PSLE - New Format for Maths

[Tang]

MrsLow:

now... the ministry wants our children in Primary to know the topic well and knows the exact application...


Frankly speaking ... (personal opinion only), the Jim and Ken questions many assessment book came out similar questions already. The ministry probably wants the students to know the concepts rather than memorise steps and technique. As for the meilin speed questions... the formula of speed/Distance and Time must be clearly known... on top of that I see it as more of a rate question.

Devi and Raj is an old PSLE questions also...
pardon me if you think I am wrong...this is purely what I saw after knowing and doing many PSLE questions.

infact since the introduction of calculators...it is easier to combine model illustration with algebra to solve difficult questions.

This year P6 students have an disadvantage of not being able to use the time saved in Paper 1 for Paper 2. It will be very stressful. I doubt I will be able to get the answer for the speed question under the same examination condition.

[Michael.012516 J.012516 Jackson]

kiasipluskiasu:

hmmm...anyone remembers the question and answer for the pyramid question???if i remember clearly, its question7, the one on which net cannot be formed into the 'pyramid shown above'. Paper 1, Booklet A (MCQ question) :?: :? :? Pls help.Thanks.[/img]

The question is to find the net that do not form the pyramid, Ans: 2

[LR_12_3008]

Michael. J. Jackson:

The question is to find the net that do not form the pyramid, Ans: 2

No, the answer is 4.

[david59]

MrsLow:

infact since the introduction of calculators...it is easier to combine model illustration with algebra to solve difficult questions.

Personally, if I had my way I would rather the kids not use calculator until they are in secondary school. Why? Those PSLE questions could easily be done without the use of a calculator.Besides, many students have become too dependent on the calculator. Let me explain. I work with the Pri sixers in the student care centre and these are some of my observations.
For example, what is the sum total of 1+2+3+4 ... +20.
The right approach is to use Heuristic approach of adding 1+20=21, 2+19=21. Therefore, 1 to 20 can be grouped into 10 sets of every 2 numbers that adds up to 21. Thus the total sum is 21 x 10 = 210.
However, the lazy approach is to simply use the calculator and add 1+2+3+4 all the way to 20 and bingo! the answer 210 appears before your eyes.
Another bad habit I have discovered among some students is that when they are not sure whether they should use multiplication or division, or which set of numbers to divide or multiply with, they simply use the calculator to try and try until they finally come up with an answer that seems reasonable.
What I worry is that the not so smart kids are slowly abandoning the analytical approach to solving questions by relying too much on the calculator to do 'try here, try there' method until they feel that they have got a reasonable answer.

Any parent feels that your child is like what I discuss?

[MrsLow]

Tang:

This year P6 students have an disadvantage of not being able to use the time saved in Paper 1 for Paper 2. It will be very stressful. I doubt I will be able to get the answer for the speed question under the same examination condition.

In any exam, the child must be taught the syllabus, time-management and stress management... In Singapore probably this is what the ministry wants too.. know, be inform and be prepare... as I have mention before one must know the topic well and must not depend on memorise concepts. .. in every questions there are clue... or clues... student must know and be taught... even so..not many can readily receive this information unless they know the application of the formula well.

Its true that PSLE maths is tough but this is also part of the process to know the future scholar. We must remember the fact that this is Singapore, if one wants to survive in out education system, all must go through this.

In my opinion, the ministry wants our students to be a thinker, practical person and have alot of drive in this subject. ...\"only the fittest will survive\" ..this is how I see the situation...

[MrsLow]

[quote]Any parent feels that your child is like what I discuss?[/quote]
Its true that the Pri.5/6 students became very dependent on calculators. Its important that parents must councel and guide the child about the do's and don't.

Teachers also play a very important role to educate the children for the proper use.

I saw similar problem surface as what you have mentioned, its still important to remind the students all the time.

[david59]

MrsLow:

In any exam, the child must be taught the syllabus, time-management and stress management... In Singapore probably this is what the ministry wants too.. know, be inform and be prepare... as I have mention before one must know the topic well and must not depend on memorise concepts. .. in every questions there are clue... or clues... student must know and be taught... even so..not many can readily receive this information unless they know the application of the formula well.


Its true that PSLE maths is tough but this is also part of the process to know the future scholar. We must remember the fact that this is Singapore, if one wants to survive in out education system, all must go through this.

In my opinion, the ministry wants our students to be a thinker, practical person and have alot of drive in this subject. ...\"only the fittest will survive\" ..this is how I see the situation...

In other words, there can only be a certain quota of A* in every subject. If the questions set are too easy, it will become meaningless when too many students score A*.
Then there will be too many parents complaining why their kids couldn't get into the top schools when they got 3 or 4A*. :stupid:

[MrsLow]

YGmama:

I can feel their frustations, anger, disappointment. After months of preparations and revision, it is still not enough to concur paper. Perhaps the teachers need to reflect too, is there missing skills which is not impart to the students

I agree to a certain extend.... but do take note that the lecturer who taught all those teachers will definitely not impart all the skills and knowledge to al these teachers.... hence its greatly dependable on the teachers whether they will upgrade their knowledge by finding means and ways to guide the P6 students...

cannot point out finger at the teachers too, they also won't know what will come out for PSLE... they are given a guideline only.

All these questions greatly depends on the students knowledge and formula application .... from my observation, many students memorise concept rather than knowing it and its application.

[MrsLow]

david59:

In other words, there can only be a certain quota of A* in every subject. If the questions set are too easy, it will become meaningless when too many students score A*.

Then there will be too many parents complaining why their kids couldn't get into the top schools when they got 3 or 4A*. :stupid:

totally agree. I hear complained for ever PSLE maths paper... and this year its the same.

[enoawng]

[quote]
PSLE Maths - some of the questions
Mei and Lin were in a bicycle race. Mei was travelling at a constant speed of 20km/hr and they both did not change their speed. When Lin completed half the race, Mei was 3.5km ahead. Mei completed the race at 10.45am. What time did Lin complete the race? Ans: 11.06am

Suggested Answer:
3.5 x 2 = 7km(how much ahead is mei if she keep cycling when Lin finish the race)

speed= 20km/h
7km= 7/20 X 1
=0.35 hr
=21 mins (time needed to be 7km ahead for mei)
Time when Lin complete the race = 10.45am+ 21mins
= 11.06am[/quote]There is too much ambiguity in this question and there are also too many assumptions one need to assume.

The total distance of the race could have been 7km. Hence Mei could have crossed the fnishing line and waiting there which is 3.5km from midway where Lin is.
These are the assumptions in this question
a) both start the race together and at the same time
b) Mei still did not finish the race when Lin is halfway
c) Both are travelling at constant speed
d) Lin's constant speed is slower than Mei

To me this is not a maths question. It is a more an IQ or a MENSA question;-)