2009 DSA(Direct School Admission)
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NdHelpParent:
I'd beg to differ. No one can confirm if gep = good score in GAT.Hey...i agree with Turquiose...i know that NYGH also interview GEP students if necessary (refer to their DSA FAQ website)... they only skip the GAT as they are GEP already!
They are 2 different tests of abilities on their own. And because of the fact that the GAT tests do screen some people out of the school admissions, i feel that all the students would be given an equal chance of getting admitted through DSA only if gep students went for the screening tests as well. -
edanson:
ksp65[quote]Is DSA more for GEP students only? Is it a fair selection?
Again another hear say and another 'unfairness' mentioned.
KSP65:[quote]I have been following this forum and enjoying reading them.[/quote]I really doubt that you have been following this forum ??? :?
If you did, you will not have believe in hear say and starting another doubts on GEP students again.
Yes, even my boy need to go through interveiw at RI and also sat for a writing test cum interview at HCI and to date there is still no news.
Even if they are excused (so far I only heard about NYG), they must score above 80% in their SA1 at P6 which means they must be already the top 1%
Ok, this excused for test did not apply for boys applying for HCI and RI, even if they score 90%. (All this was mentioned in the earlier post)
Turquoise is definiitely right. KSP65 please re-read the complete forum and read them caredully if you are really keen about this topic. Thank you.[/quote]The situation here is very clear and it will never end. If you have a child in GEP, he is deemed to be gifted because he has proven himself in the P3 MCQ screening test. And by all means, the parents will also prove to you that he is REALLY gifted because he doesn't need to be trained for MO, he has all the talents and passion for the subject. Good job, mummy & daddy. If he doesn't do too well in PSLE, please excuse him because he is being trained (oops, wrong word to use, not trained but exposed) to more complex and more indepth subject and leave no time to prepare well enough for PSLE. So, when they apply for DSA, they should be excused from taking GAT because it's afterall just a General Ability Test which they have already taken during their P3 screening test. What for waste time and resources.
But it's ok, because ultimately, the only passport to the U is the A level results, heng ah! Good luck to GEPers' (parents, I mean). -
Fluffy:
Edanson & Fluffy,I have a GEP son who graduated last year and a current non GEP Pri 5 daughter. Most parents who have GEP and Non-GEP children would have agreed that diligent is still paramount to success whether the child is in GEP or not. GEP curriculum is broader and deeper and I suspect the MOE GEP branch feels that these selected students are able to cope with the demands of the program. However, those with attitude and discipline problems end up like some parents had already mentioned with no confirmed DSA placing.
.... All students were given the option to pay for maths competition as enrichment program. ....parents could train them like a case of a boy whose mother is a maths expert.
...Dilligence, discipline and right attitude is still a major contribution in any child's success. The GEP curriculum does not help a child perform better in PSLE if the child does not put in effort as the program requires a child to have a good grasp of basis knowledge in the various subjects in order to follow up with the deeper learning and requirements of the workload and projects. ..... it just means EFFORTS = RESULTS.
It seems that all the three of us are in the same situation; having a son in GEP and a younger daughter in mainstream who cleared the GEP screening but not the selection round. I agree totally with what you have shared so far.
On MO Training:
My son in GEP did not receive any Maths Olympiad training from his school nor from any private centre. I learnt, much later that selection for the Advance Maths Club in his school was done based on a test the P4 GEP classes were given (without prior notification) on the 2nd day of P4. My son could not even remember taking the test ( it was his 2nd day in a new school). Those selected were then given an option for paid-enrichment class in MO which stretches for 3 years! I would have prefered him to receive MO training from his school as he is very strong in Maths. However, I did not send him for outside MO Training as I was working long hours and found it too much trouble. Despite this, he was among the top few scorers (close to full marks) for Maths in his school's Prelim although there were many Platinum awardees among his peers. Now in an IP school, he continues to do well in Maths; GPA of 4 so far & no MO training/competition due to time & cost factors. -
turquoise:
Yes, my daughter's friends. They may have applied through CCAs though.Yes, NYGH DSA's procedure last year included written tests in several subjects including a Chinese essay, as well as interviews. GEP students had to take the tests too.
btw, has anyone in mainstream who didn't go for NYGH interview get a confirmed offer already? -
JustKP:
If only MOE can be more 'open' about their selection tests for GEP, there may not be so much unhappiness among parents & students.
The situation here is very clear and it will never end. If you have a child in GEP, he is deemed to be gifted because he has proven himself in the P3 MCQ screening test. And by all means, the parents will also prove to you that he is REALLY gifted because he doesn't need to be trained for MO, he has all the talents and passion for the subject. Good job, mummy & daddy. If he doesn't do too well in PSLE, please excuse him because he is being trained (oops, wrong word to use, not trained but exposed) to more complex and more indepth subject and leave no time to prepare well enough for PSLE. So, when they apply for DSA, they should be excused from taking GAT because it's afterall just a General Ability Test which they have already taken during their P3 screening test. What for waste time and resources.
