GAT: General Ability Test

Most schools DSA (Direct School Admissions) now requires sitting for a test called GAT.

While the actual past year papers are not to be found online, there are many similar test papers from other countries:

1) http://bettereducation.com.au/Resources/PastTestPapers.aspx

2) http://acedmy.yolasite.com/resources/gat_sample_paper.pdf

3) http://www.cpapers.com/past-papers/gat-general-test-model-questions-answers.php

4) GEP Books are an excellent source of DSA questions, since the scope of GAT testing overlaps with the Logic portion of the GEP test. Check out the myriad of GEP Books that can be used to prepare for DSA questions equally effectively.

The Logic portion of GEP test / DSA test is not taught anywhere in the MOE syllabus, and hence the most challenging to prepare for. Your child would need to solve DSA questions like the one below, which is quite obviously not taught anywhere from Primary 1 to Primary 6. However, like all skills, these kind of logic puzzles can be taught, trained, and practiced, in the Mensa book listed below (Scroll down)!

Boost your DSA GAT Scores with Mensa Book:

Match Wits With Mensa: The Complete Quiz Book

If you are looking for more DSA GAT pattern/logic questions, this is the Complete Quiz Book by Mensa. Highly rated on Amazon. These book will be helpful for those seeking for a boost in their DSA GAT scores, since GAT (General Ability Test) is just a politically correct name for IQ Test.

Furthermore, the IQ of a person is not static, it can be changed. The way to change IQ is via reading books and acquiring more knowledge.

Another good book for DSA/GAT/HAST is Ultimate IQ Tests: 1000 Practice Test Questions to Boost Your Brain Power. This book is like the “Ten Year Series” of GAT DSA tests, it will be a good and trusted book for Singaporeans who are used to studying using the practice “Ten Year Series” method, which has undoubtedly worked for generations of Singaporeans (including myself). The 1000 Practice questions (!!!) (similar to GAT) would definitely go a long way in your DSA preparation.

---

Subscribe to our free newsletter, for updates on Math, Education and other General Knowledge topics!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Email Address:

Subscribe

---

Many people think that the infamous Cheryl Birthday puzzle is very difficult. However, to a well trained Math Olympian, the Cheryl Birthday question is actually considered comparatively easy! This shows that IQ of a person can be increased by reading, learning, and practicing the relevant books.

More Books to Ramp Up your DSA GAT Score:
https://mathtuition88.com/2013/11/11/recommended-books-for-gep-selection-test/

P.S. These kind of books are rarely found in Singapore bookstores, not to mention that most decent Singapore bookstores like Borders/Page One have closed down. I have compiled the most helpful books for DSA Score-Boosting in the above link. Hope it helps!

Update (2016): Check out this Pattern Recognition (Visual Discrimination) book that is a guided tutorial for training for GEP / DSA Tests!

Motivational Books for DSA

As Singapore is a very high-tech society, there are many children who are addicted to handphones /computer games and as a result have no motivation to learn. Needless to say, this would result in rather severe consequences in exam results if not corrected early. Even for gifted children, the consequence of computer/cellphone addiction is really harmful, not to mention students who already have a weak academic foundation. Hence, motivational books like those listed here are actually of great importance. Only if a child sees the value of learning, will he be interested and self-motivated in learning. Related book: Cyber Junkie: Escape the Gaming and Internet Trap.

NUS High DSA

If you are looking for information regarding NUS High DSA, please click here.

---

Finally, all the best and good luck for your DSA test!

Kindle for Singaporean Students

Parents who like the idea of technology combined with education may want to check out the Kindle rather than the iPad.
Kindle Paperwhite, 6″ High-Resolution Display (212 ppi) with Built-in Light, Wi-Fi – Includes Special Offers

The problem with the iPad is that there are too many games! Children (and even adults) will find it hard to resist the games. The Kindle would be better for education, since it is primarily a reading device, and there are many educational books available at low cost or even free.

For example, this course CK-12 Algebra I – Second Edition, Volume 1 Of 2 is totally free and costs $0.00 if you have the Kindle. Hence, the Kindle is a much better alternative to iPad for students.

Buy Kindle from Qoo10 (Singapore’s Taobao/Amazon)