Secondary School Selection 2012

[Coolkidsrock2]

EQ matters more (than IQ) in the corporate world and tuition takes away time to participate in human interaction activities which develop interpersonal skills. While grades may open the interview doors, it is the chemistry/fit with the interviewer that determine the right candidate. It is also not difficult for the interviewer to differentiate between the genuinely high IQ candidate and the "manufactured intelligent" candidate. A couple of out of the world questions which require thinking out of the box, a review of the participation in non-academic related activities record and the interviewer can guess the actual calibre of the candidate.

[hercules]

Coolkidsrock2:

A couple of out of the world questions which require thinking out of the box, a review of the participation in non-academic related activities record and the interviewer can guess the actual calibre of the candidate.

many years ago I went for my first job interview in one of the stat boards.

six interviewers with me sitting opposite of them.

after the first round of interviewing and I thought the interview was coming to an end, I was asked in Mandarin about my opinions on something.

I was completely caught off guard as I never got myself prepared at all for an interview in Mandarin.

Luckily I was quick enough to switch and got the job.

After I was into the job for a few months, I asked my boss why they conducted interview in Mandarin.

She said they needed someone bilingual and all who were shortlisted stated that they were bilingual, and therefore it was only fair that the candidates could display this skill during an interview.

[janet88]

I fail to understand why an intelligent kid who scored 270+ for PSLE has prob coping with IP. If he still requires tuition at Sec 1, then is this going to go for 6 years? This is scary.

[jedamum]

janet_lee88:

I fail to understand why an intelligent kid who scored 270+ for PSLE has prob coping with IP. If he still requires tuition at Sec 1, then is this going to go for 6 years? This is scary.

i think we should not discredit the kid's abilities just because he/she attended numerous tuition prior to secondary sch. it may just be a mismatch and he/she is more suited for O-level route.

[janet88]

jedamum:

janet_lee88:

I fail to understand why an intelligent kid who scored 270+ for PSLE has prob coping with IP. If he still requires tuition at Sec 1, then is this going to go for 6 years? This is scary.

i think we should not discredit the kid's abilities just because he/she attended numerous tuition prior to secondary sch. it may just be a mismatch and he/she is more suited for O-level route.

I don't know much about IP. Is IP very different from O levels? But i know this boy is intelligent.

[ks2011]

jedamum:

janet_lee88:

i think we should not discredit the kid's abilities just because he/she attended numerous tuition prior to secondary sch. it may just be a mismatch and he/she is more suited for O-level route.

:goodpost: maybe tuitions have become his support system.

[jedamum]

janet_lee88:

jedamum:

[quote=\"janet_lee88\"]I fail to understand why an intelligent kid who scored 270+ for PSLE has prob coping with IP. If he still requires tuition at Sec 1, then is this going to go for 6 years? This is scary.

i think we should not discredit the kid's abilities just because he/she attended numerous tuition prior to secondary sch. it may just be a mismatch and he/she is more suited for O-level route.

I don't know much about IP. Is IP very different from O levels? But i know this boy is intelligent.[/quote]i also do not know much about IP, but we like the significant absence of O-level prep and spending more time on some other students towards A-level or other holistic development....if we intepreted it correctly
wrt to the 270+ boy, could be somekind of burntout or different perspective of what he wants now that he is into his teen years. my nephew is no less intelligent...he is infact very well verse in specific topic of interests....topics that some adults may not be even able to sustain conversation/discussion with . but academically need to put in more effort as that is what is demanded now. am sure he will bloom in sec sch with the more varied subjects comb. but he needs to get over this hurdle first. my son...he likes to draw comics..lame jokes kind of comic..(really funny i think, his series that depicts life as a pri schooler). but he needs to get his education first rather than spending time doodling away when he should be finishing his revision! and he tells me he gets inspiration and urge to doodle only inbetween his revision and not so during his free time!

[jtoh]

janet_lee88:

I fail to understand why an intelligent kid who scored 270+ for PSLE has prob coping with IP. If he still requires tuition at Sec 1, then is this going to go for 6 years? This is scary.

Lots of reasons, not just because tuition was his crutch.

- burnout, from studying too hard at PSLE and enjoying his new-found freedom a little too much.
- you can do well at PSLE if you work hard and have a good memory. At secondary school, you're required to analyse, critique, find your own resources, do independent resourcing and learning etc. Students who have been dependent on schools and parents to give them all the necessary resources (in other words spoonfeeding) will have a harder time adjusting.
- the introduction of humanity subjects like history, geography and history takes a bit of adjusting for the more science/math-oriented student.
- teenage rebellion and angst setting in.
- for some students used to being a top dog in their primary school, going to a top secondary school is a shock to their system as they realize they're but merely average or below average in a sea of top students. Some give up trying bec they can no longer be #1.

[janet88]

Could it be because subjects in IP program are more difficult than the O level ? Certain subjects/components for PSLE can be memorised but not for everything.

Those humanity subjects like history, geography may take adjustment as the kids have not encountered them before. Math, Science and English are more difficult.
In short, it’s a whole new world. Boy’s mum regretted taking the IP route.

[Nebbermind]

There are also some kids who just need these enrichment classes (not tuition) to occupy their time. Some of the high performing kids just want to learn everything, n most important, the parents can afford.


One mother ever complained that her kid already in a competitive sports, like national level…n still join another one just coz for the love of it. N in school volunteer to all sorts of activities…very good resume!