Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

[autolycus]

Kiasu Friend:

Mad-Eye Moody:

If my DS score 254+2, he went to ACS, will he be 100% guaranteed to go for the IP Programme, or will he sit for the O'levels?

There are better-qualified persons in this thread, like autolycus, who can answer your question with perfection.

But I can tell you one thing rightaway - in ACSI you cannot get credit for the \"+2 \". As far as ACSI is concerned your son's score will be taken as 254 only. As you would have read elsewhere in this forum, the \"+2\" is applicable only when you apply to SAP schools, not in case of schools like ACSI or RI.

Hope that little clarification helps.

KF, that's a perfect answer as far as the score is concerned!

As for the course your son might get into if he gets into the school, there is no 100% guarantee. Let me explain why.

When a student enters ACS(I), whether as an IP or non-IP student, there are chances to change track. An IP student who does badly may be transferred to the O-level track and a non-IP student who does very well may be transferred to the IP track.

This is because ACS(I) is a hybrid O-level/IP programme; I think it is the only one at the moment (but I might be wrong). The two tracks in the programme provide flexibility for students and also for administrators.

At the end of Year 4, students who do well enough will get through to Years 5 and 6 (the IBDP years, equivalent more or less to JC1 and JC2). If they are O-level students, they have to apply through the JAE. Of course, they get certain concessions.

[junrahmat]

LandLparents:

score is 253 and 2 more for merits in Higher Chinese.

What schools to consider if we stay in east?

Anglican high?

[Mad-Eye Moody]

autolycus:

Kiasu Friend:

[quote=\"Mad-Eye Moody\"]If my DS score 254+2, he went to ACS, will he be 100% guaranteed to go for the IP Programme, or will he sit for the O'levels?

There are better-qualified persons in this thread, like autolycus, who can answer your question with perfection.

But I can tell you one thing rightaway - in ACSI you cannot get credit for the \"+2 \". As far as ACSI is concerned your son's score will be taken as 254 only. As you would have read elsewhere in this forum, the \"+2\" is applicable only when you apply to SAP schools, not in case of schools like ACSI or RI.

Hope that little clarification helps.

KF, that's a perfect answer as far as the score is concerned!

As for the course your son might get into if he gets into the school, there is no 100% guarantee. Let me explain why.

When a student enters ACS(I), whether as an IP or non-IP student, there are chances to change track. An IP student who does badly may be transferred to the O-level track and a non-IP student who does very well may be transferred to the IP track.

This is because ACS(I) is a hybrid O-level/IP programme; I think it is the only one at the moment (but I might be wrong). The two tracks in the programme provide flexibility for students and also for administrators.

At the end of Year 4, students who do well enough will get through to Years 5 and 6 (the IBDP years, equivalent more or less to JC1 and JC2). If they are O-level students, they have to apply through the JAE. Of course, they get certain concessions.[/quote]Sorry to say this, but Autolycus, you haven't answered my question yet. I was wondering if my DS will go to the O' level stream or IP stream with his score of 254. From many other KSP, they say he will go O' level stream first. But I wonder if that is true....

[Nebbermind]

Mad-Eye Moody:

Sorry to say this, but Autolycus, you haven't answered my question yet. I was wondering if my DS will go to the O' level stream or IP stream with his score of 254. From many other KSP, they say he will go O' level stream first. But I wonder if that is true....

think alot of parents failed to see that S1 posting is NOT about absolute COP but who else is applying for the same school (or course, 'O' or IB in this case). If there are 100 IB vacanies and the 100th applicant is 255, he'll get it ahead of your son. But if your 254 falls within the 100, then he'll get his IB.

[autolycus]

Mad-Eye Moody:

Sorry to say this, but Autolycus, you haven't answered my question yet. I was wondering if my DS will go to the O' level stream or IP stream with his score of 254. From many other KSP, they say he will go O' level stream first. But I wonder if that is true....

It is likely that if your DS can get into ACS(I) at all with 254, that he also has a fair chance of entering an IP class. There are now many more IP classes in the IP track than there were in the past. Don't forget that ACS(I) has feeder intake at roughly 235, and classes are reserved for those.

So what might happen? OK, here's a detailed 'flowchart':

1a. DS applies with 254, doesn't get in.
1b. DS applies with 254, gets in.

2a. School has 300 (for example) IP vacancies, DS is in top 300, DS gets IP track.
2b. School has 300 (for example) IP vacancies, DS is not in top 300, DS gets non-IP track.

