2011 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[lizawa]

ngbrdad:

For 3rd language, from MOE website, those taking msp, csp, Bi and arabic will take an o level paper after 4 years is it ?

No exam for French/German/Japanese ?

I read that a lot drop 3rd language after 1 year.
Is it for French/German/Japanese only ?
Or all 7 3rd language courses if want to drop can just drop ?

There are SA1, SA2 and topical tests for French / German / Japanese. Students who proceed all the way to Sec 4, also need to take the O-level paper for these subjects. If you continue to take the language in JC, you can also do it as a H1 or H2 subject.

I know for sure that the drop out rate for F/G/J is high. I don't know about others. Withdrawing is easy, just fill up a form. But can't get back in anymore. Also, the books cost alot. So if you want to drop after a term, it's really a waste of money.

[phtthp]

a) are there students who purposely join IP programme for Sec 1/ 2 first, after that quickly switch over to O level programme for Sec 3/4 just to secure an O level cert, even though they can still cope with IP programme ? and then after that, use O level cert to join back A level JC ?


b) do you think taking up Russian as 3rd language is useful ?

[Newlykiasu]

Pen88n:

Newlykiasu:

Hi all, i need some serious advice. DS scored 255+2. Like many other boys, his dream sch has always been RI (i hope 2ppaamm, pen88 & a few othr like-minded ones are not rolling yr eyes already ^_^). We live in the east & VS is really close, but DS was fr CHS & he is really comfortable there. He was thnking of putting CHS as 1st choice, & hope to transfer to RI at yr 3 or 5. Btw, he prefers all boys sch and we consider HCI too far away. What do the experts out there think? I wld esp like to hear the measured response of 2ppaamm, pen88, jtoh & of course all other feedback wld b appreciated. Tk u.

Newlykiasu, is there any reason why your DS does not want to consider VS? I think he stands a pretty good chance of being accepted into VS IP programme, and with his score, he should be able to handle the accelerated syllabus of IP. In addition, he wil continue to VJC, which is one of the top JCs, and I know a lot of CHS students joining VJC after \"O\" Level.

Looking at transfer to RI at year 3 / 5 involve some \"risk\" factor of getting it by then, vs getting into an IP prog right from the start. Esp. since the sch is at your doorstep and so convenient. I would luv to have this luxury!!!

Hi Pen88n, DS at this moment chooes CHS ovr VS cos he knws he will b happy & comfortable there vs VS new environment, also, he wants to keep his RJC dream alive. We hv to decide between the 'O' or IP route now. If his score had been 265+, i wld hv felt more comfortable & confident abt him doing IP, now i m not so sure.

[jtoh]

phtthp:

a) are there students who purposely join IP programme for Sec 1/ 2 first, after that quickly switch over to O level programme for Sec 3/4 just to secure an O level cert, even though they can still cope with IP programme ? and then after that, use O level cert to join back A level JC ?


b) do you think taking up Russian as 3rd language is useful ?

For a) very convoluted route, no?
For b) why?

[MandyMummy]

phtthp:

a) are there students who purposely join IP programme for Sec 1/ 2 first, after that quickly switch over to O level programme for Sec 3/4 just to secure an O level cert, even though they can still cope with IP programme ? and then after that, use O level cert to join back A level JC ?

:? You are proposing a very complicated route leh.
Students choose the IP program largely because they want to skip O levels and have more time for other non academic development.
Furthermore, no schools would approve of that. That defeats the purpose of IP. Also, how can the student be so sure that his results for O levels is good enough to join the IP again in year 5-6?

[lizawa]

phtthp:

a) are there students who purposely join IP programme for Sec 1/ 2 first, after that quickly switch over to O level programme for Sec 3/4 just to secure an O level cert, even though they can still cope with IP programme ? and then after that, use O level cert to join back A level JC ?


b) do you think taking up Russian as 3rd language is useful ?

a) unless you are talking about a school that offers both IP and O-level, otherwise, the poor child needs to transfer school. And I am sure the child won't want to do it. and yes, it defeats the whole purpose of joining the IP programme.

b) Russian is offered as 3rd language this year ?

[phtthp]

bec everything hinges on that A level cert (besides PSLE cert). if can get O level cert somehow feel safer. There’re many Junior colleges out there. Of course RI, HCI very hard to enter back at year 5, 6. But some JC are not difficult to enter.


in the event A level results no good can’t enter local uni, can fall back on that O level cert to enter poly, or go overseas for some fast track accelerated uni programme.

[wonderm]

jtoh:

True. Also the loophole is that if there's a mutually agreed swap between two DSA schools, transfers can take place. Maybe that's what RI is doing. You give me your best student who desperately wants to come to RI and I'll see if I can find one who wants to leave RI to give you. :rotflmao:

As for \"mutually agreed swap\", it has always been the case. All transfers as a result of successful appeals need to be \"released\" by the previously posted to school. As many had said in the forum, I don't think any school will be so harsh as to not to sign the release form, it is really up to the accepting school to follow the MOE guideline regarding appeal after DSA posting. It will be interesting to see how it goes this year

[jtoh]

phtthp:

bec everything hinges on that A level cert (besides PSLE cert). if can get O level cert feel safer. There're many Junior colleges out there. Of course RI, HCI very hard to enter back at year 5, 6. But some JC are not difficult to enter.


in the event A level results no good can't enter local uni, can fall back on that O level cert to enter poly, or go overseas for some fast track accelerated uni programme.

If you want an O level cert, go to a good O level school that will prepare you properly for it. The purpose of an IP programme is to skip O levels and use that time for a more enriched programme. It is also for clearly uni-bound students. No one enters an IP programme with the intention of dropping out at Year 3/4 to take O levels. Poor planning I call this.

[jtoh]

wonderm:

jtoh:

True. Also the loophole is that if there's a mutually agreed swap between two DSA schools, transfers can take place. Maybe that's what RI is doing. You give me your best student who desperately wants to come to RI and I'll see if I can find one who wants to leave RI to give you. :rotflmao:

As for \"mutually agreed swap\", it has always been the case. All transfers as a result of successful appeals need to be \"released\" by the previously posted to school. As many had said in the forum, I don't think any school will be so harsh as to not to sign the release form, it is really up to the accepting school to follow the MOE guideline regarding appeal after DSA posting. It will be interesting to see how it goes this year

The swap this year is a one-for-one, not an I-agree-to-release-you arrangement. And all transfers have to be approved by MOE. So we shall see how MOE acts this year.