<![CDATA[Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years]]>Hi everyone,


My DS is having his PSLE next year. As you know, PSLE is like the new "O" Levels and it would be great if our kids can have a good start to their academic journey by doing well for PSLE.

Lately, I have been reading up on some news about changes in PSLE testing formats but have gotten a little lost along the way. I would really appreciate if someone can kindly update me on the changes in PSLE testing formats over the years so that I can keep track and have a better understanding on how to help my DS prepare for his PSLE. Thank you!!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/40539/changes-in-psle-formats-over-the-past-few-yearsRSS for NodeSun, 26 Apr 2026 01:40:03 GMTThu, 13 Sep 2012 08:04:38 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:16:40 GMT]]>

sunnymumsy:
SAHM_TAN:

Hi sunnymumsy,


May I know is your dd in TAS or attending other center?

Thanks.

hi SAHM_TAN, no, she attends a centre at the tanglin area. if u awnt the contact i can pm u

Hi Sunnymumsy,
I would like to know the centre you mentioned. Please share with me. Thks.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/916313https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/916313Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:16:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:16:28 GMT]]>

sunnymumsy:
SAHM_TAN:

Hi sunnymumsy,


May I know is your dd in TAS or attending other center?

Thanks.

hi SAHM_TAN, no, she attends a centre at the tanglin area. if u awnt the contact i can pm u

Hi Sunnymumsy,
I would like to know the centre you mentioned. Please share with me. Thks.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/916312https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/916312Mon, 10 Dec 2012 00:16:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Sun, 09 Dec 2012 23:51:35 GMT]]>

sunnymumsy:
Same thing here. my dd started learning new syllabus in mid-November. I looked at the new syllabus from my dd's enrichment teacher. Many things have changed.


new Compre format. apart from those changes mentioned by karinchung, students are also required to state whether statements are true or false, which means they must read the passage EVEN more carefully!

For Oral, they have to look at a product and talk about how effective the marketing is, and then express their personal view.

Composition is like free-writing now. 3 pics that are not linked, and students have to find a way to link it into a story. But they are also allowed to concentrate on just one picture.

Even for small things like editing also have changed. They have to say whether it is a grammar or spelling error before giving the correct answer.

Our poor kids... how to manage? dd's teacher seems to think it is a good change though. She said it promotes thinking out of the box. can't help much now.. leave it in the hands of the taecher and dd.!
Thank you for sharing.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/916306https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/916306Sun, 09 Dec 2012 23:51:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Sun, 09 Dec 2012 17:18:51 GMT]]>

SAHM_TAN:
Hi sunnymumsy,


May I know is your dd in TAS or attending other center?

Thanks.
hi SAHM_TAN, no, she attends a centre at the tanglin area. if u awnt the contact i can pm u

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/916282https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/916282Sun, 09 Dec 2012 17:18:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Sun, 09 Dec 2012 10:23:46 GMT]]>Hi sunnymumsy,


May I know is your dd in TAS or attending other center?

Thanks.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/916166https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/916166Sun, 09 Dec 2012 10:23:46 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Sun, 09 Dec 2012 10:16:43 GMT]]>Same thing here. my dd started learning new syllabus in mid-November. I looked at the new syllabus from my dd’s enrichment teacher. Many things have changed.


new Compre format. apart from those changes mentioned by karinchung, students are also required to state whether statements are true or false, which means they must read the passage EVEN more carefully!

For Oral, they have to look at a product and talk about how effective the marketing is, and then express their personal view.

Composition is like free-writing now. 3 pics that are not linked, and students have to find a way to link it into a story. But they are also allowed to concentrate on just one picture.

Even for small things like editing also have changed. They have to say whether it is a grammar or spelling error before giving the correct answer.

Our poor kids… how to manage? dd’s teacher seems to think it is a good change though. She said it promotes thinking out of the box. can’t help much now… leave it in the hands of the taecher and dd.!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/916163https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/916163Sun, 09 Dec 2012 10:16:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:53:33 GMT]]>

karinchung:
Finally after weeks of stress, i found a teacher who is familiar with the new syllabus !!!!! she started teaching my dd last week. Indeed there's lot of changes.


