23 Oct, 2009 : Singapore's exam board says PSLE papers not too tough

[Watchman]

Singapore's exam board says PSLE papers not too tough
By Zul Othman, TODAY | Posted: 23 October 2009 0706 hrs

Primary school students in Singapore. (file pic)

SINGAPORE: After two outbursts in the last three years from parents about the Primary School Leaving Examination, in particular, the Mathematics paper, is there a nascent trend of questions becoming too difficult for 12-year-olds?

Not so, says the Singapore Examination and Assessment Board (SEAB).

In response to questions from MediaCorp, a spokesperson said that the panel responsible for setting questions ensures "there is a good coverage of syllabus and a judicious balance of easy, average and difficult questions".

This examination panel is made up of "experienced schoolteachers, curriculum specialists from the Ministry of Education (MOE) as well as SEAB assessment specialists" and they take "careful consideration" to ensure "the questions are within the respective syllabus and within the pupil's abilities and experiences".

There are also "processes" in place to "calibrate the difficulty level of each question and to control the overall standard of the paper", said the spokesperson – though no specific examples were given.

Asked if there has been grade inflation – and hence, tougher papers being set in response to better scores – the SEAB spokesperson noted that the level of difficulty of this year's PSLE Mathematics test is "pitched at the same level as that in the previous years".

Some parents have complained about this year's paper based on feedback from their children, with some wondering if the introduction of calculators was a factor.

The use of calculators does not have a "direct bearing" on the difficulty of paper, according to SEAB.

Calculators became part of the primary school mathematics curriculum last year for Primary Five pupils "to help reduce computation errors". But basic computation skills "remain important", said SEAB.

This is why the PSLE Maths exam has been split into two papers – the first without the use of calculators and which constitutes 40 per cent of total marks – and the second where calculators are allowed and which pupils sit for after a one-hour break. At two hours 30 minutes, the total time allotted is 15 minutes more than before.

However, a teacher who declined to be named wondered if it was time to re-look the mode of PSLE assessment.

She told MediaCorp: "The syllabus is moving away from knowledge-based to one that is creative ... but despite the shift, the mode of evaluation has not changed."

She added that the level of difficulty could drive some parents to put additional pressure on their children.

And some parents, it seems, are going to great lengths to ensure their children are prepared.

A tutor told MediaCorp that she sends her nine-year-old son to two separate tuition centres so he can learn about creative problem solving as well as basic speed counting – all with an eye on the PSLE exams to come.

"Of course, the teachers at his school do their best to cover the bases but they only have so many hours in a day to do this ... I just want to make sure he doesn't get left behind and is well prepared," said the 35-year-old.

 

[Papsmearer]

Do we expect them to say anything other than this?

 

[Lee Hsien Tau]

Maths, hor, is about solving problems.

Standard rote learning will do. No need to teach creative into the solving.

What needs creative solving?

Mudlaysia and Thailand got so many banana trees, wild, anyohow plant, as well as purpose planted. How come only some got the red bulb and so have banana growing? This question needs creativity!

How come Mabroky only understand money-come but not money-goh? This question needs creativity!

 

[hockbeng]

Singapore's exam board says PSLE papers not too tough
By Zul Othman, TODAY | Posted: 23 October 2009 0706 hrs

Primary school students in Singapore. (file pic)

SINGAPORE: After two outbursts in the last three years from parents about the Primary School Leaving Examination, in particular, the Mathematics paper, is there a nascent trend of questions becoming too difficult for 12-year-olds?

Not so, says the Singapore Examination and Assessment Board (SEAB).

In response to questions from MediaCorp, a spokesperson said that the panel responsible for setting questions ensures "there is a good coverage of syllabus and a judicious balance of easy, average and difficult questions".

This examination panel is made up of "experienced schoolteachers, curriculum specialists from the Ministry of Education (MOE) as well as SEAB assessment specialists" and they take "careful consideration" to ensure "the questions are within the respective syllabus and within the pupil's abilities and experiences".

