Mathayom 6 students fare poorly in O-Net

[webfact]

ORDINARY NATIONAL EDUCATIONAL TEST
Mathayom 6 students fare poorly in O-Net
Chuleeporn Aramnet
The Nation

O-Net got less than 50% in all subjects but one

BANGKOK: -- MATHAYOM 6 students' latest average scores in the Ordinary National Educational Test (O-Net) are lower than 50 per cent in six out of seven general education |subjects.

These six subjects are social studies, English, mathematics, physics, chemistry and biology.

The students' average score was above 50 per cent only in the Thai-language O-Net. The average score in that subject was 54.35 out of a possible 100.

Their average scores in the other six subjects ranged between 25.39 and 39.42.

Assoc Prof Samphan Phanphruk, who heads the National Institute of Educational Testing Service (NIETS), yesterday said some students scored zero on the English, mathematics and physics tests.

"At the same time, some test-takers received full marks in Mathematics, physics and chemistry," he said.

Some 27 students got full marks in Mathematics, 13 in physics and one in chemistry, he said.

The O-Net scores are very important to Mathayom 6 students because they are used as university-admission criteria.

Samphan said students who doubted their O-Net scores could file requests to see their exam papers until tomorrow(Feb13). "We will allow those who submit requests to see the papers on February 22," he said.

NIETS released the latest O-Net scores via its website on Monday evening.

On Monday, NIETS admitted that a question on the O-Net art-exam paper for Mathayom 3 students contained an error, adding that the agency would give all test-takers 2.5 points for the question.

Samphan said an initial probe found the mistake occurred during the proof-reading process, resulting in National Artist Jamriang Putpradap's name being written as Jamriang Pornpradap.

Caretaker Education Minister Chaturon Chaisang acknowledged that the process of putting together exams might not be error-proof, but said the agency needed to improve and work to prevent such mistakes as much as possible.


-- The Nation 2014-02-12

[Huk]

Since I'm not in the education field I won't get into a rant on these scores. Could somebody advise what the score actually means? While a 'pass' is 50% I guess, what is an acceptable score for university admission to a mid level institution? Thanks.

[sirchai]

Assoc Prof Samphan Phanphruk, who heads the National Institute of Educational Testing Service (NIETS), yesterday said some students scored zero on the English, mathematics and physics test

​I've tried to get a copy for the P.6 tests from last Saturday,. but no way. Got the O-net from last year for M.3 and I'm certain that most Thai English teacher would fail these questions as well.

A kid at our school had 98 out of possible 100 in her pre O-net. The two questions where she was "wrong", was the test itself, made in Thailand by Thais. I would have taken the same answers, as the girl was correct.

They should let the Thai English teachers make the test first and then compare the results with the students' results. That would be breathtaking.-

Edited February 12, 2014 by sirchai

[Somtamnication]

Sirchai, you are back!!!!! Missed you, man.

Well, I quizzed my p6 students this past Monday. They took the test last Saturday. The 25 odd days of O-net related classes I gave them throughout the term, may have helped.

While I spent a considerable amount of time teaching last year's o-net, from copies I had, the thick headed students most likely failed.

Teaching the 20 or so situations that come up, tenses and the "wh", that may have helped. Won't know until the term is over.

[taony]

Its great how the conclusion of the article is that typos need to be eliminated and nothing is said about how dismal the students did.

If the typo occured in the subject with the average score of 25, then 10% of that was the free points!

-*I typed this myself*-

[lupin]

Assoc Prof Samphan Phanphruk, who heads the National Institute of Educational Testing Service (NIETS), yesterday said some students scored zero on the English, mathematics and physics test

​I've tried to get a copy for the P.6 tests from last Saturday,. but no way. Got the O-net from last year for M.3 and I'm certain that most Thai English teacher would fail these questions as well.

A kid at our school had 98 out of possible 100 in her pre O-net. The two questions where she was "wrong", was the test itself, made in Thailand by Thais. I would have taken the same answers, as the girl was correct.

