Mums and dads, it’s exam time again in Singapore! If your child is taking the PSLE this year, we’re sure that you can’t help but feel increasingly anxious.
We are certain it feels a lot like you are the one taking the exam and not your child. For a lot of parents, the PSLE papers will even remind you of your examination days, and we can all agree that we’re glad those days are behind us now.
Parents ask, “Will my child be able to handle the exam stress?”
How can we not be worrywarts? After all, it’s the first major exam milestone in their lives and they might not know what to expect. To make that process easier, the past year’s PSLE papers are a great way to get familiar with the system.
To help ease your worries, we have all of your PSLE FAQs answered in this article. We have also collated PSLE past year papers free download links for your child, at the end of the article.
What Does PSLE Stand For?
Candidates in Singapore who are in their final year of primary school take the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), an annual national test.
Since the 1960s, the PSLE has been a yearly placement exam exercise for students in Singapore at the conclusion of their final year of primary school.
Based on their PSLE results, candidates will be enrolled in the appropriate secondary school courses.
The PSLE is jointly examined by the Ministry of Education Singapore and the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board.
PSLE Scoring System
The new Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) scoring has recently undergone the most significant change in Singaporean education.
Adjustments were made to the educational system over time to help kids identify and pursue their strengths and interests while removing the overemphasis on academic performance.
The PSLE scoring modifications seek to accomplish this by:
- At a young age, reducing fine differentiation in exam results for students.
- Appreciating children’s accomplishments regardless of how their peers have performed
T-scores have been replaced with ALs (Achievement Levels) under the new PSLE scoring system.
For each of their four subjects, PSLE students are given AL scores ranging from 1 to 8, with 1 representing the highest score and 8 the lowest.
The total of a student’s four AL scores across all of their subjects constitutes their PSLE score. As a result, there are now only 29 possible PSLE scores. The best score is 4, and the lowest is 32 (the worst).
It displays how well students have performed in relation to the curriculum’s learning objectives.
Here are the advantages of 29 possible PSLE Scores:
- Less subtle differences exist between students’ examination results, and more students will receive the same PSLE Score.
- Additional institutions with the same cutoff point
- Students can select from a wider variety of schools based on their skills, interests, special school programmes, and CCAs.
The new exam scoring emphasises a variety of assessments, including group projects, presentations, quizzes, and in-class tests.
The PSLE is a helpful tool for assessing your child’s knowledge of important ideas and academic strengths. When your child transitions to secondary school, this will help them learn at an appropriate pace.
From 2021, modifications to the PSLE scoring system will use bands of scores to reflect your child’s level of achievement.
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PSLE Dates
The Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) are the first of many significant milestones that Singaporean students must pass. You should start revising for the PSLE months in advance to ensure that you are well-prepared.
In order to plan your revision schedule, time management, and future secondary school, you can view the upcoming PSLE dates here, including examination dates, marking dates, and result release day.
The first upcoming exam for the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) in 2023 is tentatively scheduled for around September.
For your convenience, the PSLE 2023 dates are listed below:
- Oral Examination: Tue, 15 Aug – Wed, 16 Aug 2023
- Listening Comprehension: Fri, 15 Sep 2023
- Written Examination: Thu, 28 Sep – Wed, 4 Oct 2023
- Marking Exercise: Mon, 16 Oct – Wed, 18 Oct 2023
When Will PSLE Results Be Released?
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It is anticipated that the 2023 PSLE results will be made public between Wednesday, November 22, and Friday, November 24, 2023.
*Only after all procedures have been finished can the precise results release date be confirmed.
How To See 2023 PSLE Results?
There are two possible ways for students who took the national PSLE exams can view and obtain their results.
(1) In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, online via Singpass on the day that the relevant results were released.
Candidates can use their SingPass or a system-generated password issued by SEAB to log into the results release system.
A few days prior to the release of the results, candidates who are not eligible for SingPass will receive an email from SEAB with a system-generated password.
(2) In-person: The collection of results will still be possible for those who prefer to receive them in person, but it will take place in individual classrooms rather than in crowded, large spaces like school halls.
Candidates may bring one parent or guardian with them to school to pick up their results, but they must wait with them in the designated common areas of the schools while the candidate receives them in the classroom.
PSLE School Choice Evaluation
Elite institutions like Raffles Institution and Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary) have entry scores between 4 and 6, while those for other well-known institutions like Anderson Secondary School range between 4 and 10, and those for Crescent Girls’ School between 6 and 11.
The approximate ranges at Gan Eng Seng School are 7–15 for the express course, 21–23 for the regular academic course, and 25–26 for the regular technical course.
