2010 DSA(Direct School Admission)

[sautille]

Thank you, Strparent!


You are right. None of them had to sit for GAT. However, another classmate of his (also from GEP) did not receive any letter from RI today even though he did not need to sit for GAT.

[Pen88n]

fruitplus:

I personally know a GE kid who scored 24x during PSLE, but luckily already accepted by DHS thru DSA. And the kid is doing very very well in DHS now. From what I understand, the kid could not get use to the PSLE format.


From my son's experience, some similar questions asked in Science test papers, GE papers and PSLE expect different answers. More generalize ins PSLE, and more in depth (expect certain jargon, too) in GE papers. So it is quite confusing when he did multiple choice questions during P4,P5 and 1st half of P6 (for mainstream test papers) and could not find the RIGHT answer. They were only told what are the Right PSLE answers in 4th week of June this year.

If a mainstreamer is to score 250 or 24x, he will not even have the opportunity to enter any IP school. I also know of mainstreamer who is at 25x and did well enough in other secondary schools to later join DHS / NJC at Sec 3 intake. So I still question: why can't GEP kids go to other secondary schools like mainstreamers if they do not fare well in PSLE? Why should they be given the DSA advantage - just becos they are chosen to be in GEP in P3?

On GEP not preparing kids for PSLE or mainstream paper, I think this is something easily resolved by GEP teachers teaching the \"right\" PSLE answers and techniques. In maintream, there are teachers not teaching the \"right\" PSLE answers and techniques as well - you can see from post from parents about teachers not covering more \"chim\" Maths questions.

I'm all for DSA for nurturing special talents and providing special talent groups a route beyond normal PSLE (eg. sports, music, etc.). But when this DSA exercise becomes an unfair advantage to a GEP group chosen at P3, I question the basis of DSA and I think it makes the GEP become meaningless when ks parents now frantically \"groom giftedness\".

[sautille]

Thank you, fruitplus

[Strparent]

Strparent:

Firstly, pen88n, I just want to reinterate that my son and most of his good friends DID not do any pre-GEP preparations, seriously. DS was just told to try his best and see where he stands. In fact, in his previous school, he was like 13th in his class ( top class though ), and only 4 of them got into GEP. So I think GEP is not about academic superiority for sure, else DS would not be able to get a sniff, hahaha.
But I think there are other reasons behind the GEP preference, maybe something to do with the grants and coefficients for each GEP student in their school ? This is purely guesswork of course.

I think most GEP students are more cocky ( in a good sense ) due to their overwhelming self confidence, but they are not necessarily better in exam results than those not in GEP. You have to understand out of 550 GEP students, there is a small number which MOE will earmarked for future advancements, and these few are fully deserving. My boy is just enjoying the free ride as he is definitely not in that small group, hahaha.

But having said that, even if he eventually fail to go to RI, I am sure he is a better person for all the enrichment gone through, and this DSA exercise as well.

Hi pen88n,

as I mentioned, I think it's not about academic excellence only, I think its something to do with sharpness ? spontaneous reactions ? risk takings ?

I noticed much more boys than girls get into GEP. And during the P4 to P6, they are monitored closely, and a small group will be identified. Some has dropped out along the way as well.

But I agree with you P3 gauged is a bit unfair, as some kids bloomed later, but I reiterate, I dont think its only about academic superiority.

My DD scores more in P3 than DS did, but she did not make the cut for GEP. She is in the top class for mainstreamers though at P4. But she is not a risk taker, and she is very meticulous in her work, but not as sharp or as fast when making decisions and taking actions. And for sure, the boy is much lazier, always looking for the shortcut route, LOL.

Maybe eventually, they will do a GEP test every 2 years after P3, but I think more likely, they will scrap the whole thing later. Bear in mind though, the cream of the GEP crop, are definitely some of the finest and sharpest kids you will see. Eg, a P4 GEP boy getting High Distinctions for GCE O level maths, and P5 boy getting Disticntions for GCE A level Maths. You cannot deny the top batch are simply brilliant gifted kids.

Just work hard for PSLE, and all kids will be able to bloom in their own ways.

oh, btw, GEP kids who dont do well in PSLE, I think they dont get automatic slots in IP schools or good schools either. Thats what I know anyway. So PSLE is still very important.

[Pen88n]

sautille:

Thank you, Strparent!


