Express or Normal stream

[justsay]

tutormum:

The cut off point to opt for express course is 188. If your child scores 187, he can't opt for express course. However, I understand that some schools are willing to put the child in the express course if it's only 1 or 2 points difference upon parents' request. Whether it's better to put your child in the good school but normal stream depends on your child. If he's good but due to his poor performance in the PSLE, which may not be a fair estimate of his ability, I'll strongly recommend that he opt for normal stream and get promoted to the express stream based on his sec 1 results. I know of a boy who did just that. Not only did he top his level in sec 1 and get into the express stream, he did very well for his O level. However, it is tougher on the kids in Normal stream than Express stream actually. The main obstacle is to overcome the stigma to be in the Normal stream and their confidence is bruised. Also, they have to work a lot harder to prove themselves esp if they want to get into the Express stream. If they can't get in due to their Sec 1 results, there is actually little hope to try to get in based on their Sec 2 results. Usually, the school required an overall 75% for the transition.

I came across this boy who worked hard throughout the whole year and attained more than 75% (2 years ago). He and his parents were so happy thinking that he could promote to express in Sec 2. What happen was the principal told the boy that he should get 75% for every subjects and not overall percentage 75%. The poor boy's dream was dashed. Do you think you want to take this risk ?

[janice_koh]

The percentage is only 6% for those Sec 1 normal going to express.

[janice_koh]

just spare the kid let him/her settle down wholeheartedly please

[tutormum]

If your child scores 200, he cannot opt for Normal stream and must choose an Express course in a \"not so academically strong\" school. I shall not name the school but the students from this school, which is academically not bad, behave rather badly compared to another \"weaker\" school. I suggest parents go to the schools of their choice during dismissal time to observe the students. Choose a few schools now with a range of scores and do it before the school term ends this month.

[rains]

Given a choice between Express and Normal, it’s always better to choose Express, even if the school is not so good.


For the in-between scores, it’s likely that you’re the best in the Normal class, but as time goes by, it’s more likely that you degenerate to the standard of your peers rather than outshine the rest.

Yes, there’re highly-motivated ones who get promoted to Express at Sec 2, but they are very rare.

I’m not sure if this is true, but someone told me that even if you get promoted to Express stream, you’re required to do an extra year to catch up with the Express class. As it is, Normal stream syllabus is quite a wide gap from the Express’.

[schellen]

rains:

As it is, Normal stream syllabus is quite a wide gap from the Express'.

Yes, they may use the same textbooks but Express students will cover everything in the textbook while the Normal students may not. This is usually clearly indicated in the book itself.

Also, even for topics where the Express and Normal students cover the same things, the workbooks and assessments will be designed differently. Teachers cannot set the exact same question for an Express student and a Normal student. The concept being tested may be the same but the way the question is phrased and whether other aids like pictures and helping words are used will be the differences. Questions for Express students are also usually worded in more complex English, and in structured questions, there will be lesser \"parts\". Example: For Express, the question may have only (a) and (b) but for Normal, the question will be broken down into simpler steps like (a) (i) & (ii), (b) and (c).

Actually, the widest gap is when successful 'N' Level students decide to attempt the 'O' Level. This is when they realise that no matter how good a student they are, they will have to work doubly hard to bridge that gap within a mere one year.

[janice_koh]

really huh…then we better think twice.

[janice_koh]

thanks for elaborating; will die die go for express even if it is a 188 entry school

[janice_koh]

I was thinking to place my child in a good school; dont mind normal stream cos afraid he might stray. what do you think?

[rains]

Honestly, I haven’t heard of a ‘good Normal stream class’ yet. Perhaps there is, but I haven’t come across.


You don’t have much control over the classmates your child is going to have. I thought it wiser to make a decision based on the academics.

As I understood, Normal stream uses a simplified version of Express textbooks. I’m not sure about now, but 20 years ago, my Normal stream friends’ Chinese textbooks have less chapters, and their English textbooks are different.