GEP 2011 - Screening & Selection
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ksi:
I know of a few students who were doing pretty well (in first class of cohort) from P1 - P3, and they are those who will con't to do well in mainstream, but alas, when they 'luckily' got into GEP, they suffer low self-esteem as they become the most struggling in their GEP cohort. Definitely not something that the parents and kid had imagined. Whether they would be DSAed into their dreamschool later on, I believe, for a better childhood, they should be better off in mainstream.jtoh:
If you get in, you get in. If you don't, you don't.
This is the healthy mindset.
Be careful what you wish for. -
chamonix:
definitely not a loss to not want to take the test. there are many routes to success (and many definitions too), so long one has the correct mindset and attitude.jedamum:
but to forgo GEP testing to focus on SA2 prep...how many GEP testing can one experience in a lifetime?
You mean not taking the tests, right? Actually, not many singaporean kids residing overseas would fly back for the GEP tests. It's not something one must experience.
A friend's brother (in his twenties now) chose to forgo the GEP programme. He did very well in mainstream and graduated from a renowned university in UK. A GEPPER (in his thirties now) opted not to attend university and joined the commercial airline as a pilot. Both are very happy with their lives.
but just because want to prepare SA and forgo the test...it is like too already. -
Picolo:
I know of a few students who were doing pretty well (in first class of cohort) from P1 - P3, and they are those who will con't to do well in mainstream, but alas, when they 'luckily' got into GEP, they suffer low self-esteem as they become the most struggling in their GEP cohort. Definitely not something that the parents and kid had imagined. Whether they would be DSAed into their dreamschool later on, I believe, for a better childhood, they should be better off in mainstream.ksi:
[quote=\"jtoh\"] If you get in, you get in. If you don't, you don't.
This is the healthy mindset.
Be careful what you wish for.[/quote]but the thing is, this is like a 'gamble'. some say we know our kids capabilities best; some said that we should trust our kids to surprise us with their abilities. then how? for those not specifically/obviously gifted and then got thru 2nd round, how? throw a dice? leap of faith?
all those who opt to take up should have a ready option to transfer back to mainstream. -
jedamum:
Err... Actually I don't think my cousin told her dd to forgo the GEP tests just to prepare for SA2 lah (the first test was in August rite?). She said she prefers \"big fish small pond\", prefers her daughter to do well academically in an above average school and have positive self-esteem, rather than risk the possibility of being the average/bottom in a GEP cohort and lose self-esteem... So the SA2 results example she gave, I presume, was to make the point that her decision was right anyways...
definitely not a loss to not want to take the test. there are many routes to success (and many definitions too), so long one has the correct mindset and attitude.
but just because want to prepare SA and forgo the test...it is like too already.
Well... I think there has been a lot of debate about whether big-fish-small-pond is better or small-fish-big-pond better... So my cousin is one who subscribes to the former.... -
Judging from what’s happening these 2 years,ie. increasingly, bright students can’t cope with GEP programmes, excessive focus on GEP as if it’s the new DSA to choiced sec schools, I agree that it really seems like a ‘gamble’ like what you say.
The backup plan to go back to mainstream is a very weak one, by then, people would have lablelled the child 'the child who cannot make it. Sad.
Unless the kid is finding mainstream too boring and predictable, I think staying in mainstream is not a bad idea. -
mommyNg:
I know what you mean, usually people would be very surprised why the kids opt out, and when asked by the curious folks, the kids will just add on ' oh... so that I have more time to study for SA2... ' blar blar blar in order to give a 'valid' answer... actually, they are just very decisive and have long decided not to take part in the GEP chase...
Err... Actually I don't think my cousin told her dd to forgo the GEP tests just to prepare for SA2 lah (the first test was in August rite?). She said she prefers \"big fish small pond\", prefers her daughter to do well academically in an above average school and have positive self-esteem, rather than risk the possibility of being the average/bottom in a GEP cohort and lose self-esteem... So the SA2 results example she gave, I presume, was to make the point that her decision was right anyways...jedamum:
definitely not a loss to not want to take the test. there are many routes to success (and many definitions too), so long one has the correct mindset and attitude.
but just because want to prepare SA and forgo the test...it is like too already.
Well... I think there has been a lot of debate about whether big-fish-small-pond is better or small-fish-big-pond better... So my cousin is one who subscribes to the former.... -
Picolo:
BINGO!! :hi5:
I know what you mean, usually people would be very surprised why the kids opt out, and when asked by the curious folks, the kids will just add on ' oh... so that I have more time to study for SA2... ' blar blar blar in order to give a 'valid' answer... actually, they are just very decisive and have long decided not to take part in the GEP chase... -
mommyNg:
:hi5: :celebrate:
BINGO!! :hi5:Picolo:
I know what you mean, usually people would be very surprised why the kids opt out, and when asked by the curious folks, the kids will just add on ' oh... so that I have more time to study for SA2... ' blar blar blar in order to give a 'valid' answer... actually, they are just very decisive and have long decided not to take part in the GEP chase... -
mommyNg:
BINGO BINGO.
