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    Is Algebra allowed for PSLE Math?

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Primary 6 & PSLE
    95 Posts 20 Posters 29.5k Views 1 Watching
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    • lee_ylL Offline
      lee_yl
      last edited by

      kaisuism\" post_id=\"2104337\" time=\"1680757356\" user_id=\"199574:

      Maybe that's what happen to Nan Hua and some other students in last year's PSLE where their math dropped below their expected level.
      Possible if indeed a section C question has been marked based on either full marks or zero mark if students chose to use the Algebra method.

      Too bad NH parents who appealed, did not get to see their kids’ papers, so they don’t even know where went wrong.

      If MOE accepts Algebra/Sakamoto/Unit Transfer and whatever methods out there, then should it award children marks for their working along the way even if the final answer may not be correct?

      However, since MOE only teaches the Model method, and PSLE is a standard exam, then it is also fair to MOE that the marking rubric is only based on the Model Method taught in schools but MOE has to be clear on that lah.

      No one knows the marking rubric for using Algebra right? I would say MOE is at fault if most parents only know that using other methods are acceptable but not aware that zero mark will be awarded if the final answer is wrong. MOE needs to be clear and upfront about this cos it will affect those taking PSLE.

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      • Zeal mummyZ Offline
        Zeal mummy
        last edited by

        Moral of the story, do not go for tuition to learn algebra! It is better to learn and follow the school syllabus closely; basic algebra is taught in p6. Our students need to pay attention in class! Ask their teachers if they don’t understand.

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        • zac's mumZ Offline
          zac's mum
          last edited by

          Schootopia\" post_id=\"2104513\" time=\"1680855476\" user_id=\"143961:

          Sec 2 Maths textbook. FYI.


          https://ibb.co/n8J6Sfm
          Thx for sharing. Am I right to presume that if a Sec 2 student uses the primary school “diagram” method in his Sec 2 school exam, he will be given 0 marks, rationale being that the school wants/needs to assess whether the kids have learnt the Sec 2 method of solving the same problem?

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          • phtthpP Offline
            phtthp
            last edited by

            zac's mum\" post_id=\"2104514\" time=\"1680856109\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2104514 time=1680856109 user_id=53606]
            Thx for sharing. Am I right to presume that if a Sec 2 student uses the primary school “diagram” method in his Sec 2 school exam, he will be given 0 marks, rationale being that the school wants/needs to assess whether the kids have learnt the Sec 2 method of solving the same problem?[/quote]
            In Sec 2,
            No more using primary school Algebra method.

            Yes, will get zero mark, in Weighted Assessments, if still use primary school method.

            Why ?

            Because

            ALREADY in SECONDARY school ! Follow the method taught by your class Secondary school teacher !

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            • lee_ylL Offline
              lee_yl
              last edited by

              So is it common knowledge among the majority of the PSLE parents that one either scores FULL marks or ZERO mark if one chooses to use algebra?

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              • Zeal mummyZ Offline
                Zeal mummy
                last edited by

                If they teach you tennis and you use a badminton racket, should you be given points for scoring? I think it’s the same logic, please use the method that is being taught.

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                • lee_ylL Offline
                  lee_yl
                  last edited by

                  Zeal mummy\" post_id=\"2104528\" time=\"1680864993\" user_id=\"58173:[quote=\"Zeal mummy\" post_id=2104528 time=1680864993 user_id=58173]
                  If they teach you tennis and you use a badminton racket, should you be given points for scoring? I think it’s the same logic, please use the method that is being taught.[/quote]
                  But for the tennis competition, organizer said one is allowed to use badminton racket wor. 😂

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                  • Zeal mummyZ Offline
                    Zeal mummy
                    last edited by

                    lee_yl\" post_id=\"2104529\" time=\"1680865236\" user_id=\"17023:

                    But for the tennis competition, organizer said one is allowed to use badminton racket wor. 😂
                    No.. you’re allowed to use different brands of tennis rackets. You cannot score with a badminton racket.

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                    • phtthpP Offline
                      phtthp
                      last edited by

                      lee_yl\" post_id=\"2104527\" time=\"1680864987\" user_id=\"17023:

                      So is it common knowledge among the majority of the PSLE parents that one either scores FULL marks or ZERO mark if one chooses to use algebra?
                      What kind of Algebra, are u refering to ?

                      If you use

                      1) the PRIMARY school Algebra method \"Units and parts\" method,

                      And

                      show your steps clearly, step by step logically,
                      SEAB will still award u some marks, even if u made mistake, cannot get the final answer correct.

                      \"Units and Parts\" method, after all, still fall under Upper primary school Maths Moe syllabus.


                      2) But,
                      if use the Lower SECONDARY school Algebra method,

                      if u did not get the final answer correct,
                      this part not too clear, how SEAB marked. Because all these while, SEAB has been quiet about this.

                      So,
                      GEP students who have been taught in advance some of the Lower Secondary school Algebra concepts, inside their GEP curriculum, have to the careful.


                      But, take note.
                      NOT every year, PSLE is going to set questions on Algebra.


                      Example
                      =======

                      In that year 2019 PSLE Maths paper, there wasn't any question set on Algebra, inside Section C.
                      Those qns, that carry heavily 5 marks.
                      Instead,
                      what came out were more on \"visualisation\" questions.
                      Eg.
                      That question, about semi-circle.
                      Either u can visualize it or u cannot, under tight exam condition.

                      So,
                      DON'T be so up-tight, thinking that every year, bound to have some question set on Algebra, in Section C. Every year, the PSLE Maths questions come out, differed. In some past year, the entire PSLE Maths paper set, was so simple.

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                      • lee_ylL Offline
                        lee_yl
                        last edited by

                        phtthp\" post_id=\"2104534\" time=\"1680871516\" user_id=\"35251:

                        What kind of Algebra, are u refering to ?

                        If you use

                        1) the PRIMARY school Algebra method \"Units and parts\" method,

                        And

                        show your steps clearly, step by step logically,
                        SEAB will still award u some marks, even if u made mistake, cannot get the final answer correct.

                        \"Units and Parts\" method, after all, still fall under Upper primary school Maths Moe syllabus.


                        2) But,
                        if use the Lower SECONDARY school Algebra method,

                        if u did not get the final answer correct,
                        this part not too clear, how SEAB marked. Because all these while, SEAB has been quiet about this.


                        So,
                        GEP students who have been taught in advance some of the Lower Secondary school Algebra concepts, inside their GEP curriculum, have to the careful.


                        But, take note.
                        NOT every year, PSLE is going to set questions on Algebra.


                        Example
                        =======

                        In that year 2019 PSLE Maths paper, there wasn't any question set on Algebra, inside Section B.
                        Those qns, that carry heavy 5 marks.
                        Instead,
                        what came out were more on \"visualisation\" questions.
                        Eg.
                        That question, about semi-circle.

                        So,
                        DON'T be so up-tight, thinking that every year, bound to have some question set on Algebra, in Section C. Every year, the PSLE Maths questions come out, differed. In some past year, the entire PSLE Maths paper set, was so simple.
                        Fundamental question: do PSLE parents know that the marking rubric for using Algebra is either full marks or zero mark?

                        1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0

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