Is Algebra allowed for PSLE Math?

[fionachia0034]

I have been vexed by this annoyance for the last few weeks.


If MOE fully intends for the students to solve those "Olympiad-styled" IQ questions that have been popping up in the PSLE with alarming frequency, then the least that teachers could do, is make sure that such questions can be attempted using ‘models’ or ‘heuristics’ as taught in the regular school lessons!

Instead parents like myself who are alarmed by the rising difficulty of the PSLE Math exams have to start teaching our children Algebra, only to hit a stumbling block when MOE refuses to award method marks for the algebraic workings if the final answer is wrong.

I still don’t understand the double standards inherent in the system.

[sushi88]

fionachia0034\" post_id=\"2103726\" time=\"1680362237\" user_id=\"201257:

My son's Pri.5 teacher told the class that Algebra is strictly NOT allowed in her class, or else else no marks will be awarded for the workings.

I quote the teacher :

\"If I see let 'x' be oranges and 'y' be bananas, no method mark. If I see equations '2x + 3y = 50' also no method mark. If you use Algebra and you get correct, only answer marks will be given.\"

Is this true? I have been teaching my son Algebra since young and his Pri.3 and Pri.4 teacher did not make any such comment previously.

A few parents complained to the school, but the HOD backed the teacher. The HOD said that MOE officially accepts Algebra for use in the PSLE Math exam, but during the marking of the PSLE Math paper, no method marks will be credited if the final answer is wrong. So the HOD set a policy to blanket ban Algebra.

Should we make an official complaint to MOE?

Interesting information you are sharing.

SEAB's response recently to last year's PSLE about algebra method.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/psle-maths-algebra-full-credit-nan-hua-primary-forum-letter-seab-3131246

It is good to clarify with SEAB/MOE again......it is indeed shocking to learn about this fine print. If it is true, it is good to ask for the rationale and share with us. Thank you.

[zac's mum]

Perhaps you could post some examples of those


["Olympiad-styled" IQ questions that have been popping up in the PSLE with alarming frequency, then the least that teachers could do, is make sure that such questions can be attempted using ‘models’ or ‘heuristics’ as taught in the regular school lessons!]

and let us see if they really cannot be solved with heuristics. Maybe since your DS is in P5, the heuristics for them has not yet been taught. Some are taught only in P6, which is quite late IMO.

[tinker_bell]

fionachia0034\" post_id=\"2103726\" time=\"1680362237\" user_id=\"201257:

My son's Pri.5 teacher told the class that Algebra is strictly NOT allowed in her class, or else else no marks will be awarded for the workings.

I quote the teacher :

\"If I see let 'x' be oranges and 'y' be bananas, no method mark. If I see equations '2x + 3y = 50' also no method mark. If you use Algebra and you get correct, only answer marks will be given.\"

Is this true? I have been teaching my son Algebra since young and his Pri.3 and Pri.4 teacher did not make any such comment previously.

A few parents complained to the school, but the HOD backed the teacher. The HOD said that MOE officially accepts Algebra for use in the PSLE Math exam, but during the marking of the PSLE Math paper, no method marks will be credited if the final answer is wrong. In other words, the student has only 2 possible outcomes if they use Algebra, either get full marks or zero marks for the question. That is why the HOD set a policy to blanket ban Algebra.

Should we make an official complaint to MOE?

The parent chatgroups shared a old newspaper forum letter about algebra method vs mathematical modeling method also. I think MOE always give the same reply. But not sure about method marks if your algebra answer is wrong.

My eldest is P6, but the school never restrict the techniques the kids can use.

https://i.imgur.com/JjoPhCq.jpg\">

https://i.imgur.com/UWAcFk8.jpg\">

[tinker_bell]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2103739\" time=\"1680390908\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2103739 time=1680390908 user_id=53606]
Perhaps you could post some examples of those

[\"Olympiad-styled\" IQ questions that have been popping up in the PSLE with alarming frequency, then the least that teachers could do, is make sure that such questions can be attempted using 'models' or 'heuristics' as taught in the regular school lessons!]

and let us see if they really cannot be solved with heuristics. Maybe since your DS is in P5, the heuristics for them has not yet been taught. Some are taught only in P6, which is quite late IMO.[/quote]

Is @fionachia0034 refering to the psle 2021 helen & ivan coin question?

