2021 PSLE Discussions and Strategies (Children born in 2009)

[Ylchua]

Check this out, Kim Huat’s funny clip on PSLE math 2021


https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ueo9Cu5gPdk

Think this year, there were more discussions of students crying. My DD also have classmates crying when the paper ended. Generally, students don’t cry over 1 to 2 difficult questions. But if stuck at an early question, and ended up half of the paper not finished, anyone would cry.

This AL system is even more stressful. What used to be an A is split into AL2 & AL3. Students and parents unconsciously deem AL3 as not good, and everyone trying to get AL2. But it is still an A! During my time, getting an A is a happy thing! Now there is a new band of ‘not so good’ A! Adding extra stress.

[WhiteFox]

This reminds me of my daughter, she cried every single day after each PSLE paper - total 5days (+ HMT). But again, she’s the type that would cry every year during exam, or over the slightest thing.


2 of my friend’s child 2015 PSLE candidate saw the Helen question and both confirmed they had done something similiar - the infamous $1 coin question as they put it.

One went into express, the other Normal. Now both studying in Polytechnic.

Edit:
Background of student A (express): No tuition
Student D (Normal): Tuition for Eng, math and science.
Both from same primary school, different class. Class A and D

Student D and parent went into stress mode. Parent rant alot which somehow made me freak out a little bit what if its my turn next? Is PSLE that tough? It got me worried too.
Student D got a choice to choose Express or NA. Parent insist on Express but some of us advised to go for Normal instead. Student went on to NA, completed his N levels and skipped the O’s. Straight to Poly. He done so so well for his N’s.
Some children are just late bloomers.

[Reenie]

Finally someone said the right thing, is not about difficult questions, in fact is very predictable to have killer questions and we, parents understand that. I believe not all parents here or even kiddo are looking at top schools, or whatever. Kids, 11 or 12 years old, are just trying their very best to do what they can, finish the paper and leave the room or hall, not crying or demoralized. They did papers after papers to practice enough to go for exam. If those that came out feeling shaken are from top classes or results are usually AL1 or AL2, then obviously something is wrong. If there’s a real need to differentiate the best and brightest kiddo, put the tough questions behind. At these young age, they might not be as wise as O level kids to know How to flip that booklet to look through first and strategized. Is ok, we learned. A good lesson. A harsh lesson indeed.

[phtthp]

Out of the 4 Psle subjects, noticed that


if the languages’ papers (English & Chinese) are hard (tough), the P6 students normally don’t cry nor vomit nor flip the table, over English nor Chinese.


Science, the same.
Even if Science is hard, you don’t see students crying, do you?


But Maths, strangely,
when is hard, students do cry / vomit / flip table !

[Reenie]

I think language papers, many components, many sections and not possibly all sections are hard. This year, is compre.


Same goes for science. Too many topics and MCQs to help. Usually FRQs are the ones that kids find it harder.

Maths, I think it’s time spent on solving one problem and end up less time to complete others. Especially true for this year and they are too young to strategize which one to skip first. The stress factor is there.

[Niu2009]

phtthp\" post_id=\"2040434\" time=\"1633232358\" user_id=\"35251:

Out of the 4 Psle subjects, noticed that

if the languages' papers (English & Chinese) are hard (tough), the P6 students normally don't cry nor vomit nor flip the table, over English nor Chinese.


Science, the same.
Even if Science is hard, you don't see students crying, do you?


But Maths, strangely,
when is hard, students do cry / vomit / flip table !

Easily understand,CL and Eng you know is hard, but definitely you don’t know you lose 10 marks immediately after you step out while math can.

Sci same. The tough question no one know wrong or right while math everyone know if your answer is diff from other 2-3 persons.

[xanelynn]

Niu2009\" post_id=\"2040438\" time=\"1633232988\" user_id=\"33495:

phtthp\" post_id=\"2040434\" time=\"1633232358\" user_id=\"35251:

Out of the 4 Psle subjects, noticed that

if the languages' papers (English & Chinese) are hard (tough), the P6 students normally don't cry nor vomit nor flip the table, over English nor Chinese.


Science, the same.
Even if Science is hard, you don't see students crying, do you?


But Maths, strangely,
when is hard, students do cry / vomit / flip table !

Easily understand,CL and Eng you know is hard, but definitely you don’t know you lose 10 marks immediately after you step out while math can.

Sci same. The tough question no one know wrong or right while math everyone know if your answer is diff from other 2-3 persons.

There are marks given to working steps and not totally get zero mark unless students just leave it blank without working.

[Imp75]

While we try to revert to normalcy for the rest of the PSLE papers, please prep the kids that potentially science could be another killer as evidenced by the tough qns posted on ksp forum all these years, esp many of those application questions. Go in with the right mindset and jiayouz for the rest of the PSLE. The end is in sight!!!

[ChiefKiasu]

Lol. Nothing surprising. Of all the papers in PSLE, maths is the only paper which a person can theoretically score full marks. Not possible for the languages, and even for Science where it depends on whether you answered the question in the manner you are expected to.


So it's easy to understand why we complain so much when maths is so tough

[Marina Collection]

For EL , CL & sci , each question usually carries a small weightage and are disparate . So even if there are tough questions , it doesn’t affect the composure of the kids that much . In addition, time for EL and CL is usually ample . But for math , the clock goes ticking away . It’s stressful for the kid . So their mood can be greatly affected once they meet a few difficult questions .


I’ve heard a kid commenting that when she looks at the question now , she can do it . But during the exam , her mind went blank .