2009 GEP Screening And Selection
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mathsparks:
mathsparks :thankyou: :thankyou://Editor's note: Topic selected for http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/content/gep-or-not-gep-perspectives-gep-parent.
:congrats: to all kids who've been selected. As my son has benefited greatly the last 3 years, I would like to share his experiences to parents who're having doubts.
1) It's not a fluke. Have faith in yr child's ability..unless your child has attended gep preparation course..then seriously reconsider your decision.
Mine wasn't in the top 50 of his cohort in P2, and yet he was selected. We had our doubts then. Looking back, I'm glad we've made the right decision; instead of doubting him just because he's never top his cohort.
He's had a challenging but very mentally enriching 3 years. He's had opportunities to go to RI/NUSH/NUS for some enrichment programs.
2) Is it really stressful? Mine stops his work by 9:30pm every night. No afternoon naps though. He hates them. He takes leisurely meals, long breaks to read his books. Yet, he's able to clear his work, meet his deadlines on time. He's not the hardworking type; You don't see him doing more than is necessary. Chinese takes up so much of his time..cause he's so SLOW in doing anything chinese.
Though there're stressful times, he copes well. He doesn't sigh or ever regret joining the program. The kids aren't competitive; though they always strive to do better than one another...friendly competition perhaps. but not the stressful, unhealthy kind.
3) Do I help him? Yes, stuffs like guiding him how to draw straight lines/boxes/write on vanguard sheets, how to use movie editor. I was also his cameraman in his Science project. I don't teach him academic stuff like maths n science. But I do point him the way if he needs more details..like looking up his sis' sec books, internet etc. Help him with stuff like Eng grammar, Chinese words. Other than that, I'm rather hands off with him. More like his driver. If he's stuck, there's also his teachers, his friends or the internet to help him.
Some of the projects submitted by his peers are of such high quality, it's very obvious it's done by the parents. While I guide him sometimes, I don't do his work for him.
4) With a class size of 18 and dedicated teachers, your child is in good hands. The teachers are just an email or a phone call away.
5) No worries if you're a parent who find ge maths tough. It IS very tough. If your child is weak, there're remedial classes; or sign him up for tuition. If your child excels in Maths, stretch him further by signing him up for competition training...unless of course, you're able to teach him or you found some excellent olympic maths guide so your kid can self-learn.
Note, however, that some schools only allow students of Maths club to take part in the competition..do check. These competition can beef up the portfolio.
I don't agree that ge kids, to prove that they're worthy of the program, shouldn't be seen in tuition centres.
6) You don't need to join sports cca to be successful in dsa. Mine didn't and neither did most of his friends.
7) You don't need to score more than 80% to apply for dsa.
For app to nush, it makes no diff if you're gep or not. You still need to go for selection test then camp. For RI, if you score more than 80% in p6 sa1, you can skip the gat and go straight to interview. For hci, it's just a writing segment and interview. As for dhs, you don't even need to pay to apply and no interview required either.
8 ) Higher chinese. Textbooks same as that used by mainstream higher chinese. Exams are different from mainstream but doesn't imply they're any tougher...unless you're in the BICEP program.
In the recent PSLE exams, he commented that HCL is easier than CL.
Mine goes for tuition as we don't speak the lang at home. Then again, he also goes for Eng tuition.
9) Continue to participate in the annual ICAS papers...again for beefing up his portfolio.
10) If there're opportunities for other events like Mind games olympics (ACS), RISA etc, go for it..again for the experience and his portfolio.
11) As for reading list, I reserve them from the NLB, paying $1.55 per book. He doesn't read all of them...but he also reads beyond that list.
12) Being in GEP does give your child a higher chance of being selected for IP schools. In son's class, out of 14 boys, 6 will be going to RI. Only 1 doesn't have an offer. That's because he only applies for 1 school.
PS: Though I'm not keen to be drawn into another controversy, I hope that by sharing my son's experiences, I'm able to convince some doubtful parents/kids to go for it.
The child can always join back the mainstream if the program isn't suitable. But why give up without putting up a decent fight? At least you will not look back years from now and regret your decision. -
vlim:
Hi Vlim , I am also thinking of it but we are in Choa chu kang, not sure Rosyth hve school bus .need to check on that in the booth on wednesday. one more question if you dont mind. can no Chinese MT students go in to SAP school provided they manage their Language class outside and write exams alone or is it a rule that only Chinese MT students are taken it. My DS is so worried that every one in his school is planning for Nanyang and he cannot make it. :?: .Between SVPA = 5 Students going for GEPleeven:
thnx a lot vlim for your reply in short time. taking time now to start browsing... :thankyou:
hi leeven u are most welcome!... :rahrah: Oh just got to know from your earlier post that your son mt is not chinese.... if I were you i would put rosyth as my first choice... -
I stay in Woodlands. How I wish there is a GEP school in the North.
