<![CDATA[Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ??]]>Nov 17, 2010

Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard?
I AM the parent of a Primary 3 pupil in Pei Hwa Presbyterian Primary School and I question the practice of using Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) standard to grade the Primary 3 Higher Chinese examination paper.

When my daughter came home with her Higher Chinese Paper 2 answer paper on Monday, she was distraught. I found out she did not do well, scoring 39 out of 50. After I went through her paper, I discovered that there were actually three questions which deserved to be marked correct. I queried the school about this and the head of department called to explain that they were marked based on the PSLE scheme of marking.

My daughter was penalised for writing in an informal tone for her sentence construction question. The other issue was in her comprehension; she got the first part of a two-part question correct, but did not pick the exact portion of the passage to substantiate her answer, and was penalised for it.

The school's practice of preparing pupils for the PSLE early is commendable, but it should be a gradual introduction of standards. Such disheartening results in the name of following the PSLE marking scheme is counter-productive.

As parents, we are already finding it hard to motivate our daughter to take an interest in Chinese. We are language educators and specialists ourselves, yet we are also struggling against the prevailing English-speaking environment to excite her about Chinese.

Tan Tong Jen

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_603942.html

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/15983/why-mark-p3-paper-by-psle-standard-reallyRSS for NodeTue, 21 Apr 2026 13:26:30 GMTWed, 17 Nov 2010 03:03:04 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 10:40:54 GMT]]>frankly speaking, i don't see anything wrong abt marking to psle standard, provided it is applicable to all students... I myself don't know if there is another standard for lower primary, but we have to accept that if MOE adopt this, we will have to respect it.


Just like maths, my kid got the answer correct but without working, he scored only 1 out of a possible 4? Do i challenge it? I can only explain to my kid that it is important to show how you derive your answer as teacher like to know what method you use. Likewise for language, as explain in earlier post, the question setters already have the scope in mind and will mark accordingly. If parent don't understand, can check w teacher and explain to kid, in a way easily understood, then tochallenge on marking standard? :?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/298493https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/298493Sun, 21 Nov 2010 10:40:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 05:46:09 GMT]]>

JonC:
Culture Shock?


Better Shock at P3 or even P1 than to Shock at P6 or worst at just before PSLE!!!
Get a shock at P3 or P1 than to get a heart attack at P6...learning to answer according to PSLE standard takes time to adjust and pick up...it's not easy for the child or the parent either.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/298431https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/298431Sun, 21 Nov 2010 05:46:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 03:13:52 GMT]]>10 times out of 10, I’ll choose ds to get 38/50 and learn something from the test over getting full marks but learn nothing from it.


Indirectly this event also shows why nowadays it’s so difficult being a HOD or P of any sch. Any disagreements with us parents can generate public outcries.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/298405https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/298405Sun, 21 Nov 2010 03:13:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Sun, 21 Nov 2010 02:38:05 GMT]]>

JonC:
Culture Shock?


Better Shock at P3 or even P1 than to Shock at P6 or worst at just before PSLE!!!
Agree. The earlier they are exposed to the marking system, the earlier they learn the ropes, hopefully the teachers also make an extra effort to explain well in order not to kill learning interest as well.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/298391https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/298391Sun, 21 Nov 2010 02:38:05 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 06:59:42 GMT]]>Culture Shock?


Better Shock at P3 or even P1 than to Shock at P6 or worst at just before PSLE!!!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296836https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296836Thu, 18 Nov 2010 06:59:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 06:40:16 GMT]]>

starlight1968sg:
art_n_i:

Honestly, PSLE marking scheme is just a branding teachers would use to draw parents to the attention that it is necessary to mark the papers using a certain standard guideline, in fact from P2 onwards.


The most leeway is given at P1 level when they are still new to the system.

Haha... start marking the papers in psle way from P1 ! :lol:

yes, i agree..recently i called to confront the english FT regards to english paper2 and was told that its according to \"PSLE STANDARD OF MARKING\" OMG oni P1 paper leh....

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296819https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296819Thu, 18 Nov 2010 06:40:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 06:37:31 GMT]]>This parent is making a big fuss for no reason. My colleague from China says that our Mandarin standard is actually quite low.Need to accept the fact that nobody gets full marks for a language.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296815https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296815Thu, 18 Nov 2010 06:37:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 06:27:23 GMT]]>Is it not better to mark it according to the PSLE guideline so that the kids will know what to expect? Anyway, 39 out of 50 for HCL is not bad! 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296809https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296809Thu, 18 Nov 2010 06:27:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Thu, 18 Nov 2010 01:12:06 GMT]]>My son’s CA/SA exams were marked in accordance to PSLE standard since P3…during the Parent-Teacher meeting, his form teacher/CL teachers told us it’s to get the students to establish the habit of writing clear, straight-to-the-point answers from young. This way, they will not have difficulties answering at P6.