For non-affiliated students enrolling in Singapore Chinese Girls’ School’s express O-Level programme, the indicative range is 5–9 points for affiliated students and 8–17 points for affiliated students. Its Integrated Program has a range of 4 to 8.
What To Do After PSLE?
The Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) are now officially over! It’s time to take a break.
Most likely, your child has told you unequivocally that they will never want to handle another practice paper or assessment book. Well, at least not anytime soon.
You, as a parent, exhale a great sigh of relief that your child has completed the first important exam in his or her academic career. There needs to be a break from school for both you and your child.
How then can you ensure that your child continues to engage their minds at the necessary level so that they are ready for greater challenges at the secondary level?
1. Acquire new interests or skills
The benefit of passing a significant school-leaving exam is that your child will have more time to pursue his or her interests before starting secondary school.
Encourage your child to explore new interests or learn a new skill, such as penny boarding! These activities can help your child develop both soft and hard skills that will be useful when they start school the following year.
2. Have a continuous but relaxed pace of learning
The best time for your child to continue learning at his or her own pace is actually after the PSLE holiday.
Your child would already be used to studying for longer periods of time each day given the extensive preparation for the PSLE. He or she would also be more adept at concentrating on tasks that call for complete concentration.
It will be simpler for him or her to transition into secondary school, where the curriculum is significantly more difficult, if you keep him or her mentally active during this extended break.
It’s not necessary for this mental stimulation to take the form of written assignments or test books.
You can give your child brainteasers to encourage analytical and critical thinking, or you can take your child out on the weekends to participate in activities for experiential learning.
3. Start your child off in Secondary 1
Enroll your child to learning programs that will prepare him or her for the next phase of academic life.
Image source: Stock
PSLE FAQs: What To Look Out For?
Registration and Withdrawal
1. Can I withdraw from the PSLE?
Please inform your school principal should you wish to withdraw from the PSLE.
2. What subjects should I register for the PSLE?
The subjects offered at PSLE are shown below:
Standard subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Mother Tongue Languages (Chinese/Malay/Tamil), Non-Tamil Indian Language), Higher Mother Tongue Languages (Chinese, Malay and Tamil).
Foundation subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, Mother Tongue Languages (Chinese, Malay, Tamil) and Non-Tamil Indian Languages.
Please refer to SEAB website for the syllabus information. Registration for the PSLE is done through your school.
3. Will the examination fees be refunded if I withdraw from the PSLE?
There is no refund of examination fees on withdrawal.
4. Who can sit the PSLE?
Students who are studying in government/government-aided/approved institutions in Singapore are eligible to sit the PSLE when they reach the Primary 6 level.
5. Is there a maximum age which a student can take the PSLE?
All students can sit for the PSLE at the end of Primary 6. For more information, please visit the Ministry of Education Singapore website, here.
Conduct of Examination
1. What happens if I fall sick during the PSLE and do not sit for the examination?
You should submit your medical documents to the Singapore Examinations & Assessment Board through your school if you fall sick.
2. What happens if I fall sick during the PSLE but I sit for the examination?
You should submit your medical documents to your school. All applications for review should be made through the school.
3. What happens to my results if I do not turn up for the examination?
For those subject(s) that you have missed during the PSLE, you will be given the grade – Ungraded.
Dictionary, Calculator, Correction Fluid or Tape
1. Is correction fluid/tape allowed?
You are advised not to use correction fluid/tape in the national examinations. There were instances where the use of correction fluid affected the legibility of scripts.
The application of correction fluid/tape has also led to answers being left incomplete.
Furthermore, answer scripts with correction fluid/tape may be damaged if scanning is required; or if the fluid is not dried, the pages may get stuck together.
2. Where can I find the list of approved dictionaries?
The list of approved dictionaries can be found on SEAB’s website at https://www.seab.gov.sg/pages/dictionary_list
3. Can I use a dictionary that is not on the list of approved dictionaries? The name of the dictionary is different but it is from the same publisher.
Candidates are required to use the dictionaries listed in the approved dictionary list issued by SEAB. The list is also available on the website at https://www.seab.gov.sg/pages/dictionary_list
4. Where can I find the list of approved calculators?
The list of approved calculators can be found on SEAB’s website at https://www.seab.gov.sg/content/calculator/GuidelinesCalculators.pdf
5. Can I bring more than one calculator and/or dictionary into the examination hall?
SEAB does not restrict the number of approved calculators and e-dictionaries that candidates can bring for use at national examinations.
Candidates may bring in more than one approved calculator and e-dictionary for national examinations. You may refer to the approved list of calculators here and dictionaries here for use at the national examinations.