They should let the Thai English teachers make the test first and then compare the results with the students' results. That would be breathtaking.-

Absolutely spot on.. Thai teachers markdown a test for a student spelling mother incorrectly, with the Thai teacher insisting (repeatedly) that the correct spelling was "Mather"

[harrry]

Something wrong with this as my older niece sits the ONET this weekend. She is in M6.

My younger niece sat last week she is in P6.

Which are they refering to..or do they have a crystal ball?

[Somtamnication]

I think it varies from region to region. Otherwise, their outdated, overpaid and bogus win7 OS computers cannot handle the load. Just sayin'.

[Red Snake]

Those are last year results, they are having the 0 net test this week for M6. Why so long to release the results. If you ever looked at some of the past test examples you think those making up the test needs to go back to school especially the English part of the test.

Edited February 12, 2014 by Red Snake

[harrry]

Those are last year results, they are having the 0 net test this week for M6. Why so long to release the results. If you ever looked at some of the past test examples you think those making up the test needs to go back to school especially the English part of the test.

Going back to school would not help. They would be taught by the same teachers that teach the kids so we would just get even more unreadable papers.

[arthurboy]

Cue another round of hand wringing 'woe, woe and thrice woe, what shall with do about the state of Thai education' from the authorities, ministry experts and the media.

Cue another tax payer funded fact finding, all expenses paid trip abroad.

Don't worry though, folks, it's only the future of Thailand that's at stake.

[kunnatee]

Could somebody advise what the score actually means?

Those are multiple-choice questions. Statistically, birds would get 25%

Many of the students just tick randomly the answers.

Many questions of a social studies test I've seen were extremely subjective

Something like :

What holds Thai society together?

a- the law b- the king c- religion d- love for Thailand

Many questions are ridiculously difficult when you know the level of the students. (But are not that hard in absolute)

Some questions have errors or are formulated in a tricky way (not intentionally).

Most teachers would answer wrong to many questions, so you can't expect them to have taught the right answers.

---> The score doesn't mean anything.

It will mean something when the tests are well prepared and the lessons well taught.

Edited February 12, 2014 by kunnatee

[wolfmanjack]

Assoc Prof Samphan Phanphruk, who heads the National Institute of Educational Testing Service (NIETS), yesterday said some students scored zero on the English, mathematics and physics test

​I've tried to get a copy for the P.6 tests from last Saturday,. but no way. Got the O-net from last year for M.3 and I'm certain that most Thai English teacher would fail these questions as well.

A kid at our school had 98 out of possible 100 in her pre O-net. The two questions where she was "wrong", was the test itself, made in Thailand by Thais. I would have taken the same answers, as the girl was correct.

They should let the Thai English teachers make the test first and then compare the results with the students' results. That would be breathtaking.-

I went through the english part of the onet with my son last year and my daughter this year. Many of the questions have no correct answer so I told them to try and pick the one that is closest to the correct answer. Some of the answers were so close that picking the one that is closest to being correct is a toss up.

They really need a native english speaker to revamp these tests.

[SOTIRIOS]

...that sounds about right......

[wolfmanjack]

Could somebody advise what the score actually means?

Those are multiple-choice questions. Statistically, birds would get 25%

Many of the students just tick randomly the answers.

Many questions of a social studies test I've seen were extremely subjective

Something like :

What holds Thai society together?

a- the law b- the king c- religion d- love for Thailand

Many questions are ridiculously difficult when you know the level of the students. (But are not that hard in absolute)

Some questions have errors or are formulated in a tricky way (not intentionally).

Most teachers would answer wrong to many questions, so you can't expect them to have taught the right answers.

---> The score doesn't mean anything.

It will mean something when the tests are well prepared and the lessons well taught.

One of the previous tests had the question

'why do farangs like masaman curry?" What kind of question is that for a p6 thai kid?

[sirchai]

Assoc Prof Samphan Phanphruk, who heads the National Institute of Educational Testing Service (NIETS), yesterday said some students scored zero on the English, mathematics and physics test

​I've tried to get a copy for the P.6 tests from last Saturday,. but no way. Got the O-net from last year for M.3 and I'm certain that most Thai English teacher would fail these questions as well.

