This is posted by LL ♥♦♣♠
Today I took the NUS High Selection Test. The 1 1/2 hr Math paper was okay (easier than NMOS) but the 1 1/4 hr Science paper was slightly hard. The Math paper had 7 pages (1st page was the cover page, last page was a blank page) and 23 non-MCQ questions where you have to shade the integer answer, and the Science paper had 30 MCQ questions and 24 pages (1st page was cover page, last page was a periodic table which I do not know how to use - I think there was 1 question about it which I guessed the answer).
The first few Math questions are easy, like P6 Math questions. One of the easiest Math questions is, the average of 3 numbers is given, you add another 2 numbers and you get another given average, you have to find the sum of the 2 numbers added. There are varying marks for different questions. I think the harder questions carry 4 marks.
One of the Science questions which I can remember is, there are two containers filled with hot water: one is a metal container with wooden casing, the other is a complete metal container. Both containers have a thermometer inside. Choose the correct line graph for the temperature, from the 4 or 5 choices given.
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
2011 China Girls Math Olympiad
This is posted by Lim Min's mum.
Singapore will be sending 8 girls to the 2011 China Girls Mathematical Olympiad (CGMO), to be held in ShenZhen (China) from 30 July to 3 August. The CGMO was originally established as a regional competition for female high school students from China. Several years ago China expanded the competition to countries from around the world, with the USA, Russia, United Kingdom and Singapore among the invitees.
After 2 days of selection tests (comprising 4-hr papers of 4 questions each) last Saturday and Sunday, the following girls are selected:
Raffles Institution: Zhang Aidi, Lydia Liu, Lim Min and Lee Si Ying (all Year 5s)
NUS High: Surya Mathialagan (Year 2) and Tan Pin Lin (Year 4)
Raffles Girls' School (Sec): Belinda Ding (Year 4) and Dorette Ong (Year 3)
All the best to Team Singapore, and hope the girls can better last year's results of 1 Silver and 4 Bronzes.
Singapore will be sending 8 girls to the 2011 China Girls Mathematical Olympiad (CGMO), to be held in ShenZhen (China) from 30 July to 3 August. The CGMO was originally established as a regional competition for female high school students from China. Several years ago China expanded the competition to countries from around the world, with the USA, Russia, United Kingdom and Singapore among the invitees.
After 2 days of selection tests (comprising 4-hr papers of 4 questions each) last Saturday and Sunday, the following girls are selected:
Raffles Institution: Zhang Aidi, Lydia Liu, Lim Min and Lee Si Ying (all Year 5s)
NUS High: Surya Mathialagan (Year 2) and Tan Pin Lin (Year 4)
Raffles Girls' School (Sec): Belinda Ding (Year 4) and Dorette Ong (Year 3)
All the best to Team Singapore, and hope the girls can better last year's results of 1 Silver and 4 Bronzes.
Sunday, 19 June 2011
Mistakes in onSponge P5 Conquer Problem Sums
This is posted by Lim Li ☺☻
After I had practised the SMO Junior questions and after my teacher asked us to complete the P5 thinkingMath@onSponge Conquer Problem Sums, I realised that something was wrong ...
Page 149.
Based on Pythagoras' theorem, AB is 8sqrt(10). But without knowing Pythagoras' theorem, a student will calculate AB = (28 x 18)/12 = 42???
Page 148.
Based on Pythagoras' theorem again, how can the three lengths of a triangle be 15, 20 and 30???
Page 146.
If the lengths of the triangle are 8, 10 and 14, the area should be sqrt(s(s-8)(s-10)(s-14)) where s = (8+10+14)/2. Hence, area = 16sqrt(6). But then, how can the height be 7 if the base is 14???
Page 145.
How can the hypotenuse be 8, which is shorter than the base length of 20???
There are more mistakes in the book, which I am too lazy to scan and highlight in this post.
After I had practised the SMO Junior questions and after my teacher asked us to complete the P5 thinkingMath@onSponge Conquer Problem Sums, I realised that something was wrong ...
Page 149.
Based on Pythagoras' theorem, AB is 8sqrt(10). But without knowing Pythagoras' theorem, a student will calculate AB = (28 x 18)/12 = 42???Page 148.
Based on Pythagoras' theorem again, how can the three lengths of a triangle be 15, 20 and 30???Page 146.
If the lengths of the triangle are 8, 10 and 14, the area should be sqrt(s(s-8)(s-10)(s-14)) where s = (8+10+14)/2. Hence, area = 16sqrt(6). But then, how can the height be 7 if the base is 14???Page 145.
How can the hypotenuse be 8, which is shorter than the base length of 20???There are more mistakes in the book, which I am too lazy to scan and highlight in this post.
Wednesday, 15 June 2011
IMO 2011 Singapore Team
This is posted by LJ's mum.
