Thank you very much for your clear detailed reply, autolycus.

cascada:

DS has a few friends who are appealing to go RI even though they have secured a place at other IP sch via DSA. Their t-score is 260+.

I feel there might be more boys out there with other DSA offer now appealing to go RI.
I wonder how does this affect the available vacancies for S1 posting?
If these boys are successful in their appeal & transfer to RI, would the number of vacancies at RI be reduced for S1 posting? If so, does this mean that those with t-score that just meet COP or 2 points below COP might be at risk if they plan to put RI as their 1st choice for S1 posting?

Hi Cascada,

Thank you very much for your inputs. It is true that RI is a sought-after school and competition will be stiff. But this year the PSLE cohort size has shrunk to about 45,000+ while the number of seats available in RI (or in other schools) has not shrunk.

That is why my son's teacher says that the CoP of RI is most likely to fall by 2 marks (from 259 last year to 257). So in her view, there is not much risk in putting RI as first choice for scores of 258 or 257.

WeiHan:

I think whether this year COP will drop is a hard question to answer because it depends on the number of students getting a certain range of scores.


For example, the top scores dropping this year does not mean that the number of students getting 260 and above will drop.

So, we have many KSP parents detectives all over the island, what is the general feeling, whether there is an increase number of students with 250 tscore than last year? From the Nanyang Primary school statistics, I see that the number of students with t-score more than 250 has increased, even though the score of the top students have dropped. If this is true generally across all primary schools, it means that schools with COP of around 250 last year may increase in COP this year.

I live in the west and I have gathered data from schools in this zone. Based on my data I can say that the number of students with t-score of more than 250 has dropped. That is why I am confident that the CoP is likely to be lower this year, although not very significantly, but by at least 1 or 2 marks.

Kiasu Parents from other zones, please comment. Thanks to all.

INNOVATE:

tiger262


I fully understand yr predicament and yr son's desire to enter RI.

COP is forecasted to drop is an intelligent guess. The other unknown factor is the cop of HCI. So if yr son is so determined to head to RI that's make yr 3rd choice very critical.

All being said, there's no difference academically btw RI and HCI our top academic instituitions.

Thank you very much, Innovate.

I will go ahead with putting RI as the first choice. You have rightly mentioned that there is not much to distinguish between RI and HCI. But since my son is so keen on RI, I feel it is better to go with his preference and put RI as first choice and HCI as second.

What is the 'third choice' that you would suggest? (since you mentioned that - 'makes your third choice very critical')

Hi Innovate,


My son got 258. You had advised that RI is risky as first choice. But ‘Dharma’ suggested (in an earlier post) that I can choose RI as my first choice.

The general view appears to be - The CoP for RI was 259 last year and it is likely to fall by at least 1 or 2 marks this year since overall T-scores have fallen across all schools in 2010.

My son is keen on RI. His teacher is telling that RI CoP this year most likely will be 257. In these circumstances, I feel that it is better to put RI as my first choice. Can you please comment?

I think the issue of CoP likely to be lower this year merits due weightage in choosing schools. For 258, RI seems to be well within range this year. I seek the advice of all of you.

Thanks a lot.

INNOVATE:

tiger 262


Yr first choice must be HCI not RI. Choose yr 2nd choice wisely.

Thank you very much. I was also thinking that RI may not be a safe choice for 258. Your input confirmed it. Thanks again.

INNOVATE:

octupusum


Choosing RI as yr top choice is going to be a big mistake. Unless he has something good to offer on appeal otherwise, his chances of being posted to HCI is going to be severely affected vs others with similar score choosing HCI as top choice.

I would advice you choose yr 3rd choice wisely.

Hi Innovate,

My son is inclined towards Science and Maths. Going by your analysis, he should be choosing RI. But with a score of only 258, will you advice putting RI as his first choice? Or will it be a big mistake? What are his chances for getting RI with only 258?

Please advise. Thank you.

I have a question on ACS (I).


In several IP schools, ‘boarding’ seems to be mandatory for some period during Sec 1 to Sec 4. Even in NUS High school, such a ‘boarding’ requirement exists.

In ACS (I) is there such a compulsory ‘boarding’ requirement? i.e., are the students expected to spend any semester in the school hostel? Or is it ‘optional’?

Can someone clarify, please.

oliver2122:

Want to go RI:

Is 258 enough to get me into RI saying that COP drops by a few points?

You can try, but be prepared to be rejected.

My neighbour's son also got 258. He too feels that it will be borderline for RI. But do you think ACS (I) will accept him under their IP program? (Not 'O' level but under IP program).

Or do you think 258 is too low for ACS (I) also?

Can anyone please advice?

TIA.

INNOVATE:

tiger 262, Sun_2010


Much have been said about A-level vs IB education in recent yrs, as such, I shall not dicuss on the merits of each as the discussion will merely be my own perspective at best. Instead, I shall outline the general grading system of each type which I think is more beneficial...............

..........In conclusion, parents know their kids best. Selection must be based on kids' attributes and peace of heart and mind. Let commonsense prevail!

Hi INNOVATE,

Thank you for a splendid analysis comparing the two systems - IB and A-level. I have to doubly thank you since you cared to post a detailed analysis in spite of the issue being 'out of topic' in this thread.

In a later posting, you had described the profile of a good 'O-level' student and the 8-subject combination undertaken by such a student. I learnt a lot. Excellent contribution. Your inputs are truly informative.

Thanks and Regards.