Access Arrangements
1. How do I apply for access arrangements?
Application for access arrangements must be done through your school. Please approach your school for the application procedures.
Results Slips and Certificates
1. Can I authorise someone to collect the PSLE results on my behalf?
Yes, you can. Please inform your school in advance and confirm the arrangement with the school.
2. I have lost my PSLE Certificate. How can I get a replacement certificate?
The PSLE Certificate is only issued once. If you have lost your PSLE Certificate, you can purchase a “Statement of Results” from the Ministry of Education Customer Service Centre at 1 North Buona Vista Drive, Singapore 138675.
- Operating hours:
- 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (Mon-Fri)
- 8:30 am to 12:30 pm (Sat)
- Contact number: 6872-2220
- Costs for “Statement of Results”:
- S$10.00 per copy
- They will charge $2.00 and $5.00 if you would like the Statement of Results mailed to your local address or overseas address respectively.
3. I have lost my result slip. How can I get a replacement result slip?
You can purchase a “Statement of Results” from the Ministry of Education Customer Service Centre at 1 North Buona Vista Drive, Singapore 138675.
- Operating hours:
- 8:30 am to 5:30 pm (Mon-Fri)
- 8:30 am to 12:30 pm (Sat)
- Contact number: 6872-2220
- Costs for “Statement of Results”:
- S$10.00 per copy
- They will charge $2.00 and $5.00 if you would like the Statement of Results mailed to your local address or overseas address respectively.
4. What happens if there is a spelling error in the personal particulars (like Statutory Name, Hanyu Pinyin Name, Identification No. etc) in my result slip and/or PSLE Certificate?
Please inform your school of the spelling error. The concerned authorities will correct this error on your PSLE certificate and may charge an administrative fee.
5. What are the dates for the 2021 PSLE Marking Exercise?
The schedule of the 2018 PSLE Marking Exercise is from October 18 to October 21, 2021. All primary schools will remain closed during this period to facilitate the conduct of the PSLE Marking Exercise.
Appeal For Review of Results
1. Can I make an appeal for a review of my national examination results?
Yes, you may appeal for a review of results through your school immediately after obtaining your national examination results.
The appeal must be submitted to SEAB through the school by the closing date. There will be an appeal fee for each subject.
2. How do I make the choice of my secondary schools if I am waiting for the outcome of my appeal for review of my PSLE results?
You should make your choice of secondary schools based on your existing results and the course posted.
3. How long does it take to process an appeal for review of results?
The process for the review of results usually takes one month.
Posting to Secondary Schools
1. What help does the Ministry give students to make their choice of secondary schools?
The Ministry of Education’s website provides Primary Six students with the considerations when making the choices their Secondary Schools. Please visit https://www.moe.gov.sg/admissions/secondary-one-posting-exercise/considerations
2. What is the cut-off score for entry to the various secondary school courses?
The cut-off aggregate score for each secondary school course may vary from year to year.
3. What’s the process to stream students into the various courses in secondary schools?
Students stream into the various courses in secondary schools based on their PSLE aggregate scores.
What Is A Good PSLE Score?
The PSLE does not have pass or fail grades for individual subjects or the PSLE as a whole, similar to the T-score system.
The PSLE is a helpful tool for determining a child’s level of academic proficiency and understanding of key ideas.
In addition, it serves as a placement exam to ascertain a student’s best course and subject level based on their educational requirements at the time of secondary school enrollment.
Students who receive a PSLE score of 26 to 30 and receive an AL 7 or higher in both English language and mathematics, or an AL B at the Foundation level for these subjects, are eligible to continue on to secondary school and are qualified to enrol in the Normal (Technical) [N(T)] course.
What Happens If You Fail PSLE?
Similar to the T-score system, students who do not qualify for Express, N(A), or N(T), would be given the choice of taking the PSLE again or, with the approval of their principal, transferring to NorthLight School or Assumption Pathway School.
Our system is flexible, regardless of how the child’s placement turns out. Schools continuously assess students’ progress in order to help them reach their full potential.
Students who are placed in N(A) or N(T) and perform well may be permitted to take a few subjects at the Express or N(A) level as early as Secondary 1. If they show that they can handle the curriculum, they may also be allowed to transfer to a more challenging course.
Where Can I Get Past PSLE Papers?
There are past years’ exam papers for the PSLE and GCE-Level available for purchase. Here are the names and phone numbers of our authorised publishers:
|
Publisher |
Address |
Contact |
|
Shing Lee Publishers Pte Ltd |
120 Hillview Avenue |
Tel: 67601388 |
|
Educational Publishing House Pte Ltd |
15 Serangoon North |
Tel: 64629603 |
PSLE Past Year Papers: Primary School Test Papers from Top Schools in Singapore
Image source: iStock
Well… whether or not we believe in the saying that practice makes perfect, it’s wise to go into a battle knowing what you’re in for.
