2022 PSLE Discussions & Strategies (born in 2010)
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Veyron\" post_id=\"2044685\" time=\"1635914957\" user_id=\"30663:
The fact that this year’s PSLE maths paper is deemed difficult is reported in the Straits Times and not my personal view, so please don’t make any unwarranted association !!
As the saying goes one man's meat is another man's poison. What you are sharing here is just your perspective and perception and that math paper is exceedingly difficult. To others, it may seem manageable or easier than prelims.lee_yl\" post_id=\"2044675\" time=\"1635911754\" user_id=\"17023:
If you think about it, if the PSLE maths paper will be similar in terms of difficulty level, be it under the old tscore or new AL banding, then does the new reform help reduce psle stress?
If the AL Banding is only a milestone exam to gauge the proficiency level at 12, then what’s the point of having mind-numbing questions?
You mention difficult questions could be meant for geppers? If your kid taking psle is not a gepper, will he/she not try to solve the difficult questions and only attempt those average questions?
I am not sure about your assumptions that parents who cry foul are those with kids getting AL3-AL4. By crying foul can score AL1-AL2? Parents crying foul could be simply they feel heart ache seeing their kids traumatized after the maths paper.
Who said under Tscore one must select school based on the range +/- 2 only? If my score is 233 and I am ok to pick a school just downstairs with COP 220, I can do so. So your reasoning that AL banding throws up wider choices of secondary schools does not stand.
Parents who are not familiar with the modern approach of math problem solving will certainly find such question difficult and that is totally understandable.
Just like in AL system too, if your child score AL6 you can also include AL12 COP in the choice. No one is going to fault you or question you. If that suits you, then you really have no reason to feel stress.
Modern approach of math problem solving? I thought logic is good enough to solve and when does logic get differentiated into modern or traditional?
I am calling out the claim that AL Banding offers a wider choice of schools than the current system as both should be the same with less clarity on the AL Banding part plus the risk of balloting even though one meets the COP.
I am not stressed as I have no stake in PSLE or school posting. -
lee_yl\" post_id=\"2044694\" time=\"1635916330\" user_id=\"17023:
The fact that this year’s PSLE maths paper is deemed difficult is reported in the Straits Times and not my personal view, so please don’t make any unwarranted association !!
As the saying goes one man's meat is another man's poison. What you are sharing here is just your perspective and perception and that math paper is exceedingly difficult. To others, it may seem manageable or easier than prelims.Veyron\" post_id=\"2044685\" time=\"1635914957\" user_id=\"30663:
[quote=lee_yl post_id=2044675 time=1635911754 user_id=17023]If you think about it, if the PSLE maths paper will be similar in terms of difficulty level, be it under the old tscore or new AL banding, then does the new reform help reduce psle stress?
If the AL Banding is only a milestone exam to gauge the proficiency level at 12, then what’s the point of having mind-numbing questions?
You mention difficult questions could be meant for geppers? If your kid taking psle is not a gepper, will he/she not try to solve the difficult questions and only attempt those average questions?
I am not sure about your assumptions that parents who cry foul are those with kids getting AL3-AL4. By crying foul can score AL1-AL2? Parents crying foul could be simply they feel heart ache seeing their kids traumatized after the maths paper.
Who said under Tscore one must select school based on the range +/- 2 only? If my score is 233 and I am ok to pick a school just downstairs with COP 220, I can do so. So your reasoning that AL banding throws up wider choices of secondary schools does not stand.
Parents who are not familiar with the modern approach of math problem solving will certainly find such question difficult and that is totally understandable.
Just like in AL system too, if your child score AL6 you can also include AL12 COP in the choice. No one is going to fault you or question you. If that suits you, then you really have no reason to feel stress.
Modern approach of math problem solving? I thought logic is good enough to solve and when does logic get differentiated into modern or traditional?
I am calling out the claim that AL Banding offers a wider choice of schools than the current system as both should be the same with less clarity on the AL Banding part plus the risk of balloting even though one meets the COP.
I am not stressed as I have no stake in PSLE or school posting.[/quote]Just because ST reported, that doesnt mean it has to be factual because ST only hears from anxious parents and their perception. And as MOE has already explained, in every PSLE there will also be a few more challenging questions that required students to think out of the box but still within their ability and syllabus. Just like in prelim papers too.
One example of a very useful modern problem-solving approach many parents are not familiar is model drawing. If parents are not familiar with this approach, they will struggle to solve many P6 maths questions.
AL or T-score MOE doesnt tweak the difficulties of the questions -
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Veyron\" post_id=\"2044698\" time=\"1635919045\" user_id=\"30663:
So while ST is not factual but your claim that the question is easy is factual?