the distance puts me off.
and till now I am still thinking, huh ? how did she get selected ?? her chinese enrichment teacher says gep math will be tough ... scared scared.
dd's current thoughts :
1. GEP definitely sounds interesting
2. the need to put in extra effort is a big turnoff
3. If change sch she won't get to eat 'noodle aunty's' food anymore (her fav stall her the sch canteen) :?
her friends left msgs on fb to ask her to stay and not to leave the sch
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Neko:
Hi Neko , ya all school too far away but I think we need to try out and seeI stay in Woodlands. How I wish there is a GEP school in the North.
the distance puts me off.
and till now I am still thinking, huh ? how did she get selected ?? her chinese enrichment teacher says gep math will be tough ... scared scared.
dd's current thoughts :
1. GEP definitely sounds interesting
2. the need to put in extra effort is a big turnoff
3. If change sch she won't get to eat 'noodle aunty's' food anymore (her fav stall her the sch canteen) :?
her friends left msgs on fb to ask her to stay and not to leave the sch -
leeven:
Hi Vlim , I am also thinking of it but we are in Choa chu kang, not sure Rosyth hve school bus .need to check on that in the booth on wednesday. one more question if you dont mind. can no Chinese MT students go in to SAP school provided they manage their Language class outside and write exams alone or is it a rule that only Chinese MT students are taken it. My DS is so worried that every one in his school is planning for Nanyang and he cannot make it. :?: .Between SVPA = 5 Students going for GEP
oops not too sure about the sap school criteria..you can check with them during the briefing day..Last year, out of 5 going to gep from his class, 4 of them went to taonan but we choose another school as taonan transport doesn't servce our area.. Initially my son wanted to go taonan too as all his friends chose there... Now he is ok with his new school though still miss his old friends and school... :roll: -
Neko:
:grphug: same here.I stay in Woodlands. How I wish there is a GEP school in the North.
the distance puts me off.
and till now I am still thinking, huh ? how did she get selected ?? her chinese enrichment teacher says gep math will be tough ... scared scared.
dd's current thoughts :
1. GEP definitely sounds interesting
2. the need to put in extra effort is a big turnoff
3. If change sch she won't get to eat 'noodle aunty's' food anymore (her fav stall her the sch canteen) :?
her friends left msgs on fb to ask her to stay and not to leave the sch
My kid commented that most of schools are so far away, even the nearest one takes about 25 mins.
As of now, she's like 90% \"no\". She's still on her \"I like my school, friends and teachers\" argument.
Actually, I'm apprehensive too coz I still can't see where the \"giftedness\" is. I sincerely think that she's only strong in the language and that gives her headstart. -
cluelessmama:
yup, same same. i am really worried she cannot cope with math, even with extra coaching. the other subj shd be alrite.
Actually, I'm apprehensive too coz I still can't see where the \"giftedness\" is. I sincerely think that she's only strong in the language and that gives her headstart.
she is also 'sian' that she may hv to stay bk a few times a week if she joins GEP. but the topics covered interests her.
anyway, dd is still 50/50. -
My DD shares the same concern as yr girl as she feels that she will miss her friends if she were to transfer to another school.
On top of this, I wonder is she really gifted or simply hardworking as she does all the test papers from MissKoh websites.
DD told me before she went for her 2 round of GEP test "Mum if I get into GEP prg do I have to change school? If yes, I will anyhow do the question paper." Upon hearing this and never strike my mind that she will be selected, I told her that she will make the call.
Since last friday after the result, we had been troubled whether to "encourage" her to take up the GEP prg.
On the other hand, I must honour my words, otherwise, I may not gain her respect.
Hope she will change her mind after this coming Wednesday briefing.
If she insists to stay with her current school, I will have to respect her discision. -
snowyqueen:
If I'm not wrong, in total about 2 girls from OLQP get into GEP - 1 from 3Hope and 1 from 3PeaceCan you share how many from girls from OLQP gets into GEP?
Thks! -
shuishui:
Before the test, I assured her that whatever she decides, we'll respect her decision. So now...My DD shares the same concern as yr girl as she feels that she will miss her friends if she were to transfer to another school.
On top of this, I wonder is she really gifted or simply hardworking as she does all the test papers from MissKoh websites.
DD told me before she went for her 2 round of GEP test \"Mum if I get into GEP prg do I have to change school? If yes, I will anyhow do the question paper.\" Upon hearing this and never strike my mind that she will be selected, I told her that she will make the call.
Since last friday after the result, we had been troubled whether to \"encourage\" her to take up the GEP prg.
On the other hand, I must honour my words, otherwise, I may not gain her respect.
Hope she will change her mind after this coming Wednesday briefing.
If she insists to stay with her current school, I will have to respect her discision.
Also, her daddy is dead agst the idea of her going into GEP. :x
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