This is the result of the Higher Ability Selection Test administered by the Australian Council for Educational Research that Lesley-Anne sat for late last year. The school made all the students who entered via DSA sit for the test, to see if it can replace the current General Ability Test (GAT) for DSA applicants. I suppose they want to assess if the results are consistent with those of the GAT.
The test comprises a few comprehension passages, a series of math questions and a writing test. Since there are two English components and only one math component, it seems to me the test is slightly skewed in favour of those good in language. That definitely contributed towards Lesley-Anne's total score (not that we're complaining).
Anyway, this test sort of came at the right time. Since Lesley-Anne is is in sec 2, she'll have to choose her stream for sec 3 and 4 by the end of this year. The results confirm our belief that she'll fare much better going down the humanities route instead of the ever popular triple-science stream.
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My sec 2 son did this exact same test in his p6 year. But the components are a little different. Instead of Written Expression, there's Abstract Reasoning. He scored the highest in Math & Abstract Reasoning. Boys, lah. Anyway, even my daughter is significantly better in the sciences. She's terrible at Humanities - never passed them before her actual O-levels!
Forgot to mention. Interestingly enough - for your daughter's school, the HAST chose to focus more on the humanities aspect - 2 out of 3 components! HAST is broader than GAT. GAT is only the abstract reasoning part.
Karmeleon: I didn't realise HAST also has the abstract reasoning test until you mentioned it. I agree HAST is more holistic than GAT, maybe that's why the school is considering using it.
I think the individual schools who "buy" the HAST tests are the ones that decide which components to use. I think the various components available are mentioned on the Australian Board's website. I thought that schools like RI had preferred GAT bc of it's non-verbal/language aspect. Lesley-Anne would probably do v well on the abstract portion too, since all GEP students get to do a similar test as part of the GEP selection 2nd phase.
Karmeleon: After you mentioned it, I went to check out the HAST link. To be honest, I've not heard of HAST before now so it's pretty interesting to learn about the various tests available to schools.
i know about it bc my son took it 2x in his p6 year! I was thinking that it'd be so good if that was the PSLE bc it is quite stress-free!
Wow, her language scores are really off the charts! Like mother like daughter. It's so good that she knows so early on what she wants to do. I think ACSI uses HAST for its DSA, maybe cos the IB is kind of skewed towards humanities.
Karmeleon: I'm with you on this!!
Lilian: Oh, I didn't know ACSI uses HAST for DSA. It makes sense though - in the SG context, there's no need to use a non-verbal test since the kids have to be fluent in English anyway. I wonder if they also use the 2 English components or the Abstract Reasoning one...
Some schools would prefer non-verbal bc they are trying to attract foreign talent as well, mah! ;D
Karmeleon: But for DSA into sec school? I think unlikely leh...
Wow! I'm quite in awe, especially after reading that carefully crafted boxed note that the tests apply to a "special candidate population" and for emphasis "not to the general population of students"(*lol*) .. and "to achieve at any standard etc" - she's definitely special :)!!
Ada: LOL, thanks! Although I'm too sure what that means. With these Australian tests, they don't specify exactly who the "cohort" is. I would love to know how many students were in the comparison group and from which schools.
My kids asked me why is reading fun and exciting?? How shld i explain the above qn to them?
Anon: Well, reading transports you into new and exciting places and sends you on adventures you can't experience in real life. But it's difficult to convince non-converts, keep trying!
Hi I really enjoy reading yr post. Similarly, I have 2 kids of two different character. My son now in sec one is a happy go lucky boy who is a avid reader but somehow he doesn't write well at all. His teacher called me prior to his PSLE exam and asked me why he doesn't write well since he is a avid reader. He reads book like Secret Benedict society, anthony horowitz etc. Likewise I also do not know why he doesn't write well and when he has to write compo he takes hr to just produce one essay. And on the other hand, my girl who is currently in P5 is in GEP. She is very academically incline and i do not have to worry abt much abt her except her compo writing.. I am not able to mark nor give comments on how to improve their essay/compo. Any idea as parent how we can help them to be able to write well and be passionate about writing. Yr girl really writes very well...
Yours sincerely, Rul
Rul: I really wish I can help you, I do! But I haven't found the solution for Andre myself. What I've realised is that he doesn't connect what he reads to what he writes, so reading more doesn't seem to help him improve. Whereas for L-A, she can adapt the style of what she reads in her writing. So I guess part of it has to do with natural ability.
I've since sent Andre for English tuition where they do a compo almost every week. I'm hoping that the practice will help but it's too early to tell.
Good luck and thanks for your comments!
Hi Monica, how L-A manage to improve her chinese, does she attend chinese tuition? can share which centre she is attending for chinese tuition? cos my son's chinese is rock bottom. Can advise. Tx Rul
Rul: L-A has Chinese tuition at home once a week. But I think the real difference is her willingness to work at it cos Andre has the same tutor and his Chinese is bad too :(
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