Exams Blues or Fever

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Mon, 03 May 2010 03:11:34 GMT

janet88 — Mon, 03 May 2010 03:11:34 GMT

This exam stress on top of the heat is driving all of us NUTS. For CA1, it’s good to score since it’s only few chapters. Without CAs, it will be more stressful bcos there will be more weightage on SA1/2.

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Mon, 03 May 2010 03:03:02 GMT

corneyAmber — Mon, 03 May 2010 03:03:02 GMT

janet_lee88:
My son has CA1, SA1 and SA2.

CA1 carries 10%, SA1 is 30% and SA2 is 60%. In a way, 60% for SA2 is rather intense already, covering Book 1 and 2.
Lots of catching up to do if CA1/SA1 not done well. Further more, it's only 1 book for SA1.

In short, parents are still stressed. Fortunately, my PMS is over. HaHaHa. Otherwise, I have to cope with 2 forms of stress.

Personally I find CAs stressful and counter-productive but having said that CA1, SA1, CA2 and SA2 is like producing quarterly results in the corporate world.. So get them started early is to get them to face the harsh reality in future. :lol:

Yes you are funny to bring in PMS....I am another without PMS like buds, lucky for people around us otherwise the heat is even stronger.

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Mon, 03 May 2010 02:53:30 GMT

buds — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:53:30 GMT

chamonix:
When I first read your post, I wondered if our kids were in the same school :? ... until I read here...

buds:
Wuahahahaa! Same same same! :rotflmao:
DD2 came back one day, said... \"Mum i have worksheets for you to sign.
And i got 20 upon 20 for all of them... there are some 30 upon 30 too...\"

chamonix:
cheh, cannot be cos mine only brought back papers with 20 upon 20, no 30 upon 30 :politebleah: And I didn't know about the surprise Chinese Tests until PTM. Apparently, his teacher never returns them. (to avoid suprising the parents? )

Probably ba.. I've just checked. DD2 only had one paper with the total
upon 30. The rest have consistently been 20 marks in total per paper.

She just brought back the papers to be signed..

chamonix:
Good thing in a way - I don't get to be stressed.

buds:
Heck yeah! :celebrate: As we speak, the tide has already blown over with all the tests. Lucky us hor Chamonix?

chamonix:
Let's toast to that! :celebrate:

Hear hear! :celebrate:

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Mon, 03 May 2010 02:12:10 GMT

buds — Mon, 03 May 2010 02:12:10 GMT

janet_lee88:
My son has CA1, SA1 and SA2.

CA1 carries 10%, SA1 is 30% and SA2 is 60%. In a way, 60% for SA2 is rather intense already, covering Book 1 and 2.
Lots of catching up to do if CA1/SA1 not done well. Further more, it's only 1 book for SA1.

Yup, in short... they'd be tested based on the broad whole year's
knowledge of everything.. *gulp* Lots and lots to catch
up with if really the CA1 and SA1 does not seem encouraging..

janet_lee88:
In short, parents are still stressed. Fortunately, my PMS is over. HaHaHa. Otherwise, I have to cope with 2 forms of stress.

:rotflmao: Wuahahhaaa! You are very funny, janet_lee88! :rotflmao:

My hubs and kiddies must thank me for..... i do not having this PMS
thingy.. Lucky them hor.

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Mon, 03 May 2010 01:49:40 GMT

janet88 — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:49:40 GMT

My son has CA1, SA1 and SA2.

CA1 carries 10%, SA1 is 30% and SA2 is 60%. In a way, 60% for SA2 is rather intense already, covering Book 1 and 2.
Lots of catching up to do if CA1/SA1 not done well. Further more, it’s only 1 book for SA1.

In short, parents are still stressed. Fortunately, my PMS is over. HaHaHa. Otherwise, I have to cope with 2 forms of stress.

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Mon, 03 May 2010 01:47:55 GMT

buds — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:47:55 GMT

\"The con is when they are not in top form during sa2 it will not reflect their true ability.\"

Yup, it would be a pity..

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Mon, 03 May 2010 01:40:50 GMT

corneyAmber — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:40:50 GMT

For ours the emphasis is also on sa2, 70%. So in a way, the stress is really at the tail end where kids need to give the final burst of their prowess. The con is when they are not in top form during sa2 it will not reflect their true ability. This approach is like competition handling, with some element of luck required but stress is intense for that period, good for parents, bad for kids. The test approach requires one to manage the stress throughout, good for kids, bad for parents.

