School Of The Arts, Singapore

[tinalimct]

Dear Lexis

Thanks for much for your reply and the hint! Regarding composition, can you tell me what’s a typical composition topic in Singapore? My daughter is not familiar with writing composition. what about the interview, is it nerve-wreckily difficult? We will try to prepare as much as possible here but i’m worried having been away for some years could be difficult for her. thanks again!

[lexis]

P6 Compositions are narrative, descriptive types - based on a set of given pictures, with a theme, eg last years psle topic was "a secret" or smthg along those lines.


For last year, the SOTA essay was nothing like that. It’s very general - I think I may have posted it somewhere earlier, can’t remember exactly what it was. It’s not difficult , they will ask you something based on your own experiences, so you definitely will be able to come up with something if you can write at all. Just as an example- eg what qualities you’d like in a Friend, a happy memory… pro and cons of internet,. These aren’t what came out, but merely my impression of the kind of questions they ask at the writing test.

Again, can only speak from what my girl went through, and the interview wasn’t tough. They didn’t ask any cheem questions, more of a casual chit chat. I don’t even think she was asked any specific question about her art form or why she wanted to go to SOTA.

My advice is : no need to over prepare, just be yourself and let her passion and interest shine through.

Good luck!

[tinalimct]

Thank you so much Lexis. I feel much better now. I am very anxious lately knowing the dates are looming ahead and preparing for so many things simultaneously. Helps to stay relaxed in the process. School is one of the 2 things we fear coming home besides the weather.

[limws1]

Hi tinalimct,


To put things in perspective, those students who find the general ability test difficult don’t get selected into SOTA. So be prepared for it if your child could not get entry into SOTA.

[SKGDADDY]

Hi all


I wanted to know if they consider the P4~P6 results in SOTA. My child is in local school. Do they need to appear for any written test or it willl be only TA trial which decides the admission?

Also can any one shed light on Theatres and public speaking/ oratory arts TA in SOTA

[lexis]

hi SKGDaddy, for the TA application, you have to submit p5-6 results in addition to the portfolio (see SOTA website for details on what to submit for each artform).


Once shortlisted based on your portfolio (and possibly P5-6 results), your child will have to sit for a written test, and undergo an audition and interviews. Selection is based on a combination of how your child fares for all these items combined.

There is no public speaking/ oratory arts DSA domain for SOTA.

[deardear07]

I heard the entry level for SOTA, performing arts, or music, is high… is that true? like grade of 6 and above? so meaning those below can forget about applying?

[Mitochondria]

raisintan:

Hi,


Does anyone have insight into the quality of IB program at SOTA? At the end of Year 6, they will pitch against other IB kids in (according to some) more established IB schools like ACS and MGS. Question is are the SOTA kids as well prepared as other IB kids? Any views?

In response to this, SOTA employs a \"Train Hard, Fight Easy\" mentality. Of course we can never really pin down exactly what the test will give us, but in comparison to other schools, SOTA looks more into encouraging its students to get used to working very hard to get what they want. A lot of guidance is given but I would definitely say they make our lives a little harder compared to those schools. In hindsight, it really does help the transition into University.

[Mitochondria]

jangoh:

Mitochondria:

Feel free to ask any more questions if you wish.

That is very informative, thanks. Do you have info to share about the experience for those in visual arts please?

Visual arts works around different modules, primarily painting, drawing, sculpture and digital arts. Although, these specialization are only assigned/taken up in the later years. Year 1 - 2 is primarily exploring and as I've heard, there's a lot of portfolio work. The final assessments encompass about an entire year's worth of work so its a constant compilation.

[Mitochondria]

taurbear:

Reaching out to any parents willing to share how it has been like for students who are in the Music program. Do PM me as I like to understand the curriculum for the art form and if it would allow the child to continue to explore his interest in Maths.


thank you in advance!

I understand you're asking on behalf of parents, but I have a good idea on how music students feel based on my music friends telling me about it. Generally the curriculum is demanding, it encompasses a large area of music history and there's always constant practice in the early years. The curriculum looks to allowing their students to create their own original pieces near the end of the year, although it seems to be a fact that a large majority of music students end up dropping their art form to attend double science.