PSLE Math: Is It Really That Tough? How Should Students Tackle Difficult Questions In The Exam?

[noobcarbuyer]

https://www.littledayout.com/psle-math-how-should-students-tackle-difficult-questions-exam-nicklebee-tutors/

PSLE Math: Is It Really That Tough? How Should Students Tackle Difficult Questions In The Exam?

Nearly every year, difficult PSLE Math questions spark a furore among students and parents.

In 2019, the infamous semi-circle question left many students in tears. In 2021, it was a question about Henry, Ivan and their coins that stumped examinees and made its rounds on the internet.

It seems that, in recent years, Math Olympiad-style questions have been appearing in PSLE Math papers with increasing frequency.

However, the Ministry of Education maintains that the difficulty level of the PSLE has been kept consistent, with challenging questions capped at 15% yearly.

One thing is clear: the PSLE Math paper is not going to get easier.

Read More : https://www.littledayout.com/psle-math-how-should-students-tackle-difficult-questions-exam-nicklebee-tutors/

[SGMCF328]

Some of the questions weren't even about mathematics but testing the child's English proficiency.

 

[Ender]

Math really to practice outside of school period.  Don't skip the homework, plus do extra questions from other schools and past PSLE questions. As long parent ensure their kids understand the solution should be alright to get B and above.  The main problem is the parent whom most of them don't quite know and understand the solution and they leave it to the school teachers and tuition teachers.  That's how I got my two kids thru PSLE. I started out by doing the other schools exam paper by myself and seeking solution from kiasuparents forum, until by the time my son in P4, I can be P6 tutor.

The infamous semi circle problem is not a difficult question and is well within the PSLE standard. If I may say, if the kid can spot it correctly, this is just a P4 standard for those with strong understanding of modelling 

[Sosaria]

Everyone, especially parents, should get their expectations right. Not every kid can score 'A*' or even 'A' for PSLE Math. Your kid's (or even your own) forte may not be in Math. And even for those good in Math, as evidenced by our scoring 'A' in math tests, exams and modules from primary all the way up to tertiary, may not be anywhere near the level of those that can hold their own in Olympiads.

So we all have different levels of ability and the PSLE paper is meant to differentiate, hence some questions are asked at the very basic level, and at the other end of the spectrum, there needs to be a few or at least just one question that is the 'killer' to suss out the best. And even then, as long as the kid attempts to solve the question, it is not possible to get completely zero for these tough questions.

[Victor68]

What is the point if we train all our students and they don't fit into our employment criteria but need imported talents😕

Better our MOE goes to these countries to learn from them. Either we are on track or off completely.

[Ender]

On 8/2/2023 at 9:37 AM, Victor68 said:

What is the point if we train all our students and they don't fit into our employment criteria but need imported talents😕

Better our MOE goes to these countries to learn from them. Either we are on track or off completely.

Need to invite and set up a Uptron university here..

[Lala81]

On 8/2/2023 at 9:36 AM, Ender said:

Math really to practice outside of school period.  Don't skip the homework, plus do extra questions from other schools and past PSLE questions. As long parent ensure their kids understand the solution should be alright to get B and above.  The main problem is the parent whom most of them don't quite know and understand the solution and they leave it to the school teachers and tuition teachers.  That's how I got my two kids thru PSLE. I started out by doing the other schools exam paper by myself and seeking solution from kiasuparents forum, until by the time my son in P4, I can be P6 tutor.

The infamous semi circle problem is not a difficult question and is well within the PSLE standard. If I may say, if the kid can spot it correctly, this is just a P4 standard for those with strong understanding of modelling 

math model group on FB is very useful.

While i don't focus so much on math as it's probably the most "tested" of all the subjects, so it actually needs the least intervention.

But u do need to understand the heuristics involved. And can search for some youtube videos etc on examples solving to find a more optimal way. 

 

[Lala81]

On 8/2/2023 at 9:36 AM, SGMCF328 said:

Some of the questions weren't even about mathematics but testing the child's English proficiency.

 

this is not a local question. If so low standard question inside PSLE, sure kana complaint dao siao.

[Lala81]

Primary school math is no joke. I often struggle while doing for the 1st time also cos my math is not that great.

But on the other hand, it really does test quite a bit of logical thinking.

 

Yes i do empathise with the kids who just catch no ball despite being taught properly. It can be demoralising. 

Edited August 2, 2023 by Lala81

[Tianmo]

On 8/2/2023 at 10:14 AM, Lala81 said:

math model group on FB is very useful.

