NUS High School of Mathematics and Science (Diploma)

[verykiasu2010]

jtoh:

verykiasu2010:

don't just give up yet. You never know - the DSA test and camp could be very easy for you

like I mentioned before, my friend's kid did well in DSA @ NUSH, but only got 240 in PSLE, and this is not the only one

Presumably this kid scored A* for Math and Science?

exactly. they are not looking for all-rounder

[verykiasu2010]

jtoh:

verykiasu2010:

don't just give up yet. You never know - the DSA test and camp could be very easy for you

like I mentioned before, my friend's kid did well in DSA @ NUSH, but only got 240 in PSLE, and this is not the only one

Presumably this kid scored A* for Math and Science?

exactly. they are not looking for all-rounder

[sautille]

walterp:

I would suggest you read page 1 -3 of this thread. There are some answers there. I believe most on WL ( believe is not a big list) do get admitted finally if they indicate it as first-choice school in DSA preference option.

I did try to read the earlier discussions. Am just trying to get more updated information for the 2010 DSA.

Many thanks to verykiasu2010 and walterp for your replies

[DVL]

I am new to the forum. My DS was admitted to NUSH via DSA this year and I could share some of my experiences. Contrary to what most people believed, NUSH is looking for all rounders with strong inclination towards Maths & Science. There is an essay writing component in the 2nd round of the selection test - so English is an important criteria too. I believe it is the objective of the school to develop talents and produce graduates who are excellent in technical fields and at the same time, good at other areas such as music, art etc - the type of A*STAR scholars preferred by Philip Yeo. While it is true that the school does admit kids with T score of 240 but I believe this is because the school does not view PSLE as the ultimate assessment of one’s intelligence. To the school, PSLE score is just one of the many criteria. The school has its own selection methodology and they are very confident of its own selection tests. Because of the rigour of their curriculum, the school is very selective and I believe they put more emphasis on suitability more than academic achievements. This is a school that does not stress too much about examinations (70% continual assessment and 30% examination) but is very keen to provide a learning environment for its students and stretch their limits. Without the limitations of the A Level curriculum, they are able to push the envelop further. I do share their belief that examination should not be an end game to one’s education.

[nymom]

like I mentioned before, my friend’s kid did well in DSA @ NUSH, but only got 240 in PSLE, and this is not the only one[/quote]


That’s true, my son class mate from GEP, some did well in interview but not so good in PSLE ( 242 to 256) also in RI class 1J now.

And some of them who get 254 also in HCI I SPARK now.

[iAsk]

Thanks everyone, that is very encouraging to all those p6's mums, esp those kids who might not make it during DSA. But again, those who can make it during DSA, i really admired them, the questioned tested, see some sample before, is really very difficult. I myself dont even know how to do it.... Truely, must say, they are a genius at least to me.

nymom:

like I mentioned before, my friend's kid did well in DSA @ NUSH, but only got 240 in PSLE, and this is not the only one

That's true, my son class mate from GEP, some did well in interview but not so good in PSLE ( 242 to 256) also in RI class 1J now.

And some of them who get 254 also in HCI I SPARK now.[/quote]

[Sun_2010]

DVL:

I am new to the forum. My DS was admitted to NUSH via DSA this year and I could share some of my experiences. Contrary to what most people believed, NUSH is looking for all rounders with strong inclination towards Maths & Science. There is an essay writing component in the 2nd round of the selection test - so English is an important criteria too. I believe it is the objective of the school to develop talents and produce graduates who are excellent in technical fields and at the same time, good at other areas such as music, art etc - the type of A*STAR scholars preferred by Philip Yeo. While it is true that the school does admit kids with T score of 240 but I believe this is because the school does not view PSLE as the ultimate assessment of one's intelligence. To the school, PSLE score is just one of the many criteria. The school has its own selection methodology and they are very confident of its own selection tests. Because of the rigour of their curriculum, the school is very selective and I believe they put more emphasis on suitability more than academic achievements. This is a school that does not stress too much about examinations (70% continual assessment and 30% examination) but is very keen to provide a learning environment for its students and stretch their limits. Without the limitations of the A Level curriculum, they are able to push the envelop further. I do share their belief that examination should not be an end game to one's education.

You have put in so neatly .
Precisely the same conclusions I came to - after my mini research about this school.
A lot made me feel this was a great school for my child-
1. A visit during the open house
2. their curriculum, and programmes offered, possibilities ,
3. module approach ,
4. small cohort size

But more importantly , as a some of parents here wisely advised me was to think along what will likely meet the childs needs , how much your child will blossom in the schools environment, what are your childs apptitudes and most importantly what your child wants ...