This is esp so for Science.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296549https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296549Thu, 18 Nov 2010 01:12:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:56:12 GMT]]>My child has 3 such experiences in her marking scheme this year in both the subjective papers, Eng and Chinese. However, after understanding from the teachers, I found the right perspective to explain to my child. Getting the extra marks was not the critical point but understanding why was crucial. This is also one form of learning, not everything in life is convincing by logic but it is important to learn that there are specifics required in an exam as designed by the question setters. And when there are many possibilities, the setter has to design a specific answer key boundary in order to award the marks.


While her answers were right from the language view, it was mainly marked wrong for its contextual view with reference to the exam specifics. This is a very important point for me to coach her. Firstly, she has to understand her language is not the flaw and she should not stop using the language the way she has used it in the exam. However, she must learn to zoom into the exam context and narrow her answers to fit the bill that can earn her marks. The HOD also highlighted that they marked P6 the same way, again suggesting that was PSLE guideline.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296227https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296227Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:56:12 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:51:35 GMT]]>

starlight1968sg:
art_n_i:

Honestly, PSLE marking scheme is just a branding teachers would use to draw parents to the attention that it is necessary to mark the papers using a certain standard guideline, in fact from P2 onwards.


The most leeway is given at P1 level when they are still new to the system.

Haha... start marking the papers in psle way from P1 ! :lol:

I believe they do not want to give the children the culture shock so early in the game. :lol:

Well, at the end of the day, parents still have a role to play to explain the correct learning points to the children.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296224https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296224Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:51:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:33:16 GMT]]>

IJJ:
I am a parent of a P3 child studying in Pei Hwa too. The article did not elaborate on the section(s) and how was it not adhered to the PSLE standard, hence, I could not comment specifically on it. I am guessing he/she was refering to the 造句 (sentense construction). For this, all along, my child's teacher advises them not to write in speech with open and close inverted commas. Such are considered as informal. This could be the reason.


Personally, I find the paper standard alright and marked reasonably. I prefer the school to be consistently strict so that its PSLE year, the students will not need to adjust to another standard.
if that is the case - having to adjust to PSLE \"standard\" at year 6, then it is NOT teaching according to 'syllabus'.........just like in science, key words are needed to get the marks, scientific terms are required, not layman terms

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296204https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296204Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:33:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:33:10 GMT]]>

art_n_i:
Honestly, PSLE marking scheme is just a branding teachers would use to draw parents to the attention that it is necessary to mark the papers using a certain standard guideline, in fact from P2 onwards.


The most leeway is given at P1 level when they are still new to the system.
Haha... start marking the papers in psle way from P1 ! :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296203https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296203Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:33:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:32:16 GMT]]>Honestly, PSLE marking scheme is just a branding teachers would use to draw parents to the attention that it is necessary to mark the papers using a certain standard guideline, in fact from P2 onwards.


The most leeway is given at P1 level when they are still new to the system.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296202https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296202Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:32:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:29:42 GMT]]>I am a parent of a P3 child studying in Pei Hwa too. The article did not elaborate on the section(s) and how was it not adhered to the PSLE standard, hence, I could not comment specifically on it. I am guessing he/she was refering to the 造句 (sentense construction). For this, all along, my child's teacher advises them not to write in speech with open and close inverted commas. Such are considered as informal. This could be the reason.


Personally, I found the paper standard alright and marked reasonably. The vocabs are of P3 standard taught during the year. I prefer the school to be consistently strict so that when its PSLE year for them, the students will not need to adjust to another standard.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296198https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296198Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:29:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:10:11 GMT]]>It’s always good to align the students and parents expectation towards PSLE style of marking as early as possible.


So why not?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296184https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296184Wed, 17 Nov 2010 04:10:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 03:33:16 GMT]]>I think the writer refers to the psle marking scheme.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296164https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296164Wed, 17 Nov 2010 03:33:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 03:25:44 GMT]]>what is meant by "grading a Pri 3 paper by PSLE standard" ?


are the questions set / vocab needed is of Pri 6 standard ? or is the exam scope of Pri 6 standard instead of Pri 3 ?

for languages, how to determine which words / phrase is of Pri 3 standard or which are of Pri 6 standard ?

kindly please enlighten, anyone ?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296158https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296158Wed, 17 Nov 2010 03:25:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Why mark P3 paper by PSLE standard? : Really ?? on Wed, 17 Nov 2010 03:17:17 GMT]]>A coin has 2 sides. For kiasu parents, they will think this is good as it trains the students to be psle conscious. For others, they will question the need to do so as early as p3.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296151https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/296151Wed, 17 Nov 2010 03:17:17 GMT