Just because ST reported, that doesnt mean it has to be factual because ST only hears from anxious parents and their perception. And as MOE has already explained, in every PSLE there will also be a few more challenging questions that required students to think out of the box but still within their ability and syllabus. Just like in prelim papers too.lee_yl\" post_id=\"2044694\" time=\"1635916330\" user_id=\"17023:
The fact that this year’s PSLE maths paper is deemed difficult is reported in the Straits Times and not my personal view, so please don’t make any unwarranted association !!
Modern approach of math problem solving? I thought logic is good enough to solve and when does logic get differentiated into modern or traditional?
I am calling out the claim that AL Banding offers a wider choice of schools than the current system as both should be the same with less clarity on the AL Banding part plus the risk of balloting even though one meets the COP.
I am not stressed as I have no stake in PSLE or school posting.
One example of a very useful modern problem-solving approach many parents are not familiar is model drawing. If parents are not familiar with this approach, they will struggle to solve many P6 maths questions.
AL or T-score MOE doesnt tweak the difficulties of the questions
Whether for AL Banding or t-score, if the difficulty of the questions still remain the same then the ‘reform’ is in name only and lack substance.
T-score pits the students in the same cohort among themselves thus it makes sense to have a couple of difficult questions to differentiate the wheat from the chaff. However under AL Banding, the underlying philosophy is supposed to be different, it’s to test the proficiency of the students at the individual level, so there’s no need for such difficult questions as there’s no need to differentiate wheat from wheat.
The model method was conceptualised to help students visualise the abstract better so that they could learn algebra easier when the time comes. Unfortunately it became the rigid orthodoxy and the original objective of teaching model method was all forgotten. Ask yourself, if the model method is so wonderful why doesn’t anyone use it after PSLE? The obsession of model method went to such extreme lengths that PSLE maths questions get so convoluted (and unworldly) in an effort to ensure that the questions can only be solved using the model method. Luckily there’s some sanity left in MOE and over the years, other methods (like algebra) are now accepted. -
lee_yl\" post_id=\"2044735\" time=\"1635938238\" user_id=\"17023:
1) I certainly didn't make any claims about the question being easy, I only mentioned that to some students may find these challenging questions manageable and perhaps some may even think the PSLE paper is easier than P6 prelims.
So while ST is not factual but your claim that the question is easy is factual?
Whether for AL Banding or t-score, if the difficulty of the questions still remain the same then the ‘reform’ is in name only and lack substance.
T-score pits the students in the same cohort among themselves thus it makes sense to have a couple of difficult questions to differentiate the wheat from the chaff. However under AL Banding, the underlying philosophy is supposed to be different, it’s to test the proficiency of the students at the individual level, so there’s no need for such difficult questions as there’s no need to differentiate wheat from wheat.
The model method was conceptualised to help students visualise the abstract better so that they could learn algebra easier when the time comes. Unfortunately it became the rigid orthodoxy and the original objective of teaching model method was all forgotten. Ask yourself, if the model method is so wonderful why doesn’t anyone use it after PSLE? The obsession of model method went to such extreme lengths that PSLE maths questions get so convoluted (and unworldly) in an effort to ensure that the questions can only be solved using the model method. Luckily there’s some sanity left in MOE and over the years, other methods (like algebra) are now accepted.
2) Actually model drawing concept does allow students to solve complex problems WITHOUT having to use algedra and this is where many parents will find it difficult because they have not spent enough time understanding the concept. Model is just one of the many tools to use in solving math problems, others include unit transfer method which many parents didn't learn in their primary school days.
There are actually many P6 math questions which you will struggle using algebra and this goes to show how much primary school education in Singapore has progressed. And I don't think it's a bad thing. -
1) Look back to the news. ST articles are on parents’ reactions, a forum writer and finally the SEAB reply to forum writer. All except the SEAB reply are opinions
2) whether 2021 maths was easier or harder is subjective. There are tutors interviewed who say roughly same standard. Some kids say harder while some, like my daughter and most her school peers, felt it similar to the psle papers of the previous years. Heard from grapevine that some exam markers deemed it slightly harder though 🤷🏽
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3) Algebra has always been allowed. As long as kid can display understanding in the workings = accepted. Models working is more widespread and gives an added perpective to kids’ learning. Although I train my daughter in Algebra, she prefers models which is more systematic to her. It’s a good thing
4) for several years now, there was always 1-2 Olympiad style questions in psle. Would encourage future psle takers to try out Olympiad books cos there are some useful techniques. don’t force lah cos u won’t be left behind if don’t do Olympiad questions, but just that it may prove helpful. -
AHsDad\" post_id=\"2044776\" time=\"1635985096\" user_id=\"172457:
Good Post. Hope new parents can be discerning and read widely.
