SIS P1 admission test

[csl77]

Hello to all, we have just been relocated to Hong Kong from China. We were based in China for the last 10 years n my daughter attended a local kindergarten for the last 3 years. We were offered a chance to be based in Hong Kong for at least the next 5 years n we quickly jumped at the offer as I was concern about the education system in china n hope my daughter could go to a school where the curriculum integrates with the local system (Singapore) where we ultimately will be.
I put in an application for SIS PY2 n was told chances of being admitted is very slim, almost nil n my next best bet will be P1. However the admission tests require a sit-down 2-3 hours doing math, English n Chinese. Does anyone know what do they test? Writing essays? Comprehension? Easy addition? I'm really worried as I know my daughter has certainly not reach this level yet. She has not even started writing yet! Except for alphabets n numbers not to mention writing essay or reading!
We are here in Hong Kong now with no school to go to till the next intake for P1 which is sept 2013. Her interview n tests will be in march n honestly, I have no confidence at all although I do have a few months to prepare her but I hope someone can share with me what exactly do SIS test the children on so I can better prepare her.
This has been particularly stressful for us. I hope someone can enlighten us.... TIA!

 

[rani]

Can I ask if you're Singaporean? You will get priority at SIS if you are. I have had friends who's children have taken the test and have been offered places. The kids could not read and 1 child just sat there for 3 hrs. I wouldn't worry to much on the written part and focus on just oral. Make sure she can answer questions about her family in English and Mandarin.

Good luck!

 

[csl77]

Thanks ESFMum for replying. Yes, my daughter n myself are Singaporean. We were at SIS office last week n was told that for PY, our chances are near to zero as there are quite a number of Singaporeans ALREADY in the queue before us. I was told then to apply for P1 but intake will be based on my child's performance as there are an over-whelming applications for P1 next year, more Singaporeans applying than any previous years, I think what she wants to tell me is to be prepared that my child may not be accepted even though we are Singaporeans n to do well in the admission tests to enhance our chances.

 

[Jngan]

Hi Tia, I have empathy for your situation. I went throughsomething similar myself last year. The assessment test at SIS is quiterigorous; the school has the reputation for being one of the most highlyacademic schools in Hong Kong. Children are tested on their oralEnglish skills, vocabulary awareness, phonetic awareness and upper primary willhave to do a reading and writing test. The academic expectations are high for the assessment. Contact ITS School Placements, I think they offer assessment classes. My friend’s daughter attended their interview group classes last year. I hope they can help you.

 

[rani]

Most families are applying to a min of 4-5 schools and although there are many people ahead of you, SIS may not be their first choice and you can move up the queue fairly fast.

Take their advice and prep your child for the interview. If you can get hold of the Singapore math/ English/Mandarin books. not sure if there are any for kindergarten or any other curriculum books from Singapore. Try and spend a couple of hrs a week going through them with your daughter.

HTH.

 

[csl77]

Thank you all for the kind advises. Will try to prepare my daughter as much as possible.