This year's Singapore IMO team comprises 1 JC2, 4 JC1s and 1 Sec 4. There is a high chance that IMO participants will get selected again the following year, as long as they qualify to take part again. Besides the obvious fact that they are among the top in the National Team (consisting of typically 20-25 students), they have also undergone intensive training in preparation for the IMO, and hence, are more well prepared for the selection tests. This means that, for 2012, it is likely that 5 places will be taken up by the current team members (unless, some of them also qualify for other International Science Olympiads and decide to partake in another competition).
The younger National Team members (current Year 3s and 4s) who aspire to be part of the IMO Team will probably have to work extremely hard, to secure a place in IMO Team 2012! I think Lim Jeck is very fortunate that he was first selected into the IMO Team in Sec 2. The competition to earn a coveted place in the IMO Team was probably less stiff then. As more Maths Olympiad competitions are organised for the primary level, kids get exposed to Maths Olympiad at an early age, and with more primary school kids taking part in the SMO (for secondary and JC levels), the quality of the Junior/Senior/National Team members will just get better. This cannot be a bad thing, it means the quality of our IMO Team will only improve, and we are likely to clinch more Golds in the future (special note: Singapore has won ONLY a single Gold medal in 1996, after taking part in IMO for 23 times so far).
The above are the leaders and observers accompanying the team to the 52nd IMO held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from 12 to 25 July. The Leader and Observer A will be there earlier, as they are involved in the jury meeting to select 6 questions from the shortlisted IMO questions. After which, they are barred from any contact with the participants and Observer Bs since they will have prior knowledge to the selected IMO questions. Before the competition begins, the Deputy Leader and Observer Bs are allowed to spend some time with the participants, it could be to give more training, encouragement or pep talk (I think the last part is crucial, as you normally watch on TV, the sports coaches give pep talk to players, during important competitions).
To ensure fairness in marking, the Leader and Deputy Leader (and sometimes one Observer B) are permitted to participate in the marks coordination session, with two Coordinators assigned by IMO Foundation. This will ensure that the participants' solutions have been fairly assessed (meaning, you don't have to worry that your solutions are not clearly understood by uninitiated markers, or that marks are unfairly deducted).
Some countries even send Observer Cs, who are allowed to stay at the same site as the participants.
To know what typically happens throughout the IMO, you can read an interesting account of the 51st IMO by a UK student here, and by a UK leader, here. These diaries mentioned the disqualification of the North Korea team.
This year's Singapore IMO team comprises 1 JC2, 4 JC1s and 1 Sec 4. There is a high chance that IMO participants will get selected again the following year, as long as they qualify to take part again. Besides the obvious fact that they are among the top in the National Team (consisting of typically 20-25 students), they have also undergone intensive training in preparation for the IMO, and hence, are more well prepared for the selection tests. This means that, for 2012, it is likely that 5 places will be taken up by the current team members (unless, some of them also qualify for other International Science Olympiads and decide to partake in another competition).The younger National Team members (current Year 3s and 4s) who aspire to be part of the IMO Team will probably have to work extremely hard, to secure a place in IMO Team 2012! I think Lim Jeck is very fortunate that he was first selected into the IMO Team in Sec 2. The competition to earn a coveted place in the IMO Team was probably less stiff then. As more Maths Olympiad competitions are organised for the primary level, kids get exposed to Maths Olympiad at an early age, and with more primary school kids taking part in the SMO (for secondary and JC levels), the quality of the Junior/Senior/National Team members will just get better. This cannot be a bad thing, it means the quality of our IMO Team will only improve, and we are likely to clinch more Golds in the future (special note: Singapore has won ONLY a single Gold medal in 1996, after taking part in IMO for 23 times so far).
The above are the leaders and observers accompanying the team to the 52nd IMO held in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, from 12 to 25 July. The Leader and Observer A will be there earlier, as they are involved in the jury meeting to select 6 questions from the shortlisted IMO questions. After which, they are barred from any contact with the participants and Observer Bs since they will have prior knowledge to the selected IMO questions. Before the competition begins, the Deputy Leader and Observer Bs are allowed to spend some time with the participants, it could be to give more training, encouragement or pep talk (I think the last part is crucial, as you normally watch on TV, the sports coaches give pep talk to players, during important competitions).To ensure fairness in marking, the Leader and Deputy Leader (and sometimes one Observer B) are permitted to participate in the marks coordination session, with two Coordinators assigned by IMO Foundation. This will ensure that the participants' solutions have been fairly assessed (meaning, you don't have to worry that your solutions are not clearly understood by uninitiated markers, or that marks are unfairly deducted).
Some countries even send Observer Cs, who are allowed to stay at the same site as the participants.
To know what typically happens throughout the IMO, you can read an interesting account of the 51st IMO by a UK student here, and by a UK leader, here. These diaries mentioned the disqualification of the North Korea team.
Monday, 13 June 2011
More Training .. Even More Training
Off to 12-day residential camp, from 13 to 24 June, at NUS High, for IMO training.
After that, another 2 weeks' training from 27 June to 12 July, before flying to Amsterdam (Netherlands), where the IMO is held from 15 to 25 July.
After that, another 2 weeks' training from 27 June to 12 July, before flying to Amsterdam (Netherlands), where the IMO is held from 15 to 25 July.
