DSA 2011

[Edureach]

krtc.marineparade:

ngbrdad:

krtc I do not agree with your view on DSA and PSLE.

PSLE is after all a placement exam for secondary school.
As long as the student get the school of his choice it really does not matter that he did not do as well as expected in the PSLE.

While that's partially true. I am aware that many programmes in Secondary Schools for example RI and RGS do take a look at your PSLE T-Score. If your PSLE T-Score is below average, that would make an impact on your chances of getting in to programmes you like.

Also, it is true that many secondary schools differentiate GEP and non-GEP kids into different classes in Year 1 and 2. If a non-GEP student in Primary School wishes to enter a GEP class in their secondary school, they would have to achieve a high PSLE T-Score. According to recent year statistics, that score is around 270.

Moreover, in order for GEP students to maintain their GEP status in secondary school and get the scholarship, they will have achieve a minimum score. For non-GEP students, they are also entitled to a scholarship if they are in the top 10% of the year's cohort.

For certain students who acheive a low PSLE score, may also feel greatly pressure in their secondary school if they are among other high achievers getting scores of 260/270+. Of course, PSLE is not the end of everything. I have seen many students who initially get PSLE scores of 250+ becoming top scorers in their secondary schools. Perhaps those are what you call, \"late bloomers\"

More than willing to share this info with all parents here, thanks![/quote


Both also correct with krtc providing more details. Anyway, PSLE while important is still the least amongst all placement exams as long as kids are able to achieve or qualify for a decent express stream. Of course a score of above 262 qualifies a student to receive scholarship from top IP schools, is still only a small headstart. Like what Krtcmp has mentioned, many with scores in the range of 250s excel later in their sec schools. It all depends on many factors chief being opportunities, attitude, growth and development of an individual student.

One thing is certain, don't read too much on all these dsa to top schools. Good if a kid can do it naturally but problematic if the kid needs tons of tuition just to keep up. Personally if a kid requires tuition, go ahead but to do it for many subjects just to do catch up, then better to be in another school which best caters to their abilities. That's the point i am making cause the teaching faculties in top schools aren't superior than other good schools, a misconception some parents may have. Sure many parents wish for their kids to experience learning in a top school's enviroment but the question parents may ask is are these enviroment most ideal to their kids given the amount of tuitions they receive. What about other good schools with tradition of producing top performers in national exams? Is it some parents just view that cop of 260 is definately superior to cop of 250 even if the latter is just a stone throw away?

There are many questions that cannot be answered with confidence however, a good yardstick to measure a kid's suitability for top schools is that kid possess the ability to explore and learn independently and not how much efforts being put to achieve good results. If a kid is all the time attending various ttuitions and mugging hard to score above 260, my view is this particular kid isn't suitable to attend a top school even if his/her result qualifies. Better to attend another school with cop a notch lower as in the long run, it's more ideal for his/her development. Choosing an ideal sec school cannot be dependent on cop alone.

An ideal school is one where the parents think that their kids can grow in intellect, confidence, physical, appreciation of arts and other view points etc. COP alone does not provide all these answers. It is one whereby a kid is given opportunities to discover his/her talents inspite of not having top results. Many good schools with cops of around 248 and above can provide this and not just those with super high cops.


PSLE is only the basic placement exam. It doesn't define one's academic success. O-level is the intermidate exam. The most important ones are performance in POLY, IB and A-level.

[jtoh]

vlim:

Now $50. Hcl charge non gep $50 and gep $30 ( I think so....)

That's just for first round. If you make it to the camp you have to pay more fees.

[ngbrdad]

In a way I feel that getting into the desired school is good enough.

Getting the scholarship for IP school is more of a concern for the parents and not the kid.
Anyway not all IP school charge high fees.

[ngbrdad]

IS DHS the only school that has DSA for GEP kids without any test or interview ?

What about schools like NJC and RV ?

[jtoh]

ngbrdad:

In a way I feel that getting into the desired school is good enough.

Getting the scholarship for IP school is more of a concern for the parents and not the kid.
Anyway not all IP school charge high fees.

That's true. Also, many of the kids who qualify for IP schools would be entitled to EESIS so would have part of the fees subsidised already.

[jtoh]

ngbrdad:

IS DHS the only school that has DSA for GEP kids without any test or interview ?

What about schools like NJC and RV ?

There's no special treatment for GEP kids applying for NJC. Don't know about RV. But RV doesn't offer the MOE SBGE programme so I maybe not.

[beepeebful]

I feel it is important to cultivate the right attitude in the student. So what if you get into the top schools? You have a low PSLE score, it shows that you are not serious. As parents, it is only right to show to your child that we MUST put in full effort in whatever you do.


Moreover, the reason/rationale behind the implementation of the DSA system is to avoid having cases such as students accidentally flopping their PSLE when they actually have great potential and have been doing well in their previous examinations. I strongly believe that one should not abuse the system, thinking that as long as I prepare well for DSA, I can FORGET about the PSLE. That attidude is very bad to have, imo.

Furthermore as many have pointed out above. PSLE score is still very much applicable in secondary school life. I found out that in my nephew’s school (RI), there are certain advanced science/maths programme and even the creative arts programme (if I am not mistaken) require a minimum PSLE score.

Just an appeal to all students out there, maintain a good attitude and find out how well you stand among the entire cohort! It is a meaningful full stop to your primary school journey!

[phankao]

Edureach:

Like what Krtcmp has mentioned, many with scores in the range of 250s excel later in their sec schools. It all depends on many factors chief being opportunities, attitude, growth and development of an individual student..

There are also quite a number of students with 230+ who become top students during O-levels, as seen among the line-up of schools like Catholic High & CHIJ St Nicholas'.

[OLYMATHS]

You are able to find DSA selection training for Primary Schools in this post:


http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=35&t=22436

Hope it helps

[matadorepy]

ngbrdad:

Only $90 for the camp ? Thought it's 150 ?

For my DD last year it was $50 + $90 = $140.