DSA 2022

[ainunnajib]

Now that we are preparing for RI DSA Math test this Saturday, I wonder if any parents here can share what does the test typically like? Perhaps based on your children’s experience, those who went through the test in recent years.


is it more like RIPMWC where the problems are super hard that just getting 9 out 20 correct already puts you at top 3% (this was what happened for my son’s RIPMWC)?

or is it more like SMOPS where there are plenty of problems, reasonably medium to hard, but there’s just not enough time (so it’s more about testing the speed of solving)?

or is it more like NMOS where the problems have hidden insights with which the answer will become easy? (so it’s about testing "thinking out of the box")

or is it more like SMO Junior where it’s actually for Secondary students level of math olympiad?

or is it more like AMC8 / AMC10 where you have enough time to solve all problems and it’s about getting as close to all correct as possible?

or… is it gonna be IMO style where students have to write essays of math proof?

[ChiefKiasu]

My goodness. It's going to be hard to find someone who has done all the tests you mentioned :scared:

[cutepandabear]

ainunnajib\" post_id=\"2071791\" time=\"1656228714\" user_id=\"166513:

Now that we are preparing for RI DSA Math test this Saturday, I wonder if any parents here can share what does the test typically like? Perhaps based on your children's experience, those who went through the test in recent years.

is it more like RIPMWC where the problems are super hard that just getting 9 out 20 correct already puts you at top 3% (this was what happened for my son's RIPMWC)?

or is it more like SMOPS where there are plenty of problems, reasonably medium to hard, but there's just not enough time (so it's more about testing the speed of solving)?

or is it more like NMOS where the problems have hidden insights with which the answer will become easy? (so it's about testing \"thinking out of the box\")

or is it more like SMO Junior where it's actually for Secondary students level of math olympiad?

or is it more like AMC8 / AMC10 where you have enough time to solve all problems and it's about getting as close to all correct as possible?

or... is it gonna be IMO style where students have to write essays of math proof?

You know your MO. This is a pretty accurate summary of the various competitions.

[TRex5]

Slothie\" post_id=\"2071632\" time=\"1656092323\" user_id=\"198513:

Hi! May I know which domain for NJC received email already? Thanks!

I have received the email on 24/6 for Music

[Lavanya123]

@slothie we received njc email for STEAM

[bammama]

Is it true that all the elite schools (RI, vs, acsi etc.) look at the student’s academic results first instead of the talent when they choose for shortlisting?


Eg. Student X is the best in the sport (podium finishing, national levels etc) but results very average. Student Y not very outstanding in the sports but results good. Edusave awards etc.

Which student will the school choose??

[floppy]

bammama\" post_id=\"2071895\" time=\"1656290191\" user_id=\"198444:

Is it true that all the elite schools (RI, vs, acsi etc.) look at the student's academic results first instead of the talent when they choose for shortlisting?

Eg. Student X is the best in the sport (podium finishing, national levels etc) but results very average. Student Y not very outstanding in the sports but results good. Edusave awards etc.

Which student will the school choose??

The schools are looking for both talent in the talent area, as well as academic results that suggest that they will be able to cope in the stream or in the IP.

The first student is likely to stand a better chance depending on how “average” is “average”. As for the second student, if he / she has chosen to DSA in sports, he / she has picked the wrong talent area.

[zac's mum]

bammama\" post_id=\"2071895\" time=\"1656290191\" user_id=\"198444:

Is it true that all the elite schools (RI, vs, acsi etc.) look at the student's academic results first instead of the talent when they choose for shortlisting?

Eg. Student X is the best in the sport (podium finishing, national levels etc) but results very average. Student Y not very outstanding in the sports but results good. Edusave awards etc.

Which student will the school choose??

Hearsay the schools which select Sports/Music DSA candidates based on academic results first are: HCI, DHS, NJC.

[bammama]

Thank you for the fast reply! I was just wondering out loud becos I was reading the past years DSA threads and got confused. Sounds like the schools value academic results over the talent areas. Made me question the point of DSA. If the schools still emphasize on good academic results before shortlisting. 😅

floppy\" post_id=\"2071897\" time=\"1656290777\" user_id=\"97579:

The schools are looking for both talent in the talent area, as well as academic results that suggest that they will be able to cope in the stream or in the IP.

The first student is likely to stand a better chance depending on how “average” is “average”. As for the second student, if he / she has chosen to DSA in sports, he / she has picked the wrong talent area.

[Mr.025413Clumsy]

This is my first time on the merry-go-round so I may be mistaken. I believe that most schools will assess the student’s academic results first as part of the initial shortlist. I suspect that the schools know what their DSA cut-off AL score is like and if the student is unlikely to meet that score (based on P5 YE and P6 MY results), then the student is less likely to be shortlisted regardless of their talent.


This is also because there is not much else that the schools can go on since the initial DSA submission (which has the 10 entries for achievements) is quite basic and unverified (unlike academic results which are in the MOE system and verifiable). This is not to say that the talent achievements etc. are disregarded but rather that the first round of shortlisting is likely based more on academic performance.

My 2c.