Friday, 10 June 2011
Letter from NUSH
This is posted by LJ's mum.
Just want to comment on the letters from NUS High. We have received a number of letters (this year and last 2 years) from NUS High, informing us of Lim Jeck going for National Team Selection Test or IMO National Team Training (see letter below) or some other overseas competitions. I always find the letters rather impersonal - there is no name mentioned. It is as if the letter is a generic one to be sent to the entire cohort, when in actual fact it was sent to only a few selected students. Why don't they add more personal touch, by naming 'Lim Jeck' in the letter instead of 'your child', addressing the letter to 'Dear Parent/Guardian of Lim Jeck' instead of 'Dear Parent/Guardian'? Sometimes I look at the letters and I wonder if they are indeed addressed to me, or to some other parents?
In contrast, the letter below from MOE seems more personalised.
Just want to comment on the letters from NUS High. We have received a number of letters (this year and last 2 years) from NUS High, informing us of Lim Jeck going for National Team Selection Test or IMO National Team Training (see letter below) or some other overseas competitions. I always find the letters rather impersonal - there is no name mentioned. It is as if the letter is a generic one to be sent to the entire cohort, when in actual fact it was sent to only a few selected students. Why don't they add more personal touch, by naming 'Lim Jeck' in the letter instead of 'your child', addressing the letter to 'Dear Parent/Guardian of Lim Jeck' instead of 'Dear Parent/Guardian'? Sometimes I look at the letters and I wonder if they are indeed addressed to me, or to some other parents?
In contrast, the letter below from MOE seems more personalised.
Thursday, 9 June 2011
NUS 2010/2011 Exam Results
Yay! I got another A+ for my NUS modules.
2010/2011 semester 2 (Jan to May 2011) exam result.
2010/2011 semester 1 (Aug to Dec 2010) exam result.
2010/2011 semester 2 (Jan to May 2011) exam result.
2010/2011 semester 1 (Aug to Dec 2010) exam result.Saturday, 4 June 2011
Teachers' Comments
This is posted by LJ's mum.
Lim Jeck's various subject/mentor teachers have given their comments on him, in the progress report of Semester 1, 2011. It is apparent from the comments that Lim Jeck has shown aptitude for Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Computing. However, he tends to be less proactive in the other subjects that he has less passion in. He is also too reserved and quiet.
Besides putting more efforts in his weaker subjects, I think he should also learn to be more articulate, as one may have the best technical knowledge but it would be in vain if one is not able to express one's thoughts, ideas and views clearly to others.
Lim Jeck's various subject/mentor teachers have given their comments on him, in the progress report of Semester 1, 2011. It is apparent from the comments that Lim Jeck has shown aptitude for Maths, Physics, Chemistry and Computing. However, he tends to be less proactive in the other subjects that he has less passion in. He is also too reserved and quiet.
Besides putting more efforts in his weaker subjects, I think he should also learn to be more articulate, as one may have the best technical knowledge but it would be in vain if one is not able to express one's thoughts, ideas and views clearly to others.
Thursday, 2 June 2011
Wednesday, 1 June 2011
SMO 2011 (Open Section) Answers
SMO 2011 Open Special Round Participants List
1. 1080
2. 300
3. 8
4. 10
5. 1
6. 8748
7. 27
8. 504
9. 71
10. 8
11. 38
12. 1936
13. 10
14. 50
15. 34220
16. 32
17. 6029
18. 2112
19. 6034
20. 95004
21. 48
22. 8
23. 38
24. 30
25. 2
National Average Statistics
SMO (Open) Previous Years' Cut-off Points (Inclusive of Round 2 scores)
2010 Gold (38), Silver (9), Bronze (6), HM (5)
2009 Gold (27-29), Silver (9), Bronze (6), HM (5)
2008 Gold (27), Silver (11), Bronze (10), HM (6)
2007 Gold (19-20), Silver (9), Bronze (6), HM (5)
Update:
2011 Gold (18), Silver (9), Bronze (6), HM (5) Cut-off for Round 2: 9
My Score: 23+50
1. 1080
2. 300
3. 8
4. 10
5. 1
6. 8748
7. 27
8. 504
9. 71
10. 8
11. 38
12. 1936
13. 10
14. 50
15. 34220
16. 32
17. 6029
18. 2112
19. 6034
20. 95004
21. 48
22. 8
23. 38
24. 30
25. 2
National Average Statistics
SMO (Open) Previous Years' Cut-off Points (Inclusive of Round 2 scores)
2010 Gold (38), Silver (9), Bronze (6), HM (5)
2009 Gold (27-29), Silver (9), Bronze (6), HM (5)
2008 Gold (27), Silver (11), Bronze (10), HM (6)
2007 Gold (19-20), Silver (9), Bronze (6), HM (5)
Update:
2011 Gold (18), Silver (9), Bronze (6), HM (5) Cut-off for Round 2: 9
My Score: 23+50
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
SMO 2011 (Junior Section) Answers
SMO 2011 Junior Special Round Participants List
##Click here for errors in SMO 2011 Solution Book's Junior Rd 1 Q16, 19, 26 and 28. Document is prepared by wmdsg.
