GEP Preparatory Program
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HVR:
Why want to stress the child till such extend? From what I know these preparatory courses require the children to pass their 'entrance' test and I take this to mean if you passed, you are more likely to get selected for GEP anyway. It is just like olylimpic heats, you eliminate the inferior performers first. So, why waste money. If our children don't have what it take, it will do more harm than good if they are hothoused into GEP.
Sorry, my memory may be a bit fuzzy. But from what I remember, the screening test is more like a usual primary school exam. The screening test can be prepared for, just like any normal exam. However, the selection test is very different in most aspects and cannot be prepared.
GEP students may not score well academically and may have trouble with the screening test, but they may have no problem passing the selection test.
Just saying, not that I'm condoning these preparatory courses in any way. Personally, I think the best form of preparation for both tests is a usually underrated good night's sleep. -
Hmm does that mean GEP student must be good academically to pass te screening test before having a chance to prove that they can do more since they would not be given a chance to go for selection test without passing the screening?
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baobei:
Hmm does that mean GEP student must be good academically to pass te screening test before having a chance to prove that they can do more since they would not be given a chance to go for selection test without passing the screening?
Besides the screening test, maybe MOE should also consider recommendations by school as another avenue to select students for further tests. However, then the school should be provided with some knowledge to identify the right candidates. -
pek.taxi:
besides identifying the top 1% to be the GEP, the next 4% are given \"differentiated program\" in having more enrichment modules pull out from GEP curriculum for them, some GEP schools have specific High Ability (HA) classes that cater for these kidsbaobei:
Hmm does that mean GEP student must be good academically to pass te screening test before having a chance to prove that they can do more since they would not be given a chance to go for selection test without passing the screening?
Besides the screening test, maybe MOE should also consider recommendations by school as another avenue to select students for further tests. However, then the school should be provided with some knowledge to identify the right candidates.
there is a reason why GEP school continue to be popular and this is one of the reason. the HA class thingy is an initiative from MOE/GEB that provides more learning opportunities to the highly able kids academically -
verykiasu2010:
besides identifying the top 1% to be the GEP, the next 4% are given \"differentiated program\" in having more enrichment modules pull out from GEP curriculum for them, some GEP schools have specific High Ability (HA) classes that cater for these kidspek.taxi:
[quote=\"baobei\"]Hmm does that mean GEP student must be good academically to pass te screening test before having a chance to prove that they can do more since they would not be given a chance to go for selection test without passing the screening?
Besides the screening test, maybe MOE should also consider recommendations by school as another avenue to select students for further tests. However, then the school should be provided with some knowledge to identify the right candidates.
there is a reason why GEP school continue to be popular and this is one of the reason. the HA class thingy is an initiative from MOE/GEB that provides more learning opportunities to the highly able kids academically[/quote]That is true, but it only applies to GEP primary schools. For the 2nd-5th% percentile of children who are in non-GEP schools, differentiated programs may not / do not exist for these kids. (Although I do concede that most schools do stream the children in some way or other, but the top classes I believe do not take guidance from the MOE/GEB) So the HA kids in GEP primary schools are given 'more learning opportunities' in some way - at the very least, interaction with GEP kids. That's another reason why GEP primary schools are very highly sought after by parents. -
ezmummy:
It is indeed top 1% base on the GEP test. Those who are strong in Math & English have advantages. Since MT in not included, those who are weak in MT will not have disadvantage. However, they have to do HMT if they are selected for GEP.actually I won't say that the GEPpers are top 1% of the cohort. Son wasn't even top 10 in his school, he still got in.
I personally find that GEPpers are naturally inquisitive and driven in the search for knowledge. If your child is already such, you probably don't even have to send him/her to any courses and he/she will be selected base on his/her own merit.
OTOH, sending courses and too many enrichment classes may actually backfire, quenching his natural thirst to learn.
That's jmho.
Oh, btw, I didn't send son for prep course. -
mummy so kiasu:
HMT? That will be tough. Thanks for the info.
It is indeed top 1% base on the GEP test. Those who are strong in Math & English have advantages. Since MT in not included, those who are weak in MT will not have disadvantage. However, they have to do HMT if they are selected for GEP.ezmummy:
actually I won't say that the GEPpers are top 1% of the cohort. Son wasn't even top 10 in his school, he still got in.
I personally find that GEPpers are naturally inquisitive and driven in the search for knowledge. If your child is already such, you probably don't even have to send him/her to any courses and he/she will be selected base on his/her own merit.
OTOH, sending courses and too many enrichment classes may actually backfire, quenching his natural thirst to learn.
That's jmho.
Oh, btw, I didn't send son for prep course. -
zakashi:
Not compulsory to do HMT lah (at least I know that is true at ACS Pri GEP, not sure about the other centres though).
HMT? That will be tough. Thanks for the info.mummy so kiasu:
It is indeed top 1% base on the GEP test. Those who are strong in Math & English have advantages. Since MT in not included, those who are weak in MT will not have disadvantage. However, they have to do HMT if they are selected for GEP. -
keroppi:
Not compulsory to do HMT lah (at least I know that is true at ACS Pri GEP, not sure about the other centres though).[/quote]What a relief!
HMT? That will be tough. Thanks for the info.zakashi:
[quote=\"mummy so kiasu\"]
It is indeed top 1% base on the GEP test. Those who are strong in Math & English have advantages. Since MT in not included, those who are weak in MT will not have disadvantage. However, they have to do HMT if they are selected for GEP. -
I am totally against GEP prep classes.
It seems that some parents seem to have a misconception that once the child makes it to GEP, he will be assured of a DSA offer to a top school and of the EESIS scholarship. Many parents seem very interested to get their children into GEP.
As many GE parents have pointed out, the GE program is very rigorous and demanding. Most GE kids have to work very hard from primary 4 to 6 to maintain the GE status and earn that DSA offer. The GEP is not a walk in the park.
In my DS’s school GE cohort, there is a small handful of kids who struggle with the GE program. They perform below the rest, below the benchmark and sometimes below 50% from P4 to 6, in spite of numerous tuition. When it came to DSA, I heard one didn’t apply - there was no point. A few were brought for many DSA tests and interviews ( some schools did not even offer an interview ), but were rejected. I empathize with them … and their parents. The kids are not enjoying their childhood and could develop a low self esteem, in my opinion.
Then to top it off, the GE teachers start preparing them for PSLE only in July ( which is the norm for the GE curriculum). I understand that they did not do well, I heard one of them scored 22x for PSLE.
Whilst I do not know whether these kids were sent for GEP prep classes, the parents had the financial means, but I believe that they could have done better in PSLE and have a better choice of secondary school if they had not joined the GEP.
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