Comprehension will be changed from narrative text type to expository, instruction and report text type. Questions will vary from inferential, direct to table form.

As for composition, the initial four picture will cease and a change to three picture exposition or narrative writing.

I hope my dd will be well prepared for her school next year !!!
Hi,

Do u mind to share the comprehension piece? Thank you

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/915110https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/915110Thu, 06 Dec 2012 22:53:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:19:07 GMT]]>Hi Karinchung,

Could you kindly share with us this new teacher who is familiar with the new syllabus? My child will be one of the kids in the first unfortunate batch.
Thanks in advance!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/915107https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/915107Thu, 06 Dec 2012 20:19:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:42:02 GMT]]>Finally after weeks of stress, i found a teacher who is familiar with the new syllabus !!! she started teaching my dd last week. Indeed there’s lot of changes.


Comprehension will be changed from narrative text type to expository, instruction and report text type. Questions will vary from inferential, direct to table form.

As for composition, the initial four picture will cease and a change to three picture exposition or narrative writing.

I hope my dd will be well prepared for her school next year !!!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/915016https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/915016Thu, 06 Dec 2012 13:42:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:18:53 GMT]]>

sunnymumsy:
janet_lee88:

[quote=\"sunnymumsy\"]I think the biggest change to the syllabus will be the components that have always been hard to score in - compo and compre.


Compo has changed to a more authentic syllabus instead of the usual drawings that we are so used to. i think this is quite good! more real-world but at the same time help students to be more creative.

Oral will help kids score.
Compo this year, be it pic or continuous wasn't easy. I would say this is challenging as kids have to be creative to think out of the box. Those pic compositions we were so used to are a thing of the past. But again, are our kids ready???

heard that oral will be difficult though... something about talking about marketing a product?? It doesn't sound easy at all!

My dd is attending New Syllabus workshops this hols. Lucky she will be trained before she officially starts P4 next year... very kiasu, but what to do? I don't want her to be on the losing end! I will update here when I see what the new curriculum is![/quote]Thank you so much

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/903472https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/903472Wed, 21 Nov 2012 20:18:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:35:56 GMT]]>

janet_lee88:
sunnymumsy:

I think the biggest change to the syllabus will be the components that have always been hard to score in - compo and compre.


Compo has changed to a more authentic syllabus instead of the usual drawings that we are so used to. i think this is quite good! more real-world but at the same time help students to be more creative.

Oral will help kids score.
Compo this year, be it pic or continuous wasn't easy. I would say this is challenging as kids have to be creative to think out of the box. Those pic compositions we were so used to are a thing of the past. But again, are our kids ready???

heard that oral will be difficult though... something about talking about marketing a product?? It doesn't sound easy at all!

My dd is attending New Syllabus workshops this hols. Lucky she will be trained before she officially starts P4 next year... very kiasu, but what to do? I don't want her to be on the losing end! I will update here when I see what the new curriculum is!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/903267https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/903267Wed, 21 Nov 2012 12:35:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Sat, 06 Oct 2012 03:30:07 GMT]]>

Chicken Rice Mom:
SAHM_TAN:

None of the changes affect 2013 PSLE.


I am just curious, do you have any more information regarding the changes that will occur in 2015, as my DD will be doing her PSLE then?

Here's a link to read about the changes for Eng syllabus that will affect 2015 PSLE. It will be implemented next yr, 2013 to the P4. The P5 and P6 will still be under the old syllabus.

http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2012/09/learning-of-english-to-develop.php


The slight changes to the maths syllabus will only affect those going to P1 next yr.