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Mon, 03 May 2010 01:02:29 GMT

buds — Mon, 03 May 2010 01:02:29 GMT

Wow! :!:

SA2 will be more stressful with
the weightage being much much
heavier than SA1..

Yes. What i offered above is a guide.
It may not be like that now... so i better
go find out. :siam: Especially since the
change of a new principal.

DD2 no SA1 only DD1 @ P3. Full swing liao.

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Mon, 03 May 2010 00:52:35 GMT

Brenda10 — Mon, 03 May 2010 00:52:35 GMT

buds:
You're right, ksi. Banding process varies with individual school.

DDs school used to stream students from the Pri 1 final result.. :faint:
Something which was unheard of in my time...

Final result in DDs school is... SA 1 + SA 2 = 60% + 40%.

Based on the percentage; which may again vary between schools,
SA1 is seen as very very important and it should be easier to score
(less topics to learn as compared to SA2) and better to score more or .... :evil:.... most!

Since 60% (SA1) carries so much weight in the eventual streaming
process and easier to score because less topics covered... it can be
rather exasperating when child doesn't do well enough to back up or
top up.. :evil:... the SA2 results; to ensure an above average final result.

So for higher achiever children and ehem.. parents as well.. ...
SA1 is deemed as a nabshot chance to come out tops in P1 level &
get to go to a Banded P2 class next year, where most say... where
the better and more creative teachers are. Banded classes are said
to have more enrichment activities, out of class experience, and also
hands-on / interactive learning with a smaller group of higher achieving
group of students. Hence, the race for Banded Classes.

HI buds,

For DD School, the calculation of final result for P3 to P5:
(No sure about P2 as things could be change now)

1st half year
CA 1 – 30%
SA1 – 70%

Total: 100% (Weighting = 30% in final result)

2nd half year
CA2- 30%
SA2 – 70%

Total: 100% (Weighting = 70% in final result)

Final Grade: 1st half year (30%) + 2nd half year (70%) = 100%

So if the child doesn’t do well in the 1st half, then the 2nd half still has chance to catch up.

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 13:20:57 GMT

Joy — Sun, 02 May 2010 13:20:57 GMT

not sure about more experience teacher but definately more challenging worksheet and class environment.

sleepy:
Joy:
end pri two.

They will stream \"unofficially into top and second best class\"
What are the advantages of being in the top 2 classes?

More experienced teachers? More challenging worksheets?

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 10:38:40 GMT

buds — Sun, 02 May 2010 10:38:40 GMT

sleepy:
What are the advantages of being in the top 2 classes?

More experienced teachers? More challenging worksheets?

1. In our DDs sch, lesser students in one class.

2. Higher order curriculum, involving enriching hands-on and interactive
activities to engage the students in the class who are already quite
brilliant with the basic topic concepts.

3. In these classes also, the students are more well-behaved
(Disclaimer : According to parent-friends who are in banded classes),
or more behaving than the normal classes as these are children who
like studying and enjoy studying... less of playing.

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 10:35:57 GMT

sleepy — Sun, 02 May 2010 10:35:57 GMT

I am much more relaxed this year compared to last year. This year, I didn't even bother to print any top school exam papers for my dd. No exam fever & still in the mood to watch 偶像剧 :lol:

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 10:29:06 GMT

metz — Sun, 02 May 2010 10:29:06 GMT

When I first read your post,

buds:

chamonix:
My son has no SA too but quite a number of Topical Tests.

Same with DD2.
chamonix:
There are some tests almost every few weeks. So far, he already had 3-4 topical tests for each subject ...

Again same! :hi5:
chamonix:
and more for Chinese (surprise tests).

Wah, what are the odds! :celebrate:
Yet again, SAME! :hi5:

They are given like pop tests. :evil:

I wondered if our kids were in the same school :? ... until I read here

buds:

Wuahahahaa! Same same same! :rotflmao:
DD2 came back one day, said... \"Mum i have worksheets for you to sign.
And i got 20 upon 20 for all of them... there are some 30 upon 30 too...\"

cheh, cannot be cos mine only brought back papers with 20 upon 20, no 30 upon 30 :politebleah:

And I didn't know about the surprise Chinese Tests until PTM. Apparently, his teacher never returns them. (to avoid suprising the parents? )

buds:

chamonix:
Good thing in a way - I don't get to be stressed.
Heck yeah! :celebrate:

As we speak, the tide has already blown over with all the tests.