A kid at our school had 98 out of possible 100 in her pre O-net. The two questions where she was "wrong", was the test itself, made in Thailand by Thais. I would have taken the same answers, as the girl was correct.

They should let the Thai English teachers make the test first and then compare the results with the students' results. That would be breathtaking.-

Absolutely spot on.. Thai teachers markdown a test for a student spelling mother incorrectly, with the Thai teacher insisting (repeatedly) that the correct spelling was "Mather"

I'm just using my imagination what students might think who're good at English when listening to such nonsense. This mother obviously didn't know what matters to the Mather's daughter who's mothering. three mothers.

[tingtongteesood]

This is why the rest of the world laughs if you say you got a degree in Thailand. This is why those who can send their kids abroad to study.

[diehard60]

well first you need qualified teachers to teach it. That is ussually the reason for students doing so poorly.

[tingtongteesood]

Even if you have good teachers, the poor attitude of student's who don't care at all is still a major hurdle....

[belg]

ooooooooooooooooooooo

and i tought they got 51% , just for attending school... or is that, in your business

[fifthcolumn]

Well, I am too old to remember high school, but in university anything below 67% was always a fail.

Interesting that they were quick to spiff the question with the typo. From what I understand the TCT exam is very much like one big spelling, grammar, vague question abortion. Funny, one day and they correct the error. How many exams?

Crushing scores.

[lostmebike]

Don't know what all the fuss is about, it's only Maths, English and the science subjects! Hardly of any importance

[Colabamumbai]

I am teaching the "kids" who will be teaching the kids.

[sirchai]

Could somebody advise what the score actually means?

Those are multiple-choice questions. Statistically, birds would get 25%

Many of the students just tick randomly the answers.

Many questions of a social studies test I've seen were extremely subjective

Something like :

What holds Thai society together?

a- the law b- the king c- religion d- love for Thailand

Many questions are ridiculously difficult when you know the level of the students. (But are not that hard in absolute)

Some questions have errors or are formulated in a tricky way (not intentionally).

Most teachers would answer wrong to many questions, so you can't expect them to have taught the right answers.

---> The score doesn't mean anything.

It will mean something when the tests are well prepared and the lessons well taught.

One of the previous tests had the question

'why do farangs like masaman curry?" What kind of question is that for a p6 thai kid?

I'm considered a "farlang" here, but don't even know what masaman curry is. Nor have I ever heard of it. Living here for 12 years and teaching for nine years.

Another easy one:\

Lek's ten years old. Noi is two years older than Jack. How old is Noi?

a) 12 years old 8 years old. c) 13 years old. d) 15 years old.

[sirchai]

Don't know what all the fuss is about, it's only Maths, English and the science subjects! Hardly of any importance

Those subjects are not as important as boy scout marching, preparing Somtham with fermented fish and the morning ceremony, where nobody is listening to anybody who's speaking about nothing.

Not long and Thailand will cancel the ASEAN membership, as they're the only one who'd lose face. Or had already lost it.-

[lostmebike]

Don't know what all the fuss is about, it's only Maths, English and the science subjects! Hardly of any importance

Those subjects are not as important as boy scout marching, preparing Somtham with fermented fish and the morning ceremony, where nobody is listening to anybody who's speaking about nothing.

Not long and Thailand will cancel the ASEAN membership, as they're the only one who'd lose face. Or had already lost it.-

Off topic I know but the constant activities at Thai schools do seem more important than actual academia don't they? If my memory serves me correct, the 2nd term was horrendous if you were actually trying to teach a syllabus.

[harrry]

Could somebody advise what the score actually means?

Those are multiple-choice questions. Statistically, birds would get 25%

Many of the students just tick randomly the answers.