1. D
2. C
3. C
4. B
5. B
6. A
7. B
8. E
9. C
10. E
11. 2
12. 5
13. 3
14. 129
15. 0
16. 7981 (3 Sep: answer in solution book is 9241 - refer to ## above)
17. 224
18. 1001
19. 256 (3 Sep: answer in solution book is 16 - refer to ##)
20. 4022
21. 101
22. 19
23. 169
24. 288
25. 14
26. 3 (3 Sep: answer in solution book is 350 - refer to ##)
27. 19
28. 10301(? see ** below and ##)
29. 15
30. 109
31. 4
32. 98
33. 30
34. 4022
35. 10
*Answers for Qn 14 and Qn 19 are provided by sz and wmdsg, respectively. Thanks.
** Lim Li: as pointed out by GeNiUs in comments, there may be something wrong with Qn 28. The answer is unknown at the moment.
National Average Statistics
SMO (Junior) Previous Years' Cut-off Points (Inclusive of Round 2 scores)
2010 Gold (24), Silver (9), Bronze (8), HM (5)
2009 Gold (11), Silver (7), Bronze (6), HM (5)
2008 Gold (23), Silver (14), Bronze (11), HM (10)
2007 Gold (20), Silver (14), Bronze (11), HM (10)
Update:
2011 Gold (12), Silver (9), Bronze (7), HM (6), Cut-off for Round 2: 11, Cut-off for Top 30: about 34
##Click here for errors in SMO 2011 Solution Book's Junior Rd 1 Q16, 19, 26 and 28. Document is prepared by wmdsg.
1. D
2. C
3. C
4. B
5. B
6. A
7. B
8. E
9. C
10. E
11. 2
12. 5
13. 3
14. 129
15. 0
16. 7981 (3 Sep: answer in solution book is 9241 - refer to ## above)
17. 224
18. 1001
19. 256 (3 Sep: answer in solution book is 16 - refer to ##)
20. 4022
21. 101
22. 19
23. 169
24. 288
25. 14
26. 3 (3 Sep: answer in solution book is 350 - refer to ##)
27. 19
28. 10301(? see ** below and ##)
29. 15
30. 109
31. 4
32. 98
33. 30
34. 4022
35. 10
*Answers for Qn 14 and Qn 19 are provided by sz and wmdsg, respectively. Thanks.
** Lim Li: as pointed out by GeNiUs in comments, there may be something wrong with Qn 28. The answer is unknown at the moment.
National Average Statistics
SMO (Junior) Previous Years' Cut-off Points (Inclusive of Round 2 scores)
2010 Gold (24), Silver (9), Bronze (8), HM (5)
2009 Gold (11), Silver (7), Bronze (6), HM (5)
2008 Gold (23), Silver (14), Bronze (11), HM (10)
2007 Gold (20), Silver (14), Bronze (11), HM (10)
Update:
2011 Gold (12), Silver (9), Bronze (7), HM (6), Cut-off for Round 2: 11, Cut-off for Top 30: about 34
SMO 2011 (Senior Section) Answers
SMO 2011 Senior Special Round Participants List
1. B
2. A
3. D
4. C
5. E
6. A
7. E
8. B
9. A
10. C
11. 400
12. 12
13. 14
14. 300
15. 8001
16. 1006
17. 54
18. 1005
19. 1011
20. 1
21. 40
22. 3
23. 93
24. 1120
25. 1
26. 180
27. 9
28. 28
29. 168
30. 276
31. 20
32. 5
33. 61
34. 45 (correct answer is 16, as in solution book)
35. 12
*Correct answers to Qn. 29 and Qn. 35 are provided by goran.
National Average Statistics
SMO (Senior) Previous Years' Cut-off Points (Inclusive of Round 2 scores)
2010 Gold (26), Silver (10), Bronze (7), HM (6)
2009 Gold (19-23), Silver (10), Bronze (7), HM (6)
2008 Gold (27-28), Silver (15), Bronze (10), HM (9)
2007 Gold (29-30), Silver (16), Bronze (12), HM (10)
Update:
2011 Gold (21), Silver (15), Bronze (10), HM (9), Cut-off for Round 2: about 15, Cut-off for Top 30: about 27
My Score: 28+50
1. B
2. A
3. D
4. C
5. E
6. A
7. E
8. B
9. A
10. C
11. 400
12. 12
13. 14
14. 300
15. 8001
16. 1006
17. 54
18. 1005
19. 1011
20. 1
21. 40
22. 3
23. 93
24. 1120
25. 1
26. 180
27. 9
28. 28
29. 168
30. 276
31. 20
32. 5
33. 61
34. 45 (correct answer is 16, as in solution book)
35. 12
*Correct answers to Qn. 29 and Qn. 35 are provided by goran.
