All About GEP

[comfy]

MotherHen:

I think that for Science, the basic concepts are the same, whether for GEP or for mainstream. In fact, I felt that doing the mainstream Science papers really did help my DD in her final year exams this year (But I kinda filtered through before selecting some schools' papers for her to \"attack\").

That is what I think too. My dd did benefited from practising the mainstream Science papers especially Section B. :boogie:

[MotherHen]

Actually I also feel that so far, the \"model\" answers given by the teachers have been concise and straight to the point. That's why I kept reminding DD not to give grandmother story-type answers


In fact, for mainstream paper practice, I got DD to work almost exclusively on Section B. We started revision really late and there was simply no time to pore through all the MCQs. In DD's case, it worked out. I think, like most students perhaps, she understands the concepts. She just needs the practice to translate / apply those concepts into succinct answers, and working on Section B really helped her to crystallize all that.

[atutor2001]

For science, section B, regardless whether GEP or mainstream, the answer lies in the ability to understand \"what the setter wants\". The next step is to explain using only \"key words\" and the answer will be concise. But then, some times the question is vague. So we need to \"spam\" (play safe) by presenting the answer with more key words than actually required.


For example :
\"What is the purpose of a circuit tester?\"

Ans : It is to find out if 2 points are connected. (wrong because \"connected\" is not enough)

Ans : It is to find out if 2 points are connected by wire. (may also be incomplete as the points can be connected by other means that can conduct electricity)

Ans : It is to find out if 2 points are connected electrically. (may not be acceptable as \"connected electrically\" may not be acceptable key words)

Therefore, such a simple question can generate so many possible answers that may not be acceptable. However, if the students are trained to identified the topics and related key words i.e. \"close circuit\", \"current can pass through\" then he/she may present the answer as :

It is to find out if electric current can pass through the 2 points that are being tested. If current can pass through, the bulb of the circuit tester will light up as the circuit is closed. (the 2nd sentence is actually not necessary but it is \"to play safe\" as many science questions expect explanation although it is not stated)

Science section B is really difficult.

[Neko]

Flowermonaster:

Neko:

I remember one of dd's teacher mentioned shdn't start preparing them for psle too early as they'll get 'sian' very fast

Ur DD P6 this year? Can advise when she starts her preparation? TIA.

dd is in P5 this year.

[comfy]

MotherHen:

Actually I also feel that so far, the \"model\" answers given by the teachers have been concise and straight to the point. That's why I kept reminding DD not to give grandmother story-type answers


In fact, for mainstream paper practice, I got DD to work almost exclusively on Section B. We started revision really late and there was simply no time to pore through all the MCQs. In DD's case, it worked out. I think, like most students perhaps, she understands the concepts. She just needs the practice to translate / apply those concepts into succinct answers, and working on Section B really helped her to crystallize all that.

:snuggles: glad to know that you think so too. I guess the GEP teacher will like the student to explore and come up with an answer but sometimes it is not easy to come out with a 'scientific' answer, hence by doing mainstream papers, I guess it kind of help, knowing that it is difficult to get hold of GEP assessments for practising. Ultimately, it is important for the kid to master/understand the concept whichever way (mainstream or GEP).

[comfy]

atutor2001:

For science, section B, regardless whether GEP or mainstream, the answer lies in the ability to understand \"what the setter wants\". The next step is to explain using only \"key words\" and the answer will be concise. But then, some times the question is vague. So we need to \"spam\" (play safe) by presenting the answer with more key words than actually required.


For example :
\"What is the purpose of a circuit tester?\"

Ans : It is to find out if 2 points are connected. (wrong because \"connected\" is not enough)

Ans : It is to find out if 2 points are connected by wire. (may also be incomplete as the points can be connected by other means that can conduct electricity)

Ans : It is to find out if 2 points are connected electrically. (may not be acceptable as \"connected electrically\" may not be acceptable key words)

Therefore, such a simple question can generate so many possible answers that may not be acceptable. However, if the students are trained to identified the topics and related key words i.e. \"close circuit\", \"current can pass through\" then he/she may present the answer as :

It is to find out if electric current can pass through the 2 points that are being tested. If current can pass through, the bulb of the circuit tester will light up as the circuit is closed. (the 2nd sentence is actually not necessary but it is \"to play safe\" as many science questions expect explanation although it is not stated)

Science section B is really difficult.

Geez! (a word borrow from my dd), thanks atutor2001 for the detailed example. Yap, science questions is really tough as the year goes by. Glad that I am not a GEP kid but now has to 'suffer' as a GEP mom.

[25hr mama]

vlim:

25hr mama:

Juz to clear my doubts... If GEP syllabus are set at a higher standard compared to mainstream, then can we assume that, whatever topics (whether Math, Science, Chinese etc) that r covered in mainstream, will also be covered in Gep, the difference is they r taught more in depth wif some additional topics that mainstream do not cover. Eg. For math, some topics r secondary level (shared by some parents here), same for English(sec std), then Geppers shd find PSLE easier, or score reasonably well right? No?? Wud appreciate advice from experienced parents. TIA

Yap .. Gep syllabus covers tt of mainstream ... NO worry ... And prior to prelim they will be given loads of past yrs papers to do so tt they will be expose to the 'psle' style / type of qns

:thankyou: vlim. Today is juz the beginning of the school holidays & I was like in a mood. But here, I already see parents asking abt ERP list, assessment bks, past yrs papers, preparation for PSLE etc... Make me kind of \"kancheong\" also.

[Flowermonaster]

I think I saw a parent asking for P6 ERP list but cant seems to find the post. To that parent, do you still need the list?

[Neko]

Flowermonaster:

I think I saw a parent asking for P6 ERP list but cant seems to find the post. To that parent, do you still need the list?

Yes, still need the list! Many thanks

[Flowermonaster]

Neko:

Flowermonaster:

I think I saw a parent asking for P6 ERP list but cant seems to find the post. To that parent, do you still need the list?

Yes, still need the list! Many thanks

Oh it's you huh.
Can you pm me with your email address? By the way, if your child from ACS then better get from the school.
Last year we were at Kino buying the P5 ERP books & met a few parents there too. One of them borrowed the list from us to buy because school didn't give or boy forgot to bring home. Another mum saw our list and asked but after realizing we not from ACS rejected our offer to use our list saying theirs is different.