There are also "processes" in place to "calibrate the difficulty level of each question and to control the overall standard of the paper", said the spokesperson – though no specific examples were given.

Asked if there has been grade inflation – and hence, tougher papers being set in response to better scores – the SEAB spokesperson noted that the level of difficulty of this year's PSLE Mathematics test is "pitched at the same level as that in the previous years".

Some parents have complained about this year's paper based on feedback from their children, with some wondering if the introduction of calculators was a factor.

The use of calculators does not have a "direct bearing" on the difficulty of paper, according to SEAB.

Calculators became part of the primary school mathematics curriculum last year for Primary Five pupils "to help reduce computation errors". But basic computation skills "remain important", said SEAB.

This is why the PSLE Maths exam has been split into two papers – the first without the use of calculators and which constitutes 40 per cent of total marks – and the second where calculators are allowed and which pupils sit for after a one-hour break. At two hours 30 minutes, the total time allotted is 15 minutes more than before.

However, a teacher who declined to be named wondered if it was time to re-look the mode of PSLE assessment.

She told MediaCorp: "The syllabus is moving away from knowledge-based to one that is creative ... but despite the shift, the mode of evaluation has not changed."

She added that the level of difficulty could drive some parents to put additional pressure on their children.

And some parents, it seems, are going to great lengths to ensure their children are prepared.

A tutor told MediaCorp that she sends her nine-year-old son to two separate tuition centres so he can learn about creative problem solving as well as basic speed counting – all with an eye on the PSLE exams to come.

"Of course, the teachers at his school do their best to cover the bases but they only have so many hours in a day to do this ... I just want to make sure he doesn't get left behind and is well prepared," said the 35-year-old.

At the end of all this, it's worth nothing cos there are thousands of FTs with fake degrees from their own countries will be there to take your job away from you.

Study so hard, only to realize its only worth $2k salary per month when you start working.

 

[makapaaa]

Sillyporeans have to struggle so hard in school and then serve NS only to realize that scholarships as well as varsity and job vacancies are only reserved for FTrash!

 

[TeeKee]

Study so hard, only to realize its only worth $2k salary per month when you start working.

if you get employed...

can fresh grads get this kinda of salary nowadays?

 

[TeeKee]

Singapore's exam board says PSLE papers not too tough

who comprise of the exam board how come no names mentioned?

they should try to take the PSLE papers without model answers...

see if they answer all correctly...

 

[KuanTi01]

Do we expect them to say anything other than this?

Exactly my sentiments! Textbook answer from bureaucratic fat cats; politically-correct; 100% establishment answers. What else can they say when their Masters can do no wrong. Have u heard of Temasek, GIC, ISD, LKY LSL GCT WKS ever admitting to mistakes & apologising?

Nabeh, my niece who is a conscientious student came back crying after her Maths paper! And she is not alone! Literally kill the joy of learning and these are only 12-year olds. Under exam conditions, who noes, maybe some teachers also need to struggle to find the answers. It's a hopeless situation for those too poor to afford private tuition. Heaven got no eyes!

 

[shelltox]

If your child can solve 90 percent of the questions, he would become like the rest of the 90% working for people or just like a cow toiling in the fields. but if he can answer the very tough ones, I need these are the people that the govt aare looking for to give the scholarship to

 

[SamuelStalin]

Singapore's exam board says PSLE papers not too tough
By Zul Othman, TODAY | Posted: 23 October 2009 0706 hrs

Primary school students in Singapore. (file pic)

SINGAPORE: After two outbursts in the last three years from parents about the Primary School Leaving Examination, in particular, the Mathematics paper, is there a nascent trend of questions becoming too difficult for 12-year-olds?

Not so, says the Singapore Examination and Assessment Board (SEAB).

In response to questions from MediaCorp, a spokesperson said that the panel responsible for setting questions ensures "there is a good coverage of syllabus and a judicious balance of easy, average and difficult questions".

