2021 PSLE Discussions and Strategies (Children born in 2009)

[optrex80]

In the new system. I guess only AL4 and AL5 no need to ballot if aiming for the top school…if u take last year as benchmark. A student can score 89,89,89,89 and just pure bad luck turn to AL8 just by missing that precious 1 mark for every single subject as an extreme simulated scenario… and not make it to the top schools…

[zac's mum]

For languages, the total raw mark is 200, which will be converted to 100%. So each loss of 2 raw marks will be 1 percentage point.


That could be good or bad (depending on which component a child is strong or weak in).

[Hang mum]

I have been reading most of the posts here to try to understand this years AL and submission.


Now need help here.
We have struggles to put AHS v.s. Ngee Ann secondary school (which 1st). Both are the popular school in the east.

Not sure whether the 6 lists with AL 11(no HMT at P6) as below :

1) Anglican High School (12P).
MRT, walk up hills and no shelter.
30mins around. DS likes this school. Stop HMT in P6 to free more time for other subjects. Eligible study HMT in Secondary school.

-Not sure the benefit SAP school.
-Should We put AHS as 1st choice or is tt a wast of 1st choice ( no study HMT) ?

2) Ngee Ann secondary school (12)
Bus. Within 30 mins.

Heard it is an affiliation school.
?? How many or limited vacancies to non-affiliation student?
- We are non-affiliation student to Ngee Ann.

If we fail to go AHS, Ngee Ann is on the 2nd choice. If this year more student got AL11 and above, lives in the east, if choose Ngee Ann, will it be risky??

Should we put Ngee Ann as 1st.
Should we remove AHS from the lists.

3) Temasek Secondary school (13).
bus. 30mins+/- travel. But ok.

4)Duman secondary school (14)
Need change bus. But nearer than Temasek as nearby Ngee Ann.

5) St Hilda’s (15)

6) Hai Sing catholic (16)

How We use 1st choice wisely. Should Ngee Ann 1st or AHS?

If fail no1 and no 2 choice, is No. 3 and 4 safe for us?


Today is the last day submission. I am feeling isolated. Only have some information from KSP here.
Any suggestions for us?


Thanks you in advance if have any feedback.

[Veyron]

optrex80\" post_id=\"2049836\" time=\"1638233574\" user_id=\"72116:

In the new system. I guess only AL4 and AL5 no need to ballot if aiming for the top school..if u take last year as benchmark. A student can score 89,89,89,89 and just pure bad luck turn to AL8 just by missing that precious 1 mark for every single subject as an extreme simulated scenario... and not make it to the top schools..

Back in 2019, RGS COP was 261, while last year 260 COP was classified as AL6. So I am guessing that in some years, we may see balloting for at AL5 for RGS. And that will certainly send a shock wave across Singapore as AL5 is no longer the gold standard for PSLE, even if only 2 or 3 students get balloted out of RGS that year.

[jing2ling2]

JamesSoverklas\" post_id=\"2049800\" time=\"1638201139\" user_id=\"193980:

No offence to the non Singaporeans parents, I agree singapore have good education system compared to some other countries. Converted to Singapore citizenship, most welcome. I think it is something good for scholars to convert to singapore citizen, contributing to the country. But if just tagging along with singapore education system, I think MOE should give singapore citizen the advantage.

I don’t agree with this although my DD is citizen. The foreigners also tax payer. They r paying everything without subsidy. Current system already put them in the least priority when marks are same. Their child and parents face more stress than us. They need to spend more money and put in more effort in order to go into good school. What your expected is really unfair.
We should teach our children how to work hard to get what they want instead of trying to protect them with an unfair system. One day they will enter the society, no competitiveness will be eliminated.

[lee_yl]

Timmy21\" post_id=\"2049826\" time=\"1638229928\" user_id=\"122721:

U need to ask ur DD (and perhaps yourself) how badly you want NYGH. I personally dun see how or why NYGH is superior to RV, there are many good schools tat give their students great learning environment and opportunities.
No one can guarantee whether RV COP ends up as 7 instead of the \"indicative\" 9. Since you seem to be super worried, better make sure that your 4th-6th choices are acceptable and you won't regret.

NYGH is deemed superior because it leads to Hwa Chong?

