GEP - General Syllabus Discussion

[sleepy]

Mum101:

[maybe she did not do well in the interview section and/or no core CCA - however, these girls rejected or on waitlist from NYGH have offers from RGS.

Just read your posting below. Taking part in national competitions will do then, phew!

[metz]

Mum101:

mcq:

Hi parents,


My DS has just been offered a place in GEP. I'm a bit concern about the work load as he currently plays/trains tennis 5 times a week (3 wkdays + 2 wkends).

Would really like to get your inputs - do the kids have the bandwidth to be training 3 x 2 hours on weekdays, on top of their GEP schoolworks?

Thanks.

Hi,

It depends on the child. If your DS is a fast worker, I think he will be able to manage his time. My son is doing 2 sports (competitively) and have training on every other day on top of enrichment classes. I told him if he wants to continue to do his sports, he has to be efficient and tries to use his spare time in class to complete any homework. So, usually he takes about 1 hour or less to complete homework (if any) at home. For project works, he usually finds time during the weekends to research and complete. He is P6 now and his 3 years in GEP have been fruitful.

Wishing you all the best...

Thanks for your sharing, Mum101. It's really reassuring to know it is possible for some kids to keep up with their activities despite the heavier workload. Yesterday, my son was in dismay when I told him he might have to give up one of his musical instruments next year. Now with your sharing, I believe this is not impossible with good time management. Thanks for giving us a glimmer of hope.

:offtopic:
Btw, I read from the other thread about FPS. Is FPS exclusive to GEP? I thought all schools are free to participate. No?

[ooioo]

Mum101:

ooioo:

[quote=\"blessmum4\"]Wonder how many GEPpers secure a place in sec school through dsa. Where can I find out? Mine really not doing very well, hovering around 69-75%. Really worry if she can make it for PSLE

Generally more than 80% of the GEPpers will get above 250 for PSLE, but that does not mean GEPpers don't need to in hard work to do well in PSLE

There are some GEPpers that score below 250 for PSLE, those basically never study.

More IP schools means almost all GEPpers will get CO, unless you target \"some\" schools.

Hi,

From my son's experience (he is GEP P6 this year), to get a confirmed offers in top IP schools would need to have consistent results of aggregate scores of at least 80% in P4, P5 and P6 SA1. I heard many boys who scored below 80% did not get any confirmed offers - Reject from top school in Bishan and maybe waiting list in HCI if it is high 70s %. I also know of girls who got 84% was not given confirmed offer in NYGH - maybe she did not do well in the interview section and/or no core CCA - however, these girls rejected or on waitlist from NYGH have offers from RGS.[/quote]If GEPpers want to DSA to top schools, the competition will be tough, as they also compete with all the students in Singapore, especially those in Bukit Timah and Bishan. DSA is open to all students not just GEP.

Boys to Girls ratio is much higher in GEP, so boys need to do much better to get CO. But GEP girls grade on average is higher than boys, thus the requirement for girls is much higher.

NYGH have a much smaller allocation than RGS for DSA, thus the higher COP and DSA requirement. That's b cos NYGH is related to many other schools. But NYGH also do not have a proper mix of other races which IMHO is not healthy, especially for a country like Singapore.

To DSA HCI and NYGH, if you cannot converse properly in Chinese, or speak with an ang moh slang, then you should not hope for too much. There are Chinese school after all.

[Mum101]

Hi Fairyprincess,


My answers to your questions:

- you mean there is an interview to get into sec sch via DSA? Does having a core CCA help? Just a member of a CCA, or must be a leader of some sort in the CCA?
>> Yes. All GEP pupils are required to attend DSA interview - no exemption. They are only exempted from GAT/HAST if they have aggregate score of 80% (excluding Social Studies) consistently from P4 all the way to P6 SA1. I heard RGS has group interview i.e. 4 or 5 girls in a group in front of 2 or 3 interviewers. So, they take turns to discuss and answer questions. For NYGH, there were 2 format. Those GEP girls who will get confirmed offers attend tea session with the Principal. These girls are all rounders i.e. above 80%, core CCA i.e. taking part in competitions, grade 5, 6 or 8 in 1 or 2 music instruments, student leaders and etc. The 2nd group will have to go for interview, that is, the girls are grouped into 5 to 6 from different GE schools. They were given a discussion topic or task (I heard one scenario was that the girls are supposed to build a country/city…they have to decide what role they want to take up and what are the things they will do to build the country/city, why and etc). It is a group work with the girls discussing their work and 2 NYGH teachers standing at the sidelines to watch. I know of some girls who scored 80% or above was rejected or on waitlist - but these girls get confirmed offer from RGS. But, there is also one girl who only applied NYGH but her result is 80% or slightly lower was offered Confirmed offer. So, it looks like NYGH is looking for all rounders and holistic children.

- your P6 boy has coped very well in GEP- what additional enrichment support does he go for?
>> He goes for Chinese enrichment cos he does not really like Chinese. He also goes for Math enrichment but it is something he does not need but wants because he could socialise with his friends. He is not the hardworking type. He hates homework so the criteria for him to go enrichment is that there must be no homework.

He is able to complete his project and homework assignments every week night plus weekends?
>> Usually they are given a period of time e.g. weeks to complete project. So, he uses weekends to do his project in parts. He can write well so writing essay is not a problem to him. I will help by proof reading and give him suggestions to enhance the content. As for homework, there is not much homework. They are given worksheets and it is usually 1 to 3 sheets. As he is strong in Math, he could usually complete within 30 mins or less.