You are right. None of them had to sit for GAT. However, another classmate of his (also from GEP) did not receive any letter from RI today even though he did not need to sit for GAT.

Maybe postman deliver to wrong address or delay in delivery? Poor boy and poor parents, 1 more day of \"agony\".....how depressing it is esp. when he hear from all his classmates. Hope he receives his good news tomorrow.

[jtoh]

I wonder if Ruyu got a confirmed offer. Hoping he’ll come back on the forum to let us know.

[Zann]

fruitplus:

Pen88n


Perhaps parents should post the question to the RI/HCI pricipals during the Open house. Then it would clarify everyone's doubt.

I personally know a GE kid who scored 24x during PSLE, but luckily already accepted by DHS thru DSA. And the kid is doing very very well in DHS now. From what I understand, the kid could not get use to the PSLE format.

From my son's experience, some similar questions asked in Science test papers, GE papers and PSLE expect different answers. More generalize ins PSLE, and more in depth (expect certain jargon, too) in GE papers. So it is quite confusing when he did multiple choice questions during P4,P5 and 1st half of P6 (for mainstream test papers) and could not find the RIGHT answer. They were only told what are the Right PSLE answers in 4th week of June this year.

Yes, this is not fair to the GEP students. Therefore DSA was implemented more for them and if they don't meet the cut, see they still can be rejected in DSA. PSLE is more for mainstreamers. But later, good that we have NUSH and NJC who give everyone a fair chance.

[hoskins8h]

nappy:

Hi everyone!

My daughter is currently P6 now and she recently went for the RGS GATs. She compared her answers with all her friends and she found out that most of her answers differ. She is suicidal now as RGS is her dream school. HELP!

Suicidal? No offence intended but perhaps the kids are taking this \"my one and only dream\" school thing a little too seriously; sense that in some of the posts the kids put on this site. Next it will be \"dream wife/husband\".

I personally dont remember dreaming about a particular sec sch, JC or university. Only exception was for overseas U and that mainly for the weather and laid back culture. I personally dont consider RGS a dream school although many understandably do - it's too much work. Time to teach kids that life goes on?

[verykiasu2010]

Congrats !! to all who got CO from the various schools

[onemore]

Pen88n:

fruitplus:

I personally know a GE kid who scored 24x during PSLE, but luckily already accepted by DHS thru DSA. And the kid is doing very very well in DHS now. From what I understand, the kid could not get use to the PSLE format.


From my son's experience, some similar questions asked in Science test papers, GE papers and PSLE expect different answers. More generalize ins PSLE, and more in depth (expect certain jargon, too) in GE papers. So it is quite confusing when he did multiple choice questions during P4,P5 and 1st half of P6 (for mainstream test papers) and could not find the RIGHT answer. They were only told what are the Right PSLE answers in 4th week of June this year.

If a mainstreamer is to score 250 or 24x, he will not even have the opportunity to enter any IP school. I also know of mainstreamer who is at 25x and did well enough in other secondary schools to later join DHS / NJC at Sec 3 intake. So I still question: why can't GEP kids go to other secondary schools like mainstreamers if they do not fare well in PSLE? Why should they be given the DSA advantage - just becos they are chosen to be in GEP in P3?

On GEP not preparing kids for PSLE or mainstream paper, I think this is something easily resolved by GEP teachers teaching the \"right\" PSLE answers and techniques. In maintream, there are teachers not teaching the \"right\" PSLE answers and techniques as well - you can see from post from parents about teachers not covering more \"chim\" Maths questions.

I'm all for DSA for nurturing special talents and providing special talent groups a route beyond normal PSLE (eg. sports, music, etc.). But when this DSA exercise becomes an unfair advantage to a GEP group chosen at P3, I question the basis of DSA and I think it makes the GEP become meaningless when ks parents now frantically \"groom giftedness\".

Heard similar questions / sentiment posted during RI and HCI open hse –the answers from these institutions were - in their experience through the years of DSA, they find these GEPs usually do well for their GAT; coupled with the different track and form of educational experience, these GEPs naturally have no problems adapting to their demanding curriculum – hence, they decided it is unnecessary to subjected these GEPs to the standard evaluation regime.

Their objectives are the same - to select and nurture the most able students they can get as such to help maintain their future standings – hence it would be rather imprudent for them to compromise their standards just to please the GEPs.