If RVHS location is more central like its former River Valley location, maybe it would be more attractive.

This year top 10% is at AL8 and from MOE simulation, RVHS COP at AL9. The number of AL8 students who qualify for IP is still around the number of students scoring 252. So for top schools, not impossible to jump 2 points but quite unlikely. If from 9(D) to 8(P) or 8(M) maybe but I think RVHS COP unlikely to be at AL7.

A lot of AL9 pointers choose RVHS, will not affect the COP, must a lot of AL4 and AL5 pointers choose to go RVHS then its COP will drop to AL7. And note that some students staying near RVHS would still prefer HCI and NJC (not too far away).

I wonder if RI COP will drop to AL7. Because girls generally do better than boys in PSLE especially so for AL system where doing well in languages is very important.

[SpongyBobs]

Veyron\" post_id=\"2049840\" time=\"1638234880\" user_id=\"30663:

Back in 2019, RGS COP was 261, while last year 260 COP was classified as AL6. So I am guessing that in some years, we may see balloting for at AL5 for RGS. And that will certainly send a shock wave across Singapore as AL5 is no longer the gold standard for PSLE, even if only 2 or 3 students get balloted out of RGS that year.

Assuming AL4-5 = top3% of cohort
Assuming cohort size = 40000 → those scored AL4 & AL5 = 1200, more or less

From the 1200, you will have variety of students, maybe 55% girls, 45% boys; some non-chinese speaking who will prefer RI / RGS, and chinese students who can go anywhere (RI/RGS/NYGS/HCI/MGS).

Assuming vacancies of top 5 schools (RI/RGS/NYGS/HCI/MGS) ≈ 350 x 5 = 1750. From there, you will have some taken by DSA, but DSA students normally fare quite well in PSLE, hence AL4 AL5 themselves. So, let's use 10% of vacancies taken by DSA students who scored AL6 or worse. That leaves us with 1575 seats for less than 1200 students.

The odd of AL5 require balloting, in my opinion will be if:
1. PSLE set is easier, bumping more AL4 & AL5 beyond 3%
2. Odd distribution of AL4 /AL5 students, leaning towards more students in one group (eg, 80% boys, 20% girls vying for RI /HCI only).

I have a feeling that MOE will not want those to happen. To be honest, if a student managed to score AL4 or AL5, he/she deserves to be guaranteed a place in his/her choice.

[Veyron]

jing2ling2\" post_id=\"2049841\" time=\"1638235220\" user_id=\"41786:

I don’t agree with this although my DD is citizen. The foreigners also tax payer. They r paying everything without subsidy. Current system already put them in the least priority when marks are same. Their child and parents face more stress than us. They need to spend more money and put in more effort in order to go into good school. What your expected is really unfair.
We should teach our children how to work hard to get what they want instead of trying to protect them with an unfair system. One day they will enter the society, no competitiveness will be eliminated.

This is exactly the reason why J. Schooling go to the USA to train for Olympics instead of remaining in Singapore to make him feel like he is the biggest fish in the small pond.

[SG_KP1]

Hang mum\" post_id=\"2049839\" time=\"1638234464\" user_id=\"193343:[quote=\"Hang mum\" post_id=2049839 time=1638234464 user_id=193343]
I have been reading most of the posts here to try to understand this years AL and submission.

Now need help here.
We have struggles to put AHS v.s. Ngee Ann secondary school (which 1st). Both are the popular school at the east for the east students.


Our back ground:

1)We lives at east, we choose school at Tampinese, bedok and Pasir Ris.

2) DS. Likes MTL. Stop HMT at P6 (school advised). Don't know why he wants AHS (because SAP or brand, CCA basketball).

3) his Primary CCA is basketball . He may choose other CCA in secondary school.

4)We read all e-open house, all ok with us.


Not sure whether the 6 lists with AL 11(no HMT at P6) as below :

1) Anglican High School (12P).
MRT or few bus stops, walk up hills.
30mins around.

-Not sure the benefit SAP school.
-Should We put AHS as 1st choice or is ot a wast of 1st choice (we have no study HMTat P6) ?

2) Ngee Ann secondary school (12)
Bus few stops. Within 30 mins.

Heard it is an affiliation school.
?? How many or limited vacancies to non-affiliation student?
- We are non-affiliation student to Ngee Ann.