We did due diligence, and hopefully have taken the right decision. Right now she is fitting in well and is pretty enthusiastic.

[iAsk]

Both of you made me even more determined to enrol my DS to this school. Haha 'die die' also must try, whether be it DSA or phrase 2, put him in this school. Hope my DS has the same luck as both of your kids.

Sun_2010:

DVL:

I am new to the forum. My DS was admitted to NUSH via DSA this year and I could share some of my experiences. Contrary to what most people believed, NUSH is looking for all rounders with strong inclination towards Maths & Science. There is an essay writing component in the 2nd round of the selection test - so English is an important criteria too. I believe it is the objective of the school to develop talents and produce graduates who are excellent in technical fields and at the same time, good at other areas such as music, art etc - the type of A*STAR scholars preferred by Philip Yeo. While it is true that the school does admit kids with T score of 240 but I believe this is because the school does not view PSLE as the ultimate assessment of one's intelligence. To the school, PSLE score is just one of the many criteria. The school has its own selection methodology and they are very confident of its own selection tests. Because of the rigour of their curriculum, the school is very selective and I believe they put more emphasis on suitability more than academic achievements. This is a school that does not stress too much about examinations (70% continual assessment and 30% examination) but is very keen to provide a learning environment for its students and stretch their limits. Without the limitations of the A Level curriculum, they are able to push the envelop further. I do share their belief that examination should not be an end game to one's education.

You have put in so neatly .
Precisely the same conclusions I came to - after my mini research about this school.
A lot made me feel this was a great school for my child-
1. A visit during the open house
2. their curriculum, and programmes offered, possibilities ,
3. module approach ,
4. small cohort size

But more importantly , as a some of parents here wisely advised me was to think along what will likely meet the childs needs , how much your child will blossom in the schools environment, what are your childs apptitudes and most importantly what your child wants ...

We did due diligence, and hopefully have taken the right decision. Right now she is fitting in well and is pretty enthusiastic.

[verykiasu2010]

iAsk:

Both of you made me even more determined to enrol my DS to this school. Haha 'die die' also must try, whether be it DSA or phrase 2, put him in this school. Hope my DS has the same luck as both of your kids.

not luck. it is hard work, consistent hard work, and diligence

not too late

[walterp]

Sun_2010:

DVL:

I am new to the forum. My DS was admitted to NUSH via DSA this year and I could share some of my experiences. Contrary to what most people believed, NUSH is looking for all rounders with strong inclination towards Maths & Science. There is an essay writing component in the 2nd round of the selection test - so English is an important criteria too. I believe it is the objective of the school to develop talents and produce graduates who are excellent in technical fields and at the same time, good at other areas such as music, art etc - the type of A*STAR scholars preferred by Philip Yeo. While it is true that the school does admit kids with T score of 240 but I believe this is because the school does not view PSLE as the ultimate assessment of one's intelligence. To the school, PSLE score is just one of the many criteria. The school has its own selection methodology and they are very confident of its own selection tests. Because of the rigour of their curriculum, the school is very selective and I believe they put more emphasis on suitability more than academic achievements. This is a school that does not stress too much about examinations (70% continual assessment and 30% examination) but is very keen to provide a learning environment for its students and stretch their limits. Without the limitations of the A Level curriculum, they are able to push the envelop further. I do share their belief that examination should not be an end game to one's education.

You have put in so neatly .
Precisely the same conclusions I came to - after my mini research about this school.
A lot made me feel this was a great school for my child-
1. A visit during the open house
2. their curriculum, and programmes offered, possibilities ,
3. module approach ,
4. small cohort size

But more importantly , as a some of parents here wisely advised me was to think along what will likely meet the childs needs , how much your child will blossom in the schools environment, what are your childs apptitudes and most importantly what your child wants ...

We did due diligence, and hopefully have taken the right decision. Right now she is fitting in well and is pretty enthusiastic.

Just for information sharing about the English section, DD mentioned having to write two open essays one about what one think about great inventor/scientist /doctors or attributes of great inventor and another essay something about internet virus or trojan horse stuff . In short, the kids are also tested not on their Maths/ Science \"thinking\" but also their level of maturity / thinking, their passion, beliefs and even value systems. It is like a Uni college admission for Medicine test , at DSA level - probably hardest of the IP-based school assessments which are fairly applied to all candidates whether GEP, mainstream or Olympiad winners.