autolycus:

SoBlessed:

Thanks again spicyblackpepper. Glad that your DS got in via the PSLE route, a route which has some very major advantages.

*grin* that's why people express relief once they've got into ACS(I) and can thus leave the 'PSLE baggage' behind, because http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/173031.

:goodpost:

ngbrdad:

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... rades.html


An article from the dailymail

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) has developed a new tariff system which gives the International Baccalaureate an A-level equivalence for the first time.

An IB score of 38 points out of a maximum of 45 is deemed to be equivalent to a staggering five A grades at A-level.

Oxford and Cambridge typically ask for 40 points which equates to five-and-half A grades.

A relatively modest IB score of 35 points is worth four-and-a-half A grades at A-level.

Even 30 IB points reflects three-and-a-half As at A-level which is enough to secure entry to most academically selective universities.

Thanks for sharing, good to know this info.

autolycus:

ngbrdad:

IMHO, anyone without a background in biology in secondary level will find it really tough to cope with anatomy and in some part physiology in university.

[quote=\"kandc\"]Thanks! btw, the secondary level means high level NOT standard level in IB?

Some of the anatomy and physiology syllabus is covered under A level biology.

Another way of looking at it is that some of the A-level Biology and IB HL Biology is covered AGAIN in the anatomy and physiology syllabus. That is why a pre-university Bio course is no longer considered essential for most undergraduate medicine courses. However, it will of course make it easier for the lecturers. This is the approach taken by the local university-moderated H3 A-level courses, where they basically remove the teaching load from the university and dump it on the junior college.

If in a dilemma between choosing a foundational course or an advanced course, one always picks the foundational course. That is why Chemistry is now seen as a necessity, since Chemistry establishes that the student knows some basic Physics (or is at least able to cope with basic physics) and prepares the student to understand the main treatment modalities in current medicine. Physics provides knowledge for the main diagnostic modalities. Chem+Physics is an almost-complete package for Medicine. The one thing that is completely missing is the genetics-related life sciences thread — and that is covered in the lower secondary ACS(I) IP life sciences syllabus.

In IB Physics, there is a module for medical physics (radiology etc); in IB Chem there is a module for medical chemistry (medicines and drugs). This covers quite a bit of basic stuff.

In an ideal world, I'd say, \"Take as many subjects as you want!\" but in this sadly time-limited world, I have to advise, \"Take Chem and Physics first, then Bio if you can afford it; take History (but you can get by with IHS) and Math because they teach different kinds of necessary thinking; take Languages because without them you can't communicate or comprehend material at a macro level.\"

That's why the History/Bio choice is a no-brainer to me: if you are fortunate enough to have that choice, History has far wider applications in skills and knowledge than Bio has. And that's coming from a science teacher. :)[/quote] :goodpost:

South African:

Hi everyone, Congrats to those parents whose kids made it to IP. It's strange cause in my ds class, someone who is academically strong - average 85%, didn't make it and someone whose score is 68% made it. Well my DS didn't make it and I was extremely disappointed given that the IP/IB track is supposed to be more holistic & develop critical thinking skills which are impt in the long term. The only consolation is my 14 yr old Ds had to console me and said \"mum, IP is not everything, move on. Afterall you did o levels and you are doing fine now.\" Well what can I say! He is looking at a bigger picture than me. And he is happy teenager.


Winston hodge took pains to explain to both tracks that there is no one superior track than another. But in reality is it true? My Ds shared that he used to help this boy (got into ip) in maths (my ds is strong in maths), then yesterday my ds asked him a life science questions, he refused to help. He observed that the IP students in his class are getting more arrogant. I am not going to take any issue with this, as I see this as an opportunity to teach my son values (1) learn to deal with it as there's what is out there in the corporate world (2) encourage those boys who didn't make it to IP not to give up (3) continue to be friends with those who made it to IP.

As confucious said, the glory is not in never failing but in getting up when you fall. And I am thankful for whatever opportunities for me to teach my ds values.

So parents out there for your Ds sake, do encourage your boys to remain humble. Ironically my Ds has lots of friends in the IP track (entry thru psle) and all of them are very friendly and willing to share.

hi South African,
I am completely with you. Thinking back DS missed IP track just by 1 mark in Year 1 admission - not something we liked to see but I guess it makes us / our son stronger. He told us that there are reasons why he would need to stay in express so that he will work harder & smarter and he would try again in Year 3, which he did and made it. His average score year 1 at higher 60s; year 2 mid-year exam at 79%.

For sharing:- don't allow others dictate or even influence our own feelings, I know it's hard for our 14 year-old, many has said each child has their own strength or weakness and there is a reality out there, but we are not good because others say so.

[/quote]

Hello, dwwww!

