GEP Preparatory Program
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nansk:
But doesn't the fact that the coached kids fail to get in lend weight to MOE's claim :evil:
What I concluded from the blog post I linked to, is that it is possible to be coached and prepared for the selection test, in Eng, Maths and General Ability. This possibility of coaching, leading to success, means that the moneyed kids have an edge. The MoE maintains that the test is not coachable, but the facts prove otherwise.
That is what people have found and that is what they aim for when they plan GEP prep for their kids. And then, of course, when their kids (whom they see as deserving of a GEP spot) don't get in, they vent here that the selection criteria are not fair/transparent. -
nansk,
By ‘coached’ and ‘prepared’, do you mean attending just the GEP preparatory classes or does it include enrichment/tuition classes?
Honestly, I wouldn’t be able to give you much opinion; firstly, I have never seen the papers, so I have no idea what’s been tested and if they can be coached or prepared for; secondly, my son has spent only about 3 years (4-7) in Singapore before he took the tests. During our stay in Singapore, he attended only Berries for enrichment.
But if you don’t mind, I can share his general comments on the papers. -
What I've learnt is that MOE is quite smart and tweaks the testing
In the past, the selection tests were all MCQs. Then some parents discovered how to train. Service providers happily catch up. Moneyed parents happily throw $$$ to train. MOE also catches up. There are now open-ended questions in the selection tests. Cannot tikam for those. -
CayennePepper:
Not only that, there is more than one set of test papers in the selection tests. At least, that's what we observed.What I've learnt is that MOE is quite smart and tweaks the testing
In the past, the selection tests were all MCQs. Then some parents discovered how to train. Service providers happily catch up. Moneyed parents happily throw $$$ to train. MOE also catches up. There are now open-ended questions in the selection tests. Cannot tikam for those. -
nansk:
Coz to me it's the same. If you have the capacity to take in the knowledge, and you actively seek the knowledge, or you are consciously expose to the knowledge by another party, plus a bit of luck...etc....surely you will have an edge over some.
You keep changing the topic to PSLE, and I am talking about prep for the GEP selection test, and whether an applicant can guage&meet the selection criteria.Nebbermind:
So are we talking about the kids (whether coachable or not), or the selection criteria?
Anyway, I think it's difficult to have absolute fair selection criteria. Take for example psle....
What I concluded from the blog post I linked to, is that it is possible to be coached and prepared for the selection test, in Eng, Maths and General Ability. This possibility of coaching, leading to success, means that the moneyed kids have an edge. The MoE maintains that the test is not coachable, but the facts prove otherwise.
That is what people have found and that is what they aim for when they plan GEP prep for their kids. And then, of course, when their kids (whom they see as deserving of a GEP spot) don't get in, they vent here that the selection criteria are not fair/transparent.
Same for Math Olympiad...if u are good, and have th proper training, that will set you apart from others.
As for Gep selection test, my view is that it is coachable, BUT not 'muggable'. If you are one with high processing power, you will be able to handle the variety of questions using the knowledge gained in reallife or thru training. If u r just a mugger, you may not be able to handle it.
SInce GEP test is not based on a certain syllabus, and possibly have wide variation, I believe what MOE meant is that you cannot just focus on a few questions and try to replicate the answers in the tests. -
metz:
True.. I thought it was quite tiring to do 4 papers in 2 days.
Not only that, there is more than one set of test papers in the selection tests. At least, that's what we observed.CayennePepper:
What I've learnt is that MOE is quite smart and tweaks the testing
In the past, the selection tests were all MCQs. Then some parents discovered how to train. Service providers happily catch up. Moneyed parents happily throw $$$ to train. MOE also catches up. There are now open-ended questions in the selection tests. Cannot tikam for those.
So parents should train their kids' test-taking stamina
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CayennePepper:
True.. I thought it was quite tiring to do 4 papers in 2 days.
Not only that, there is more than one set of test papers in the selection tests. At least, that's what we observed.metz:
[quote=\"CayennePepper\"]What I've learnt is that MOE is quite smart and tweaks the testing
In the past, the selection tests were all MCQs. Then some parents discovered how to train. Service providers happily catch up. Moneyed parents happily throw $$$ to train. MOE also catches up. There are now open-ended questions in the selection tests. Cannot tikam for those.
So parents should train their kids' test-taking stamina[/quote]It's like a marathon. Mine was so tired that he didn't want to talk about them. 
But what I meant is there is more than one set of English papers in the selection test. We realised the kids were given different passages. -
metz:
Oh oh I was told that! Math appears to be the same though.
It's like a marathon. Mine was so tired that he didn't want to talk about them.
But what I meant is there is more than one set of English papers in the selection test. We realised the kids were given different passages. -
metz:
It appears that both is needed, prep classes on IQ-type questions and enrichment/tuition for Maths and English.
By 'coached' and 'prepred', do you mean attending just the GEP preparatory classes or does it include enrichment/tuition classes?metz:
Yes, please do share. I find this subject very interesting.But if you don't mind, I can share his general comments on the papers.
Thanks!
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Nebbermind:
I agree with you.
Coz to me it's the same. If you have the capacity to take in the knowledge, and you actively seek the knowledge, or you are consciously expose to the knowledge by another party, plus a bit of luck...etc....surely you will have an edge over some.
Same for Math Olympiad...if u are good, and have th proper training, that will set you apart from others
The issue is always whether the kids has the capacity to take in the knowledge.
So it is not about whether how much we can teach/coach/enrich ... but more on whether is the kid has ability to understand and mentally prepared for such knowledge.
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