Many questions of a social studies test I've seen were extremely subjective

Something like :

What holds Thai society together?

a- the law b- the king c- religion d- love for Thailand

Many questions are ridiculously difficult when you know the level of the students. (But are not that hard in absolute)

Some questions have errors or are formulated in a tricky way (not intentionally).

Most teachers would answer wrong to many questions, so you can't expect them to have taught the right answers.

---> The score doesn't mean anything.

It will mean something when the tests are well prepared and the lessons well taught.

One of the previous tests had the question

'why do farangs like masaman curry?" What kind of question is that for a p6 thai kid?

I'm considered a "farlang" here, but don't even know what masaman curry is. Nor have I ever heard of it. Living here for 12 years and teaching for nine years.

Another easy one:\

Lek's ten years old. Noi is two years older than Jack. How old is Noi?

a) 12 years old 8 years old. c) 13 years old. d) 15 years old.

Not that easy that one demonstrates the ability to use mathematical reasoning for a multi step problem. Kids less than about 12 find that almost impossible as they have not the physical ability to handle that. Normally a p6 will have trouble a M6 should not.

[sirchai]

Don't know what all the fuss is about, it's only Maths, English and the science subjects! Hardly of any importance

Those subjects are not as important as boy scout marching, preparing Somtham with fermented fish and the morning ceremony, where nobody is listening to anybody who's speaking about nothing.

Not long and Thailand will cancel the ASEAN membership, as they're the only one who'd lose face. Or had already lost it.-

Off topic I know but the constant activities at Thai schools do seem more important than actual academia don't they? If my memory serves me correct, the 2nd term was horrendous if you were actually trying to teach a syllabus.

It's off topic and it isn't. Around 35 % of my English lessons for grade six second term were cancelled because of sports week, visitors, as we'd received the King's Award for our Kindergarten one and two.( All grade six students had to practice for three full days how to greet those judges, coming from Bangkok)

There are some classes who're way behind, no way to catch up. Only one more month to go for the grade six kids.

Then several boy scout activities, "BIG cleaning days" and other utter nonsense. Then I was sent to be a judge here, a judge there and all in all doesn't make any sense.

I'd assume that many other schools in this beautiful country are doing similar time wasting activities. Our kids will write their entrance examinations for high school on the first of March, no idea when they'll write their final tests.

Am I surprised? Guess you know the answer....-

[thequietman]

Could somebody advise what the score actually means?

Those are multiple-choice questions. Statistically, birds would get 25%

Many of the students just tick randomly the answers.

Many questions of a social studies test I've seen were extremely subjective

Something like :

What holds Thai society together?

a- the law b- the king c- religion d- love for Thailand

Many questions are ridiculously difficult when you know the level of the students. (But are not that hard in absolute)

Some questions have errors or are formulated in a tricky way (not intentionally).

Most teachers would answer wrong to many questions, so you can't expect them to have taught the right answers.

---> The score doesn't mean anything.

It will mean something when the tests are well prepared and the lessons well taught.

One of the previous tests had the question

'why do farangs like masaman curry?" What kind of question is that for a p6 thai kid?

I'm considered a "farlang" here, but don't even know what masaman curry is. Nor have I ever heard of it. Living here for 12 years and teaching for nine years.

Another easy one:\

Lek's ten years old. Noi is two years older than Jack. How old is Noi?

a) 12 years old 8 years old. c) 13 years old. d) 15 years old.

Am I missing something here? Lek is 10. Noi is 2 years older than Jack. So how old is Jack? How old is Noi ?????? This can't be answered or I have I gone 'Stupid' ????

[talisman01]

My M6 students take the O-Net this weekend and while I agree with most of the comments above there is another difficulty my students face which is that my rural school uses the World Club series textbooks for M4, M5 and M6. For my M6 students there is a huge leap to make between the topics covered in the textbook and the questions asked in the O-Net. I have given my students a lot of practice with recent O-Net papers but some of the words used, in the passages and the questions where grammar mistakes have to be spotted and replaced, are quite advanced. It makes me wonder what kind of student the examiners have in mind when setting the test because there is a world of difference between an urban and rural student.

Talisman