National Average Statistics
SMO (Senior) Previous Years' Cut-off Points (Inclusive of Round 2 scores)
2010 Gold (26), Silver (10), Bronze (7), HM (6)
2009 Gold (19-23), Silver (10), Bronze (7), HM (6)
2008 Gold (27-28), Silver (15), Bronze (10), HM (9)
2007 Gold (29-30), Silver (16), Bronze (12), HM (10)
Update:
2011 Gold (21), Silver (15), Bronze (10), HM (9), Cut-off for Round 2: about 15, Cut-off for Top 30: about 27
My Score: 28+50
Saturday, 28 May 2011
APMOPS 2011
This is posted by Lim Li☺
From left: Mrs Chua (our principal), Zheng Han, me, Wei Jue, Step, Mr Ng.
Today we took the Asia Pacific Mathematical Olympiad for Primary Schools (APMOPS which is the 2nd Round of SMOPS) in the morning and also attended the prize giving ceremony held in the afternoon.
Zheng Han and I were in group 2, and there were only 2 girls (out of 30 people in my group). The other girl won a SPSO Top 30, and is also in NUS High's Einstein Club, just like me. I also met another boy called Eugene, who told me that he visited this blog before.
The school, Hwa Chong Institution, provided us packet lunch after the competition, which they did not give the teachers (too bad). There were rice, brocoli, tofu, fish and meat. Zheng Han spilled the food on the table and then he ate it (so unhygienic and disgusting). Some time later, they gave each of us a McDonald french fries and apple pie. Zheng Han dropped a french fry on the grass and he ate it (more disgusting). After the prize giving ceremony, there was a buffet (bee hoon, bao, cream puff, very spicy carrot cake, cheese tarts, hot dog pastry, chicken wing, fruit punch etc.) for all students and guests. I forgot to bring lunch boxes to "da-bao".
We have won the following awards:
SMOPS Platinum Award - Zheng Han, me
SMOPS Gold Award - Stephen, Wei Jue
Honourable Mention Team Award - Queenstown Primary School: Zheng Han, Wei Jue, me
APMOPS 11th to 40th Position (Gold Medal) - me
The top in SMOPS is Clarence Chew from Tao Nan. The top few in APMOPS are from Shanghai.
From left: Mrs Chua (our principal), Zheng Han, me, Wei Jue, Step, Mr Ng.Today we took the Asia Pacific Mathematical Olympiad for Primary Schools (APMOPS which is the 2nd Round of SMOPS) in the morning and also attended the prize giving ceremony held in the afternoon.
Zheng Han and I were in group 2, and there were only 2 girls (out of 30 people in my group). The other girl won a SPSO Top 30, and is also in NUS High's Einstein Club, just like me. I also met another boy called Eugene, who told me that he visited this blog before.
The school, Hwa Chong Institution, provided us packet lunch after the competition, which they did not give the teachers (too bad). There were rice, brocoli, tofu, fish and meat. Zheng Han spilled the food on the table and then he ate it (so unhygienic and disgusting). Some time later, they gave each of us a McDonald french fries and apple pie. Zheng Han dropped a french fry on the grass and he ate it (more disgusting). After the prize giving ceremony, there was a buffet (bee hoon, bao, cream puff, very spicy carrot cake, cheese tarts, hot dog pastry, chicken wing, fruit punch etc.) for all students and guests. I forgot to bring lunch boxes to "da-bao".
We have won the following awards:
SMOPS Platinum Award - Zheng Han, me
SMOPS Gold Award - Stephen, Wei Jue
Honourable Mention Team Award - Queenstown Primary School: Zheng Han, Wei Jue, me
APMOPS 11th to 40th Position (Gold Medal) - me
The top in SMOPS is Clarence Chew from Tao Nan. The top few in APMOPS are from Shanghai.
Friday, 20 May 2011
Maths Talent Quest
This is posted by LL ☺
Hello. ☺☻. This afternoon, I played truant with Step, Wei Jue, Wei Wei and Ji Xuan. This time, we played truant for 15 min more than last time (30 mins). During that time, we had our lunch in our school canteen. We then took the school bus to Clementi Town Secondary School for the Maths Talent Quest competition.
We played some games while waiting for our turns to take the competition, which was on the computer. First, we played the Rubik's Cube and I totally failed. After that, we played Sudoku. Then, we went to play some games on the stage (without audience) - each person from each school can play one kind of game. I played sliding blocks. I had 5 mins to complete the puzzle but there was something wrong with the computer, I had only 1 min instead of 5 mins so I did not manage to complete it. Then I played another game that I could remember the name. At the end of the games, I only accumulated 4 points and could exchange the points for an 8-point star puzzle (see below).
Then, it was our turn to take the competition. It was challenging and I got 12 marks out of a total of 25 marks (1/2 more mark to pass!). During the competition, there was someone from another school hollering very loudly at the invigilator. Step got 11 marks, Wei Jue got 10 marks, Wei Wei got 9 and I do not know how many marks Ji Xuan got.
Following that, we went for our refreshments. There were some black thingy (carrot cake?), yellow stuff, cream puff, sandwiches, chicken wings ... The food was scrumptious and mouthwatering, especially the cream puff, which was luscious and cooling. The lemon drink was also very refreshing.