As for mother tongue, will affect students taking PSLE in 2017. It will also affect students taking O/N and A levels at different timeline. Here's the link for more infor

http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2011/01/enhancing-the-teaching-and-testing-of-mtl.php

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/869851https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/869851Sat, 06 Oct 2012 03:30:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Sat, 06 Oct 2012 03:19:37 GMT]]>

Will_lim:
Hi guys,


Thank you so much for the replies! 😉

As far as I know the changes to the English PSLE format for 2013 include:

a) Pupils’ grammar mastery will be explicitly assessed under the Editing segment.
b) Pupils will now have to deal with 3 passages in the Comprehension segment as compared to 2 passages in the current format.
c) Pupils have to respond personally to the Comprehension texts
d) The essay topics require pupils to merge all aspects of their writing skills ranging from the Narrative, Descriptive, Argumentative and Discursive.

Personally, I am quite happy with the changes because I feel that this is what English is supposed to be about - application. In the past, we had to do stuff like rearranging the sentences, close passage(guess the missing word) and comprehension was basically just lifting from the passage. I didn't think all that was helpful to me at all in terms of mastering the language. At least now the education system is teaching students how to express themselves and use language as a tool for communication rather than just another subject to be practiced over and over again in assessment books.

On a side note, I am also happy that quite a number of tuition centers, well at least from what I know, are already changing their teaching methods for PSLE English. Off the top of my head, The Alternative Story tuition centre, Young Champs Eduland and Raffles EduHub have already adapted to the changes.

So besides English, have there been any changes for Math and Chinese? Because I heard something about new types of questions for Math and something about lesser emphasis in the marks for Mother Tongue, i.e. Mother Tongue results will play a smaller role in entrance to secondary schools. Is this true?
I thought for the changes listed in your post on Eng will only affect those taking PSLE in 2015. The kids who are in P5 and P6 next year will be under the old Eng syllabus.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/869842https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/869842Sat, 06 Oct 2012 03:19:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Sat, 06 Oct 2012 03:06:37 GMT]]>

sunnymumsy:
I think the biggest change to the syllabus will be the components that have always been hard to score in - compo and compre.


Compo has changed to a more authentic syllabus instead of the usual drawings that we are so used to. i think this is quite good! more real-world but at the same time help students to be more creative.
Oral will help kids score.
Compo this year, be it pic or continuous wasn't easy. I would say this is challenging as kids have to be creative to think out of the box. Those pic compositions we were so used to are a thing of the past. But again, are our kids ready???

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/869828https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/869828Sat, 06 Oct 2012 03:06:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:49:06 GMT]]>So many changes coming fast and furious.We as parents have no control over these adjustments. Tweaking here and there... gives me the impression that they are like blind men in the dark, muddling their way through. Whenever a new minister gets on board, he feels that he must do something(sometimes drastic) to leave a legacy. Our poor children are the ones who have to be super-adjusted to be able to beat the system. I shall not be having any more kids 😞


Whenever I see young kids dragging themselves from tuition centre to tuition centre, I feel so sorry for them. Now that so many of these tuition centres are in shopping malls, I cannot avoid looking at the empty, exhausted eyes of our primary school-goers. I am trying to keep tuition to a minimum for my kid but might have to join the bandwagon soon.......

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/868758https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/868758Thu, 04 Oct 2012 17:49:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:41:34 GMT]]>FYI, I read on ChannelNews from May that Pri 1 maths syllabus will be tweaked from next year.

ge
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1200575/1/.html

According to the article, MOE plans to drop part of the Primary 1 mathematics syllabus, measuring and comparing objects' physical mass through the use of non-standard units. Instead, they will be taught about the orientation of objects such as whether they are facing left or right or pointing up or down. With such an adjustment, PSLE format will change for students from 2008.

Thus, more numeracy skills will be required for the exams. They said the review can help to lighten the workload and improve students' numeracy knowledge. I'm just not sure if it can make students less stressed as probably instead of testing the measuring and comparing, they can focus on more complicated maths.

Thus, it may end up even more stressful!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/868681https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/868681Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:41:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 02:44:26 GMT]]>I think the biggest change to the syllabus will be the components that have always been hard to score in - compo and compre.