To be better ready for PSLE, here are some past P6 exam papers for your child to practice and hone their skills. Good luck!
Most Downloaded P6 Past Year Papers
*Updated Aug 2020.
- P6 Maths 2014 SA1 – Nan Hua
- P6 English SA1 2018 – Anglo Chinese
- P6 2015 Prelims Science – Raffles Girls
- P6 2015 Prelims Maths – Christian Brothers
- P6 2015 Prelims Maths – Raffles Girls
- P6 2015 Prelims Maths – Nanyang
- P6 2015 Prelims Maths – Henry Park
- Primary 6 English SA2-B 2011 Raffles Girls
- P6 2015 Prelims Maths – Temasek Primary
- P6 Maths 2014 SA2 – Tao Nan
PSLE Past Year Papers: According to Subjects
English
- P6 English SA2 2019 – Singapore Chinese Girls
- P6 English SA2 2019 – Raffles Girls
- P6 English SA2 2019 – Rosyth
- P6 English SA2 2019 – Nanyang
- P6 English SA2 2017 – Singapore Chinese Girls
- P6 English SA2 2017 – Anglo Chinese
- P6 English SA2 2016 – Methodist Girls
- P6 English SA2 2016 – Red Swastika
- P6 2015 Prelims English – Maha Bodhi
- P6 2015 Prelims English – Raffles Girls
For more English examination papers, please visit here.
Chinese
- P6 Chinese SA2 2019 – Nan Hua
- P6 Chinese SA2 2019 – Nanyang
- P6 Chinese SA2 2019 – Ai Tong
- P6 Chinese SA2 2019 – Singapore Chinese Girls
- P6 Chinese SA2 2018 – Catholic High
- P6 Chinese SA2 2018 – Pei Hwa
- P6 Higher Chinese SA2 2017 – St Hildas
- P6 Higher Chinese SA2 2017 – Catholic High
- Primary 6 Chinese SA2 2016 – Henry Park
- P6 Higher Chinese SA2 2014 – Tao Nan
For more Chinese examination papers, please visit here.
Maths
- P6 Maths 2019 SA2 – Ai Tong
- P6 Maths 2019 SA2 – Maha Bodhi
- P6 Maths SA2 2019 – CHIJ
- P6 Maths SA2 2018 – Methodist Girls
- P6 Maths SA2 2018 – Red Swastika
- P6 Maths SA2 2018 – River Valley
- P6 Maths SA2 2017 – Raffles Girls
- P6 Maths SA2 2016 – Christian Brothers
- P6 Maths SA2 2016 – Catholic High
For more Math examination papers, please visit here.
Science
- P6 Science 2019 Prelims SA2 – Anglo Chinese
- P6 Science 2019 Prelims SA2 – Ai Tong
- P6 Science 2019 Prelims SA2 – Pei Chun
- P6 Science 2019 Prelims SA2 – Maris Stella
- P6 Science SA2 2018 – Tao Nan
- P6 Science SA2 2018 – Raffles Girls
- P6 Science SA2 2017 – Raffles Girls
- P6 Science SA1 2017 – Rosyth
- P6 Science CA1 2016 – CHIJ
- P6 2015 Prelims Science – Temasek
For more Science examination papers, please visit here.
Tamil
- P6 SA1 Tamil Higher Mother Tongue -2014 (16)
- P6 SA1 Tamil Higher Mother Tongue -2014 (13)
- P6 SA1 Tamil Higher Mother Tongue -2014 (8)
- P6 SA1 Tamil Higher Mother Tongue -2014 (3)
- P6 SA1 Tamil Higher Mother Tongue -2014
- P6 2014 SA1 Tamil – 8
- P6 2014 SA1 Tamil – 6
- P6 2014 SA1 Tamil – 4
- P6 2014 SA1 Tamil – 3
- P6 2014 SA1 Tamil – 1
For more Tamil examination papers, please visit here.
Ultimately…
The PSLE is just an indicator of how much your child internalises all that they’re being. And then applies to answering the questions. However, it does not determine how “smart” they are. The revision phase is especially tough with past year PSLE papers and practice papers. So do remember to always support your child.
Enjoy the journey and the adrenaline rush that comes with this whole PSLE experience. And even if the outcome isn’t as ideal as you thought it would be, at least you can look back on it and say that you braved through it all.
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PSLE English: 6 Effective Tips To Help Kids Learn Smart And Excel