Wow! Your child in lower sec ends pretty early if it is 1pm. My daughter in Sec 1 gets dismissed on her earlier days at 2.15pm and latest at 3pm. On her 3 CCA days, she gets dismissed at 6.45pm. On her third language day, she gets dismissed at 7pm or even 7.15pm. So by the day she reaches home, it will be close to 8pm already. Thank goodness she does not need tuition coz there is hardly enough time to even cover school assignments.

MerlionInGermany\" post_id=\"1979491\" time=\"1591268953\" user_id=\"2964:

phankao\" post_id=\"1979477\" time=\"1591266160\" user_id=\"3486:

[quote=phankao post_id=1979469 time=1591265419 user_id=3486]How do secondary school kids, esp IP, have time to attend so many tuition classes????

I felt that mine didn't have much extra time. esp the one in IP - in school until 6 pm, 1 or 2 days until 8+pm. The evening timing, need to reserve for homework and relaxing, right? Then bedtime already and starts all over again. Weekend also , other than church, outdoor activities, and doing more assignments or online group work, and playing/relaxing/thinking more.... really don't have that much time.

Think at most had chinese tuition bc chinese so bad.

Primary don't have so many subjects anyway. Max 4. Not every subject tuition right? Try as far as possible not to burden with tuition bc have to travel to tutor. Altho now PSLE year and with COVID so nice - only online - but zoom in/out also takes up a lot of time, so is best to minimise or else mine would go crazy, and then I would go crazy.

I guess cos you first asked, why they have time, so i was saying why i think they have time.
Whether or not the time is to be used for tuition or for relaxation, it is up to them.
But do they have time? Yes they do.
In fact, they have more “slots” for tuition than pri sch kids because of their ability to travel on their own.
Whether or not they want to use the time for tuition or for thinking (i like this one), it is up to them.

On a side note, why your kid end so late? Is it everyone? Mine is only in lower sec, so maybe that is why end earlier? Now new timetable, earliest at 1pm, latest at 2pm. When there was cca, it was 6pm. But never 8pm. 8pm, what time eat dinner? 10pm? Mine is in bed by 10pm. Sometimes 1030pm if she watches the channel 8 news.[/quote]

The child got 250s in the PSLE. But miss cut off by 3points.

calvinchua\" post_id=\"1978852\" time=\"1590976820\" user_id=\"169999:

Fangsq\" post_id=\"1978842\" time=\"1590973355\" user_id=\"17065:

I was really surprised as well! Maybe last year's applicants are really amazing with minimum being diploma?
[quote=PaPaK post_id=1978837 time=1590971721 user_id=180862]Hi Fangsq,

This sounds like a very unusual case, not being called for an interview despite such credentials.

Surprising as well, that the child was not called even with such a good credentials. How was the child's academic performance? If academics is weak (with projected score of less than 200), then I guess it could be that reason. For such child, may be the curriculum will be too demanding to catch up!![/quote]

I was really surprised as well! Maybe last year's applicants are really amazing with minimum being diploma?

PaPaK\" post_id=\"1978837\" time=\"1590971721\" user_id=\"180862:

Hi Fangsq,

This sounds like a very unusual case, not being called for an interview despite such credentials.

I know a kid who has Grade 8 piano qualification, came in first for an international piano competition and still did not get Round 1 interview so I think MEP is really tough to try for DSA.


For the schools you have mentioned, the chances of getting in through leadership is not very high since there are many applicants who are head and vice head who are applying. but no harm trying.

As for team sports, unsure which sport you are referring to. If the team has came in top 6 before, there may be a chance in applying through the sport since the schools you mention are of the top tier. That said, my gal actually dsa into her school of choice via sports as well.

Good luck!

websterfong\" post_id=\"1978772\" time=\"1590915423\" user_id=\"32819:

Just realised it's 5 days to the close of DSA application! We did a family conference today, hope to get some expert opinion on this!

Daughter's portfolio
1) Exco prefect
2) Top 3 Math/Science last year but no prior Olympiad competitions at all. Only chance this year gone.
3) Multiple recipient of ECHA and school equivalent
4) Piano ABRSM Grade 5
5) Represented school in team sports P2-P4, continued externally till now
She's looking at MGS, RGS, SNGS, NJC....

She seems to think she has a passion for music and wants to apply for DSA MEP but from what I'm reading, a Grade 5 Piano probably won't even get her an interview correct? I'm assuming that all that matters in this Part 1 is to get shortlisted so if there are like 100 applicants for MEP for that school, perhaps they may just filter by Grade and cut off at Grade 8??!

She thinks maybe DSA Math but without any competition results, also no hope?
DSA Leadership also seems like far fetched since she's not even Head/Vice Head?

