NUS High School of Mathematics and Science (Diploma)

[matadorepy]

krtc.marineparade:

DVL:

[quote=\"ngbrdad\"]Hi need some clarification on the DSA test.

Does it consist of math and science papers only or is English included as well ?
And are the papers mainly olympiad/GAT type or usual exam type ?

In the past, Round 1 test consists of Maths and science questions. It is quite different from the GAT type. Emphasis is on Mathematical analytical skills (questions are similar to the Olympiad type) and on scientific principles (lower sec level). Not sure if the school would change it this year.

Hope it helps.

I guess students who are going for the NUSH test must be strong in algebra and perhaps already know about Pythagoras Theorem (which the GEP kids should know)

You can visit the link below which included a sharing of a Sec 3 student who had gone through all these DSA tests before:


http://krtc-marineparade.blogspot.com/2011/05/direct-school-admission-what-to-choose.html[/quote]Ha ha. Another tuition centre trying to market their testing kit for NUSH DSA.

My DD took the NUSH DSA test last year. She was from GEP and GEP does not cover Algebra in their math curriculum.

Mathematically-wise she does understand a little of Algebra operations. However she does not know anything about Pythagoras theorem. The NUSH maths/ science testing IMHO, is not about what the kids should know or what they have'nt know. That's why there is no special preparation required.

It is basically a testing of the child's ability to understand scientific concept and maths theorems (which they probably have never been exposed to). More importantly is the testing of the kid's ability to interpret or make inference of information from these concepts and theorems. My DD shared that actually the Maths is easier than her GEP testing.

[krtc.031345marineparade]

matadorepy:

krtc.marineparade:

I guess students who are going for the NUSH test must be strong in algebra and perhaps already know about Pythagoras Theorem (which the GEP kids should know)

You can visit the link below which included a sharing of a Sec 3 student who had gone through all these DSA tests before:


http://krtc-marineparade.blogspot.com/2011/05/direct-school-admission-what-to-choose.html

Ha ha. Another tuition centre trying to market their testing kit for NUSH DSA.

My DD took the NUSH DSA test last year. She was from GEP and GEP does not cover Algebra in their math curriculum.

Mathematically-wise she does understand a little of Algebra operations. However she does not know anything about Pythagoras theorem. The NUSH maths/ science testing IMHO, is not about what the kids should know or what they have'nt know. That's why there is no special preparation required.

It is basically a testing of the child's ability to understand scientific concept and maths theorems (which they probably have never been exposed to). More importantly is the testing of the kid's ability to interpret or make inference of information from these concepts and theorems. My DD shared that actually the Maths is easier than her GEP testing.

Please do not be mistaken, Krtc@Marine Parade does not offer DSA preparatory courses. This is, albeit several requests for us to start a lesson.

Just like you, I am sharing this information as a parent that have also gone through this stage of \"anxiety\" and hoping to find out more from others who had the experience. In fact I have a child who had sat for the NUSH paper and was accepted in after the selection camp.

Interestingly, I have students who have sat for the NUSH DSA paper and they have told me about different styles of questions in the paper. From what I hear, it seems like the same question can be solved by different methods.

Just an example, a Geometry Question can be solved very quickly using the Pythagoras Theorem but if a student is not aware of that method, he/she may choose to use a longer method to solve the question. In the process that student may have less time to attempt other questions. Similarly, the famed Gauss-inspired question (1+2+3...+99+100) can be very well solved by manually adding the numbers up. However, if the student was exposed to such questions before, they would know the pairing method of solving such a question!

As for the Science portion of the paper, from what I have been told, there are Data-based questions as well as questions needing prior knowledge of scientific concepts beyond their Primary syllabus. For example, the difference between weight and mass, the particulate theory of matter and others.

Generally, NUSH is looking for students with a deep interest in Maths and Science and those who have read widely, beyond what they are expected in PSLE, hence a separate DSA paper. Even in the selection camp, many will be amazed by the expectations NUSH has for the students. There they are tested on concepts such as difference Gram-positive vs. Gram-negative bacteria. Having said that, the teachers and seniors facilitating the camp they are not focusing a lot on the students knowledge of such concepts, but on other qualities the student possess. Hopefully, we will have a chance to share with you when the time comes.

[Pen88n]

Thanks for the sharing, KRTC. It is indeed very enlightening!

[usaik]

Hi, may I know do students who graduate from NUS High stands a better chance in getting into NUS?

[PlatypusMeowMeow]

I’ve just applied forthe NUSH DSA thing. Anyone can give opinions on the Math aptitute test?

[ngbrdad]

My DS is taking the selection test this Sat.

The email from NUSH only mention that the test is 3 hours.
Students are to bring pencils and erasers and there are instructions on shading the answer sheet.
So looks like it will be all MCQ ?

[PlatypusMeowMeow]

No. Only the science was MCQ. the math was not

[rara]

has any parent received outcome of the nush test?

[walterp]

rara:

has any parent received outcome of the nush test?

Based on my DD experience last year, you will get an email anytime from Friday late afternoon to Sat afternoon. No news is good news.

If you receive anything any earlier, it won't be good news.

Good luck.

[rara]

Thanks for your advice:)