2023 PSLE Discussions and Strategies (Children born in 2011)

[zac's mum]

“-ESIS is not awarded to non-SC scoring AL4 or AL5.


-Not all students with the award select an Independent School. Does MOE over-issue the award because they know not all students will use it?”

My guess is MOE under-issues the EESIS award. We do not hear of any parents saying their kid scored 5 but did not get the award. So that implies MOE is not looking at raw scores of those who scored 5 and cutting off some 5s when quota is reached. Rather, i believe the T score equivalent lies somewhere in the 6s, but no 6s have been getting the award either last year or this year (did any 6s get it in the inaugural AL year of 2021?)

So i extrapolate that MOE has played prudent with their finances and given out far less than it has budgeted for; i do not know how govt depts work, but i dont think they are supposed to overspend.

[bbbay]

For entertainment:


I recall back in the T score days,
>=260 corresponded to top 3%
>=250 corresponded to top 10%
>=240 corresponded to top 30%

And I recall also there were indicative AL score mapped to T score released by MOE before the very first PSLE exam graded with AL score. And AL 6 roughly =260, AL9=250 and AL12=240

If the cohort size is around 40K, there should be around
3% X 40K= 1200 students with AL6 or better;
7% X 40K= 2800 students between AL7 to AL9
20% X 40K = 8000 students between AL10 to AL12

Feel free to correct

[soloestoy]

IMO ESIS is a waste of tax payer money coz most of the AL 4 and 5 top scorers are from higher SES families. They need the prestige but not the money, which should instead be channeled to students from less well to do families who are accepted by independent schools.

[SG_KP1]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2123948\" time=\"1701175832\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2123948 time=1701175832 user_id=53606]
“-ESIS is not awarded to non-SC scoring AL4 or AL5.

-Not all students with the award select an Independent School. Does MOE over-issue the award because they know not all students will use it?”

My guess is MOE under-issues the EESIS award. We do not hear of any parents saying their kid scored 5 but did not get the award. So that implies MOE is not looking at raw scores of those who scored 5 and cutting off some 5s when quota is reached. Rather, i believe the T score equivalent lies somewhere in the 6s, but no 6s have been getting the award either last year or this year (did any 6s get it in the inaugural AL year of 2021?)

So i extrapolate that MOE has played prudent with their finances and given out far less than it has budgeted for; i do not know how govt depts work, but i dont think they are supposed to overspend.[/quote]

As far as I know, it has been AL5 and all (SC) AL5s have received (2021 and 2022 PSLE). I tend to agree with you that the equivalent number of students to the 260/261 (or whatever it was in any given year) is likely (or at least was) in the 6s. However, when I say over-issued, I think that also applies to the pre-AL days. Did they issue more than 1/3 of Independent School spaces because they know not everyone will take it up?

In the event that someday there are more AL5s than the targeted figure, I don't believe they will look at raw score, but all kids will get the award.

The other unknown is whether the distribution of scores has changed (slightly) over the years (this is the third year of AL). MOE certainly has how many AL5s there were in 2020 PSLE (and probably many years before that). However, it is not inconceivable that this figure increases (somewhat) over time as students respond to the new scoring system.

We could go back to the whole discussion on mapping the scores between the two systems (it can't be done strictly speaking) and what the indicative COPs represented / what they didn't represent, but it's not worth it. :siam: :siam: .

The distribution of AL scores is all that matters now but we don't have the specifics (can only observe the COPs).

[su27]

CoolChillPapa\" post_id=\"2123921\" time=\"1701157364\" user_id=\"203438:

Is it possible for AL4 or AL5 student not to get into his/her first choice? Practically it is not possible. The school doors are open for any AL4 or AL5 students. Unless the applications for a particular secondary school is flooded by AL4/5 students, it is not possible. Even in theory it might be a no. There may be abut 300-400 AL4 students (boys and girls). Let's say if all of AL4 boys (~150-200) apply for say RI secondary only, there would still be enough spaces for them assuming each cohort is 200 for RI.

So why would AL4 student not get his/her first choice? It is unthinkable...but it is possible if AL4 boys want to play punk and put first 5 choices as MGS, SCGS, Cedar, RGS, NYGH and the last choice RI. So theoretically, the boy will get his 6th choice....just for self-amusement....

I believe students with AL4 will be slightly more this year, given the easier PSLE.

My worry is MGS IP officially has only 120 slots. DSA kids maybe take up 20 slots. That left with 100 slots. That is very limited slots. That is the crucial factor.

[bbbay]

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2123952\" time=\"1701179186\" user_id=\"188234:

As far as I know, it has been AL5 and all (SC) AL5s have received (2021 and 2022 PSLE). I tend to agree with you that the equivalent number of students to the 260/261 (or whatever it was in any given year) is likely (or at least was) in the 6s. However, when I say over-issued, I think that also applies to the pre-AL days. Did they issue more than 1/3 of Independent School spaces because they know not everyone will take it up?

In the event that someday there are more AL5s than the targeted figure, I don't believe they will look at raw score, but all kids will get the award.

The other unknown is whether the distribution of scores has changed (slightly) over the years (this is the third year of AL). MOE certainly has how many AL5s there were in 2020 PSLE (and probably many years before that). However, it is not inconceivable that this figure increases (somewhat) over time as students respond to the new scoring system.

We could go back to the whole discussion on mapping the scores between the two systems (it can't be done strictly speaking) and what the indicative COPs represented / what they didn't represent, but it's not worth it. :siam: :siam: .

The distribution of AL scores is all that matters now but we don't have the specifics (can only observe the COPs).

Around 15 marks in PSLE exams are challenging questions to differentiate the deserving AL2 and AL1, from the rest? Another way to introduce bell curve effect ? Or else we may start seeing RI’s COP drop to 4 , with some 4 pointers ballot out too? Too many AL4….

[Scarcar]

Frankly speaking, I just feel it’s too crazy that Al 4 pointers might be balloted out for 1st choice

[bbbay]

My opinion is there has to be something (e.g challenging questions) put in place to moderate the scores else crazy things can happen

[zac's mum]

su27\" post_id=\"2123953\" time=\"1701180381\" user_id=\"80180:

I believe students with AL4 will be slightly more this year, given the easier PSLE.

My worry is MGS IP officially has only 120 slots. DSA kids maybe take up 20 slots. That left with 100 slots. That is very limited slots. That is the crucial factor.

Not every 4-pointer will go for MGS. Some will prefer A levels over IBDP. Some will shun religious schools. If u really like MGS then put as first choice.

It’s an impossibility for all 3 top girls schools to be filled to capacity at 4 points lah. Your girl will get into one of these before any of the 5-pointers.

[Avenue3]

bbbay\" post_id=\"2123950\" time=\"1701177648\" user_id=\"175278:

For entertainment:

I recall back in the T score days,
>=260 corresponded to top 3%
>=250 corresponded to top 10%
>=240 corresponded to top 30%

And I recall also there were indicative AL score mapped to T score released by MOE before the very first PSLE exam graded with AL score. And AL 6 roughly =260, AL9=250 and AL12=240

If the cohort size is around 40K, there should be around
3% X 40K= 1200 students with AL6 or better;
7% X 40K= 2800 students between AL7 to AL9
20% X 40K = 8000 students between AL10 to AL12

Feel free to correct

M

Makes sense. Thanks