KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

slmkhoo wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 15, 2020 3:14 pm

Lovelivelife wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 14, 2020 8:50 pm

Hi
My DD has a CO from SOTA and NJC through AEP dsa domain
Confused between IP and IB . Search bought me here.
Anyone has experience with kids in both stream and can explain the difference ?
Are IB graduates able to crack into local universities as we don't prefer to send her abroad alone.
Thanks in advance

First, the choice is A levels vs IB. Those are exams/qualifications. You should read up on the requirements, and read earlier posts on this thread. In general, IB seems to require more research and writing, and some non-exam work is counted in the grades. The A levels is almost completely exam-based. IB graduates can and do go to local universities, if their grades are good enough, but quite a few do choose to go overseas (more because they are in schools where a higher proportion of students opt to go overseas, not because they can't get into local universities).

IP simply means "through-train" i.e. 6 years, no O levels. IP schools may end with A levels (like most JCs) or IB (e.g. SOTA, ACSI).

Thanks a lot for the reply.
I realize that it's like comparing apples and oranges. My DD is not bad in studies and usually scores above 90 for math and science. From the sota website, I do realize that getting into engineering or other science related career choices us also possible via sota but sota just seems to have a public opinion that it's an art school and hence the child will/should take art related career choices in future . Many people skeptically question me why I am thinking of sota when my child does so well in math and science..

Lovelivelife wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 15, 2020 4:35 pm

Thanks a lot for the reply.
I realize that it's like comparing apples and oranges. My DD is not bad in studies and usually scores above 90 for math and science. From the sota website, I do realize that getting into engineering or other science related career choices us also possible via sota but sota just seems to have a public opinion that it's an art school and hence the child will/should take art related career choices in future . Many people skeptically question me why I am thinking of sota when my child does so well in math and science..

I don't know what art form your daughter is going into, but if it is demanding and time-consuming, it will mean that she has less time for other activities/subjects. If students in NJC or other JCs are doing science and math programmes, while your daughter is working on an art form, I would guess it might affect things like getting internships and jobs in the scientific fields.

Lovelivelife wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 15, 2020 4:35 pm

slmkhoo wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 15, 2020 3:14 pm

Lovelivelife wrote: ↑

Mon Sep 14, 2020 8:50 pm

Hi
My DD has a CO from SOTA and NJC through AEP dsa domain
Confused between IP and IB . Search bought me here.
Anyone has experience with kids in both stream and can explain the difference ?
Are IB graduates able to crack into local universities as we don't prefer to send her abroad alone.
Thanks in advance

First, the choice is A levels vs IB. Those are exams/qualifications. You should read up on the requirements, and read earlier posts on this thread. In general, IB seems to require more research and writing, and some non-exam work is counted in the grades. The A levels is almost completely exam-based. IB graduates can and do go to local universities, if their grades are good enough, but quite a few do choose to go overseas (more because they are in schools where a higher proportion of students opt to go overseas, not because they can't get into local universities).

IP simply means "through-train" i.e. 6 years, no O levels. IP schools may end with A levels (like most JCs) or IB (e.g. SOTA, ACSI).

Thanks a lot for the reply.
I realize that it's like comparing apples and oranges. My DD is not bad in studies and usually scores above 90 for math and science. From the sota website, I do realize that getting into engineering or other science related career choices us also possible via sota but sota just seems to have a public opinion that it's an art school and hence the child will/should take art related career choices in future . Many people skeptically question me why I am thinking of sota when my child does so well in math and science..

There are indeed a few SOTA students who went into engineering or other science related career choices. However, do note that SOTA students at upper sec level cannot choose to study triple science (only 1 or 2 sciences), so if you and your DD have interests in M&S, or value more rigorous M&S training, then NJC would be a better choice. Also, do note that there is no CCA in SOTA, the students' art discipline (e.g., visual art, dance, music, etc.) IS their CCA as they spent quite a lot of time in the discipline as part of their curriculum. On the other hand, if your DD is really passionate about visual art and arts education, SOTA could offer more exposure and training. My friend's DD in SOTA (now year 5) said she had to spend a lot of time on her art form (visual arts), a lot of drawing and painting, but she enjoyed it.

zac's mum wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 15, 2020 3:37 pm

My general impression (comparing the 2 schools) is that NJC (being originally a JC-only school) is excellent at producing good A level results.

Whereas SOTA’s track record of producing high IB scorers is...somewhat lagging behind ACSI and SJI? Maybe this has more to do with the higher entry score required to get in, I dunno. There are some spectacular high scorers at SOTA I think, even a recent President’s Scholar?

Not sure if this is important to your girl, but SOTA could probably offer her much more industry-related talent enrichment in terms of her art, compared to NJC. The latter has a reputable AEP and Music program, but nothing close to SOTA or professional standards I believe.