While i don't focus so much on math as it's probably the most "tested" of all the subjects, so it actually needs the least intervention.

But u do need to understand the heuristics involved. And can search for some youtube videos etc on examples solving to find a more optimal way. 

 

My son told me he learn and understand  most of his school work from youtube better than attending lectures. 

His course time is so little that he now only go to school for lab practicals. Those who depends on online lectures came back with GPA 2.6 last term, youtube helped him to a 3.7. 

[Playtime]

On 8/2/2023 at 9:37 AM, Victor68 said:

What is the point if we train all our students and they don't fit into our employment criteria but need imported talents😕

Better our MOE goes to these countries to learn from them. Either we are on track or off completely.

drive our students even to suicide.

YET... compared to other "lazy" countries... they produce Nobels and inventions... we invented COE.

They come here be considered TALENT... banking, IT, finance industries gutted of locals, entire business district built for them... we are test tube washers and grab drivers.

Our people told no need go Uni... then the student suicides for what??... but import FT and give free Uni education to FT students.

something is wrong... maybe the exams are not wrong, who knows? But the overall SYSTEM just doesnt seem right... form over substance much i feel.

 

Edited August 2, 2023 by Playtime

[Benarsenal]

F*** maths. 90% of the maths I learn in school I don't use at all. Simi trigonometry, algebra, all useless.

Know simple plus minus and times table can liao. Most important must know how to count money.

[Lala81]

On 8/2/2023 at 10:49 AM, Benarsenal said:

F*** maths. 90% of the maths I learn in school I don't use at all. Simi trigonometry, algebra, all useless.

Know simple plus minus and times table can liao. Most important must know how to count money.

Actually primary school math is quite useful. It actually trains your mind. 

Our time the pedagogy was very limited. Most of us just blindly mug and apply it.
Now the pedagogy is actually damn well developed.
It seems like a waste of time, but actually there's a lot of thought put into it.

I agree once it becomes secondary school math, it's usecase is much lower. 

[Scion]

On 8/2/2023 at 9:37 AM, Victor68 said:

What is the point if we train all our students and they don't fit into our employment criteria but need imported talents😕

Better our MOE goes to these countries to learn from them. Either we are on track or off completely.

 

every year we hear our education standards are world class, but somehow there are still not enough local talents and we need to import countless FTs and CECAs 🤣

[Victor68]

It is not just maths but we focus too much on number of subjects with A score. Doctor need A score for maths to calculate how much to charge the patient? 😆

[Lala81]

On 8/2/2023 at 11:10 AM, Victor68 said:

It is not just maths but we focus too much on number of subjects with A score. Doctor need A score for maths to calculate how much to charge the patient? 😆

Unfortunately knowledge workers are what the global economy runs on, we are too small to have too many industries here.

Hard truth. 

In the next generation, will be even more stark as AI will be used to supplement these roles. 

[Victor68]

On 8/2/2023 at 11:28 AM, Lala81 said:

Unfortunately knowledge workers are what the global economy runs on, we are too small to have too many industries here.

Hard truth. 

In the next generation, will be even more stark as AI will be used to supplement these roles. 

The sad part is, we are wasting away our own valuable resources, which is human, by planting others benefiting from what we have established. The top 10% can ignore this because it doesn't affect them but what happen to your fellow Singaporean? 

[Sosaria]

On 8/2/2023 at 10:34 AM, Tianmo said:

My son told me he learn and understand  most of his school work from youtube better than attending lectures. 

His course time is so little that he now only go to school for lab practicals. Those who depends on online lectures came back with GPA 2.6 last term, youtube helped him to a 3.7. 

This kind of 'blended learning' - combi of online lecture to be watched before coming to school only for lab/tutorial - is utter failure. What's the advantage of school, our policy-makers got to be asking themselves? Obviously for the face-to-face interaction between teacher and students. Online lectures defeat the purpose and takes away from this advantage.

In the arena of online learning, youtube wins hands-down over our over-taxed educators, who have to juggle many administrative duties, dealing with bosses and parents, on top of teaching and preparing lesson materials, what more learning about making attractive videos and editing.

That fellow filming the youtube video is specialized, does nothing except produce videos for views; quality is driven by views ($) and survival. A bonus if the creator is chio-bu, cannot beat that.

You give too much credit to youtube, your boy is a motivated learner himself, to search out and watch helpful videos on his own volition, seeking help where he needs it to get the good results. It's this kind of self-driven learning that MOE is trying hard to promote. For the unmotivated ones, even do the minimum, watch online lecture prepared by the school - they are reluctant to do!