2021 PSLE Discussions and Strategies (Children born in 2009)

[ChiefKiasu]

Asdfgh\" post_id=\"2052847\" time=\"1640165458\" user_id=\"61111:

Actually all these doesn't really matter to us... It is the child that is going to study there. Most important is he or she is ok with the secondary school posting results(He or she like the school). Be it RI or RVH or any other secondary school. As long as they can survive in that school that they are attending and do well is the most important.
...

Well said. Remember, it is the CHILD that is going to be in the school, not us. It is all about giving them the chance to study in the most suitable manner, to them. We are only cheerleaders and sponsors.

[Veyron]

Bentley88\" post_id=\"2052849\" time=\"1640166351\" user_id=\"176959:

This is absolutely rubbish. If this non random balloting is found out to be true, then the whole premise of AL is down the drain. You think a million dollar minister or director at MOE wants to jeopardise their golden rice bowl?? Please don't bring your conspiracy theory here!

Fully agree. It's shameful that grown-up and parents will indulge in such a conspiracy to tarnish the image of MOE and the people who work hard to give Singaporeans the best education system and equal opportunity for learning.

[phtthp]

Bentley88\" post_id=\"2052849\" time=\"1640166351\" user_id=\"176959:

This is absolutely rubbish. If this non random balloting is found out to be true, then the whole premise of AL is down the drain. You think a million dollar minister or director at MOE wants to jeopardise their golden rice bowl?? Please don't bring your conspiracy theory here!

perhaps, can ask the MOE IT programmer whoever is in charge of writing the balloting algorithm,

\" what are the balloting criteria / \" ingredients \", used to select candidates, whose AL score matches exactly the Cut off point on the dot of a popular school, when the demand for seats exceeded the remaining vacancies left ? \"

Inside a computer program, how does the algorithm define \"luck\"? Of course, one input factor is citizenship . What else? How to tell / differentiate that this P6 students is lucky, or unlucky ?

[ChiefKiasu]

Veyron\" post_id=\"2052852\" time=\"1640167012\" user_id=\"30663:

Fully agree. It's shameful that grown-up and parents will indulge in such a conspiracy to tarnish the image of MOE and the people who work hard to give Singaporeans the best education system and equal opportunity for learning.

Hold your horses. I think the poster is merely presenting his view, albeit wrong. He is clearly misinformed, and not trying to press his views on others. We should give him some leeway.

[radiant00]

phtthp\" post_id=\"2052853\" time=\"1640167208\" user_id=\"35251:

perhaps, can ask the MOE IT programmer whoever is in charge of writing the balloting algorithm,

\" what is the balloting criteria used to select candidates, whose AL score matches exactly the Cut off point of a popular school, when the demand for seats exceeded the remaining vacancies left ? \"

Inside a computer program, how does the algorithm define \"luck\"? Of course, one input factor is citizenship . What else? How to tell / differentiate that this P6 students is lucky, or unlucky ?

First of all, there will be no programmer who can tell you the logic behind. They must have signed a non- disclosure agreement with MOE and they will face legal consequence if they violate.

As a programmer 20 years ago, I can assure you that most of computer languages come with built-in library to generate some random number and the programmer can use this random number to do the “lucky draw” - like using the last digit or round to the nearest integer and then maybe tie to students’ ID etc to find the winner. If you still don’t believe the randomness of program languages - the I would say “good luck”

[okie]

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2052832\" time=\"1640162822\" user_id=\"3:

Do well in Sec 1 and 2 to get a chance at going to IP in Sec 3. I think this is a better option as you get a choice at Sec 3 to decide if you want to continue in your 'O' levels or try out IP.

Isn't this subject to IP vacancy availability? If no one leaves SCGS IP in the next 2-3 years (Sec 1-3), there is no chance of transferring from O levels to IP stream. Unless i misunderstood?

[ChiefKiasu]

okie\" post_id=\"2052859\" time=\"1640168068\" user_id=\"44307:

Isn't this subject to IP vacancy availability? If no one leaves SCGS IP in the next 2-3 years (Sec 1-3), there is no chance of transferring from O levels to IP stream. Unless i misunderstood?

Like any other stream, there will be attrition in the IP streams. Even if no student leaves IP, it doesn't stop the school from making more space to accommodate a proven and worthwhile student.