Next, we proceeded to the hall for the prize presentation ceremony. Step, Wei Jue and Wei Wei got Silver awards. I got Individual 5th (a trophy) and Gold award (another trophy). Step needed 1 more mark to get Gold. The Individual 2nd and 3rd got something like a tablet, but the Individual 1st won an iPad 2 (so lucky!!). My school also won 2nd for Team Award (a medal), same as last time (St Andrews Maths & Science Competition).
Hello. ☺☻. This afternoon, I played truant with Step, Wei Jue, Wei Wei and Ji Xuan. This time, we played truant for 15 min more than last time (30 mins). During that time, we had our lunch in our school canteen. We then took the school bus to Clementi Town Secondary School for the Maths Talent Quest competition.
We played some games while waiting for our turns to take the competition, which was on the computer. First, we played the Rubik's Cube and I totally failed. After that, we played Sudoku. Then, we went to play some games on the stage (without audience) - each person from each school can play one kind of game. I played sliding blocks. I had 5 mins to complete the puzzle but there was something wrong with the computer, I had only 1 min instead of 5 mins so I did not manage to complete it. Then I played another game that I could remember the name. At the end of the games, I only accumulated 4 points and could exchange the points for an 8-point star puzzle (see below).
Then, it was our turn to take the competition. It was challenging and I got 12 marks out of a total of 25 marks (1/2 more mark to pass!). During the competition, there was someone from another school hollering very loudly at the invigilator. Step got 11 marks, Wei Jue got 10 marks, Wei Wei got 9 and I do not know how many marks Ji Xuan got.
Following that, we went for our refreshments. There were some black thingy (carrot cake?), yellow stuff, cream puff, sandwiches, chicken wings ... The food was scrumptious and mouthwatering, especially the cream puff, which was luscious and cooling. The lemon drink was also very refreshing.
Next, we proceeded to the hall for the prize presentation ceremony. Step, Wei Jue and Wei Wei got Silver awards. I got Individual 5th (a trophy) and Gold award (another trophy). Step needed 1 more mark to get Gold. The Individual 2nd and 3rd got something like a tablet, but the Individual 1st won an iPad 2 (so lucky!!). My school also won 2nd for Team Award (a medal), same as last time (St Andrews Maths & Science Competition).
Saturday, 14 May 2011
SNGMC
This is posted by Lim Li.
Today, more than 12 hours but less than 15 hours ago, I took part in a math competition called Singapore National Girls' Mathematics Competition (SNGMC). It is organized by RGS. When I reached my school at 7:30 am, I was the latest as usual. Then, we waited what seemed like eternity for Mr Ng to come, who gave the excuse that he bought a toy transformer at 12 midnight the day before and went home at 3 am. The 6 of us girls and Mr Ng took school bus to RGS.
When we reached RGS, they gave us a nice bag with Rubik's cube keychain, sliding puzzle keychain and 2 small metal puzzles inside. They also gave us a bottle of mineral water with RGS logo. I think there were 60 schools and about 400 girls taking part in SNGMC. We were divided into groups, mine was group E2. After that, we took the competition comprising about 25 questions. I left 4 blanks because I forgot to guess their answers. I found a mistake about 5 mins before time was up but I did not have time to change it. After that, we went for the Amazing Race Competition and someone commented that I must be Lim Jeck's sister (strangely, she did not remark that I am Lim Min's sister since I was in RGS compound). I hated the Amazing Race because I am very (very) unfit.
After the Amazing Race, we went for free food which was chicken rice with nuggets and chicken wings. It was delectable. The queue was very (very) long. After the refreshment we went to the hall for the results announcement. I got the 11th to 20th position (the individual prizes were: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th to 10th and 11th to 20th) and won $50 (the prize money will be sent to my school).
Today, more than 12 hours but less than 15 hours ago, I took part in a math competition called Singapore National Girls' Mathematics Competition (SNGMC). It is organized by RGS. When I reached my school at 7:30 am, I was the latest as usual. Then, we waited what seemed like eternity for Mr Ng to come, who gave the excuse that he bought a toy transformer at 12 midnight the day before and went home at 3 am. The 6 of us girls and Mr Ng took school bus to RGS.
When we reached RGS, they gave us a nice bag with Rubik's cube keychain, sliding puzzle keychain and 2 small metal puzzles inside. They also gave us a bottle of mineral water with RGS logo. I think there were 60 schools and about 400 girls taking part in SNGMC. We were divided into groups, mine was group E2. After that, we took the competition comprising about 25 questions. I left 4 blanks because I forgot to guess their answers. I found a mistake about 5 mins before time was up but I did not have time to change it. After that, we went for the Amazing Race Competition and someone commented that I must be Lim Jeck's sister (strangely, she did not remark that I am Lim Min's sister since I was in RGS compound). I hated the Amazing Race because I am very (very) unfit.
