DSA 2011

[Strparent]

jtoh:

Just to clarify, 70% is the baseline for GEP subjects, meaning it's the minimum the students should be scoring for any subject from P4-P6. If you score below 70% you'll be asked to buck up, attend remedial etc. So it is a figure to let you know that your child's performance is ok, but not that it's safe for DSA. That 70% baseline score is a separate percentage from the 80% overall average for P5 and P6 SA1 which DSA schools look at.

Generally, if you score >80%, you are not required to take GAT etc and your chances of being offered a CO are high, though not guaranteed.

No one's promised that GEP means success at DSA. In fact, the official word from MOE is that GEP students have to compete for DSA COs with all other mainstreamers. The MOE indication of >80% getting COs is based on past year's figures and one can only project that possibly it will remain the same. Again, no guarantee.

For GEPpers, I think many people under-estimate the importance of the GAT/HAST test and the key INTERVIEW.

Yes, the 70%, 80% gauge is a good guideline, but the performance on the GAT test AND the interview can throw a lifeline to those who did not get >80%.

Last year, my DS's classmate got abt 66% for SA1 P6. He applied to ACS, RI, NJC and HCI. He had to take all the necessary written tests of course. Rejected by RI and NJC after the tests, and went for interviews at ACS and HCI. Then he also was rejected by ACS, and guess what ? He received a CO from HCI.

He must have done very well in his interview, because some boys who had 77% for SA1, were only shortlisted at HCI 1st WL.

Therefore, if one is to attempt the DSA route, he or she MUST put his/her best efforts forward and try to impress them during the interview. Much like real life, the interview can override your CV.

[ngbrdad]

Strparent:

Hi Tisha,

actually I feel that the NJC program for DSA is the most comprehensive and FAIR of all the IP schools. They do not give priority to GEP students at all, unlike RI, RGS and HCI, who prefers the GEPpers with above 80%, and even DHS who offer firm spots to GEPpers with 75%.

in fact, they always wait till late to decide the COs, so that those who already got COs from other schs who either drop out of the NJC one or would not be so interested anymore, which they can see during the delayed interview and camp. And the written tests were all more comprehensive and detailed too.

My DS's classmates last yr had COs from NUSH, RI and HCI, but his parents want him to go NJC ( for certain reasons ), but he did not get CO at the end, I suspect he said too much about his other COs during his interview, hahaha.

And I like the boarding school program, which is great for young teens who had been very dependent at home , with the overly protective mums and maids.

So, not true about mainstream getting lesser chance, in fact I suspect it's the other way round, because most GEPpers prefer the more prestigious schools and NJC knows that.

Good luck to all waiting for NJC DSA. :xedfingers:

I don't know how important is the interview in the NJC DSA but certianly it's not very fair.
There are simply too many panels and different durations for the interviews.
Some panels have HOD, discipline master etc while some consist of PE teachers.
The allocation of the panel was done prior to the day activity so should be random.
So if it is deemed very important then there is a huge chunk of luck involved.

[Tinkerbelle]

Brenda10:

Hi,


Sorry for the late update as we were busy during the last few days.

DD recd an unsuccessful letter from DHS last week!

Have jokingly told her that perhaps there are too many 舞林高手 lah！ :evil:

Therefore she is still a 自由身 that can sign her contract with different tier of school base on her PSLE result!

BTW, we found the DSA process is a great experience and DD had learnt and experience how competitive that she will be facing when she move to Secondary school.

Hi Brenda,
Sorry to hear about it. Don't be too disheartened....Your DD has given her best shot and had a great learning experience. Encourage her not to give up...focus on her PSLE and I'm positive she'll get into her dream sch. Jia you! :ugogirl:

[matadorepy]

Strparent:

tisha:

I also agree that the DSA experience was a great one. The NJC camp and interview was a good exposure for DS.

Even though I've joined the bandwagon of waiting for this NJC letter, I do not have high hopes.
We went thru this DSA with an open mind. Being from main stream I was well aware that the chances are not high. Nevertheless need to give our kids the oppotunities they deserve(so as not to regret later).

Hi Tisha,

actually I feel that the NJC program for DSA is the most comprehensive and FAIR of all the IP schools. They do not give priority to GEP students at all, unlike RI, RGS and HCI, who prefers the GEPpers with above 80%, and even DHS who offer firm spots to GEPpers with 75%.

in fact, they always wait till late to decide the COs, so that those who already got COs from other schs who either drop out of the NJC one or would not be so interested anymore, which they can see during the delayed interview and camp. And the written tests were all more comprehensive and detailed too.

My DS's classmates last yr had COs from NUSH, RI and HCI, but his parents want him to go NJC ( for certain reasons ), but he did not get CO at the end, I suspect he said too much about his other COs during his interview, hahaha.

And I like the boarding school program, which is great for young teens who had been very dependent at home , with the overly protective mums and maids.

