In 2024, significant changes are coming to the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) in Singapore. The Express, N(A), and N(T) streams will be removed, and a new scoring system based on Achievement Levels (ALs) will be introduced. This article aims to guide you through the changes and explain how to calculate the PSLE score using the new system.
The Removal of Express, N(A), and N(T) Streams
From 2024 onwards, the traditional Express, N(A), and N(T) streams will no longer exist. Instead, students will be posted to secondary schools using three Posting Groups: Posting Groups 1, 2, and 3. These groups will determine initial subject levels and guide students at the start of Secondary One.
Flexible Subject Levels
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Under the new system, students will have more flexibility in selecting subject levels. These levels are known as G1, G2, and G3 (G stands for General), and they are mapped from the previous N(T), N(A), and Express standards, respectively. This flexibility allows students to adjust their subject levels based on their strengths, interests, and learning needs.
How the PSLE Score Is Calculated
The PSLE T-Score is being replaced with a new system based on Achievement Levels (ALs). Each PSLE subject will be scored using 8 ALs, and students with similar performance will be placed in the same AL for each subject. The ALs and their corresponding raw mark ranges are as follows:
Image from MOE
To calculate your child’s PSLE Score, sum the ALs of the four subjects. The PSLE Score ranges from 4 (the best possible score) to 32.
Scoring for Foundation Level Subjects
Students taking foundation subjects will be graded AL A to AL C. These Foundation subject ALs reflect a student’s level of achievement rather than their performance relative to their peers. For S1 posting, Foundation Level ALs A to C will be mapped to Standard Level subject equivalents of AL 6 to AL 8, respectively, to derive an overall PSLE Score.
- A: 75 – 100 (Equivalent to AL 6)
- B: 30 – 74 (Equivalent to AL 7)
- C: < 30 (Equivalent to AL 8)
Scoring for Higher Mother Tongue Languages (HMTL)
The grading and corresponding mark ranges for Higher Mother Tongue Languages (HMTL) will remain unchanged under the AL scoring system:
Image from MOE
Scoring for Mother Tongue Language Exemption and Asian Language/Foreign Language
Students exempted from Mother Tongue Language (MTL) due to extenuating circumstances will be assigned an MTL score based on their peers’ scores for English, Mathematics, and Science. This score will range from AL 6 to AL 8, ensuring parity of treatment with students taking Foundation MTL.
Secondary School Posting with Full Subject-Based Banding
Students will be posted to secondary school through Posting Groups 1, 2, and 3, based on their PSLE scores. They will have the flexibility to adjust their subject levels (G1, G2, G3) throughout their secondary school education, based on their strengths, interests, and learning needs. The PSLE Score will play a crucial role in determining the initial subject levels in secondary school.
Image from MOE
The changes in the PSLE scoring system and the removal of traditional streams aim to provide students with more flexibility and better opportunities to explore their interests and strengths. Understanding how the new PSLE Score is calculated is crucial for parents and students as they navigate this transformed educational landscape.
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