But all the top math tuition centre solutions use modeling type method to solve it leh. I don't think algebra is required.

https://i.imgur.com/q7fk9gc.png\">

Nicklebee math
https://www.facebook.com/nicklebee.tutors/posts/4949062438454414
https://www.instagram.com/p/CUey2z2vwLZ

Visible math
https://www.facebook.com/visiblemathacademy/posts/4373007452753073

Concept math
https://www.facebook.com/conceptmath/posts/4671369339592555

Math heuristics
https://www.facebook.com/mathsheuristics/videos/1470500730017213/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G-oBNO0aFrA

[sushi88]

After reading Ms Ho Peng’s reply posted by tinker_bell, I cannot help but feel that there must be some miscommunication. While it is ok to insist that children use the method taught in class to be used in order for the teacher to validate if the children understood the class, this rule should not be applicable to PSLE. if the children can understand another method better.

[Mr.025413Clumsy]

I remember my DS telling me that his school did not discourage the use of algebra but they were clear that it wasn’t their preferred method (models) for solving the questions. So, it seemed that algebra was permissible but model-drawing was recommended. As a member of the "older generation," I’m not familiar with model-drawing so could only counter-check his answers using my algebra methods. Ultimately, he got comfortable using both methods but veered towards model-drawing only because it was what they were encouraged to use in school.

[fionachia0034]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2103739\" time=\"1680390908\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2103739 time=1680390908 user_id=53606]
Perhaps you could post some examples of those

[\"Olympiad-styled\" IQ questions that have been popping up in the PSLE with alarming frequency, then the least that teachers could do, is make sure that such questions can be attempted using 'models' or 'heuristics' as taught in the regular school lessons!]

and let us see if they really cannot be solved with heuristics. Maybe since your DS is in P5, the heuristics for them has not yet been taught. Some are taught only in P6, which is quite late IMO.[/quote]

Example 1 from 2009 PSLE :

Jim bought some chocolates and gave half of them to Ken. Ken bought some sweets and gave half of them to Jim. Jim ate 12 sweets and Ken ate 18 chocolates. The ratio of Jim's sweets to chocolates becomes 1:7 and the ratio of Ken's sweets to chocolates becomes 1:4. How many sweets did Ken buy?

Example 2 from 2019 PSLE :

Jamie and Oliver used $61.20 each to buy some egg tarts. Jamie has a 15% discount coupon and bought 6 more egg tarts than Oliver.

(a)How many egg tarts did Jamie buy?

(b)What is the cost of an egg tart without the discount?

[fionachia0034]

Typical scholar answer. 说了等于没说.


Has MOE ever outright come forth to clarify the following. During the marking of the PSLE Math paper, will method marks for Algebra-type workings still be credited, even if the final answer is wrong?

I want to know if it is true that the student only has 2 possible outcomes if they use Algebra for a PSLE Math question, the Exam marker will either award full marks or zero marks for the question.

sushi88\" post_id=\"2103728\" time=\"1680365555\" user_id=\"100857:

Interesting information you are sharing.

SEAB's response recently to last year's PSLE about algebra method.

https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/psle-maths-algebra-full-credit-nan-hua-primary-forum-letter-seab-3131246

It is good to clarify with SEAB/MOE again......it is indeed shocking to learn about this fine print. If it is true, it is good to ask for the rationale and share with us. Thank you.

tinker_bell\" post_id=\"2103742\" time=\"1680396445\" user_id=\"194652:

The parent chatgroups shared a old newspaper forum letter about algebra method vs mathematical modeling method also. I think MOE always give the same reply. But not sure about method marks if your algebra answer is wrong.

My eldest is P6, but the school never restrict the techniques the kids can use.

https://i.imgur.com/JjoPhCq.jpg\">

https://i.imgur.com/UWAcFk8.jpg\">