Lucky us hor Chamonix?

Let's toast to that! :celebrate:

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 10:27:27 GMT

sleepy — Sun, 02 May 2010 10:27:27 GMT

Joy:
end pri two.

They will stream \"unofficially into top and second best class\"

What are the advantages of being in the top 2 classes?

More experienced teachers? More challenging worksheets?

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 09:32:48 GMT

buds — Sun, 02 May 2010 09:32:48 GMT

You're right, ksi. Banding process varies with individual school.

DDs school used to stream students from the Pri 1 final result.. :faint:
Something which was unheard of in my time...

Final result in DDs school is... SA 1 + SA 2 = 60% + 40%.

Based on the percentage; which may again vary between schools,
SA1 is seen as very very important and it should be easier to score
(less topics to learn as compared to SA2) and better to score more or .... :evil:.... most!

Since 60% (SA1) carries so much weight in the eventual streaming
process and easier to score because less topics covered... it can be
rather exasperating when child doesn't do well enough to back up or
top up.. :evil:... the SA2 results; to ensure an above average final result.

So for higher achiever children and ehem.. parents as well.. ...
SA1 is deemed as a nabshot chance to come out tops in P1 level &
get to go to a Banded P2 class next year, where most say... where
the better and more creative teachers are. Banded classes are said
to have more enrichment activities, out of class experience, and also
hands-on / interactive learning with a smaller group of higher achieving
group of students. Hence, the race for Banded Classes.

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 09:27:47 GMT

Joy — Sun, 02 May 2010 09:27:47 GMT

Agreed.

Tankee, your child is in the same school as mine.

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 09:01:10 GMT

corneyAmber — Sun, 02 May 2010 09:01:10 GMT

tankee:
Joy:
tankee

You can have honeymoon whole of this year, but not in pri two, cos streaming kicks in...hope this helps.

cheers
Joy[quote=\"tankee\"]by the way, how important is P1 exam result? :?

streaming is end of P1 or P2? :?[/quote]It varies from school to school, some P1, some P2 and some P3.
Typically they do a major streaming in P2 and there are various combinations of \"streaming\" in a school so it is best you find out about yours. If I explain mine to you, it is very complicated and does not serve your purpose. :lol:

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 08:56:38 GMT

Joy — Sun, 02 May 2010 08:56:38 GMT

end pri two.

They will stream \"unofficially into top and second best class\"

tankee:
Joy:
tankee

You can have honeymoon whole of this year, but not in pri two, cos streaming kicks in...hope this helps.

cheers
Joy[quote=\"tankee\"]by the way, how important is P1 exam result? :?

streaming is end of P1 or P2? :?[/quote]

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 08:51:45 GMT

tankee — Sun, 02 May 2010 08:51:45 GMT

Joy:
tankee

You can have honeymoon whole of this year, but not in pri two, cos streaming kicks in...hope this helps.

cheers
Joy
tankee:
by the way, how important is P1 exam result? :?

streaming is end of P1 or P2? :?

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 08:21:51 GMT

corneyAmber — Sun, 02 May 2010 08:21:51 GMT

jedamum:
ksi:
but this point cuts both ways, i.e. not well dampens the learning process as well.

doing not well will result in (1) dampens spirit or (2) increase diligence/fighting spirit, depending on how the parent handles the results.
likewise, doing well will result in (1) feelgood factor or (2) complacency.

Nowadays I find your response interesting, Jedamum, can tabulate into a complex decision tree, but you are right, there is alot of \"depend\" factors, that is what makes life interesting, no 2 same outcomes but many possibilities.

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 07:46:31 GMT

buds — Sun, 02 May 2010 07:46:31 GMT

chamonix:
My son has no SA too but quite a number of Topical Tests.

Same with DD2.

chamonix:
There are some tests almost every few weeks. So far, he already had 3-4 topical tests for each subject ...

Again same! :hi5:

chamonix:
and more for Chinese (surprise tests).

