DSA 2022

[Trismom]

Vevey\" post_id=\"2078176\" time=\"1660332478\" user_id=\"1350:

Affiliation is not an important consideration for HCL students who DSA because max bonus point for HCL & CCA to any JC is 4.
However, NCHS offers CLEP which gives 2 extra bonus points if students opt for CLEP in JC. Total 6 bonus pts.

Hmm tink cchms also offer CLEP ?

[SG_KP1]

Trismom\" post_id=\"2078179\" time=\"1660349829\" user_id=\"95333:

Hmm tink cchms also offer CLEP ?

Yes, CLEP (Secondary) is also offered at CCHM, Anglican, Nan Hua High, Nan Chiau High, and Maris Stella High.

I think the original comment was in response to Nan Chiau vs. CCHY (the two schools that issued CO to a student). The response is from the viewpoint that the affiliation isn't worth that much if you are taking HCL because the student will likely max out the 4 points from HCL and CCA. Of course, if you are not taking HCL (or HMT more broadly) or you can only get 1 point out of CCA, then the affiliation (2 points) still has value.

If the student likes Chinese and takes CLEP in JC, you can get another 2 points deduction that is not limited by the 4 points bucket above (CCA, HMT, affiliation, MSP/CSP/Bahasa Indonesia). i.e. end up with 6 points total deduction. It is probably more likely kids that take CLEP in Secondary School would be interested in CLEP in JC. However, I don't believe CLEP in Secondary is a prerequisite for CLEP in JC. Nevertheless, I wouldn't advise signing up for CLEP in JC just to gain entry via the additional 2 points. IMO, the student would be much better advised to take something he/she likes.

[Kitty mum]

Thanks to all for sharing. It is indeed not an easy choice imo as both schools are good. But my girl seems to be more inclined towards NCHS as she was rather impressed with the warm and friendly vibe in the school during the DSA audition. The only drawback is distance as we reside near YCK 😅

[floppy]

SG_KP1\" post_id=\"2078181\" time=\"1660351213\" user_id=\"188234:

…
I think the original comment was in response to Nan Chiau vs. CCHY (the two schools that issued CO to a student). The response is from the viewpoint that the affiliation isn't worth that much if you are taking HCL because the student will likely max out the 4 points from HCL and CCA. Of course, if you are not taking HCL (or HMT more broadly) or you can only get 1 point out of CCA, then the affiliation (2 points) still has value.
…

Bingo.
NCHS is a SAP school which means HCL is offered. While CCHM is a SAP school, CCHY is not. I do not know what’s the criteria required for CCHY to offer HCL to a student.

If you can pass HCL, ie C6 or better, that’s 2 bonus points in the bag - which can be used on ALL JC, not just tied to one. Furthermore, the extra bonus of passing HCL at O Level is there’s no need to take CL at JC.

At the end of the day, you can only have 4 bonus points, CLEP notwithstanding. The other 2 bonus points will typically come from CCA. Given that a student is going to DSA via a non-academic domain, I don’t think that’s a concern, unless he / she is unable to participate for some unforeseen circumstances.

Two affiliation bonus points is really only good for people who intend to sit thru 4 years of secondary school doing nothing or who don’t wish to take HMT and don’t mind limiting their option to only ONE JC. Otherwise, it’s not an important consideration.

[floppy]

Kitty mum\" post_id=\"2078183\" time=\"1660351392\" user_id=\"122510:[quote=\"Kitty mum\" post_id=2078183 time=1660351392 user_id=122510]
…
The only drawback is distance as we reside near YCK 😅[/quote]

What distance?
NCHS is in SK, not Jurong leh. 20mins from YCK by bus,

[zac's mum]

Just to throw in the opposing view regarding doing HCL in secondary just for the 2 points: if I can achieve 2 grade jumps in one or more of my L1R5 compulsory subjects (Math/Science/Humanities) by spending that same amount of hours on those, may be more worth my time than struggling thru HCL, which requires more multi-faceted learning, and neglecting the core subjects. Time is extremely precious in secondary school.

[00skyblue00]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2078189\" time=\"1660355020\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2078189 time=1660355020 user_id=53606]
Just to throw in the opposing view regarding doing HCL in secondary just for the 2 points: if I can achieve 2 grade jumps in one or more of my L1R5 compulsory subjects (Math/Science/Humanities) by spending that same amount of hours on those, may be more worth my time than struggling thru HCL, which requires more multi-faceted learning, and neglecting the core subjects. Time is extremely precious in secondary school.[/quote]

Yes, the bonus points for HCL was meant for students with interest in the language and those who are already doing well in other subjects with extra capacity to take on more, and learning Chinese should take precedence over other foreign languages. More westerns, non Chinese are taking up learning Chinese.

A child can equally benefit if not more in investing time in other interest and passion, than taking extra tuition to take up HCL and keep failing.

If child chooses poly path, HCL bonus points will not help too.

[floppy]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2078189\" time=\"1660355020\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2078189 time=1660355020 user_id=53606]
Just to throw in the opposing view regarding doing HCL in secondary just for the 2 points: if I can achieve 2 grade jumps in one or more of my L1R5 compulsory subjects (Math/Science/Humanities) by spending that same amount of hours on those, may be more worth my time than struggling thru HCL, which requires more multi-faceted learning, and neglecting the core subjects. Time is extremely precious in secondary school.[/quote]

Yes… but

If you are spending that much time aiming for a 2 grade jump, my suggestion would be to reconsider whether NYJC is a suitable JC for you.

[Imp75]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2078189\" time=\"1660355020\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2078189 time=1660355020 user_id=53606]
Just to throw in the opposing view regarding doing HCL in secondary just for the 2 points: if I can achieve 2 grade jumps in one or more of my L1R5 compulsory subjects (Math/Science/Humanities) by spending that same amount of hours on those, may be more worth my time than struggling thru HCL, which requires more multi-faceted learning, and neglecting the core subjects. Time is extremely precious in secondary school.[/quote]

Correct me if I am wrong. Don’t students taking hcl automatically take cl as well so it’s hit 2 birds with 1 stone? If learn well for hcl means learn well for cl? Quite economy of scale le….
I know in pri Sch, my kids only buy the hcl text and wb and tchr teach the hcl syllabus only but they take both Chinese exams in psle

[zac's mum]

Imp75\" post_id=\"2078196\" time=\"1660357624\" user_id=\"2358:

Correct me if I am wrong. Don’t students taking hcl automatically take cl as well so it’s hit 2 birds with 1 stone? If learn well for hcl means learn well for cl? Quite economy of scale le….
I know in pri Sch, my kids only buy the hcl text and wb and tchr teach the hcl syllabus only but they take both Chinese exams in psle

Secondary school HCL is administered slightly differently. Lesson time & textbooks is either HCL or CL. But those on Sec HCL path need to study for and take 1-2 extra exams (O level CL) in Sec 3 / IP Year 3. Essentially it is the same O level paper that Sec 4s traditionally take, but they do it 1-1.5 years earlier.