After the Amazing Race, we went for free food which was chicken rice with nuggets and chicken wings. It was delectable. The queue was very (very) long. After the refreshment we went to the hall for the results announcement. I got the 11th to 20th position (the individual prizes were: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th to 10th and 11th to 20th) and won $50 (the prize money will be sent to my school).
Saturday, 7 May 2011
NTST 2011 Results
The results are out - 3 from RI (Ding Yue, Ryan Kor and Joseph Kuan), 1 from ACSI (Ang Jie Jun) and 2 from NUS High (Ang Yan Sheng and I) will be representing Singapore in the 52nd International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), which will be held from 18 to 25 July in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Training will start next Saturday. I think just like previous years, we will be training every day during the June holidays and I am going to miss 4.5 weeks of classes when school reopens.
Hope we can better last year's results of 4 Silvers, 1 Bronze and 1 Honourable Mention!
Sunday, 1 May 2011
Thursday, 28 April 2011
Yet Another iPad
It is unbelievable. We have just won for ourselves another iPad (the one in the centre)! This time, it is won by Lim Min, who took part in the DSO Quiz which was open to current students of Raffles Institution (RI JC) during the career fair.Again, it is not iPad2 .. it is a 32G with 3G.
Monday, 25 April 2011
Excused from Lessons
This is posted by LJ's mum
In preparation for the SIMO National Team Selection Test (NTST) on 30 Apr and 1 May (4.5 hrs each day, 9 am to 1.30 pm), Lim Jeck has been excused from lessons and CCA commitments this week (25 Apr to 1 May).
As stated in the letter, the arrangement is to allow students from the National Team to fully concentrate on a 5-day intensive training, to increase the chance of qualifying for the IMO National Team 2011. Alternative arrangements will be made for lessons missed.
I appreciate NUS High's support of her students in their aspirations to become part of the 6-member Singapore IMO team.
In my opinion, it is not really necessary for students to be pulled out from all classes to fully focus on either the selection tests or (if selected) the intensive preparation for the competition itself (which could last 6-7 weeks). Consistent, on-going work (for instance, doing a few IMO question(s) on a daily/weekly basis) is probably more important. Unless you are really competent in the subjects missed, taking a long leave may be detrimental to your studies, and you are bound to have a tough time catching up. It won't be easy to make alternative arrangements for most lessons missed, since you are probably busy attending classes. Extension for assessment deadlines may not help much, since you will be overwhelmed with new homework and assessment for current classes. For group projects, it may not be fair for your group members to cover your area in your absence.
I think it is good that students are given the flexibility to attend any particular lessons. They can decide on missing those lessons which have the least impact on them. These may include subjects that they are already strong at (e.g. Maths), lessons that are inconsequential (e.g. PE, CCA).
If Lim Jeck is selected again, it would be the 3rd time that he is representing Singapore in IMO. If he is not selected, it is okay as he has 2 more chances, in 2012 and 2013.
May the most deserving students (from whichever schools) from the national team get selected into the IMO Singapore Team 2011! :)
In preparation for the SIMO National Team Selection Test (NTST) on 30 Apr and 1 May (4.5 hrs each day, 9 am to 1.30 pm), Lim Jeck has been excused from lessons and CCA commitments this week (25 Apr to 1 May).
As stated in the letter, the arrangement is to allow students from the National Team to fully concentrate on a 5-day intensive training, to increase the chance of qualifying for the IMO National Team 2011. Alternative arrangements will be made for lessons missed.I appreciate NUS High's support of her students in their aspirations to become part of the 6-member Singapore IMO team.
In my opinion, it is not really necessary for students to be pulled out from all classes to fully focus on either the selection tests or (if selected) the intensive preparation for the competition itself (which could last 6-7 weeks). Consistent, on-going work (for instance, doing a few IMO question(s) on a daily/weekly basis) is probably more important. Unless you are really competent in the subjects missed, taking a long leave may be detrimental to your studies, and you are bound to have a tough time catching up. It won't be easy to make alternative arrangements for most lessons missed, since you are probably busy attending classes. Extension for assessment deadlines may not help much, since you will be overwhelmed with new homework and assessment for current classes. For group projects, it may not be fair for your group members to cover your area in your absence.
I think it is good that students are given the flexibility to attend any particular lessons. They can decide on missing those lessons which have the least impact on them. These may include subjects that they are already strong at (e.g. Maths), lessons that are inconsequential (e.g. PE, CCA).
If Lim Jeck is selected again, it would be the 3rd time that he is representing Singapore in IMO. If he is not selected, it is okay as he has 2 more chances, in 2012 and 2013.
May the most deserving students (from whichever schools) from the national team get selected into the IMO Singapore Team 2011! :)
Monday, 18 April 2011
Direct School Admission
This is posted by LL's mum. 
The Direct School Admission – Secondary Exercise (DSA-Sec) for Primary 6 students has started. Lim Li has applied for the NUS High DSA. The selection test will be held on 25 June, which is about 2 months away. I do not think it is necessary to prepare for the selection test – it is hard to prepare anyway, since there are no past year questions for reference. Both Lim Jeck and Lim Min took the NUS High selection tests some 4 or 5 years ago, respectively. According to them, the Maths questions were easy (as they had been exposed to Maths Olympiad competitions like SMOPS, RI World Maths Contests) but the Science questions comprising Physics, Chemistry and Biology components were more challenging, though they could not remember what kind of questions were being asked.