As for the final qualification IB Diploma versus A level cert...like Slmkhoo said, use vastly different assessment methods.

Your impressions are not wrong.

In terms of number of their graduating cohort entering university, NJC is much more successful than SOTA in that regard (probably in the high 90s %). SOTA result is also not comparable with the likes of ACSI / SJI / MGS. I personally know of a few SOTA graduates who couldn’t make the cut to our local university.

However, the above is not a knock on the quality of SOTA IB programme. The school has after all, produced two President’s Scholars. The reality is that the range of academic ability in SOTA is really very wide, unlike the other IB IP schools (or NJC). Some students in SOTA were selected based on their passion for the arts but may not really have the know-how to do well in the other academic subjects whereas the other schools’ students are probably all scoring > 230 or much higher.

floppy wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 15, 2020 6:29 pm

zac's mum wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 15, 2020 3:37 pm

My general impression (comparing the 2 schools) is that NJC (being originally a JC-only school) is excellent at producing good A level results.

Whereas SOTA’s track record of producing high IB scorers is...somewhat lagging behind ACSI and SJI? Maybe this has more to do with the higher entry score required to get in, I dunno. There are some spectacular high scorers at SOTA I think, even a recent President’s Scholar?

Not sure if this is important to your girl, but SOTA could probably offer her much more industry-related talent enrichment in terms of her art, compared to NJC. The latter has a reputable AEP and Music program, but nothing close to SOTA or professional standards I believe.

As for the final qualification IB Diploma versus A level cert...like Slmkhoo said, use vastly different assessment methods.

Your impressions are not wrong.

In terms of number of their graduating cohort entering university, NJC is much more successful than SOTA in that regard (probably in the high 90s %). SOTA result is also not comparable with the likes of ACSI / SJI / MGS. I personally know of a few SOTA graduates who couldn’t make the cut to our local university.

However, the above is not a knock on the quality of SOTA IB programme. The school has after all, produced two President’s Scholars. The reality is that the range of SOTA students’ academic ability is really very wide, unlike the other IB IP schools (or NJC). Some students in SOTA were selected based on their passion for the arts but may not really have the know-how to do well in the other academic subjects.

Also some in SOTA choose to do the IB Career Programme. If I am not wrong, this IBCP prepares students for a career in the arts field.

LLL - I’m leaning towards the IB style of teaching and learning. the sota website has a good overview of the VA program - can discuss with your kid If she likes the hands-on crafts projects and exposure.

slmkhoo wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 08, 2020 3:01 pm

kylene wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 08, 2020 1:11 pm

My DS is considered an “all rounder”, the 4 subjects’ marks usually within +/- 5-7 marks. Other things aside , would this help in the consideration of whether he would be more suitable for IB or As?

More important will be his working style and personal preference (see my response above). A smart kid will do well in either system as long as he is able to work in the way that it requires. And the difference is really not that marked.

Thanks for the advice .
Would you know if both IP and IB will have project work? Are they individual or group?

kylene wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 08, 2020 7:42 am

slmkhoo wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 08, 2020 3:01 pm

kylene wrote: ↑

Tue Sep 08, 2020 1:11 pm

My DS is considered an “all rounder”, the 4 subjects’ marks usually within +/- 5-7 marks. Other things aside , would this help in the consideration of whether he would be more suitable for IB or As?

More important will be his working style and personal preference (see my response above). A smart kid will do well in either system as long as he is able to work in the way that it requires. And the difference is really not that marked.

Thanks for the advice .
Would you know if both IP and IB will have project work? Are they individual or group?

IP (6 yrs, no O levels) can be either IB or A levels. It just depends on the school.

There is group project work as a subject for A levels (completed in JC1). I believe that there is project work of some kind in IB, but don't know for sure. You could ask on the ACSI thread.

So far my child in IB (now in Y3) has coursework every year since Y1 and graded - could be individual or group work and can be single subject or multi-disciplinary. The output can be in various forms eg video, report, presentations etc, hence the kids can also be creative in how they present.

iwantmymama wrote: ↑

Sat Oct 10, 2020 1:45 pm

So far my child in IB (now in Y3) has coursework every year since Y1 and graded - could be individual or group work and can be single subject or multi-disciplinary. The output can be in various forms eg video, report, presentations etc, hence the kids can also be creative in how they present.

Thanks for sharing.

Do u happen to know what’s the weightage for these coursework assessments?

I’ve heard that in IB the written final exam weightage is lower because the presentations, reports, etc. are higher weightage. In comparison to O and A level courses.

Would like to know a sample of how many % each weighted assessment contributes to the year-end final score.

I find the current 60-70% weightage on SA2 written components in primary schools really unnecessarily stressful.