I think that if he can do 9 subjects and he wants to, it will be OK. But the time expenditure and management must be impressed on him, so that he will be mindful of how he's using his time.

What would his nine subjects be? I think that not doing history is a loss, but it's one that can be compensated for later in life. I stopped doing history after Sec 2, but I ended up doing history anyway, many years after a basic degree in the sciences. :)[/quote]

Hi autolycus,

His nine subjects will be:

5 compulsory groups: L Art, MT, IS, Core Math, Science (Chem or Physics)
3 or 4 option subjects: Physics or Chem, A Math, MEP, History

A Math is a given subject, he has to do math (consistently top the subject or among the top 3 since P4 - Year 2)

He is also passionate about music - we were initially thinking of letting go one science subject chem or physics so to allow him continue his MEP; or giving up MEP so to do a \"practical subject\" and we are ok either way. But last night he came back and told us that MEP can't be discontinued it's a 4 year \"scholorship program\" funded by MOE so he has to continue MEP. Further more MEP is considered a humanity subject, it can't replace another science subject.

So history becomes the only subject we have to let go if he goes with 8 subjects and MEP...we would love him to do history under your influcence I think it's pity if he has to give it a miss.

But he is not so keen in 9 subjects - his seniors doing 9 currently, are telling him time is always not enough...

Thanks for your advice / comments

Hi autolycus


DS has to stick to MEP which is what he loves but he has to let go history, otherwise he has to take 9 subjects which is subject to approval. I read your other comments that 9 subjects are not advisable. Would he be "loosing out" in future, say if he wants to do law without doing history? He has shown no strong interest in any particular area as yet but he loves music, doing well in maths/physics and catching up in geo & history in year 2 and language & literature are in mid-70s.

Appreciate your insights in advance.

Thanks Snow Crystal.


Ngbrdad - same here, DS is too free seldom see him doing any serious work at home except the one or two nights before the exam next day. Time flies and it’s been a good two years. Will be most likely attending the session on 18Sep.

Thanks autolycus as alwasy, you have been instrumental!

Congrats ngbradad - same here my son got promoted to year 3 IP (IB at year 5 as what we learnt from autolycus over the years :-). Can I know your son’s mid-year overall score range? not sure the term 3 result is taken considerations as well…I can safely say that year 1 result is not in as DS’s in the range of high 60s.


Yes, interested to know the subject combination for year 3 IP. This question has been asked - any major issues for boys coming from express stream in year 1 & 2, and transfer to IP in year 3. Look forward to be enlightened.

acsi.parent:

autolycus:

[quote=\"acsi.parent\"]Any one taking up ACSI Symphony Band as UG CCA? This UG has highest year fees above 1K and needs 8+ hours of commitment.

I'd just like to note that this fee subsidizes the high cost of professional training and new instruments. There's also SYF next year.

Possible they invite professional trainers. Same is the case for sports CCAs as well. It would have been better if school conducted CCA talk addressing parents on different varied level of time and fee commitments required by different CCAs before making a choice based on student's ability to cope as this choice lasts 4-6 years.[/quote]DS is taking up the Symphony Band cos he is in MEP so he has to choose a music related CCA and he wanted to join the band as this is the one that counts as two CCAs (UG and non-UG). Timing-wise, think it is not too much different if you are to take two CCA (especially sports, as i know that for badminton the training is 4 times a week currently), but the fee comes as a surprise so it would be good if it's made known upfront... however guess we would have made the same choice.

autolycus:

Just remember that ACS(I) provides a very large and eclectic buffet. Some of the dishes are completely incompatible with others, even though their common setting is fairly well designed.


At my age, I've come to realise that you don't have to eat some of every available dish in order to get your money's worth. Indeed, the best approach is just to eat a lot of what you like to eat, and then do corrective or remedial exercise to get into the desired shape if you really have to.

In other schools, the buffet may be smaller but more rigorous. There are some places which seem to provide nothing but salads, others which only deal in protein. That's fine too, as long as the child eventually compensates for it. After all, we humans are omnivores.

And lastly, 'well-rounded' doesn't mean obese.

autolycus:

Just remember that ACS(I) provides a very large and eclectic buffet. Some of the dishes are completely incompatible with others, even though their common setting is fairly well designed.

At my age, I've come to realise that you don't have to eat some of every available dish in order to get your money's worth. Indeed, the best approach is just to eat a lot of what you like to eat, and then do corrective or remedial exercise to get into the desired shape if you really have to.

In other schools, the buffet may be smaller but more rigorous. There are some places which seem to provide nothing but salads, others which only deal in protein. That's fine too, as long as the child eventually compensates for it. After all, we humans are omnivores.

And lastly, 'well-rounded' doesn't mean obese.

hi autolycus, really appreciate all your insights, knowledge AND sense of humor! truly appreciate it!