red rose:

Hi!


Just wondering if anyone can enlighten me about the Raffles Diploma for Years 5 & 6. I understand that pupils are classified into 3 groups: top 5-10%(advanced), bottom 5-10% and the rest (mainstream). I would like to know how pupils are grouped - is it according to Sec 4 year-end GPAs only (for RI and RGS), or both Sec 3 & 4 GPAs?

If they are indeed grouped as such, does anyone know roughly what GPA (I know it varies from year to year) it takes to get into the advanced classes (top 5-10%)? Any statistics to share?

One last question: How important are Sec 3 & 4 GPAs for IP students? Are they required for University applications?

Thanks in advance.

Hi there,

There are no advanced classes in RI based on the diploma. The only advanced classes are the Raffles Academy for the 4 sciences and Humanities Programme for the humanities students.

Perhaps you were referring to the various categories of diploma awarded upon graduation from Y6? There are 3 diplomas given: Raffles Diploma with Distinction, Raffles Diploma with Merit and Raffles Diploma. The order of merit is self-explanatory.

To fulfill the criteria for the diplomas, students must fulfill a minimum number of participation hours in the 5 domains cognitive (basically academics), sports, service learning, leadership and the arts. Hours awarded based on participation in enrichment programmes (eg olympiads), competitions, ccas, leadership positions etc during the course of Y5-6. There is a minimum number of hours that be fulfilled for every one of the domains in order to receive the basic diploma. In order to receive the merit or distinction, an additional number of hours must be fulfilled for one particular domain of choice (all other domains must fulfill the basic criteria). The awarding of the diplomas also takes into account prelim scores and projected grades (eg, compulsory straight As projection needed for awarding the Diploma with Distinction).

Hope that helped. More details can be found somewhere on RI website, you can get more info there if you want.

Cheers

kiasuson:

hamster:

Hi


My son sec 3 was very upset, he told me the mid term papers were tough, many din score well. Especially the English papers.

I told him is ok at least he get all passes scores. RI usually set mid term papers very very tough..

He is afraid the school will want him to drop 1 subject.

Parents, need your advise is it as long you score the overall passing GPA 2. It will promote to sec 4? He still have 1 more year to buck up his studies. Since they don't take O level, the school will base on sec 4 result to JC? Or the overall result from sec 1 to sec 4?

Thanks!

My sec 3 DS also very upset on the result. The change in time table and squeezing 1.5 years of work in Sec 3 doesn't seem to work. He is not enjoying it now. I might be writing to the Head of Academic and give my feedback. If the entire cohort is suffering from poor results, there are some problem with the timetable and the planning. I hope they can review. I hope the Year 3 parents can also share their view here.

Hi there,
From what I understand, Sec 3 results don't really affect JC promotion that much. It's true that as long as overall gpa is a pass (pasing gpa is 2.0 or 2.4, can't recall) is fulfilled, promotion from Sec 3 to Sec 4 will be possible. In fact, RI tends to try to help students who did not make the mark pass through moderation (eg, the Math EOY paper was moderated by more than 5% for my year). However, poor results in Sec 3 should give the opportunity for the student to reflect if he is taking up too many commitments and make the respective adjustments.

All students who pass in Sec 4 will be promoted to JC under the IP programme. However, if I'm not mistaken, students who fail to meet gpa of 3.2 will only be allowed to take 10 units (H1 contrasting subject), rather than the preferred 11 in J1. Of course if the student performs well in J1, he can still upgrade to 11 units by taking up a H3 subject (contrasting subject will remain as H1).

Hope that helps.

Cheers,
gotta mug for my GP paper

verykiasu2010:

Fairy:

[quote=\"pandan\"]I thought his son was in HPPS GEP. Saw him in the yearbook. Also saw the father fetching the son before.

oops, my son ever mentioned abt him @nyps. I guess it could hv been a case of mistaken identity.

don't think is from NYPS. would have seen them over the period of 6 or 3 years there but never[/quote]His car is a red volkswagen new beetle, very flashy haha, if you've seen such a car driven by a guy in the school, it's probably Lee Hsien Yang...

anonymus:

kiasuson:

[quote=\"anonymus\"]Thanks parents commenting on Representative selection.Same was the explanation gn by my DS.How was the class representative selection yesterday by the class peers.Any comments on tht? Heard tht the real selection will be next week.

