DSA 2023

[fy2000jp2]

fy2000jp2\" post_id=\"2072994\" time=\"1656752938\" user_id=\"197677:

Some info from the kid on the RI 2022 Academic-ENGLISH selection test format. Your mileage for DSA 2023+ might vary.
- 1.5hrs
- 1 Situational Writing exercise (similar to PSLE-style Q)
- 3 Comprehension exercises (2 similar to PSLE-style Q, 1 non-standard Q)

Kid says the comprehension exercises was challenging.
Kid also reports candidate seated behind him, a GEP student, moaned about the third comprehension passage.

Wished I had the test format info before selection test.

Kid, being less cranky after his afternoon nap, gave more info on the non-standard Qs.
- these are found in paper 2
- comprehension Qs on \"poems\"
- 6 \"poems,\" each with 6 Qs
- ie 36Qs in total for paper 2 (45mins)

I asked him if these poems are from the likes of Shakespeare, Blake, and Wordsworth; he said nope. He said these poems mentions \"sarong\" ! :shock:

Now I understand why the student behind him was moaning

[phtthp]

https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=48&t=101834&start=1120

[fy2000jp2]

fy2000jp2\" post_id=\"2073031\" time=\"1656766843\" user_id=\"197677:

Kid, being less cranky after his afternoon nap, gave more info on the non-standard Qs.
- these are found in paper 2
- comprehension Qs on \"poems\"
- 6 \"poems,\" each with 6 Qs
- ie 36Qs in total for paper 2 (45mins)

I asked him if these poems are from the likes of Shakespeare, Blake, and Wordsworth; he said nope. He said these poems mentions \"sarong\" ! :shock:

Now I understand why the student behind him was moaning

Finally persuaded the kid to share some details of these poems.
- Thoughts of a mother (an angel with wings.. death?)
- War (lots of anger)
- Funeral of grandaunt
- Insomnia
- Snow
- Immigration

Surprisingly some mature and melancholic subject matters for 12yr olds. Kid said that the poems were not attributed. I suspect that these could be works of older RI students.

The darker poems are not what I would have guided the kid to read. But, RI is looking for students \"beyond the abilities of children in your age group.\" And most poets/poems, I can still recall, are inspired by deep emotions.

http://www.ri.edu.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/admissions/2022-year-1-dsa-acad---amended-ic.pdf?sfvrsn=5ad6a43a_0

[fy2000jp2]

fy2000jp2\" post_id=\"2073060\" time=\"1656830691\" user_id=\"197677:

Finally persuaded the kid to share some details of these poems.
- Thoughts of a mother (an angel with wings.. death?)
- War (lots of anger)
- Funeral of grandaunt
- Insomnia
- Snow
- Immigration

Surprisingly some mature and melancholic subject matters for 12yr olds. Kid said that the poems were not attributed. I suspect that these could be works of older RI students.

The darker poems are not what I would have guided the kid to read. But, RI is looking for students \"beyond the abilities of children in your age group.\" And most poets/poems, I can still recall, are inspired by deep emotions.

http://www.ri.edu.sg/docs/default-source/default-document-library/admissions/2022-year-1-dsa-acad---amended-ic.pdf?sfvrsn=5ad6a43a_0

I stand corrected on the source of the poems. After I stuffed the kid with a good dinner :evil: , he shared with me 10 lines he remembered from the WAR poem. I located the poem and the poet . The kid got 10 of the 13lines correct ! :hugs: Here's his 10 lines
<REDACTED>

Here is link to full the poem <REDACTED>
And this publication is NOT avail at NLB.