So, not true about mainstream getting lesser chance, in fact I suspect it's the other way round, because most GEPpers prefer the more prestigious schools and NJC knows that.

Good luck to all waiting for NJC DSA. :xedfingers:

I beg to differ from your view about NJC awarding CO to GEPers.

From my DD and her GEPers frens' experience last year, most of the GEPers who applied NJC actually got the CO even though the interviewers know that most GEPers may get more than 1 or more CO or WLs from other IP school. A case of my DD classmate who actually got both RGS and NJC COs but chose to go NJC instead. Like it or not, those GEPers who make it thru the Hast test, NJC Camp and the final interview round will somehow still have an edge over mainstreamers. NJC will also want a fair share of the cream even though they might not be the preferred destination of the most GEpers.

[Tinkerbelle]

phankao:

My ds also received unsuccessful letter from DHS. But oh well, actually he didn't really want to go there at all. Then he blamed me that I *encouraged* him to apply for that school. At least he has CO from the school he wants to go to. Just hope he does well for PSLE. 23 days MORE to go!!!!!!

Hi phankao,
Sorry to hear about your DS's DHS outcome. All is not lost...He has a CO from his dream sch, CH and he'll be happy there. All the best to him for his PSLE. :rahrah:

[Brenda10]

Tinkerbelle:

Hi Brenda,

Sorry to hear about it. Don't be too disheartened....Your DD has given her best shot and had a great learning experience. Encourage her not to give up...focus on her PSLE and I'm positive she'll get into her dream sch. Jia you! :ugogirl:

Hi Tinkerbelle,

Thank your for your encouragement and good wishes!

DD is ok and plan to go her classmate house for game after Wednesday class! :evil:

[Tinkerbelle]

Brenda10:

Tinkerbelle:

Hi Brenda,

Sorry to hear about it. Don't be too disheartened....Your DD has given her best shot and had a great learning experience. Encourage her not to give up...focus on her PSLE and I'm positive she'll get into her dream sch. Jia you! :ugogirl:

Hi Tinkerbelle,

Thank your for your encouragement and good wishes!

DD is ok and plan to go her classmate house for game after Wednesday class! :evil:

Hi Brenda,
Great to hear that your DD is coping well.....That's the spirit! :rahrah:
She's lucky to have a supportive mummy like yourself.
Wishing your DD all the best in her PSLE.

[comfy]

jtoh:

comfy:

I will like to ask a question. If a child(GEP) is offered CO, can she opt out of SBGE prog, mean join the rest of the mainstream in the IP prog.

The SBGE programme in some schools is conducted across the entire student population. So everyone is in SBGE, regardless of whether they're in the GEP classes or mainstream classes. So you can't opt out of the SBGE programme. If you're asking if you can ask not to be in the GEP classes, I suppose you could, although I don't know of anyone who has.

The reason why I ask is I wonder where they are grouped as. Will they be put in a GEP prog. like in Pri school. or some specialised group that the expectation is higher that other classes from mainstream. I simply will not want to have to stress myself and will like my dd to develop at her own pace not super pace like now. I also don't want to send her for tuition hence thought of finding out more this time round. I read from another mother who didn't know that her dd is still monitor as a GEP in IP school and the expectation like exam result is marked higher that other students.

[Tinkerbelle]

Interested:

Can understand how Blur dad feeling and thanks Daddydaddy for writing how I feel. My DS is in the same or even worst situation then Blur Dad, ds got less then 75% and got rejected by all 3 sch, not even CO/WL. I understand this year (or maybe I'm not aware of prev yrs) <80% got CO the rest got WL or Rej. If this is the case why told us in the beginning that 70% is safe in GEP ?? If less then 75% mark geppers got rej then this year Geppers without CO is more the 20% rite ?? Not all applied for more then 3 sch and if got rejected mean they fall inside the no CO group. I really confuse now, if <70% but less the 75% got no CO then it should be more the 20% w/o any sch thru DSA rite ?? I'm really confuse now....

Hi Interested,
Sorry to hear about your DS's rejection. Don't lose hope....focus on PSLE now and I'm sure your DS will get into his dream sch eventually.
All the best to your DS! :rahrah:

[ngbrdad]

matadorepy:

I beg to differ from your view about NJC awarding CO to GEPers.

From my DD and her GEPers frens' experience last year, most of the GEPers who applied NJC actually got the CO even though the interviewers know that most GEPers may get more than 1 or more CO or WLs from other IP school. A case of my DD classmate who actually got both RGS and NJC COs but chose to go NJC instead. Like it or not, those GEPers who make it thru the Hast test, NJC Camp and the final interview round will somehow still have an edge over mainstreamers. NJC will also want a fair share of the cream even though they might not be the preferred destination of the most GEpers.

Actually NJC never ask in the online form whether the kid is from GEP or not.
They can only know if it's indicated in the P5/P6 results submitted.
Some school like my DS's did not indicated their GEP status in the P6 results for SA1.

So NJC may not even know that the kid is from GEP.