1) Look back to the news. ST articles are on parents’ reactions, a forum writer and finally the SEAB reply to forum writer. All except the SEAB reply are opinions
2) whether 2021 maths was easier or harder is subjective. There are tutors interviewed who say roughly same standard. Some kids say harder while some, like my daughter and most her school peers, felt it similar to the psle papers of the previous years. Heard from grapevine that some exam markers deemed it slightly harder though 🤷🏽️
3) Algebra has always been allowed. As long as kid can display understanding in the workings = accepted. Models working is more widespread and gives an added perpective to kids’ learning. Although I train my daughter in Algebra, she prefers models which is more systematic to her. It’s a good thing
4) for several years now, there was always 1-2 Olympiad style questions in psle. Would encourage future psle takers to try out Olympiad books cos there are some useful techniques. don’t force lah cos u won’t be left behind if don’t do Olympiad questions, but just that it may prove helpful.
Kids I know like models too. They only learn that in school.
Which qns in this yr math papers are olympiad qns? -
Will a kid got too used to model method have some issues when go secondary? That’s what I suspect for my kid…
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AHsDad\" post_id=\"2044586\" time=\"1635858532\" user_id=\"172457:
Agree too.
No student (and parent) who gets eg AL6 should ever feel superior to another student who gets same AL6 because the true score will never be known. Balloting is among equals.
Personally, I think the gov intent makes sense, ie for kids to challenge themselves and not others. New AL scoring, though not perfect, is a move in the right direction.
Just my 2 cents
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Tscore is history but also, fundamentally not correct. Tscore gave a group of kids advantage and another group disadvantage, measuring individual performance over cohort performance.
It's more unfair that a kid is ranked higher because of the lower performance of the other kids or lower because more kids that year excelled.
Kids learning outcome to be measured individually and on its own. This is more correct.
Learning outcome should not be confused with posting outcome.
Tscore, AL banding are different ways of reporting learning outcome and should not be confused with stress from national or any exam.
To alleviate or eliminate stress, the question should be, should we abolish PSLE entirely? As a parent, kid is waiting for release of results by end Nov, PSLE has done some good actually. The journey wasn't without stress but in life, stress is everywhere. We have to learn to deal with it and teach our kids too. -
Veyron\" post_id=\"2044741\" time=\"1635943200\" user_id=\"30663:
Precisely! The P6 Math questions are designed specifically to be solved by model method only. The convoluted logic and language of these questions are surreal.
1) I certainly didn't make any claims about the question being easy, I only mentioned that to some students may find these challenging questions manageable and perhaps some may even think the PSLE paper is easier than P6 prelims.lee_yl\" post_id=\"2044735\" time=\"1635938238\" user_id=\"17023:
So while ST is not factual but your claim that the question is easy is factual?
Whether for AL Banding or t-score, if the difficulty of the questions still remain the same then the ‘reform’ is in name only and lack substance.
T-score pits the students in the same cohort among themselves thus it makes sense to have a couple of difficult questions to differentiate the wheat from the chaff. However under AL Banding, the underlying philosophy is supposed to be different, it’s to test the proficiency of the students at the individual level, so there’s no need for such difficult questions as there’s no need to differentiate wheat from wheat.
The model method was conceptualised to help students visualise the abstract better so that they could learn algebra easier when the time comes. Unfortunately it became the rigid orthodoxy and the original objective of teaching model method was all forgotten. Ask yourself, if the model method is so wonderful why doesn’t anyone use it after PSLE? The obsession of model method went to such extreme lengths that PSLE maths questions get so convoluted (and unworldly) in an effort to ensure that the questions can only be solved using the model method. Luckily there’s some sanity left in MOE and over the years, other methods (like algebra) are now accepted.
2) Actually model drawing concept does allow students to solve complex problems WITHOUT having to use algedra and this is where many parents will find it difficult because they have not spent enough time understanding the concept. Model is just one of the many tools to use in solving math problems, others include unit transfer method which many parents didn't learn in their primary school days.
There are actually many P6 math questions which you will struggle using algebra and this goes to show how much primary school education in Singapore has progressed. And I don't think it's a bad thing.
My repeated question to you, do you make use of the model method after P6? The answer is obviously zero and that shows how limited the model method is. It has to be recognized for what it is, a tool to help young children visualize the abstract concepts of algebra and when these concepts are mastered, there are better techniques to use.
Anyway, OT.
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