Do you mean CEC (Class Executive Commitee) selection?

sss....U got tht right....Being a senior,any tips to win over the peers??? :roll:
How was it done with yr DS when he was in Sec1??[/quote]
Honestly, I don't think it is possible to \"win them over\", selection is based on the class' perception of the student. Typically, the Sec 1 class will often vote for the person that has taken the most initiative especially during the orientation camp (eg, volunteering to lead cheers, carry out presentations, lead the class in greeting, etc.). Such are natural born skills and instincts.

Kiasu person:

Hi My DS is in sec 2 this yr.. Wants to apply for bio and chem RA any one has any idea what sort of topics tested in the selection test?

My advice might be outdated since I had taken the test 3 years ago...

You should try to master your entire o level textbook before attempting the test. The questions tested are easily o level standard and more. If you have time, move on to the simpler A level topics. For bio, it would be helpful if you could read up on the physiology and genetic chapters in the RA textbook Biology by Neil.A.Campbell . For chem, get Advanced Cheistry by Oxford publishing, and master the 1st 10 physical chem topics. (these books can be borrowed from HML). If your ds is in the science club, do read up on your ESP notes, which are very very helpful. Its not easy to master these material, so be sure to clarify your queries through the internet or by asking your science teacher for help (the latter option may even earn you some brownie points :D).

For the test itself, you will need strong understanding of basic concepts and general good analytical skills (interpretation of graphs, tables etc.). Rote learning will not help.

Don't be demoralized by the test, it is very challenging, especially for Biology which can throw up many obscure terms. As long as your ds has a genuine passion for the subjects, and have been dutifully pursuing his interest, the test, interview and teacher recommendation should pose no problem.

Gotta go! I'm mugging for my J1 RA selection test now...

Hi Mathsparks,


You're in luck, I happened to be dawdling by today...
Yup, GPA 3.6 refers to the average GPA of all the subjects (as reflected on the progress report). There are actually 2 rounds of application, 1st round based on PR2, 2nd round based on APR, so even if your PR2 does not hit the target 3.6, there is still a chance. There are also appeal cases, which are considered on a case by case basis, although appeal students are typically limited to just 1 RA subject, even if they qualify for 2.

The textbook content is definitely of higher standard, but with a bit of hard work (lots and lotsa internet research) and sufficient interest and passion, things will work out. Reading these books should be a form of leisure, perhaps everyday cover 2 pages and ensure both pages are fully understood, all cheem terms checked, etc. Slowly but surely, your ds' knowledge will increase. You'll be surprised, lots of lower sec science clubbers may be more knowledgeable than the seniors in certain areas! In addition to mugging, practice is also very important - 10 year series will do, just to clarify understanding. If your ds has any queries with the questions I'm sure his seniors and teachers will be happy to entertain his queries. Or you can pm me, I'll try to help ... haha.

Hey Au, :congrats: and welcome to the Rafflesian family!

Cheers.

PS: All RI supporters, remember to catch NSC on TV tomorrow, especially the last round!

mathsparks:

randomguy:

Hi there,

There are separate RAs for the 3 sciences. Eg, I'm in bio and chem. The choices of RA subjects are: Bio, chem, physics, math, history, literature and geog. Your ds can apply for any RA he would like, as long as his Sec 2 GPA exceeds 3.6 in total , and he obtains a GPA of 4.0 and above for the subject of application (eg, 4.0 for Sec 2 combined science, in order to apply for any of the science RAs).

hi randomguy,
hope you're still loitering around. sec2 gpa exceed 3.6. Is this the average of all exam. subjects including HCL? Oh, and thanks for the tip abt the access code thingy. Those books you mentioned are texbks for RA students, would they be too cheem for the sec1s to read? Anyway, ds cant attend the ESP, coz he's got ccas on fridays.

Thanks for your reply.

You're welcome. If he has uncertainties, I'm sure his science teachers or seniors (PSLs?) will be happy to entertain his queries. Or he could research on the internet.