How many days per week does he need to stay back in sch for project or cca or remedial?
>> Project: He has never stay back for project except P5 project (FPS) to prepare for competition and it was not more than 3 times. He used google plus document to discuss and update group report via online editing with his classmates - this was done only like not more than 5 times. Most of the group project is done in school.
CCA: 2 times a week. Once on weekday and once on Saturday.
Remedial: No remedial for him. He told me remedial can be quite alot for weaker students who did not meet baseline. Those scoring below 70 for each subject. So if you have 2 week subjects, you may need to stay for 2 days.

- how to prepare for PSLE within such short time frame from May of P6 till PSLE?
>> I think if the child can cope with GEP, doing PSLE is not a problem. After P6 SA1, there will be a lot of mock papers from past year papers as well as NYPS mock paper to do. They are really good and enough to prepare them.

Does NYPS teach GEP kids to be PSLE-savvy e.g. exam answering techniques etc
>> Yes, dont need to buy past year papers. NYPS teachers really prepare them.

- Does the GEP curriculum already teach PSLE syllabus, at a faster rate? Or is GEP curriculum totally different? then when do GEP kids learn the regular curriculum to score well at PSLE??
>> Yes, it covers PSLE syllabus and beyond. Especially for Math, GEP kids would not have problem to get A* for PSLE math. For GEP English, the format is more of Sec 1 or Sec 2 standard esp. comprehension - there are only Cloze Passage and Comprehension in GEP exams or test. So, you may want to let your child practice some mainstream paper to keep him/her in touch - don’t overdo cos they will get really bored…maybe just practice a few papers during holidays. For GEP Science, more in-depth which I find it’s beneficial for the child esp in Paper 2 or Section B - Free Response. As for GEP Chinese, it is above Higher Chinese. But NYPS GEP Chinese teachers are really well trained and experienced, they will guide our children…leave it to them…they will be most willing to give coaching during recess and after school if the child needs help.

[Fairyprincess]

Mum101:


Thanks for your detailed inputs. I really salute you…you are one COOL mum!!

I almost felt like puking reading what a GEP child has to go through (no offence to anyone)… but it seems like a lot of work and very very intense competition…but if they can thrive and enjoy the learning, then I think it really enriches them via breadth of exposure and experiences…

OK- I will continue to find out more…

[blessmum4]

Fairyprincess:

Blessmum4, Mum101,


Thanks for your useful inputs. I am waiting to speak to my gal's FT and GEP HOD for more info...

Meanwhile, based on your posts, can I clarify the following:

Blessmum4:
- \"80% of GEPs score above 250 in PSLE\"- that seems quite good- where did you get this info from?

Mum101:
- you mean there is an interview to get into sec sch via DSA? Does having a core CCA help? Just a member of a CCA, or must be a leader of some sort in the CCA?
- your P6 boy has coped very well in GEP- what additional enrichment support does he go for? He is able to complete his project and homework assignments every week night plus weekends? How many days per week does he need to stay back in sch for project or cca or remedial?
- how to prepare for PSLE within such short time frame from May of P6 till PSLE? Does NYPS teach GEP kids to be PSLE-savvy e.g. exam answering techniques etc
- Does the GEP curriculum already teach PSLE syllabus, at a faster rate? Or is GEP curriculum totally different? then when do GEP kids learn the regular curriculum to score well at PSLE??

Thanks very much for any comments from all wise parents!

Err...it wasn't me that gave the statistic.

[Fairyprincess]

Sorry Blessmum4- think it was "ooioo" who posted that comment…sorry sorry…

[CayennePepper]

Can i ask the veteran parents here- for kids not overly strong in English, is it tough to cope with GEP English?

My ds is very math-y but really not that good at writing, so we’re hesitant on this account…

[ooioo]

Fairyprincess:

Sorry Blessmum4- think it was \"ooioo\" who posted that comment...sorry sorry....

Hi This is what I gather from diff teachers, principal from diff schools after visiting them in the past. Some, not all schools will conduct open house the week next week, after this Saturday talk on GE Branch. All Principals of 9 GEP Primary School will be there this Saturday, you can ask them during Q&A but will get more info if you ask them 1to1.

Dun be shock that a high % of GEPpers dun score well during PSLE, some years are much higher.

IMHO this is attributed to sometimes having a large number of GEPpers and their parents that are basically \"boh chap\" (not all parents even know or bother with Kiasuparents), most GEPper parents who ask question at Kiasuparents do quite well, so I think you will be ok.

Must not forget that GEP is not really voluntary; my child went for a test and they send him to another school, it should not affect \"my time\" or \"my life\". Some parents tell the children, your father have money, no need to work hard, you still be towkay someday, the most I send you go private school or overseas

[ooioo]

CayennePepper:

Can i ask the veteran parents here- for kids not overly strong in English, is it tough to cope with GEP English?

My ds is very math-y but really not that good at writing, so we're hesitant on this account...

GEP test focus on English, logic, math and General Ability. You will need to pass a certain standard in English in the test to qualify for GEP.

Even if you score full marks in Math during the 2 rounds, but fail in English, MOE will let the current School and Teacher know (the child becomes High Ability but not GEPper).

So dun worry. There will be kids that are very good in Math, some very good in English, and some rare ones, 3 in 100,000, 1 or 2 per cohort, that are good in everything