2021 PSLE Discussions and Strategies (Children born in 2009)

[tyne]

Hi All


Having a hard time deciding on schools. My son scored AL9(M) and we are tossing around a few options. He is attracted to the idea of skipping another major exam in 4 years but not exactly fixated about getting into IP and he has an affiliated secondary school with cut off at AL12 (for non-affiliates). Given these considerations, we are thinking of:
1.\tCatholic High – IP (AL8)
2.\tCatholic High – O’levels (AL9M)
3.\tACSI – O’levels (AL9)
4.\tSJI – O’levels (AL10)
5.\tAffiliated School (AL12)

For #1 and #2 scenario – our hypothesis is that if he can’t get into Catholic High IP and Catholic High O’levels goes into tiebreaker, given that he is Singaporean and had chosen the same school in #1 and #2, the system still views his choice of Catholic High as first choice. Can I pls affirm this understanding?

Given that we have SJI and affiliated school as #4 and #5 and there is a 1–2-point buffer here, this should be a safe fall-back strategy to at least get into either one of these schools if he fails to get into the schools ranked ahead?

Appreciate any feedback and advice.

[tyne]

Hi All


Having a hard time deciding on schools. My son scored AL9(M) and we are tossing around a few options. He is attracted to the idea of skipping another major exam in 4 years but not exactly fixated about getting into IP and he has an affiliated secondary school with cut off at AL12 (for non-affiliates). Given these considerations, we are thinking of:
1.\tCatholic High – IP (AL8)
2.\tCatholic High – O’levels (AL9M)
3.\tACSI – O’levels (AL9)
4.\tSJI – O’levels (AL10)
5.\tAffiliated School (AL12)

For #1 and #2 scenario – our hypothesis is that if he can’t get into Catholic High IP and Catholic High O’levels goes into tiebreaker, given that he is Singaporean and had chosen the same school in #1 and #2, the system still views his choice of Catholic High as first choice. Can I pls affirm this understanding?

Given that we have SJI and affiliated school as #4 and #5 and there is a 1–2-point buffer here, this should be a safe fall-back strategy to at least get into either one of these schools if he fails to get into the schools ranked ahead?

Appreciate any feedback and advice.

[Veyron]

sushi88\" post_id=\"2048104\" time=\"1637806791\" user_id=\"100857:

Pegasus08\" post_id=\"2047984\" time=\"1637770697\" user_id=\"41264:

Since the results are out, any sense on whether this year's cohort did better or worse than last year?

In terms of overall pass rate to secondary school, it is the same 98.4% as 2020.
In terms of students making to Express course, it has increased from 66. 3% in 2020 to 68.4% in 2021
In terms of students making to Normal Acad course, it decreased from 21.2% in 2020 to 18.9% in 2021.
For Normal Tech, it was increased from 11% to 11.1%.

Looking at this, it seems the 2021 cohort did better since the % of students going to Express from NA is higher (2.1%) then NA going to NT (0.1%) and probably a remaining rounding to 1 decimal place of 0.1% unaccounted for in the decrease for NA, (2020 ~ 66.3+21.2+11 = 98.5% when it should be 98.4%)

I believe the reason why more students made it to Express is due to the AL6 score band of 45-65 marks.
Under the old system, anything below 50 mark is failed, but today, 45 is the same as 65.

[Luxedream]

newstart2022\" post_id=\"2048083\" time=\"1637805431\" user_id=\"195956:

my boy got 6M, if we put
1st RI,
2nd HCL,
3rd ACS,
4th RV
Is it too risk to lost 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, if this year there are a lots 4 and 5, then cop for RI, HCL and ACS to 6 or below?

or we put
1st HCL
2nd ACS
3rd RV.
if sequence of choice matters, then maybe go HCL if this year there are a lots 4 and 5, then cop for RI, HCL and ACS to 6 or below?

Please advice.

If your child does not have a strong preference for RI, putting HCI as 1st choice will definitely be safer since he has a merit for HCL.

However, if RI is my son's dream school, we would take the risk, accept the disadvantage of putting HCI as 2nd choice, just to have a shot at balloting for RI.

In the event we fail to secure a place in the RI balloting, AL6M will still put us in a better position than students with AL6-, so hopefully we won't need to ballot at HCI.

So the big question is how much you want a certain school, and how much risk you are willing to take for it.

[Rea]

Hello

Can someone advise me please.
My child scored a total of 15.
Do you think its ok for me to apply for school with 13 as cut off point? Please help. This AL system is soo tough

[optrex80]

Asdfgh\" post_id=\"2048067\" time=\"1637803905\" user_id=\"61111:

Hi,

We are staying at Pasir Ris. My son got AL7M.
May I know what any advise on Secondary School Selection?
1. NAN CHIAU HIGH SCHOOL - 40 min
2. HWA CHONG INSTITUTION - 80 min
3.TEMASEK JUNIOR COLLEGE - 65 min (upgrading from 2024 to 2027 (tentative), school will hold classes at 2 Tampines Ave 9)
4.CATHOLIC JUNIOR COLLEGE - 70 min

Should we even consider if the travelling take more than 1 hour?
Any other school that we should put into consideration?

Nan Chiau so much nearer.. Better, but no IP.. HWC cut off is 7M.. so most probably ballot and there is a risk.

[Burp123]

Does anyone know the number of seats left (for non DSA, non affiliates) for S1 posting at the top four schools?

[Kyungju mum]

Hi,


My girl got AL11M and she is PR.

I’d like to try

1st: NanHua- COP 11D
2nd: Swiss cottage-11
3rd: Fuhua-13

Applying for a little higher COP is too risky?
As a foreigner, she put so much effort into her HMT and is too sad not to use it.

Please, advise me.
(We are staying in Jurong West)

[Veyron]

Rea\" post_id=\"2048116\" time=\"1637807882\" user_id=\"47915:

Hello
Can someone advise me please.
My child scored a total of 15.
Do you think its ok for me to apply for school with 13 as cut off point? Please help. This AL system is soo tough

Dont waste your choice order. AL15 students applying for AL13 COP school will have zero chance.

[optrex80]

Rea\" post_id=\"2048116\" time=\"1637807882\" user_id=\"47915:

Hello
Can someone advise me please.
My child scored a total of 15.
Do you think its ok for me to apply for school with 13 as cut off point? Please help. This AL system is soo tough

Usually to play safe, apply for school 1-2 point lower than the cut-off points.. Year to Year comparision is usually +- 1 point only.. For 2 point away from the cut off point, it is VERY RISKY. Not worth the risk. But you can try if u really want too.. but chances are very low in my view...