With regards to the Person books (Biology and College Physics) I would recommend borrowing from school library 1st though, unless you are willing to pay for 1 brand new. That's because the books contain unique online access codes to online science portals that some of the RA teachers use. If bought second hand, the codes have probably been activated, and you might have to buy a new book eventually for the code.

Cheers.

mathsparks:

Thankyou, randomguyfor your replies. It is very helpful. The books you mentioned are RA textbooks. Would it be too tough for sec1s to read?

PS: I'm thinking of buying 2nd hand at bras basah. DS likes to spend his freetime researching on wiki, so I'm thinking of getting him the books to start him off.

Hi there,


There are separate RAs for the 3 sciences. Eg, I'm in bio and chem. The choices of RA subjects are: Bio, chem, physics, math, history, literature and geog. Your ds can apply for any RA he would like, as long as his Sec 2 GPA exceeds 3.6 in total, and he obtains a GPA of 4.0 and above for the subject of application (eg, 4.0 for Sec 2 combined science, in order to apply for any of the science RAs).

I'm not very familiar with the Galileo program (If I'm not mistaken, I think 2010 is its pioneering year). However, with regards to the science club, I would say members have a definite advantage over others, as the RISC ESP program for lower sec members give them a vast exposure to advanced topics ahead of their peers. However, since there are less than 20 RISC members per Sec 2 batch, and about 50 students is the 3 RAs combined, there is more than enough chance for non-members. ESP (Experience science program- conducted for lower sec members by the RISC EXCO, held every Friday from 2pm-3.30pm) is also open to 10 non-members, who can register for the sessions on the signup sheet at the centralized notice board, so if they have the interest, non-members can also attend the trainings.

Cheers.

mathsparks:

:welcome: randomguy, thanks for replying.

Does RA in Science cover all 3 sciences or there're separate RAs for the 3 Sciences. ds' interest is in Physics but not Bio, can he try for RA in Physics?

Those who make it to RA are mostly RISC members (Science Club)? How about Galileo boys or boys who are neither of them?

:oops: I quite kancheong though ds is only in sec1 coz not many ri parents and students hang around here, so I must grab you while you're here.

Hi,


I'm not kohjl, just dropping by, new to this forum too. Just to answer your queries:
\"when you mentioned earlier that there was no need to prepare for the RA selection test, what exactly did you mean?\" : I don't know what he means, maybe he takes humanities RA. However, for science RA, you do need to prepare for the test, as the questions are of pretty high standard. Something between o-level & a level stuff. Of course, some questions test critical thinking other than just textbook knowledge, but most require experience in higher level materials. For the science RAs, I would recommend you to borrow the RA textbook from the school library 1st. They are: Chemistry: Advanced Chemistry (Oxford Publishing), Biology: Biology (7th or 8th edition will suffice) (authored by Campbell & Reece, Pearson publishing), Physics: College Physics (Young and Geller, Pearson publishing). I have no idea what happens for Humaninities, although if you are applying for Geography, you should read lots of newspapers, and borrow \"Geography-An Integrated Approach (Don't know the author or publisher, sorry!)
If you are in RISC, mug your ESP notes, they are very very helpful.

Hope that helped! Cheers.

Kiasu person:

[quote]kohjl wrote:

Hi edanson

My son's unedited comments are below as requested. Hope they adequately answer your queries.

Regards.

=========================================================

There is no need to \"prepare\" for the selection test or the interview, although it ALWAYS HELPS (hint hint) to read up more on the subject you are interested in. The student does not need to be reading way ahead of the school syllabus, but he definitely needs to have a strong interest in the subject as well as a natural talent in that subject.

I have a few friends who do have a strong interest in the subject, but are not able to cope with the coursework. They unfortunately suffer in their RA subjects as it is no fun not understanding and eventually gaining nothing from RA classes. **You have been warned.**

I am in a science RA and humanities RA. But sorry I don't really want to disclose which RAs I'm in... just in case SOME people read this. People might be able to identify me. Heh heh.

And have a nice day too.

Hi all, I'm new to this forum...just curious.... when you mentioned earlier that there was no need to prepare for the RA selection test, what exactly did you mean? And for RA sciences, are the questions tested year 3/4 standard, or are they totally not in the RP? What kind of materials and sources should one focus on in order to clear the RA Selection test? Please reply soon... THANK YOU in advance...[/quote]