New PSLE Scoring System In 2021: New Indicative Cut-off Points Released

The Ministry of Education (MOE) is implementing a new PSLE scoring system this year and have released the indicative PSLE Score ranges for individual secondary schools.

In their press announcement yesterday, MOE stated that they are taking this step to support the first batch of students and their parents to help them make informed choices about secondary schools.

"This is part of MOE's efforts to shift away from an over-emphasis on academic results by reducing fine differentiation of students' examination results at a young age," the Ministry stated. Which means under the new PSLE scoring system, students will not need to achieve perfect scores to get into top secondary schools. 

New PSLE Scoring System: How Your Child's Total Score Will Be Graded In 2021

The new PSLE scoring system will be used for the first time this year; for this year's Primary 6 cohort to get into secondary schools next year. The indicative cut-off scores are also based on this new scoring system. 

1. Under the new scoring system, each PSLE subject will be scored using 8 Achievement Levels (ALs), with AL 1 being the best.* As you know, the PSLE Score is the sum total of ALs across the four subjects, ranging from 4 (best) to 32.

Table data courtesy: MOE (Reference raw mark range for respective ALs)

This new system with broader bands is meant to be less stressful to pupils as compared to the past T-score system. This means they would not need to have to chase the last mark in order to outperform their peers.

Impact on admission

The new indicative PSLE score ranges in 2021 reflect the score of the first and last student to be posted into each school under the AL scoring system. This will be based on the 2020 cohort's PSLE results and school choice patterns.

Similar to the past T-score system, score ranges may vary from year to year. This will depend on the cohort's PSLE results and their school choices from the previous year. 

"Slight fluctuations from year to year in schools' COPs can happen and would typically be by 1 AL," MOE pointed. 

So it look something like this:

Here, the PSLE score of the last student posted to a particular school in the previous year is referred to school's cut-off point (COP).

The Ministry also stated that from next year onwards, the word “indicative” will be removed. "The PSLE Score range for a secondary school will be based on the actual PSLE results of the students admitted to the school in the previous year’s S1 Posting Exercise," the Ministry said in a statement. 

How you can choose schools

There is also a good mix of schools with a range of COPs across school zones. Here's a map for your reference. 

As PSLE scores are now less differentiated with the AL scoring system, there are only 29 possible PSLE scores. As compared to 200 possible aggregates under the previous system.

This means schools will also be less differentiated by COPs so students will have a wider range of secondary schools to choose from. 

The ministry adds, "MOE will continue to ensure our students, parents and schools are well-supported during this transition."

Alternative admission process 

Alternatively, students can also consider the Direct School Admission (DSA)-Secondary admission process. As you may know, DSA recognises students' non-academic performance. So scores in performing arts, sports, and leadership are taken into consideration.

The ministry will release more information on it in May.   

PSLE Scoring 2021: How It Can Affect Your Child's Posting Outcome

MOE worked on each pupil's posting outcome based on the new posting system. If two pupils happen to have the same score for the last spot in a school, these are how tie-breakers will come into play:

• The first tie-breaker will be based on the pupil's citizenship.
  Singaporeans will get priority over permanent residents and international pupils.
• The second tie-break will depend on the pupil's list of school choices.
  A pupil will get priority if they put the school higher on the list of choices.
• Computerised balloting will be used if the tie is still not broken.

MOE also advises students and their parents to consider carefully how they list their six school choices, given that this will factor into tie-breakers. 

PSLE Score 2021: Making Informed School Choices

The Ministry also stated that the PSLE Score 2021 ranges for each secondary school will serve as a "good starting point for students and their parents as they begin considering secondary school choices." 

But they also advise parents that they must look beyond grades and focus on "other equally important factors when considering what would be a good fit for the student's overall learning needs."

These additional factors include a schools' distinctive programmes, their co-curricular activities, culture and ethos, and home-school distance.

The Ministry also stated that to better understand how this new scoring system will work, 139 secondary schools will take part in the 2021 S1 Posting Exercise.

As parting advise, the Ministry said, "MOE will continue to ensure our students, parents and schools are well-supported during this transition. Schools will also be engaging students and their parents to help them understand the changes to the PSLE scoring and S1 Posting systems, as well as continue to provide Education and Career Guidance (ECG) support to guide them in making informed decisions on school choices." 

Lead image source from Facebook / Ministry of Education, Singapore.

Source: MOE*

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