As a parent, guiding your child through Singapore’s Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) can often seem daunting. One area where students often struggle is crafting their composition under the PSLE marking scheme. Here, we will unravel this scheme and provide you with tools to help your child succeed.
Understanding the Composition
In the PSLE English Paper One, the composition section provides an opportunity for your child to showcase their creativity and linguistic skills. However, without proper planning, these skills may not translate into high scores.
The Importance of Planning
The saying “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail” holds true here. Encourage your child to think about the five ‘Ws’ and one ‘H’ questions; Who, When, Where, What, Why, and How, before they start writing. This will provide them with a narrative structure for their story.
Show, Don’t Tell
Examiners appreciate when students can effectively “show” their story rather than simply “tell” it. This involves using adjectives, adverbs, and semi-colons to create descriptive, engaging sentences. Additionally, using active voice through dialogue can make the story more vibrant and engaging.
Authenticity is Key
Encourage your child to use their own experiences to craft their story. This not only makes the composition more believable but also more personal. A piece of writing that feels sincere will resonate more with the examiners.
Tackling Comprehension Under the PSLE Composition Marking Scheme
The comprehension section of Booklet B can cause stress among many students. Here are ten tips to help your child navigate this section:
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Read the passage carefully before attempting any questions.
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Avoid rushing to write down answers.
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Read the passage at least twice before starting to write answers.
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Make notes during the second reading, summarizing each paragraph’s main idea.
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Understand the difference between a fact and an opinion in the text.
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When explaining the meaning of a word, consider the context provided by surrounding sentences.
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Underline key question words like ‘who’, ‘why’, ‘when’, and ‘explain’.
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Pay attention to the tense in the question and answer accordingly.
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Avoid lifting whole sentences from the passage for answers.
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Aim to answer questions accurately in your own words for top marks.
Understanding the 2023 PSLE Scoring System
In the new PSLE scoring system introduced in 2023, each student will receive an achievement level (AL) for each subject. This AL corresponds to a range of marks based on the learning objectives of the Singapore curriculum.
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Mark Range
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Achievement Level (AL)
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90 or more
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1
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85 – 89
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2
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80 – 84
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3
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75 – 79
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4
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65 – 74
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5
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45 – 64
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6
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20 – 44
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7
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< 20
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8
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The achievement level reflects the extent to which your child has met the learning expectations.
Common Mistakes in PSLE English Paper 1
In the next post, we will delve into common mistakes students make in PSLE English Paper 1 under the current marking scheme. Stay tuned to learn how to guide your child in avoiding these pitfalls.
We hope this guide helps you better understand the PSLE composition marking scheme and equips you with strategies to support your child. Remember, the key to success is preparation, practice, and positivity. Good luck to all students preparing for the PSLE!
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