But it will be interesting to see how many 'O' level students actually made this switch, and to find out their experiences.

[Veyron]

phtthp\" post_id=\"2052853\" time=\"1640167208\" user_id=\"35251:

perhaps, can ask the MOE IT programmer whoever is in charge of writing the balloting algorithm,

\" what are the balloting criteria / \" ingredients \", used to select candidates, whose AL score matches exactly the Cut off point on the dot of a popular school, when the demand for seats exceeded the remaining vacancies left ? \"

Inside a computer program, how does the algorithm define \"luck\"? Of course, one input factor is citizenship . What else? How to tell / differentiate that this P6 students is lucky, or unlucky ?

Students with the same AL score will be categorised into sub-groupings and the sub group will arrange in the order of

Singapore/PR/Foreigners, follow by choice order of school. Balloting will be done for the last subgroup which contains more students than available vacancies.

e.g. for illustration, if there are 15 vacancies for AL6 and there are 30 applicants, the 30 applicants will be arranged according to subgroup.

Subgroup 1 ( AL6 + SG + Choice 1) 8 students
Subgroup 2 (AL6 + PR + Choice 1) 2 students
Subgroup 3 (AL6 + IS + Choice 1) 10 students
Subgroup 4 (AL6 + SG + Choice 2) 2 student
Subgroup 5 (AL6 + PR + Choice 2) 5 students
Subgroup 6 (AL6 + IS + Choice 2) 3 students

Since there are 15 vacancies left, only subgroup 3 will have balloting because all student in subgroup 1 and 2 has given priority, while subgroup 4 5 and 6 have no chance even with same AL6 scores.


So for RI and RGS, I reckon there will be a large pool of AL6 students who apply RI/RGS as the first choice and they are all Singaporeans. MOE will likely use the same balloting approach as primary school enrollment. Doesn't need to be anything fancy.

[Jinjin1982]

AngMoKP\" post_id=\"2052834\" time=\"1640163004\" user_id=\"194548:

I think one consequence of the new system will be to more clearly establish RI and RGS and the two elite schools (i.e. the AL6 schools) with a more clearly defined slightly less elite tier of AL7 schools (HCI, NYGH, MGS and ACSI). This will be in contrast to the traditional way of thinking about the top 4. I expect a pattern will emerge whereby:
- you need AL6 to have a chance at RI/RGS
- you need AL7 to have a chance at HCI/NYGH/MGS/ACSI
- you need AL8 to have a chance at most of the other IP schools (St Nicks, Cedar, SCGS, Dunman, SJI, VS)

NJC and St Nicks are also AL7 schools

[SpongyBobs]

Fully agree with this. Spent whole day with my DS outside and asked him twice whether he wanted to appeal to either HCI or ACSI. He said dont need to. He is happy with RVHS. And we proceeded to Popular to purchase textbooks.


By the way, I am puzzled by RV booklist.. No history text, no science text listed.. :scratchhead:

Asdfgh\" post_id=\"2052847\" time=\"1640165458\" user_id=\"61111:

Actually all these doesn't really matter to us... It is the child that is going to study there. Most important is he or she is ok with the secondary school posting results(He or she like the school). Be it RI or RVH or any other secondary school. As long as they can survive in that school that they are attending and do well is the most important.

Imagine if you manage to squeeze in or ballot in at the cut off point and is not suitable in that school. Your child might have a hard time too.

Like for my case, my son is AL 7M. His first choice is HCI. just meet the cut off point and was not lucky to get in, definitely got ballot out.(I think) Singaporean. He was posted to DHS. I ask him if he wants to appeal. He say \"NO\". He is happy with DHS too.

So maybe it might a blessing in disguise who know..... Although it is me considering it as a dream school hoping that he can study in HCI (which I believe many parents also consider HCI to be one of their dream school)...

For all these arguments made here, nothing can change. Even the system will not be changed with so many voices. so what we can really do now is appeal or submit to fate.

If not, try to transfer to the desired school after sec 1 or 2. I heard there are cases too for transferring, mostly at end of sec 2 with good grades.

There are so many paths in life. so let not be upset over it. In life, we win some, we lose some. Be cheerful and grateful with the good grades that our child had achieved. Really not easy!