This examination panel is made up of "experienced schoolteachers, curriculum specialists from the Ministry of Education (MOE) as well as SEAB assessment specialists" and they take "careful consideration" to ensure "the questions are within the respective syllabus and within the pupil's abilities and experiences".

There are also "processes" in place to "calibrate the difficulty level of each question and to control the overall standard of the paper", said the spokesperson – though no specific examples were given.

Asked if there has been grade inflation – and hence, tougher papers being set in response to better scores – the SEAB spokesperson noted that the level of difficulty of this year's PSLE Mathematics test is "pitched at the same level as that in the previous years".

Some parents have complained about this year's paper based on feedback from their children, with some wondering if the introduction of calculators was a factor.

The use of calculators does not have a "direct bearing" on the difficulty of paper, according to SEAB.

Calculators became part of the primary school mathematics curriculum last year for Primary Five pupils "to help reduce computation errors". But basic computation skills "remain important", said SEAB.

This is why the PSLE Maths exam has been split into two papers – the first without the use of calculators and which constitutes 40 per cent of total marks – and the second where calculators are allowed and which pupils sit for after a one-hour break. At two hours 30 minutes, the total time allotted is 15 minutes more than before.

However, a teacher who declined to be named wondered if it was time to re-look the mode of PSLE assessment.

She told MediaCorp: "The syllabus is moving away from knowledge-based to one that is creative ... but despite the shift, the mode of evaluation has not changed."

She added that the level of difficulty could drive some parents to put additional pressure on their children.

And some parents, it seems, are going to great lengths to ensure their children are prepared.

A tutor told MediaCorp that she sends her nine-year-old son to two separate tuition centres so he can learn about creative problem solving as well as basic speed counting – all with an eye on the PSLE exams to come.

"Of course, the teachers at his school do their best to cover the bases but they only have so many hours in a day to do this ... I just want to make sure he doesn't get left behind and is well prepared," said the 35-year-old.

So to the "kiasu" (did I spell this right?) parents they are like saying: "you can beat up or kill your children, or have them kill themselves, but that is your business as they are simply not smart or good enough for our average-difficulty local math paper. AND, it's not our fault at all as we have explained to you already."

 

[SamuelStalin]

If your child can solve 90 percent of the questions, he would become like the rest of the 90% working for people or just like a cow toiling in the fields. but if he can answer the very tough ones, I need these are the people that the govt aare looking for to give the scholarship to

Unfortunately you don't make any sense. 90% of the questions are tough so most of them can't, so they are crying. Their destinies as the weakest links are set in stone. And what about the foreign students? They didn't really cry - they did their best and if they are not good enough, they accept it and they resolve to try harder.

 

[SamuelStalin]

A tutor told MediaCorp that she sends her nine-year-old son to two separate tuition centres so he can learn about creative problem solving as well as basic speed counting – all with an eye on the PSLE exams to come.

"Of course, the teachers at his school do their best to cover the bases but they only have so many hours in a day to do this ... I just want to make sure he doesn't get left behind and is well prepared," said the 35-year-old.[/SIZE]

LOL creativity for creativity's sake. Forced creativity.

 

[SamuelStalin]

Maths, hor, is about solving problems.

Standard rote learning will do. No need to teach creative into the solving.

What needs creative solving?

Mudlaysia and Thailand got so many banana trees, wild, anyohow plant, as well as purpose planted. How come only some got the red bulb and so have banana growing? This question needs creativity!

How come Mabroky only understand money-come but not money-goh? This question needs creativity!

That retarded question about banana trees needs no answering as bananas are not among Singapore's main exports or agricultural concerns.

Understand that creativity especially if unguided is a disease and a social problem that does more harm than good. Conformity and sticking to the tried and tested is better overall for the common good.

 

[Ramseth]

In the 1970s and 1980s, GCE O English passing rate was hovering around 50% and dipping. There were also regular outcries against the standards set being too tough. During those years, D7s and below were very common. Then the standards were very obviously reduced gradually till by the 1990s, A1s were very common. Look what that has done to Singapore's standard of English?

