2009 GEP Screening And Selection

[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.

[CrazyDad]

:lol: Yeah !! I am promoted to yellow belt! How to goto next level?

[luckystar]

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.

True, they are either gep or high-ability learner, gep naturally smart ; high-ability learner are very hard working and obedient.

[john.09525316]

Agreed what Merlion statement.


Another friend of mine. His son got into GEP, but he did not believe it, he wanted to be sure, he sent his son for the MENSA test (only for age 10 above). His son got into the MENSA too. Finally, he has to accept that his son really gifted.

Now his son is in P5, Math and Sci is very easy for him except languages.

What we are advice to most parent is GEP is not for everyone, it is a unique program for certain kids, the amount of Math work sheets is scarely, the never ending projects, like Eng (acting, re-tell the story, etc…)
Sci project, so many mini projects, the large one like IDP. Another subject is Individual project like IVP or DI or IRS ,etc, Chi too, The worst is the Social study (e.g. portfolio, essay or speech writing, etc).

So please think twice or three or fourth time. Your child must love to READ books ( I mean good books), if not please forget about GEP.