary school. I heard that are some CCAs like robotics, IT clubs require students to be very good in their Math. These clubs are very popular but limited in slots bc some are taken up by those dsa students. But how will school know the kids are very good in their math at beginning of sec1? Is it that they will still look at their psle results eg shortlist based on A* for Math/Sci?

If secondary schools have certain CCAs or programmes that require students to be very good in their Math, it is likely that they will conduct selection tests and/or interviews. If it is beginning of Year 1, it is likely that they will also look at PSLE results.

We have not heard the requisite of “very good in Maths” for Robotics clubs based on the few IP schools that we visited a few years ago.

If your kid has a strong interest, maybe he should learn some coding (and logic) after PSLE. There should be courses available (some are free especially the basic ones).

If you have an iPad, there is a free app Swift Playgrounds (by Apple). Refer to the links below:-
https://www.straitstimes.com/tech/games-apps/apple-releasing-swift-way-for-kids-to-learn-coding
https://www.apple.com/sg/swift/playgrounds/

Arduino
We bought a set of Arduino from Amazon (my DS heard from his friends and requested for it).

My DS started from scratch and had lots of fun with Swift Playgrounds and Arduino after his PSLE. It probably laid a good foundation and he did very well for his computer studies during Year 1 in his school.

All the best to your kid!

:thankyou:

[Tookies]

Hi, has anyone’s child encountered using Ruler to message the length of a triangle in math qn E.g 4.5cm and the measurement is quite far off from answer key ie 4.9cm? I have tried a couple of rulers and obtained the same measurement 4.5cm measurement.

[coast]

Tookies\" post_id=\"1991894\" time=\"1597826167\" user_id=\"124548:

Hi, has anyone’s child encountered using Ruler to message the length of a triangle in math qn E.g 4.5cm and the measurement is quite far off from answer key ie 4.9cm? I have tried a couple of rulers and obtained the same measurement 4.5cm measurement.

Check the question again, is it measuring the base or height of the triangle?

If this question is from a past year paper downloaded from internet, do note that the answer key is from the vendor and it can be wrong at times.

[MS_Daddy]

Tookies\" post_id=\"1991894\" time=\"1597826167\" user_id=\"124548:

Hi, has anyone’s child encountered using Ruler to message the length of a triangle in math qn E.g 4.5cm and the measurement is quite far off from answer key ie 4.9cm? I have tried a couple of rulers and obtained the same measurement 4.5cm measurement.

Need to see the actual question in order to identify the problem. Answer key may be wrong too.

[entei17]

MS_Daddy\" post_id=\"1991913\" time=\"1597829233\" user_id=\"187722:

Tookies\" post_id=\"1991894\" time=\"1597826167\" user_id=\"124548:

Hi, has anyone’s child encountered using Ruler to message the length of a triangle in math qn E.g 4.5cm and the measurement is quite far off from answer key ie 4.9cm? I have tried a couple of rulers and obtained the same measurement 4.5cm measurement.

Need to see the actual question in order to identify the problem. Answer key may be wrong too.

The paper is most likely scanned, therefore the resolution might have changed. Measurements won't be the same.