We are not stressed I must say, with the attitude that if don't get then see PSLE lor.... But no harm applying right?

Any opinions appreciated! Thank you.

PaPaK\" post_id=\"1978587\" time=\"1590828407\" user_id=\"180862:

The ones I know who are quite 'conservative' and strict in adhering to their projected t-scores are:

HCI - > 250
Dunmearn High > 240
NJC > 240
RGS > 240
NYGH > 240
RV > 240

Realistically, it is difficult to keep up with the IP stuff at 220. > 240 is safe so long as the child has always been consistent AND is an all-rounder.

DD's friends got into RV with PSLE score around 220 this year. According to their parents, the kids are coping but this is also an unusual year. DD got into her school of choice via DSA as well and the form teacher did mention they pay close attention to DSA kids to ensure they did not fall behind. That said, DD was actually able to get into the school via her PSLE score without DSA. Hence, DD is doing fine in her school.

It depends on whether your child takes the initiative in self learning.

For Sports, most of the coaches will be aware of the candidates through inter school competitions. We have been approached during the inter school competitions by a few coaches of the schools. In terms of academics, I would say no need to add on any special dsa courses. Questions asked during interviews are quite typical.


(1) Why do you prefer this sport over another? (My DD is doing competitive sport and dance)
(2) Why do you choose our school?
(3) Why do you choose IP over O levels? (Dual track school)

Part of the interview is done in Chinese even though it is not an SAP school.

Turns out DD has no need to dsa for the school. But she is still happy to have less stress during PSLE. Good luck!

deron\" post_id=\"1952436\" time=\"1575893758\" user_id=\"11431:

Dear Luxedream,
Thank you so much, you are very kind to share the types of questions likely to be asked. I will surely heed your advice. Very much appreciated. Thanks again!

DD chose DSA (second choice) and score high enough at PSLE to actually go to her first choice school.

She is quite chill about it though. She says she will endeavour to do well in her second choice school regardless. Jiayou to all the 2020 sec 1 kids!

sembgal\" post_id=\"1948140\" time=\"1574440241\" user_id=\"5559:

Luxedream\" post_id=\"1948024\" time=\"1574413243\" user_id=\"98340:

[quote=cherrygal post_id=1947573 time=1574323988 user_id=9754]Just want to thank everyone here for the advice a few months back. My friend's kid managed to clear EXPRESS and can keep her DSA seat. She's sad with the low score but now she must help her kid manage the expectations of the DSA school... It's a continuous struggle. Jia you.

PSLE chapter is over.

DS is also disappointed to score below his own expectations. But thankfully his place in IP school is secured through DSA.

It will be a challenging year ahead, just got to bite the bullet and chiong! Jiayou! 💪🏻

PSLE results high enough to go any top school in SG, DSA accepted, parents regret as under-estimate the potential of the child. Child has to stick to DSA choice for 6 years when child can choose better top schools! Sad story of DSA disaster.

Another story, child lost interest in DSA CCA and has to struggle to stay on till sec 4. Another sad story.

DSA carefully for year 2020 P6 parents and pupils.[/quote]

lms2255\" post_id=\"1933841\" time=\"1567672158\" user_id=\"132671:

Dino\" post_id=\"1933818\" time=\"1567667339\" user_id=\"6726:

[quote=maple013 post_id=1933814 time=1567667053 user_id=43271]

So.. trying to get an idea of what one needs to get 255 and above - an average of 90 across all 4?

4 near A* (like 90) should be range 250-256

wow~ then those who got 270 t-score, what average mark they scored? :scared:[/quote]Possibly an average of 93-97 across all 4.

Dino\" post_id=\"1933818\" time=\"1567667339\" user_id=\"6726:

maple013\" post_id=\"1933814\" time=\"1567667053\" user_id=\"43271:

[quote=Timmy21 post_id=1933737 time=1567650585 user_id=122721]
overall average of low 80s, can get 239-242 if that year is a slightly difficult exam....but i agree tat there's no way it will be 250

So.. trying to get an idea of what one needs to get 255 and above - an average of 90 across all 4?

4 near A* (like 90) should be range 250-256[/quote]DS's year had a friend who got 4 As and got 256. So I assume his is all high As. DS got 2A*s and 2A and ended with 255.

Agree average of low 80s is unlikely to hit 250 as well.

ev3323\" post_id=\"1932682\" time=\"1567158809\" user_id=\"6201:

Fangsq\" post_id=\"1932680\" time=\"1567158498\" user_id=\"17065:

SCGS CO Sports received via email at 2.09pm.

:congrats:

Thank you!