2009 GEP Screening And Selection

[Merlion]

> ie, students crying when they are not selected for 2nd rd, I guess GEP is even MORE important than topping the school!!


I think students cry mainly because of the high expectation and pressure from parents. If the parents have correct attitude towards GEP, this should not happen. And to be frank, there are also students cry when they do not do well in P6 prelim, some even wants to kill themselves. As parents, we should try to tell the kids what GEP is all about and let them know that it is ok if they do not get in.

[tony]

Merlion:

> Are GEP kids less rowdy?


I think you are talking about boys. There is no different between GEP and mainstream kids. Boys are boys and most of them are very playful at this age. I would not say that they are rough or rude or anything. One big difference is that they like to argue among themselves, even in class. GEP classrooms are never quiet as they like to ask a lot of questions, then argue a lot.

Tks, Merlion. At least he knows what to expect.

[JHFMum]

If parents send kids for GEP prep class for a yr and get them "trained" for GEP test, can you imagine the amount of pressure on the kids to get in? I pity such kids- if they get in via training, they may not cope well. If they do not get in, I wonder what they will think of themselves.


Parents, we will have to bear the consequences of our decisions.

[async28]

Can not ler.

I have tried to lower down my daughter expectation, but all her friends wanted to get into GEP :?

Merlion:

As parents, we should try to tell the kids what GEP is all about and let them know that it is ok if they do not get in.

[Puffer]

Merlion:

.... As parents, we should try to tell the kids what GEP is all about and let them know that it is ok if they do not get in.

I concur with your point.

I have been quite worried since DS1 came to a class of competitive and bright kids this year. He was third in his level in P2, but all of a sudden, his result deteriorated to 30s in mid-year. We seeked to see his form teacher (that was during the H1N1 period). We believed that DS1 had given up on himself and lost interest in his studies. Being sensitive and reserved, we tried to show him support, and encourage him till he is back to his self and rebuilt his confidence again. For the past week, I didn't harp on the issue of GEP screening result, although I half suspect the form teacher had not released it due to her absence in school. As it turned out, the relief teacher gave out the letters to the class today - 3/4 of the class got into the selection stage (inclu. DS1). Just now, I had a 1-to-1 talk with DS1 - I told him it was already an achievement for him to get into the 2nd round. Knowing him, I didn't want him to put too much pressure onto himself. (He just got his UNSW result as well and is in the top 2% for Science and 5% for Maths). I'm also afraid that his doing well might have 'repercussions' on his younger brother whos in P2. Sigh...not easy.

[david59]

I have a Pri 6 student in my before n after school centre who is in the GEP programme. I learnt from him how tough the GEP is. Even at Pri 5, they were already learning Maths beyond his peers, more like Seconday One Maths. Even for Science he is learning terms that are found in Secondary school textbook.

But the most important point I wish to make is that he is thoroughly enjoying what he is learning. He does not need any tution at all. In fact he feels bored at what the normal Pri Sixers are studying. He shared with me that some of his classmates are struggling and crying like crazy, trying to cope with the very high standard that GEP is required of them. We suspect that some of them might have got into the GEP through the help of those very expensive GEP tutorial classes.
Truly only the highly gifted or talented can take the grind out of the gruesome GEP demand! Who is the right candidate for GEP? I think only those who are highly self motivated and have a high degree of flair for Maths and Science. Of course, not forgetting all the others subjects too. Those who need to pump their kids with lot of GEP tutorials to get in, are more likely to bring harm to their kids. Anyway, no harm to let your kids go to the second round. Very few kids would make it. Hopefully not those who have to depend on lots of tutorials to get in lor. They will regret it.

[Merlion]

> highly self motivated and have a high degree of flair for Maths and Science


The selection test is based on Maths and English.
But once you are in GEP, you have to cope with very high standard of Maths, Science and English demands. Even now the GEP Chinese is getting harder than mainstream.

[Merlion]

One good thing about GEP is it will train a kid to be more mature and independent. Yes, there are still GEP kids who go to those high price tuition centre for Maths and Science enrichment. And to be honest, I do not understand why their parents are doing that. GEP is a program that is supposed to train a kid to be independent and being able to solve problems by themselves. If the kids have problems with school work, they should discuss with their classmates or seek help from the GEP teachers. All the GEP teachers are special trained to handle all kind of gifted kids. Sometimes, I think parents just have to learn to let go of their kids and let them handle their own study. We will be surprised how well they will do if they have the right mind and attitude. The baseline is to teach the kids to be motivated and have the right attitude towards learning and most important - towards life.


Being selected for GEP does not mean that the kid is suitiable for the program. The parents are in the best position to know that if their kids are ready for the program. If a kid has to go to tuition center for english, maths and science tuition when they are in P3, then I think the parents better think twice before sending the kid into GEP. A poor GEP kid once written in his english eassy " Everyday is like hell to me". If I were the parents, I would pull him / her out of the GEP program because the program is hurting the kid’s little heart. Don’t just go for GEP because it is GEP. Only go for GEP if you think that this is the best route for your kid.

[Joy]

sorri, just wonder, the results of the final round of gep out?or just the first round?thanks

[CrazyDad]

Nowaday there are schools that can train better pupils to become GEP potential. So not all of them are natural, some are good at taking exam.