2009 GEP Screening And Selection

[Puffer]

Is it true that the 1st round of screening test result was released to the students earlier? Although my son didn’t know about this, his classmates actually told me that results of every student were pasted in the classroom.


btw, anyone’s DD or DS is taking the test at RVPS? I got a slight shock to see so many unfamiliar faces today! I read that there are 400 candidates in the test centre. Lucky this year’s test centre is at my DS’s school. Saw many RGPS and ACS students. Many of my DS’s classmates said today’s test was easy, DS included.

[karmeleon]

mommyNg:

From an objective standpoint, it's true that you are entitled to your own opinion, though your conclusion about no HC boys come to defend themselves and hence your observation is quite right may be, er, \"questionable\" - since they may not read your post and hence cannot defend themselves lah...! :roll:

This \"discussion\" is too hilarious, I must say ... you sure still want to keep it up or not? Under the Topic Header of \"GEP\" some more? :lol:

[Zann]

karmeleon:

turquoise:

I remember in my dd's year, most of the kids came out of the GEP selection test saying it was difficult. Some said the English paper was difficult, others said the Math paper was difficult, and others said the GA paper was tough. Only one said all the papers were easy. This girl DIDN\"T get into GEP. So don't worry too much about how your kids find the tests. If they have what it takes, they will be selected.

Anyway, I think there might be a higher weightage placed on the GA component, bc I notice that there are a few PRC students who got in GEP during my son's year, but their English ability is only passable. They could not even understand the teacher when he gives instructions in English when they were in P4 eventually. So much so that the tr even said \"how did you get in gep if you can't understand eng?\".

Two years ago, a friend's son also came back and told my friend he find the selection test easy. So my friend started to imagine all the top schools. But strange, he did not get selected either.

[lwm99]

Maybe there are some tricks in the questions: If you find them easy, you are not too gifted. If you find them difficult, then you are gifted

[znzyzyzx]

Zann:

karmeleon:

[quote=\"turquoise\"]I remember in my dd's year, most of the kids came out of the GEP selection test saying it was difficult. Some said the English paper was difficult, others said the Math paper was difficult, and others said the GA paper was tough. Only one said all the papers were easy. This girl DIDN\"T get into GEP. So don't worry too much about how your kids find the tests. If they have what it takes, they will be selected.

Anyway, I think there might be a higher weightage placed on the GA component, bc I notice that there are a few PRC students who got in GEP during my son's year, but their English ability is only passable. They could not even understand the teacher when he gives instructions in English when they were in P4 eventually. So much so that the tr even said \"how did you get in gep if you can't understand eng?\".

Two years ago, a friend's son also came back and told my friend he find the selection test easy. So my friend started to imagine all the top schools. But strange, he did not get selected either.[/quote]First of all, must take the kids comments with a pinch of salt. Second, if everybody finds it easy then the one who made the least careless mistakes will get higher points, so the final results is unpredictable. Just like for PSLE , when everyone (or most people) finds a paper easy, then your final score would probably be adjusted downwards.

[musette]

My dd’s feedback:


Eng Paper 1 was rather easy, Paper 2 was quite difficult because they were tested on many big and ‘cheem’ words that she doesn’t know the meaning of.

GA test was ok, not that easy because need more thinking.

Anyway, her swim coach told her not to get into gep because that might affect her swimming training.

[jesschan]

I think the word "easy" or "difficult" can be very subjective. Some perfecionists may say that the paper is difficult because they have one or two questions which they are unsure whereas others may say it is very easy even if they have more questions that they cannot answer.


Anyway, I told my son just to try his best and not to worry about being selected or not. I suppose he took the message because he thinks it is quite fun to sit for the tests. He also finds the GA test simpler compared to the EL paper.

[vlim]

:wrongmove: errrrr ...... well ... i can understand the feelings of parents who are very concerned about their kids screening results... but I would like to voice out something.. that is .. of course all parents who are concern about their kids study will be excited over the result.. but nevertheless, as what i told my son last year, if he managed to be the top 1%, it shows that the gep (gifted education program) is suitable for him and he would be encourage to take up the program. If he is not within the top 1% and not qualify to take up gep that doesn't mean he is in anyway not intelligent or smart. He could be the top 2 or 3 or 4% of the whole cohort... so just relax .. I would advise try not to let your kid know that you are very excited over the screening result even though you are otherwise if they cannot qualify for the gep they will feel very sad and might affect them in their future studies or otherwise...

[vlim]

In addition, getting into gep is not the most important in our pri sch education system. The gifted education program is planned to cater to those kids who are gifted and able to take up teaching with fast phase and learning more difficult things. Most important is the psle as there after with good psle results, they can choose good sec school with integrated program. :celebrate:

[Puffer]

vlim:

In addition, getting into gep is not the most important in our pri sch education system. The gifted education program is planned to cater to those kids who are gifted and able to take up teaching with fast phase and learning more difficult things. Most important is the psle as there after with good psle results, they can choose good sec school with integrated program. :celebrate:

I concur with what you've said. We parents try not to show 'anything' and and as if there's nothing for this GEP. Infact, DS got his screening test outcome later than everyone else cos his teacher wasn't around that week. We did not talk a drop of it. I dropped him to school in the morning and we chatted about sports and anything under the sun except the test.

Getting into GEP does not mean you are in the TOP 1% of the cohort - rather, we see it as (based on MOE's system and definition of 'giftedness') the top for the most 'gifted' kids. How many % of these GEP students top the PSLE annually? We have high expectations on our kids yes I admit, but we always remind ourselves that we must be happy enough as long as our kids do their best. Let our kids enjoy school, enjoy their childhood...Let them develop and learn holistically...is what I ask for.