Beikiasu:What is International Competitions and Assessments?Do your child take this exam? is it important?
They test Computer skills and Science. $9 per test
Thanks
You can check out the url for more information (
http://www.eaa.unsw.edu.au/). There are altogether six papers - English, Math, Science, Computer Skills, Writing and Spelling (don't think Singapore schools offer Spelling but I could be wrong).
Whether students register for ICAS or not, and what papers to register for, depends from school to school. For my kids'school, all 5 papers (Eng, Math, Sc, Computer Skills and Writing) are offered. At Pri 2, it is optional whether they register or not. At P3 onwards, it is compulsory to take Eng, Math and Science for the top few classes (where the fees are deducted from Edusave). Writing and Computer Skills are optional.
The tests are administered during curriculum time and students are given High Distinction (top 1% of Singapore cohort), Distinction (10%), Merit and Pass. There is also a medal given to the top scorer for each paper. Each participant will receive a certificate.
My friend's daughter's school offered only the Computer Skills paper which is optional. Some schools don't even offer ICAS at all.
Ok, how useful? If your child scored well (that is, get High Distinction), then this might help in Direct School Admission, as in, you can put in these as certificates to boost up his/her portfolio.