But it's ok, because ultimately, the only passport to the U is the A level results, heng ah! Good luck to GEPers' (parents, I mean).
Perhaps MOE should scrap the whole GEP thingy altogether. Then KS parents will not need to spend so much effort & money trying to get their kids in.
Maybe MOE should extend the GEP teaching pedagogy/curriculum to all primary schools instead of offering it to a select few based on screening/selection tests. Then, it will be a level playing field as all & sundry would have received the same level of education. This will mean a total revamp of our education system - for the better! However, those who 'could not take it' will start to protest and complain that their kids are made to spend so much time doing stuff that are not 'relevant' for the PSLE and not being prepared rigorously enough for the PSLE.
Could it be better if MOE allows more students to be in the GEP than just the top 1% of the cohort?
Maybe, the top 10% instead? In that case, my daughter will surely be in! 
Those parents who feel their child is bright but not the top 1% will be happy that he/she is given a chance to be included. (as in our IP)
This thread is on DSA. Don't know why it has turned into a GEP/MO thread. -
KSP65:
[quote]Please no personal attack here. We do not need experts that know the topic well to give their views. Otherwise this forum is only opened to moe/school/teachers.
There is no doubts on GEP students ability. The doubts is (sure some parents think the same) the selection is fair or not? Some schools allows GEP students to apply earlier, some schools allow GEP students to skip any screening tests. Isn't this priority given to GEP students for these schools? [/quote]By no means I am giving personal attack but in your previous post, you have mentioned that you have followed through this forum so I am just trying to high light to you that you may have miss some post accidentally and so please re-read them.
I am of no way experts in anything but just plain sharing with other parents with what I know and what others may wish to know.
But afterall, I think you are more expert and sound very confident in what you are saying, I supposed you do not need any sharing except confirmation or agreement with your statement - you win but doesn't mean I agree.
Your sensitivity has make me ( and I believe many others ) who will be worried to share now . Anyhow, for what you have said , I think I shall make myself scarce from now, as further sharing may be assumed as 'showing off' or whatever .
Sharing doesn't help but bring trouble . Thank you -
Oh yes, last but not least :
Happy National Day to all !
Good luck to all your children in their coming prelim and the coming PSLE too.
ALL THE BEST ! -
Just KP’s tone in his/her retort smacks of sarcasm and envy that has no place at all in this useful forum tt is meant for mutual understanding and sharing of fellow parents’ experience and ideas for the benefit of our kid’s education journey.
I advise Just KP to read the ‘All about GEP’ forum to understand why we need this programme. Also, the PSLE is an exam that mainstream primary sch goers spend their pri sch yrs preparing for and it is viewed as a reliable gauge on how to further stream these kids into sec sch. Most mainstream pupils will hv to face the ‘O’ levels n a small % will get to go the IP route. For the GEPers, these kids do not need to prove to JustKP whether they are truly gifted, or whether they will do well in the PSLE or ‘A’ Levels because if this is the GEP’s aim then it will be shallow and a waste of education funding. IP schs hv the resources and facilities to further nurture these gifted kids, tt is why at least 80% of each GEP cohort will gain entry to a sec sch via DSA. The ultimate destination for a gifted child is to be a self-learner on a life-long journey of learning in the field of his passion.
For all pupils who make it to a succesful ‘A’ levels via the DSA or otherwise, through rote-learning or independent learning, through self-mugging or expensive tutoring, when they reach the top of the education ladder, i hope that they will find their passion and calling in life.
So i hope Just KP will see the big picture and not let this supposed DSA unfairness cloud his/her understanding in this matter. -
whysoserious:
It's not a matter of agree or disagree. We can choose to agree or disagree but so what? Its a fact that NYGH let GEP students skip GAT. We have no say and have no basis to comment or judge.... It's not for us \"outsider\" or \"parents\" to judge the selection. The whole selection frankly is a mystery and the true criteria is only known to the DSA schools.I'd beg to differ. No one can confirm if gep = good score in GAT.
They are 2 different tests of abilities on their own. And because of the fact that the GAT tests do screen some people out of the school admissions, i feel that all the students would be given an equal chance of getting admitted through DSA only if gep students went for the screening tests as well.
And Yes... GEP pupils do not have it easy u know... their time tabe is packed in school.... and at such a young age...they hv alot to cope. This was what i learnt from a Gifted programme teacher.
So let's not speculate anymore on how the DSA school select students.. i only can finger crossed for my girl.. if enter cheers otherwise my girl will simply continue to achieve by studying well for PSLE lo...
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whysoserious:
I'd beg to differ. No one can confirm if gep = good score in GAT.NdHelpParent:
Hey...i agree with Turquiose...i know that NYGH also interview GEP students if necessary (refer to their DSA FAQ website)... they only skip the GAT as they are GEP already!
They are 2 different tests of abilities on their own. And because of the fact that the GAT tests do screen some people out of the school admissions, i feel that all the students would be given an equal chance of getting admitted through DSA only if gep students went for the screening tests as well.
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