2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy

[Chenonceau]

Some papers have…

(1) spelling mistakes
(2) ambiguous questions

Schools like Nanyang, Tao Nan and Rosyth have very difficult Math questions. We do these FIRST and use them to learn with in a low stress context, way way way before exams. We leave the easy Math exams (e.g., MGS and CHIJ) for just before exams to build confidence and drill for speed.

ACS has very good English papers. One particular comprehension question and passage stood out for me in the subtlety of thought required for inference (and yet the question was not ambiguous). For English, we only do ACS and leave the rest. For Science, RGPS has highly thoughtful questions with multiple answers sometimes. Just this one paper alone teaches a lot about the thinking processes/skills required for Science. No need to do all.

[Mdm Koh]

coast:

Hi parents,


Can share whether the top schools' exam papers are more difficult or easy than PSLE past years' papers (the published booklet that you can get from Popular)?

Thanks!

Hi coast, I'm not a parent, but I've used both. The PSLE papers includes questions of varying levels so that they can be done by students of different abilities in Singapore. In that sense, they are \"easier\" as they have fewer high-level questions compared to the papers from the top schools.

It's still important, however, to practise the PSLE papers. The school teachers may not always set questions that are in line with the types of questions found in the PSLE. The bombastic vocab words that some top schools test may also not show up in the PSLE. Instead, the PSLE will test words that are slightly easier, and it would be a great pity if the student who knows all his bombastic words doesn't know the easier words.

[Chenonceau]

Mdm Koh:

coast:

Hi parents,


Can share whether the top schools' exam papers are more difficult or easy than PSLE past years' papers (the published booklet that you can get from Popular)?

Thanks!

Hi coast, I'm not a parent, but I've used both. The PSLE papers includes questions of varying levels so that they can be done by students of different abilities in Singapore. In that sense, they are \"easier\" as they have fewer high-level questions compared to the papers from the top schools.

It's still important, however, to practise the PSLE papers. The school teachers may not always set questions that are in line with the types of questions found in the PSLE. The bombastic vocab words that some top schools test may also not show up in the PSLE. Instead, the PSLE will test words that are slightly easier, and it would be a great pity if the student who knows all his bombastic words doesn't know the easier words.

:thankyou: You are actually able to get PSLE papers? The full unadulterated and un-reorganized papers? How?

[coast]

Chenonceau:

Some papers have...

(1) spelling mistakes
(2) ambiguous questions

Schools like Nanyang, Tao Nan and Rosyth have very difficult Math questions. We do these FIRST and use them to learn with in a low stress context, way way way before exams. We leave the easy Math exams (e.g., MGS and CHIJ) for just before exams to build confidence and drill for speed.

ACS has very good English papers. One particular comprehension question and passage stood out for me in the subtlety of thought required for inference (and yet the question was not ambiguous). For English, we only do ACS and leave the rest. For Science, RGPS has highly thoughtful questions with multiple answers sometimes. Just this one paper alone teaches a lot about the thinking processes/skills required for Science. No need to do all.

:thankyou:

Good strategy

Perhaps it's because MGS and CHIJ have affiliated sec schools

[coast]

Mdm Koh:

coast:

Hi parents,


Can share whether the top schools' exam papers are more difficult or easy than PSLE past years' papers (the published booklet that you can get from Popular)?

Thanks!

Hi coast, I'm not a parent, but I've used both. The PSLE papers includes questions of varying levels so that they can be done by students of different abilities in Singapore. In that sense, they are \"easier\" as they have fewer high-level questions compared to the papers from the top schools.

It's still important, however, to practise the PSLE papers. The school teachers may not always set questions that are in line with the types of questions found in the PSLE. The bombastic vocab words that some top schools test may also not show up in the PSLE. Instead, the PSLE will test words that are slightly easier, and it would be a great pity if the student who knows all his bombastic words doesn't know the easier words.

:thankyou:

Are your comments for English papers only? How about Maths or Science? I was just sharing in another thread that I heard of a top school raised its internal standard so high that its students did not do well in PSLE Maths for a particular year.

[coast]

Chenonceau:

Mdm Koh:

[quote=\"coast\"]Hi parents,


Can share whether the top schools' exam papers are more difficult or easy than PSLE past years' papers (the published booklet that you can get from Popular)?

Thanks!

Hi coast, I'm not a parent, but I've used both. The PSLE papers includes questions of varying levels so that they can be done by students of different abilities in Singapore. In that sense, they are \"easier\" as they have fewer high-level questions compared to the papers from the top schools.

It's still important, however, to practise the PSLE papers. The school teachers may not always set questions that are in line with the types of questions found in the PSLE. The bombastic vocab words that some top schools test may also not show up in the PSLE. Instead, the PSLE will test words that are slightly easier, and it would be a great pity if the student who knows all his bombastic words doesn't know the easier words.

:thankyou: You are actually able to get PSLE papers? The full unadulterated and un-reorganized papers? How?[/quote]You wait long long ... I believe she is referring to the PSLE past years' booklet you can buy from Popular

You never ask the MOE official why they do not release the actual papers?

[Chenonceau]

coast:

You never ask the MOE official why they do not release the actual papers?

I forgot.

[Zekezachzoom]

Chenonceau:

Schools like Nanyang, Tao Nan and Rosyth have very difficult Math questions.
ACS has very good English papers. For Science, RGPS has highly thoughtful questions with multiple answers sometimes.

I share the same observation as you

[Zekezachzoom]

Essential:

I just enquire full set 58 for 13 Sch, 70 for 15 Sch and 100 for 21 Sch. Not sure which one should buy

I bought the one with 13 schools though I know there are websites that allow free download as I figure out the ink used to print the papers will come out almost the same price for paying for the papers. Moreover, my printer does not print double sides;)

However, I do go to http://www.test-Paper.info to print older papers. It's free and comes with answer keys too

[coast]

Chenonceau:

coast:

You never ask the MOE official why they do not release the actual papers?

I forgot.

No worries Who knows? They might release it soon