If we fail to go AHS, Ngee Ann is on the 2nd choice. If this year more student got AL11 and above lives in the east as us choose Ngee Ann, it will be risky??

Should we put Ngee Ann as 1st.
Should we remove AHS from the lists.

3) Temasek Secondary school (13).
10 +/- bus stop. 30mins+/- travel. But ok.

4)Duman secondary school (14)
Need change bus. But nearer than Temasek as nearby Ngee Ann.

5) St Hilda's (15)

6) Hai Sing catholic (16)

How We use 1st choice wisely. Should Ngee Ann 1st or AHS?

If fail no1 and no 2 choice, is No. 3 and 4 safe for us?


Today is the last day submission. I am feeling isolated. Only have some information from KSP here.
Any suggestions for us?


Thanks you in advance if have any feedback.[/quote]

Hi.

#1. For HMT, what did your son score in MT for PSLE? If AL1 or AL2, the Eligibility Letter should allow him to take HMT in Secondary School if he wants to do so. If he likes MT, that may be OK, although you may want to consider if that is the best route if he was advised to drop it in P6 (was it due to not scoring well or simply wanting to free up time to focus on the four main subjects? Either way, it is up to you/him whether to pick it up again in Sec 1. There are definitely other kids that don't take HMT in Primary school but do so in Sec 1).

#2. For Ngee Ann, they admit affiliated students but I don't know how many. Regardless, the Indicated COP of AL5-AL12 for non-affiliated students already reflects the fact that they have taken in some affiliated students first.

#3. No one knows for sure whether the Indicative COPs will remain the same. Further, it is impossible to tell if Anglican will go up and Ngee Ann will go down or vice versa. I would suggest you put the school you prefer most out of these two as #1 and the other as #2. With AL11 vs Indicative COPs of AL12(P) and AL12 it is a reasonable strategy.

#4. Choices #3 and #4 should be reasonably safe.

Good luck.

[MerlionInGermany]

Hang mum\" post_id=\"2049839\" time=\"1638234464\" user_id=\"193343:[quote=\"Hang mum\" post_id=2049839 time=1638234464 user_id=193343]
Now need help here.
We have struggles to put AHS v.s. Ngee Ann secondary school (which 1st). Both are the popular school at the east for the east students.

Our back ground:
1)We lives at east, we choose school at Tampinese, bedok and Pasir Ris.
2) DS. Likes MTL. Stop HMT at P6 (school advised). Don't know why he wants AHS (because SAP or brand, CCA basketball).
3) his Primary CCA is basketball . He may choose other CCA in secondary school.
4)We read all e-open house, all ok with us.

Not sure whether the 6 lists with AL 11(no HMT at P6) as below :
1) Anglican High School (12P).
MRT or few bus stops, walk up hills.
30mins around.
-Not sure the benefit SAP school.
-Should We put AHS as 1st choice or is ot a wast of 1st choice (we have no study HMTat P6) ?
2) Ngee Ann secondary school (12)
Bus few stops. Within 30 mins.
Heard it is an affiliation school.
?? How many or limited vacancies to non-affiliation student?
- We are non-affiliation student to Ngee Ann.
…[/quote]

1) AHS, you asked about the benefit of this SAP school. For this particular SAP school, the benefit would be just exposure to more chinese culture. This SAP school does not make Higher Chinese compulsory, so if your son does not have HCL eligibility in the MOE letter, then he wont be taking Higher Chinese in this school or in Ngee Ann Sec. If he is eligible for HCL, he will be eligible in both AHS and NAS. Therefore, if comparing only these 2 schools on SAP benefit, the difference is in the exposure to chinese culture.

2) NAS, the non affiliation indicative cut off point, has already factored in affiliation students. If you have been reading the posts, you would see that this is being mentioned very often. The affiliation policy has been in place for many, many years. And it has even been changed to benefit those from non affiliated schools, so there is nothing to worry about, in terms of vacancies and cop.

If he wants AHS, you have to let him choose it. Imagine you didnt and his AL11 friend gets in, he would be wondering if he had gotten in had he put it as first choice.

Other differences you may wish to note is that AHS has only Chinese mother tongue language, and has only express stream.