PSLE - New Format for Maths
-
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. -
david59:
totally agree.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:
I hear complained for ever PSLE maths paper... and this year its the same.
-
[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;-)
-
enoawng:
I agree with your second. b). But for a), it's a race. Races tend to mean they start at the same time, right? For c), they are traveling at a constant speed. After all, the question says: they both did not change their speed.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
To me this is not a maths question. It is a more an IQ or a MENSA question;-) -
MrsLow:
totally agree.
I hear complained for ever PSLE maths paper... and this year its the same.
Erm... I though A* isn't above 91... I think it's top 10% of the nation... I think. Or some other percentage I don't know. -
cutebabys:
ya...should be ...a ...percentaMrsLow:
totally agree.
I hear complained for ever PSLE maths paper... and this year its the same.
Erm... I though A* isn't above 91... I think it's top 10% of the nation... I think. Or some other percentage I don't know. -
cutebabys:
I agree with your second. b). But for a), it's a race. Races tend to mean they start at the same time, right? For c), they are traveling at a constant speed. After all, the question says: they both did not change their speed.
Ok we don't know the exact wording of the question but maybe you are right about a) and c).
Yes races tend to start at the same time but for this question, the answer is very different if they don't.
Also there are 2 more for assumptions.
e) The total distance of the race must be more than 7km otherwise Mei would have finished the race when Lin was halfway.
f) If e) is true than Mei's speed must be greater than Lin's. If race distance is less than 7km, then it is possible that Lin's speed could be more than Mei's. -
There’s a news article on CNA on how tough the Math paper was this year, and the typical MOE response
-
To Tang:
Hi, most of the time I will drill on the time topic to make sure they can add hrs/mins to the hours given. This is very important as if they do not get this basic right they will struggle for exam time as drawing timeline is sort of waste of time. The time can be use for checking.
About the balloon questions I will not draw out the balloons. But I intend to use it as a example for my future students. I think I will think of a better way to explain rather than drawing it out. Reason being it will be tedious and I do not wish my student to draw out 100 ++ balloons for a question.
About the calculators, in my own opinion it is too early for the children.
Why? Most of the students I teach now do not even know simple timetables and mental calculation due to the reliance on the calculator. In the end the calculator act as a time waster instead of a time booster.
Calculators should be restrain unless they are doing questions that give unlimited decimal place. Calculators also act as a confuser for some of my student.
For example: 10 / 3 the calculator will show 3.33333333 and one of student come up to me and say the answer is wierd because it has .333333 behind and do not know it means 1/3.
I urge parents to control the usage of calculator for your children as it is really not helping your children. Imagine when they are at secondary 4, they need a calculator to solve a simple multiply which is quite bad.
Also help your children in their timetables as timetables will help them a long way in this long education journey. -
enoawng:
For your 4 assumptions to the question, there is absolutely no ambiguity. It is obvious that in a race, all start at the same time and at the same starting point. It did state that they did not change their speed. The fact that Lin is 3.5km behind Mei shows that Mei's speed is faster.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;-)
As for assumption 'b', Mei indeed had not yet finished the race. Otherwise, the question would have definitely stated so.
This question is certainly not one of those \"speed' questions that PSLE students had been practising very hard for the last 9 over months. Rest be assured that every year, MOE must think of a few questions which are rarely come across before so that they can ensure only the cream of the crop will be able to do them correctly every year to achieve A*.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login