 

[SamuelStalin]

In the 1970s and 1980s, GCE O English passing rate was hovering around 50% and dipping. There were also regular outcries against the standards set being too tough. During those years, D7s and below were very common. Then the standards were very obviously reduced gradually till by the 1990s, A1s were very common. Look what that has done to Singapore's standard of English?

Exactly. How can riff-raffs and flukes be accepted into good schools like RI and ACS?

They'd destroy these highly-respected institutions in no time.

 

[Lee Hsien Tau]

Those who find creativity a problem are control freaks that cannot face challenge to their authority.

That retarded question about banana trees needs no answering as bananas are not among Singapore's main exports or agricultural concerns.

Understand that creativity especially if unguided is a disease and a social problem that does more harm than good. Conformity and sticking to the tried and tested is better overall for the common good.

 

[kiwibird7]

The rote learning exam system is easy to beat with recycled questions from the 10 yr series databank. Problems to S'pore students only arise when a new syllabus with new questions being set for the first time in the exam.

This would be so when calculators are allowed for the exam and a new set of questions never seen before in the 10 yr series of previous exams appear.

This exposes the inherent weakness of a rote learning exam orientated system and not that questions are too difficult for 12 yr olds. Logic and problem solving can NEVER be taught via the rote learning method.

Singapore's exam board says PSLE papers not too tough
By Zul Othman, TODAY | Posted: 23 October 2009 0706 hrs

Primary school students in Singapore. (file pic)

SINGAPORE: After two outbursts in the last three years from parents about the Primary School Leaving Examination, in particular, the Mathematics paper, is there a nascent trend of questions becoming too difficult for 12-year-olds?

Not so, says the Singapore Examination and Assessment Board (SEAB).

In response to questions from MediaCorp, a spokesperson said that the panel responsible for setting questions ensures "there is a good coverage of syllabus and a judicious balance of easy, average and difficult questions".

This examination panel is made up of "experienced schoolteachers, curriculum specialists from the Ministry of Education (MOE) as well as SEAB assessment specialists" and they take "careful consideration" to ensure "the questions are within the respective syllabus and within the pupil's abilities and experiences".

There are also "processes" in place to "calibrate the difficulty level of each question and to control the overall standard of the paper", said the spokesperson – though no specific examples were given.

Asked if there has been grade inflation – and hence, tougher papers being set in response to better scores – the SEAB spokesperson noted that the level of difficulty of this year's PSLE Mathematics test is "pitched at the same level as that in the previous years".

Some parents have complained about this year's paper based on feedback from their children, with some wondering if the introduction of calculators was a factor.

The use of calculators does not have a "direct bearing" on the difficulty of paper, according to SEAB.

Calculators became part of the primary school mathematics curriculum last year for Primary Five pupils "to help reduce computation errors". But basic computation skills "remain important", said SEAB.

This is why the PSLE Maths exam has been split into two papers – the first without the use of calculators and which constitutes 40 per cent of total marks – and the second where calculators are allowed and which pupils sit for after a one-hour break. At two hours 30 minutes, the total time allotted is 15 minutes more than before.

However, a teacher who declined to be named wondered if it was time to re-look the mode of PSLE assessment.

She told MediaCorp: "The syllabus is moving away from knowledge-based to one that is creative ... but despite the shift, the mode of evaluation has not changed."

She added that the level of difficulty could drive some parents to put additional pressure on their children.

And some parents, it seems, are going to great lengths to ensure their children are prepared.

A tutor told MediaCorp that she sends her nine-year-old son to two separate tuition centres so he can learn about creative problem solving as well as basic speed counting – all with an eye on the PSLE exams to come.

"Of course, the teachers at his school do their best to cover the bases but they only have so many hours in a day to do this ... I just want to make sure he doesn't get left behind and is well prepared," said the 35-year-old.