[Monkbone]

Hi KSPs

Now that the 2010 babies are in the midst of their battles, I’d like to seek your views about the selection process for DSA by the sec schools for the 2011 babies next year –
From some feedback I received about the selection process for 2010 babies this year, many sec schools (in particular the IP schools) will apply a first level filter, which is their P6 mid year exam results (e.g. AL12 or lower). The reason being these popular schools do not have the resources to sift through thousands of DSA applications, so this is the easiest and fastest way.
Next year, MOE will remove mid year exam for P6. So the question now is, what kind of 1st level filter will these schools apply then? P5 year end exam results, or P6 term1 and/or term 2 weighted assignment results?
:thankyou:

[phtthp]

Monkbone\" post_id=\"2074259\" time=\"1657699932\" user_id=\"197889:

Hi KSPs
Now that the 2010 babies are in the midst of their battles, I’d like to seek your views about the selection process for DSA by the sec schools for the 2011 babies next year –
From some feedback I received about the selection process for 2010 babies this year, many sec schools (in particular the IP schools) will apply a first level filter, which is their P6 mid year exam results (e.g. AL12 or lower). The reason being these popular schools do not have the resources to sift through thousands of DSA applications, so this is the easiest and fastest way.
Next year, MOE will remove mid year exam for P6. So the question now is, what kind of 1st level filter will these schools apply then? P5 year end exam results, or P6 term1 and/or term 2 weighted assignment results?
:thankyou:

They will still look at all your
( P5 and P6 ) test results.

Even if they remove P6 mid year exam, whatever tests that exist in P6, they will still look

[SG_KP1]

Monkbone\" post_id=\"2074259\" time=\"1657699932\" user_id=\"197889:

Hi KSPs
Now that the 2010 babies are in the midst of their battles, I’d like to seek your views about the selection process for DSA by the sec schools for the 2011 babies next year –
From some feedback I received about the selection process for 2010 babies this year, many sec schools (in particular the IP schools) will apply a first level filter, which is their P6 mid year exam results (e.g. AL12 or lower). The reason being these popular schools do not have the resources to sift through thousands of DSA applications, so this is the easiest and fastest way.
Next year, MOE will remove mid year exam for P6. So the question now is, what kind of 1st level filter will these schools apply then? P5 year end exam results, or P6 term1 and/or term 2 weighted assignment results?
:thankyou:

It is an interesting question. Years ago, the adjustment took place in P5 SA1 and by P5 SA2 / P6 SA1 the kids were usually performing where they should be. Now, the adjustment is often in P5 SA2, which leaves P6 SA1 as the evaluation point (if not P5 SA2 / P5 Year Results as well).

Next year with no P6 SA1? Don't know but I'm sure they'll manage it just fine (whether P6 WAs or combo with P5 results).

Regardless, all one can do is try their best on the exams (whatever they are) and apply. Also remember, it's probably not 1000s of applications per domain. Within each school, the domain/subject heads can take a look at the application and if there is domain specific talent they can always evaluate further if necessary.

[zac's mum]

You can probably put your qn to the IP schools during their Nov open houses, and also during their April/May DSA open houses. We can all guess at this forum but we dont represent the schools.


Yes let the kids do their best at each test/exam from now on, P5-P6. But unless the grades are going to change your choices of which schools to DSA for, I think you are still going to give DSA a shot anyway right, regardless of grades.

[Monkbone]

Thanks phtthp and SG_KP1 for your feedback.


I guess different schools will filter differently. But here is a real-life case:
My friend's son is P6 this year, and is very good in Wushu, winning quite a number of medals over the years. He also scored well academically in P4 and P5, getting AL6 for P5 end exams. However, for P6 mid year his pri school unexpectedly hit the P6 students with Olympiad-level papers for all subjects, resulting in his AL14 score. Nonetheless he applied DSA Wushu to an IP school in the east, but did not get pass the 1st round of shortlisting.
My friend then checked with his friend's friend, who is a staff from this IP school, and got the feedback that the school will look at the kids' P6 mid year result first. If that is beyond their preset threshold, then hard cheese...

[Monkbone]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2074270\" time=\"1657707242\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2074270 time=1657707242 user_id=53606]
You can probably put your qn to the IP schools during their Nov open houses, and also during their April/May DSA open houses. We can all guess at this forum but we dont represent the schools.

Yes let the kids do their best at each test/exam from now on, P5-P6. But unless the grades are going to change your *choices* of which schools to DSA for, I think you are still going to give DSA a shot anyway right, regardless of grades.[/quote]

Thanks zac's mum.

But IMHO, I do not think the sec schools will give an honest answer during open house, when asked which academic result year they will evaluate. The politically appropriate answer will be P6 AND P5, or even with P4. If they tell parents only P6 mid year exam then we can imagine the repercussions...