2009 GEP Screening And Selection

[Zann]

rains:

My dd said the opposite. English was the easiest, GA was the hardest. But I feel that GA tests should have more weightage. As I recalled, there wasn't a GA test in the beginning when GEP started, and Maths was the emphasis then. Then they included 1 GA test. Now, they have 2. So it looks to me that GA tests are more crucial than English. I feel that the English test is just there to ensure that the GEP children have a certain standard of English.

What did your dd get for Maths & Eng ICAS ?

[vlim]

turquoise:

I'm always surprised when I read remarks such as this that if not for EESIS and DSA, parents would not put their children in GEP. If those were the only reasons for putting one's child in GEP, then that person's priorities are wrong. And if the parents had to do a \"third shift\" to coach their children through GEP, then perhaps that child was not suited for GEP to begin with. Yes, GEP is very rigorous and tough, but the child should be able to cope without help and coaching from parents. Moral support, yes, coaching etc, not necessary.

well i would say it depends on the kids. some super duper kids do not need help, some need a bit help but refused to be help and some super duper hack care( bo chup) also no need help haaaa haaaaaaa just joking :lol: But of course some do need a bit of help at times ... Moral support is a yes for all time especially at the beginning of p4 gep... :snuggles:

[rains]

Zann:

What did your dd get for Maths & Eng ICAS ?

It took me a while to figure out what ICAS was. Usually we call them 'NSW (New South Wales)'.

The school didn't make them sit for the Maths paper this year. Last year, out of 40, she only finished 20.

For English, the school made them take the Paper 2 and Writing component. She only managed a credit for Paper 2 and distinction for Writing.

In any case, I never thought that NSW is an accurate reflection of the child's ability as it tests different skills in the subjects. Her writing is definitely not distinction material as I see it. In her last Paper 1 exam, she only had 14/20.

For Maths, it's clear that the items tested are very different from the GEP screening and selection tests. So it doesn't mean that if the child doesn't do well for NSW, he will not do well for GEP.

[keroppi]

rains:

In any case, I never thought that NSW is an accurate reflection of the child's ability as it tests different skills in the subjects.


So it doesn't mean that if the child doesn't do well for NSW, he will not do well for GEP.

On the contrary I think it is a good indicator. It is only when my DS got High Distinction for NSW Maths / Science that I suspected that he could be gifted. True enough that same year, he got selected into GEP. In fact, his classmates who scored High Distinction for Maths and English got into GEP as well.

[Dharma]

turquoise:

Yes, GEP is very rigorous and tough, but the child should be able to cope without help and coaching from parents. Moral support, yes, coaching etc, not necessary.

Hi turquoise,

Agree with you. I’ve had the opportunity to look at some of the notes/worksheets/CA papers of an ex-GEP pupil and found them to be in depth and detailed. The teaching materials are so creative and will surely arouse the interest in a child, especially for science. The amount of work done by the GEP pupils is way ahead of what a mainstream pupil would have covered.

Having said that, year after year, I find a number of GEP pupils who still attend external enrichment classes, when the school is already doing so much for them. A large number of them end up with very high PSLE scores (> 270).

It surprises me as the demand of the school’s workload is already so much and can’t understand where they find the time. Not sure if any enrichment class outside there is able to offer something new to them.

[rains]

keroppi:

On the contrary I think it is a good indicator. It is only when my DS got High Distinction for NSW Maths / Science that I suspected that he could be gifted. True enough that same year, he got selected into GEP. In fact, his classmates who scored High Distinction for Maths and English got into GEP as well.

Gifted children will do well no matter what you throw at them. I know of this girl who doesn't do well in her English at NSW but did very well at GEP tests. The only reason she was turned down was becos she's overaged.

[MdmKS]

Dharma:

Having said that, year after year, I find a number of GEP pupils who still attend external enrichment classes, when the school is already doing so much for them. A large number of them end up with very high PSLE scores (> 270).

It surprises me as the demand of the school’s workload is already so much and can’t understand where they find the time. Not sure if any enrichment class outside there is able to offer something new to them.

I came across GEP students at enrichment/tuition centres to \"upgrade\" or \"learn aheard\" themselve. The P4 kid was attending P5 level for English there,...etc but whether this is the right thing to do? The parents told me they are just not so educated ah soh, they can't teach the GEP kids so better let them learn ahead and be able to do well in school.

[keroppi]

rains:

Gifted children will do well no matter what you throw at them.

Your statement could be true for the highly gifted kids. Not every kid shows giftness in all subjects. As far as I know my DS is only good in maths. He's not great in languages. I'm sure it was his maths that got him through the GEP selection tests.

In fact, he has classmates who failed the last maths common test last term and MT, so these kids do struggle with subjects they are not good at.

[rains]

keroppi:

Your statement could be true for the highly gifted kids. Not every kid shows giftness in all subjects. As far as I know my DS is only good in maths. He's not great in languages. I'm sure it was his maths that got him through the GEP selection tests.


In fact, he has classmates who failed the last maths common test last term and MT, so these kids do struggle with subjects they are not good at.

I've a love-hate relationship with forums. I hate them when you have to explain every single word you enter. It makes me feel moronic.

Yes, there're gifted kids who are not good in everything too.

A friend's dd is in the 2nd best class in one of the IP schools despite being a gifted class. The top class is not a gifted class.

I hope that no one will say things like 'the top class is probably exam smart.' which is the obvious, and argue non-stop about why the gifted class is not top class.

Oh yes, I do notice that kids who are excellent in Maths get into GEP.

[turquoise]

Dharma:

turquoise:

Yes, GEP is very rigorous and tough, but the child should be able to cope without help and coaching from parents. Moral support, yes, coaching etc, not necessary.

Hi turquoise,

Agree with you. I’ve had the opportunity to look at some of the notes/worksheets/CA papers of an ex-GEP pupil and found them to be in depth and detailed. The teaching materials are so creative and will surely arouse the interest in a child, especially for science. The amount of work done by the GEP pupils is way ahead of what a mainstream pupil would have covered.

Having said that, year after year, I find a number of GEP pupils who still attend external enrichment classes, when the school is already doing so much for them. A large number of them end up with very high PSLE scores (> 270).

It surprises me as the demand of the school’s workload is already so much and can’t understand where they find the time. Not sure if any enrichment class outside there is able to offer something new to them.

Hi Dharma,

The first thing the teachers/HOD told the parents and girls at our dd's school was, Do not send your child for any outside tuition. They do not need it. By and far, they are right, because the teachers are very accessible and the girls are bright enough to manage the syllabus. Having said that, I do know of girls who have lots of tuition. And some of these are very bright, scoring very well. I think it's the kiasu mentality of the parents rearing its ugly head.