Wah, what are the odds! :celebrate:
Yet again, SAME! :hi5:

They are given like pop tests. :evil:

chamonix:
Erm, I only get to know about the tests when my signature is required. My son simply forgot to tell me the tests even though he wrote them down faithfully in his school journal. :shock:

Wuahahahaa! Same same same! :rotflmao:
DD2 came back one day, said... \"Mum i have worksheets for you to sign.
And i got 20 upon 20 for all of them... there are some 30 upon 30 too...\"

I went like, :?.

:whut:

I asked, \"How come there are marks for worksheets?\"

And... that was when i JUMPED! \"Then that must be test papers!\"
I gestured her to bring ALL of them to me and i realised they were
all topical tests! :faint: I too, asked her why i wasn't informed & there
wasn't any note or reminders with regards to any preparation for them?
Cos i do look into both their journals regularly, either they show me or i
go check it out myself. :evil:

She claimed that the teachers want us to try ourselves because all these
we learnt in school.

chamonix:
Good thing in a way - I don't get to be stressed.

Heck yeah! :celebrate:

As we speak, the tide has already blown over with all the tests.

Lucky us hor Chamonix?

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 07:05:58 GMT

Joy — Sun, 02 May 2010 07:05:58 GMT

thanks for sharing.I think your dd is very well prepared.

For math, to run thr all the mistakes, I think its not possible for everything.So, I will just pick those area that is most likely to make mistakes.Imagine, sa1 08 and 09 math, there are so many.If going thr, probably will be the most recent one, cos as they practise along the way, the old mistakes should have been rectify...I hope.

For science, I have tried making dd to redo mistakes esp mcq since pri three.It didnt help much.I guess still the analysis power is not there.

For Languages, you are right about the comprehension part.I make the mistake not focussing it previously.

For English, again its compre area.The school expected a more profound answer this time round.No lifting from the passage, but own words yet without changing the meaning.

Cheers

Brenda10:
Hi, my P5 DD starting doing the top schools past year SA1 papers after the March holiday. She has completed ¾ of the Maths/Science papers. The maths papers are no easy as there are various model/pattern to remember especially “ratio”. Very IMPORTANT, the Maths must take timing otherwise you may not able to complete the test and also no time for checking.
Now we would just slowly review through those mistakes and emphasis the important key point/concept/model.

For English paper 2 (95 mark), we would practice more on “Fill in each blank with a suitable word” and “Comprehension Open-ended\" this two area marks are 35/95.

For Chinese paper 2 will focus on 理解问答1 and理解问答2 (13 question total marks 34/90 of the paper 2)， some 4 marks questions are not easy to attempt to provided you can understand the whole story very well and have good 词汇to answer. Therefore we would focus more on these types of questions. Others section which are multiply choices if the child not sure can still take chance.

For English Paper 1, DD class so far had completed 8 sets of composition and situational writing in the class with timing measure. Therefore DD would just need to select a few hot topics to read through and takes notes of some good phrases of words.

For Chinese Paper 1, DD would review some good model and most importantly know how to write the good beginning and good ending/conclusion. Some appropriate 成语 for different circumstances/situations to be used.
　
For listening test, no practice as we think by watching all these English/Chinese show daily should have more or less help her in this area.

To relax, activities remain the same. She would still carry on with the normal activities like swimming class, watching favour English cartoon show, 红白喜事，综艺大哥大 , playing UNO and game boy /computer game (0.5 hours for break).

The above is our little contribution :oops: on the experience of handling SA1 for the primary 5.

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 06:30:17 GMT

metz — Sun, 02 May 2010 06:30:17 GMT

BlurBee:
Hehe, no SA1 for my DD yet (P1).

So still have no stress.

My son has no SA too but quite a number of Topical Tests. There are some tests almost every few weeks. So far, he already had 3-4 topical tests for each subject and more for Chinese (surprise tests).

Erm, I only get to know about the tests when my signature is required. My son simply forgot to tell me the tests even though he wrote them down faithfully in his school journal. :shock: Good thing in a way - I don't get to be stressed.

Reply to Exams Blues or Fever on Sun, 02 May 2010 05:47:57 GMT

jedamum — Sun, 02 May 2010 05:47:57 GMT

ksi:
but this point cuts both ways, i.e. not well dampens the learning process as well.

doing not well will result in (1) dampens spirit or (2) increase diligence/fighting spirit, depending on how the parent handles the results.
likewise, doing well will result in (1) feelgood factor or (2) complacency.