5 facts parents must know about the NEW PSLE scoring system 2021

[ updated: July 2021 ]

PSLE is one of the most challenging moments in a kid’s education journey in Singapore. In order to reduce the unnecessary amount of stress on the child, MOE has decided to pivot away from the fine differentiation of 200 possible T-score values in the past and move towards just 29 possible score variations in the form of Achievement Levels (AL).

The final PSLE score will be a combination of 4 subjects’ score, it will range from 4 (the best possible total score) to 32 (the lowest possible total score).

For example, if a child were to score 87 for math (AL 2), 66 for English (AL 5), 78 for science (AL 4) and 90 for Chinese (AL 1), his score will be 2 + 5 + 4 + 1 = 12.

This is the same system as before- a student who takes up higher Chinese subject in primary school will be prioritised ahead of another student who does not take up higher Chinese with regards to the selection of SAP school.

However, as is depicted in the picture above, students who do not take up higher Chinese subject in primary school have nothing much to worry about because the student with a comparatively better AL score will still be given 1st priority in school selection regardless of whether or not he has chosen to take up higher Chinese.

A much welcomed move by MOE to recognise a student’s strength in a particular subject- their new PSLE scoring system allows for NA & NT students who scores AL 5 or better for PSLE to take that subject at Express level in secondary school.

In addition to that, this privilege is also available to students who take subjects at the Foundation Level at PSLE. If said student scores AL A in a Foundation level subject, he is also eligible to take up the subject at Express level in secondary school.

As made abundantly clear by MOE, the passing mark for each subject is not 65.

Students who achieved a score of AL 26 to AL 30 & score at least a AL 7 for both English and Math are still eligible to enter into the N(T) course.

Just like in the prior PSLE scoring system, any student who did not achieve the required minimum PSLE score to enter into the N(T) course will have to either repeat their PSLE or they can elect to enter NorthLight or Assumption Pathway School.

As can be seen from the table above, regardless of whether a student takes up subjects at Foundation Level at PSLE, as long as they achieve the PSLE score for each individual tiers, they will be able to enter into that respective course.

Check out the Foundation Level subject scoring system above. Therefore, if a student achieves B for math taken at Foundation Level at PSLE, he will still achieve an equivalent of AL 7. This AL 7 will be added to the other AL score of his other 3 subjects. If the combined score of the 4 subjects is anywhere between 4 to 20, that student will still be eligible for Express.