School with no exams for P1 and P2

[lizawa]

Henry Park :


P1 only SA2 + topical tests. All topical tests in semester 1 are not counted towards the final grades.

P2 - P6, no CAs, topical tests + Sa1 and Sa2.

For P3 and above where students are streamed into different classes based on their academic abilities, different groups of classes get different topical tests and some common topical tests. Only the common topical tests are counted towards the final grades.

[barney]

Appreciate all the comments received on this and the additional information on the test/exam system various schools have. Just wonder if this will be one of the criteria for selection of schools for some parents.


Anyway, with or without exams in P1 and P2 I believe parents' involvement in the child's academic is very important, as I've read in other threads. Just hope that kids attending schools without so many tests/exams in P1 and P2 will get to enjoy main stream school so much that by the time the school start having exams, they won't mind it after all. :roll: :?:

[SMILEY]

My girl is entering AMK primary next year.

Can anybody advice me on this school’s system?

[jedamum]

SMILEY:

My girl is entering AMK primary next year.

Can anybody advice me on this school's system?

Hi SMILEY,
you may want to take a look at the school's website. from their letter of notification to parents or timetable for SAs and CAs, you can find out if the school have that for lower primary.

[janice_0950]

[Moderator's note: Topics merged.]


If i am not wrong NOT all school the same and have CA or BOTH?
YOU all mommies knows any about TAMPINES area schools? :?:

THKS!

[ChiefKiasu]

janice_0950:

If i am not wrong NOT all school the same and have CA or BOTH?...

Hi janice_0950, not all school practise the same test formats. In general, term exams are as follows:

CA= Continual Assessment. Minor assessment. Usually happens in the 1st and 3rd terms.

SA= Semestral Assessment. Major assessment. Usually happens in the 2nd and 4th (Final) terms.

Topical tests = Minor assessments at the end of each term to determine the level of understanding the children have achieved for specific topics.

[janice_0950]

[Moderator's note: Topics merged.]


I am confused.
What is CA & SA?
if i am not wrong NOT all school are the same in Tampines Area School. right?
As i am staying in Street.71.
Wonder which school does have CA or Both.......?

[kwcllf]

Hi,


Zhangde Primary School does not have exam for P1. In P2, it has CA and SA for the whole year.

[zac's mum]

ACS Junior does not have CA nor SA for P1.


There are several bite-sized assessments spread throughout the year which are 10-30% weightage each. However, the mid-year report book made zero mention of grades/marks. I’m waiting to see what the year-end report book looks like and will update here.

Based on what I saw from school’s website, the first major exam is SA2 in P2 which is 50%. But I hope even this will change. Even MOE is encouraging more schools to move away from having the 4 major exams yearly.

IMO spreading out the assessments (and consequent stress) is beneficial for all: the students, parents and teachers. The latter have often commented to me that the mini-tests (plus the in-class spontaneous/surprise questions which the kids are required to answer on their personal whiteboards) are much more accurate reflections of their understanding, compared to a major exam (which only reflects the mugging & regurgitation skills of the kid, plus the nagging/coaching skills of the parent). If there is any gap in understanding by the student, it is noticed early, and the teachers will alert the parents and provide remedial lessons for the relevant subjects.

[zac's mum]

Update: the year-end report book for ACSJ does not indicate any marks either.


I heard that this practice is due to the Principal’s philosophy. She had the same practice during the time when she was Prinicpal of Fairfield Primary. IMO it takes away the unhealthy stress and comparisons among the pupils and parents.