2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[Rational_Parent]

MMM:

Pen88n:

MMM, sorry if this post is going to disappoint you: DSA is not an easy route and there is lots of competition for the limited vacancies. To be chosen, one has to have \"exceptional\" talent in that area, and it has to be one that the school is looking for. Even then, there may be only a handful of vacancies. As such, only a handful of top \"seeds\" will get it.


It's not only DSA, by the time your kid enters sec sch, you will discover that CCA is the same - in sec sch, it is the CCA that chooses you, not you choose the CCA! Sad but true - you no longer can \"learn\" a new instrument or a sports by joining the CCA, you need to have certain standard before the CCA will accept you!

Hi Pen88,

Thanks for the advice. Frankly.... we really dunno what DSA entails at this point. At this point, we can only try to meet the \"requirement\" that was set eg. academic performance, CCA involvement, etc... hopefully that gives the child a better chance of being \"selected\" for audition.... Was telling dd who sits for PSLE next year that being selected is one thing, doing well for audition is another and not forgetting her academic performance.... Thinking about it makes me stressed too....

In any case, told her with/ without DSA if she can make it academically, even without DSA offer, she still can go to the school. Another concern they had was.... I still want to be in band. But yes.... I read that in sec school... sometimes they cannot go into their desired cca unless it's via dsa, appeal, etc.... On the other hand, also heard of those who got in via dsa/ appeal but they stop enjoying that cca but have no choice but to hang on. So the passion isn't as before driven by mates, conductor, etc....

DSA is open to all, regardless of whether your DD is a GEPer or from mainstream school.

There are different route to take when applying for DSA to schools of choice. You can consider the sports, performing arts, and academic route.

For DSA through sports or performing arts, your DD would have to be outstanding. Your case will be stronger if she has won national or international awards. I know of a girl who is moderately good academically (i.e. t-score 23+) and is a Wushu gold medalist in the national competition got called up and secured a place in NYGS. By the same token, her schoolmate who is also a Wushu gold medalist could not secure a place in VS via DSA, probably because his academic performance (i.e. average below 70 for 4 subjects) was not good enough or that because he is not a Singaporean. I don't really know and probably will never know. Another boy who is in the 2nd best class of his school was picked up by RI because he is the national track and field champion and holds the record in a particular discipline for his age group. Shortlisted applicants are usually called up by schools for selection trials.

Now for applying DSA through academic, your DD would have to produce at least her P5 results and P6 prelim result for application. In the case of VS, you will require to submit P4 results as well. VS is a boy's school but has affiliation with Cedar Girls. Therefore, the requirements might be the same. Schools will be looking at the average of the 4 subjects. If above 85 then the chance will be better, depending on schools you are applying to. Whatever the case, with the exception of GEPers who could be exempted if they meet certain criteria, applicants would have to sit for a General Ability Test (GAT) and do well in order to secure an interview. RGS has its own ability test. Apart from this ability test, some schools (e.g. DHS) go one step further to conduct their own internal test. If your DD has national awards such as Maths Olympiad (Bronze, silver, gold, platinum) then she will be in with a shout, especially if it is gold or platinum. Schools such as NUSH and SST are 100% DSA. In NUSH case, there is a boot camp for the school to select shortlisted applicants. One with platinum in maths competitions typically will get an interview and a place without having to go through the selection test.

You cannot change school once you take up a DSA offer from a school. Therefore, if you feel that your DD is good then give DSA a skip or do not take up offers. If you forgo DSA then your options are much better if your DD can achieve a t-score of above 260.

Hope the above has provided you more insight.

[Holychild72]

MeKiasu :thankyou: Leh:

Holychild72:

My child scored 252, whats the chances of him getting into IB programme at SJI

Whats the T-score for SJIJ and CHIJ Toa Payoh?

High I would say. Anyway, you are running out of time. So go to this URL http://app.sis.moe.gov.sg/schinfo/ to know more about those schools, including last year's COP.

I hope this helps.

[Holychild72]

mummy so kiasu:

Holychild72:

My child scored 252, whats the chances of him getting into IB programme at SJI

Whats the T-score for SJIJ and CHIJ Toa Payoh?

CHIJ is girls' school. You can put SJI IB as first choice & O level track as 2nd choice.

:thankyou:

[Sad Person]

Is appeal useful???

[Holychild72]

Sad Person:

Is appeal useful???

it might be useful if its a diff of 1 or 2 points but not too sure if its useful for the top schools, they tend to stick to their cut off points

[Desserts]

Sad person, I also have the same query as you. I think if 1-3 points, should be ok bah, I could be wrong.

My dd is short of 2 pts from this school s cop, I called the sch admin this morn to ask about appeal. She told me, "don"t put our school as your first 2 choices, and we always have 100 over appeals", in my heart, I was thinking, wah, the way she talks v very yah yah leh. This school is the high 22x school

I’m still headache which school to finalize and the sequence to put

[PSLE 2012]

Snow Crystal:

Janet, fifiyeo and parents who feel down about PSLE results:

PSLE is over and done with. Don't look back, choose a suitable school and focus on secondary school. You have been great parents and your DC will grow up to remember that you journeyed with them in PSLE. Your reaction will determine their level of self worth. So give them smiles and involve them in pros and cons of the 6choices to show that life goes on. 15 years later, this phase is but a memory. *Hugs to all*

I think you are quite right. After I got through the nightmare of my son's unexpected results, I realized that part of my anguish was becos it put a dent in my self worth. Here I was, top student in my primary school, distinctions in O and Level and post graduate degrees but could not ensure that my son got a high PSLE T Score? Was I so worthless as a tutor to my own DS?

Now that the dust has settled I have given myself a pep talk and told myself to look forward, my DS looks a bit happier. Don't let the poor 12 year old carry the burden of our shattered dreams ! All will be well!

[fifiyeo]

Desserts:

Sad person, I also have the same query as you. I think if 1-3 points, should be ok bah, I could be wrong.

My dd is short of 2 pts from this school s cop, I called the sch admin this morn to ask about appeal. She told me, \"don\"t put our school as your first 2 choices, and we always have 100 over appeals\", in my heart, I was thinking, wah, the way she talks v very yah yah leh. This school is the high 22x school

I'm still headache which school to finalize and the sequence to put

Some of these schools are very yah, yah. Best part not even in the top tier. Don't know what to say.

Don't be sadden by their remarks.

[Mama_ita]

My DS scored only 213. Can anyone recommend me which schools I should apply to? We are staying in the east. Thanks in advance.

[Dreamgear]

Desserts:

Sad person, I also have the same query as you. I think if 1-3 points, should be ok bah, I could be wrong.

My dd is short of 2 pts from this school s cop, I called the sch admin this morn to ask about appeal. She told me, \"don\"t put our school as your first 2 choices, and we always have 100 over appeals\", in my heart, I was thinking, wah, the way she talks v very yah yah leh. This school is the high 22x school

I'm still headache which school to finalize and the sequence to put

Dont worry, I'm sure the admin is not the decision maker..... However its a reflection on the school...