While both Lim Min and Lim Jeck attempted two DSAs each during their times, Lim Li is going to try only NUS High. In my opinion, it is not advisable to try more than 3 DSAs. It may be emotionally draining for the kids as there will be a series of selection tests and camps (and possibly interviews too) - this could happen from June to August, which coincides with the all important preliminary exam and PSLE preparation period. I would think that students should only attempt DSA for schools of their first-choice (i.e. their dream school(s)), and not their second-choice or even third-choice schools. Why? There is a flip side to the DSA exercise – if you are successful in your second/third-choice school but not the first-choice school, are you going to accept the school? Once you accept the school, you will not be allowed to participate in the S1-posting exercise. What if your PSLE results turn out quite well, qualifying you for the first choice school? Yes, it may be possible to appeal to your dream school after the PSLE results are out. However, there is no guarantee that a place will be offered. Your dream school may request you to sit for tests, or call you up for an interview, and there may be a long agonizing wait for the appeal results (which could be soon after the appeal, or as late as end December, or even early January, after the school sorts out all the acceptances and rejections). There will be emotional upheavals while waiting for and receiving that important call.
Some top secondary schools will give priority to students from the MOE primary gifted education programme (GEP), and these students will apply under a GEP track. Mainstream students may apply under sports/art/music/performing arts, or academic track (math/science/english/mother tongue). For mainstream students, they have to prove that they are very outstanding in sports/art/music/etc., or way above their peers in the academic subject that they are applying. Some other schools like NUS High do not give preference to GEP students, but students who did very well in Maths and Science competitions (e.g. Platinum in SMOPS, Gold in SPSO) will have a higher chance of being selected. I have heard many parents lamenting that their above-average children who are non-GEP and do not have any special talent (in sports/art/academic area) do not stand a good chance in DSAs. I kind of agree with them. I think it is fine to try 1 or 2 DSAs, but don't take it to heart if the DSA is unsuccessful, and parents should encourage their child to focus on the PSLE and do well enough to qualify for his/her dream school.
Good luck to all the P6s who are applying for DSAs this year!
The Direct School Admission – Secondary Exercise (DSA-Sec) for Primary 6 students has started. Lim Li has applied for the NUS High DSA. The selection test will be held on 25 June, which is about 2 months away. I do not think it is necessary to prepare for the selection test – it is hard to prepare anyway, since there are no past year questions for reference. Both Lim Jeck and Lim Min took the NUS High selection tests some 4 or 5 years ago, respectively. According to them, the Maths questions were easy (as they had been exposed to Maths Olympiad competitions like SMOPS, RI World Maths Contests) but the Science questions comprising Physics, Chemistry and Biology components were more challenging, though they could not remember what kind of questions were being asked. While both Lim Min and Lim Jeck attempted two DSAs each during their times, Lim Li is going to try only NUS High. In my opinion, it is not advisable to try more than 3 DSAs. It may be emotionally draining for the kids as there will be a series of selection tests and camps (and possibly interviews too) - this could happen from June to August, which coincides with the all important preliminary exam and PSLE preparation period. I would think that students should only attempt DSA for schools of their first-choice (i.e. their dream school(s)), and not their second-choice or even third-choice schools. Why? There is a flip side to the DSA exercise – if you are successful in your second/third-choice school but not the first-choice school, are you going to accept the school? Once you accept the school, you will not be allowed to participate in the S1-posting exercise. What if your PSLE results turn out quite well, qualifying you for the first choice school? Yes, it may be possible to appeal to your dream school after the PSLE results are out. However, there is no guarantee that a place will be offered. Your dream school may request you to sit for tests, or call you up for an interview, and there may be a long agonizing wait for the appeal results (which could be soon after the appeal, or as late as end December, or even early January, after the school sorts out all the acceptances and rejections). There will be emotional upheavals while waiting for and receiving that important call.Some top secondary schools will give priority to students from the MOE primary gifted education programme (GEP), and these students will apply under a GEP track. Mainstream students may apply under sports/art/music/performing arts, or academic track (math/science/english/mother tongue). For mainstream students, they have to prove that they are very outstanding in sports/art/music/etc., or way above their peers in the academic subject that they are applying. Some other schools like NUS High do not give preference to GEP students, but students who did very well in Maths and Science competitions (e.g. Platinum in SMOPS, Gold in SPSO) will have a higher chance of being selected. I have heard many parents lamenting that their above-average children who are non-GEP and do not have any special talent (in sports/art/academic area) do not stand a good chance in DSAs. I kind of agree with them. I think it is fine to try 1 or 2 DSAs, but don't take it to heart if the DSA is unsuccessful, and parents should encourage their child to focus on the PSLE and do well enough to qualify for his/her dream school.Good luck to all the P6s who are applying for DSAs this year!
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