BINGO!! :hi5:Picolo:
I know what you mean, usually people would be very surprised why the kids opt out, and when asked by the curious folks, the kids will just add on ' oh... so that I have more time to study for SA2... ' blar blar blar in order to give a 'valid' answer... actually, they are just very decisive and have long decided not to take part in the GEP chase... -
what’s there to chase? if a child is not gifted, all the tuition in the world will not make them gifted, no? if they get it then good for them. i think those who don’t cope after getting in probably forced the issue and aren’t really gifted, just trained to answer the GEP questions.
just a thought.
on another issue - if a child is selected for GEP and transfers to a new school then realizes he/she cannot cope and decide not to pursue, do they have to go back to their original school or can they join the mainstream in the new school? -
learningtobekiasu:
They are encouraged to join mainstream in the new school since already transferred and more or less settled there. However, I know of 2 cases tt went back to former sch as they like it better there (friends, CCA etc). So I think it is up to the parents or child.
on another issue - if a child is selected for GEP and transfers to a new school then realizes he/she cannot cope and decide not to pursue, do they have to go back to their original school or can they join the mainstream in the new school? -
pecalis:
thank you. getting into GEP can be a back door interschool transfer then. lol
They are encouraged to join mainstream in the new school since already transferred and more or less settled there. However, I know of 2 cases tt went back to former sch as they like it better there (friends, CCA etc). So I think it is up to the parents or child.learningtobekiasu:
on another issue - if a child is selected for GEP and transfers to a new school then realizes he/she cannot cope and decide not to pursue, do they have to go back to their original school or can they join the mainstream in the new school? -
learningtobekiasu:
Not always the case.i think those who don't cope after getting in probably forced the issue and aren't really gifted, just trained to answer the GEP questions.
DS was not trained to answers GEP questions, but got into GEP. We also don't have the financial to send him to those GEP preparation's class.
During P4 he struggled a lot eventhough he was 1st in level and 3 subjects in his P3.
GEP subjects are not the same as mainstreams, they are taught to explore further, more indepth. Also require a lot of independent learning as too many things to catch up. Imagine that they have to learn mainstream's P4, P5, P6 or even Secondary subject by themselves, teacher only went through those they didn't really understand... -
does this GEP accelerated fast pace programme cramp only Sec 1 or also up to Sec 2 curriculum, try to scale down & fit to suit children at (P4, P5, P6) level ?
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Picolo:
It really depends on how one approaches the GEP. If you recognise the fact that this is a collection of 'gifted' students and accept that there will be a 'higher mountain' out there, u will be able to maintain your self esteem. So if u take it as an alternative journey (more like an exploration) and eventually u still take the psle like the rest, it will be less stressful.I know of a few students who were doing pretty well (in first class of cohort) from P1 - P3, and they are those who will con't to do well in mainstream, but alas, when they 'luckily' got into GEP, they suffer low self-esteem as they become the most struggling in their GEP cohort. Definitely not something that the parents and kid had imagined. Whether they would be DSAed into their dreamschool later on, I believe, for a better childhood, they should be better off in mainstream.
Be careful what you wish for.
That being said, it's not just your ability to learn in GEP. There are also alot of work which require certain level of maturity in thinking. This can be a challenge especially for many P4, and also alot of boys who r typcially 'slower' .
Personally, I don't feel that GEP is really an accelerated prog although they touch on some sec school stuff. more like a field trip...they bring u there and it's up to you to discover... -
So anyone know of any result out so far for the 2nd selection ? Looks like the earlier news on ACS is only a rumour after all ?
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phtthp:
does this GEP accelerated fast pace programme cramp only Sec 1 or also up to Sec 2 curriculum, try to scale down & fit to suit children at (P4, P5, P6) level ?
It's more like expose the children earlier to the materials ahead of their actual time/level. In this case expose them to P5, P6 or even Sec 1 or Sec 2 in certain subjects. The important thing is the children have to be open minded and not deceiving themselves by saying 'I'm only P4' which happened to my DS when he started in P4 GEP journey... -
ACS rpund two result is indeed out. I heard from a teacher. Out since Monday.
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aada:
ACS rpund two result is indeed out. I heard from a teacher. Out since Monday.
Thanks aada.
Any idea how many got in ? Ratio of boys to girls ? -
Just4Fun:
ACS - only Boys!aada:
ACS rpund two result is indeed out. I heard from a teacher. Out since Monday.
Thanks aada.
Any idea how many got in ? Ratio of boys to girls ?