In 2025, Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) introduced important reforms to the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), focusing on fairness, holistic assessment, and real-world relevance.
These changes include refined Achievement Level (AL) cut-offs, enhanced weight for English and Mathematics, stronger emphasis on oral skills, and real-world scenario tasks.
What Changed: PSLE Format at a Glance
| Component | 2024 Format | 2025 Format Update |
|---|---|---|
| Scoring System | T-score based, 200+ distinct scores | AL1–AL8 bands for each subject; total score = 4–32 (best to worst) palmviewpri.moe.edu.sg+15wokd.com.au+15sophiaeducation.sg+15 |
| English Oral Component | 30 marks total | 40 marks (Reading Aloud 15, Stimulus-Based Conversation 25) |
| English Written Papers | Situational 15, Continuous 40, Paper 2 = 95 | Situational Writing 14, Continuous 36, Paper 2 = 90 (Visual Text 5, Editing 10) |
| Listening Comprehension | 20 marks | Unchanged, remains at 20 marks |
| Real-World Tasks | Traditional format | Scenario-based writing/oral & authentic math word problems integrated |
New Scoring Model: AL System
- Each PSLE subject now scores within AL1–AL8 based on fixed mark ranges, eliminating curve-based T-scores
- Raw mark to AL mapping:
- AL1: ≥ 90
- AL2: 85–89
- AL3: 80–84
- AL4: 75–79
- AL5: 65–74
- AL6: 45–64
- AL7: 20–44
- AL8: ≤ 19
- Total PSLE score ranges from 4 (best) to 32, with each subject contributing 1–8 points
Why AL Matters
- Reduces over-differentiation among students
- Encourages broader school choices and supports Subject-Based Banding
English Oral Highlight
- Oral exam weight increases from 30 to 40 marks
- Reading Aloud: 15 marks
- Stimulus-Based Conversation: 25 marks
- Focus is on real-life communication: expression, context, reasoning
Written Components Refined
- Situational Writing down to 14 marks with critical-thinking prompt.
- Continuous Writing reduced to 36 marks (from 40)
- Paper 2 now 90 marks: Visual text (5) and editing (10) revised to encourage inference and analytical skills
Why These Reforms Matter
- Stress reduction: The AL system minimizes peer comparison pressure
- Holistic evaluation: Emphasizes communication and real-world skills, preparing students for future learning
- Inclusive and adaptive: Supports broader school pathways, self-paced learning, and flexibility .
Preparation Tips
- Focus on oral skills: Practice reading aloud, expressing ideas, and discussing topics aloud.
- Realistic writing drills: Practice situational writing, visual text analysis, and critical content.
- Strengthen comprehension: Work on editing, inference, and vocabulary using diverse texts.
The PSLE 2025 revamp brings a fresh focus to oral skills, practical thinking, and fairer grading, shifting away from rigid score-based competition.
For students and parents, this means adopting new preparation methods that emphasize communication, critical thinking, and confidence.
The reforms support versatile learning pathways and reflect MOE’s commitment to nurturing well-rounded learners.
FAQs
What is the biggest change in PSLE 2025?
The shift to an Achievement Level (AL1–AL8) grading system with a total score of 4–32, including a heavier weight on oral communication.
Has the written exam changed a lot?
Yes—Situational Writing and Continuous Writing have fewer marks but more critical-thinking tasks. Paper 2 is now 90 marks instead of 95.
Why did MOE make these updates?
To reduce stress, promote holistic learning, and reflect real-world skills—supporting a more balanced and inclusive education system.