3a-i. DS is in Year 1 IP, does well in Year 2 finals, continues to Year 3 IP.
3a-ii. DS is in Year 1 IP, does badly by end of Year 2, ends up in Year 3 O-level track.
3b-i. DS is in Year 1 non-IP, does very well in Year 2 finals, gets to Year 3 IP.
3b-ii. DS is in Year 1 non-IP, continues to Year 3 O-level track.

4a-i. DS is in Year 3 IP, will normally continue to Year 5 IBDP after Year 4.
4a-ii. DS is in Year 3 IP, does badly that year, shifted to Year 4 O-level track.
4b-i. DS is in Year 3 O-level track, does well in O-levels, applies for IBDP and enters Year 5 IBDP.
4b-ii. DS is in Year 3 O-level track, does well in O-levels, opts to go elsewhere.
4b-iii. DS is in Year 3 O-level track, does well but not well enough, has to go elsewhere (or appeals and somehow gets into IBDP).

[Mad-Eye Moody]

Nebbermind:

Mad-Eye Moody:

Sorry to say this, but Autolycus, you haven't answered my question yet. I was wondering if my DS will go to the O' level stream or IP stream with his score of 254. From many other KSP, they say he will go O' level stream first. But I wonder if that is true....

think alot of parents failed to see that S1 posting is NOT about absolute COP but who else is applying for the same school (or course, 'O' or IB in this case). If there are 100 IB vacanies and the 100th applicant is 255, he'll get it ahead of your son. But if your 254 falls within the 100, then he'll get his IB.

Thanks

[Polar bear]

Hi, I am caught in a dilemma. I have an aggregate score of 262, and I already have a confirmed place in ACSI under the Direct School Admission. But I am considering appealing to Raffles Institution but I am still undecided as to which school I prefer more. Can someone please tell me the pros and cons of these two schools and the key differences between them. I also wish to know which program, the A levels or the International Baccalaureate would provide me with a better opportunity to enter a good university.


Thank you very much!

[autolycus]

Polar bear:

Hi, I am caught in a dilemma. I have an aggregate score of 262, and I already have a confirmed place in ACSI under the Direct School Admission. But I am considering appealing to Raffles Institution but I am still undecided as to which school I prefer more. Can someone please tell me the pros and cons of these two schools and the key differences between them. I also wish to know which program, the A levels or the International Baccalaureate would provide me with a better opportunity to enter a good university.


Thank you very much!

That's a very complicated question you're asking. I suggest you go to http://public.me.com/brythain and download the file named '2007TSLNIBDPFInal.pdf'. It contains many useful details about the differences between the IBDP and the A-levels.

As for 'better opportunity to enter a good university', that's debatable both ways. Generally, universities think the IB is far superior to generic A-levels in terms of breadth and preparation for university life.

However, the Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-levels, which are different from generic A-levels, are tougher examinations with a larger content base than the usual A-levels. So the high-end universities rate both programmes highly, and students who do well in either one would stand a good chance of entering a good university.

That said, I believe (from my experience of both) that a consistent worker who can multi-task academically and meet deadlines will find a good IB result easier to achieve and have more fun too. It is also a more unusual qualification for a Singaporean student to possess.

If you are not the adventurous kind, RI would be better. ACS(I) tends to be unsettling in many ways until you acclimatize.

I hope that helps!

[Wisedad]

Polar bear:

Hi, I am caught in a dilemma. I have an aggregate score of 262, and I already have a confirmed place in ACSI under the Direct School Admission. But I am considering appealing to Raffles Institution but I am still undecided as to which school I prefer more. Can someone please tell me the pros and cons of these two schools and the key differences between them. I also wish to know which program, the A levels or the International Baccalaureate would provide me with a better opportunity to enter a good university.


Thank you very much!

My son was in a similar dilemma a few years ago and he chose to go to RI.

I think you also should go for RI. My reasons are:

(1) While both schools are very good, the peer group you will find in RI will be much closer to your level.

(2) ACSI has both IP and 'O' level. It has a more generic crowd as a result, with its own pros and cons. But RI has only IP. For a person like you who scored 262, RI will suit more, I believe.

I have a great respect for ACSI. So please do not take offence. Thanks.

[Muffins]

Wah, no need to come here anymore. Autolycus has taken over this thread page!