Compo has changed to a more authentic syllabus instead of the usual drawings that we are so used to. i think this is quite good! more real-world but at the same time help students to be more creative.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/866901https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/866901Wed, 03 Oct 2012 02:44:26 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Sun, 30 Sep 2012 01:21:07 GMT]]>

Will_lim:

So besides English, have there been any changes for Math and Chinese? Because I heard something about new types of questions for Math and something about lesser emphasis in the marks for Mother Tongue, i.e. Mother Tongue results will play a smaller role in entrance to secondary schools. Is this true?

well... my DS will be taking his PSLE in 2017..
but i'll be over the moon if Mother Tongue results can play a smaller role in entrance to secondary schools
:rahrah:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/863958https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/863958Sun, 30 Sep 2012 01:21:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Sat, 29 Sep 2012 16:03:49 GMT]]>Hi, my child will also be affected by the PSLE English format changes. However, I am a little wary of tuition centres that claimed that they have already made chages to their programmes. As you may be aware, even the HOD of schools have not attended the MOE briefing and so, nobody really knows the type, extent, level of changes that will be implemented.


Can anyone share which are the TRUSTED centres that have first -hand info and have revamped their prog accordingly?

TIA!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/863552https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/863552Sat, 29 Sep 2012 16:03:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:21:45 GMT]]>Hi guys,


Thank you so much for the replies! 😉

As far as I know the changes to the English PSLE format for 2013 include:

a) Pupils’ grammar mastery will be explicitly assessed under the Editing segment.
b) Pupils will now have to deal with 3 passages in the Comprehension segment as compared to 2 passages in the current format.
c) Pupils have to respond personally to the Comprehension texts
d) The essay topics require pupils to merge all aspects of their writing skills ranging from the Narrative, Descriptive, Argumentative and Discursive.

Personally, I am quite happy with the changes because I feel that this is what English is supposed to be about - application. In the past, we had to do stuff like rearranging the sentences, close passage(guess the missing word) and comprehension was basically just lifting from the passage. I didn't think all that was helpful to me at all in terms of mastering the language. At least now the education system is teaching students how to express themselves and use language as a tool for communication rather than just another subject to be practiced over and over again in assessment books.

On a side note, I am also happy that quite a number of tuition centers, well at least from what I know, are already changing their teaching methods for PSLE English. Off the top of my head, The Alternative Story tuition centre, Young Champs Eduland and Raffles EduHub have already adapted to the changes.

So besides English, have there been any changes for Math and Chinese? Because I heard something about new types of questions for Math and something about lesser emphasis in the marks for Mother Tongue, i.e. Mother Tongue results will play a smaller role in entrance to secondary schools. Is this true?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/862839https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/862839Fri, 28 Sep 2012 18:21:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 06:02:28 GMT]]>my kids are not affected, but still, i also want to know the changes…


tried asking my ds’s form teacher today but she said she’s not handling any P3 class this yr… can anyone share what do teachers say??

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/852964https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/852964Wed, 19 Sep 2012 06:02:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 02:38:45 GMT]]>

SAHM_TAN:
None of the changes affect 2013 PSLE.

I am just curious, do you have any more information regarding the changes that will occur in 2015, as my DD will be doing her PSLE then?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/852741https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/852741Wed, 19 Sep 2012 02:38:45 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 02:25:19 GMT]]>

verykiasumummy:
oh my god.. that's going to affect the results tremendously right??


this is not speech and drama subject, why get so verbal?
It seems like it. I am therefore planning to do some tuition changes already now so my DS gets used to this new setting. I am just not really sure about this \"new setting\". As you say it is not a drama class, it's still English comprehension, but I do not have much experience or knowledge myself regarding \"verbal best-practice\".
HAPPYH:
verykiasumummy:

the students most affected will be the first batch who will kenna this.. supposed to be P3 this yr... poor them..

Yes my DD's batch

My DD as well, so we have a challenge here I suppose...?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/852723https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/852723Wed, 19 Sep 2012 02:25:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Changes in PSLE formats over the past few years on Wed, 19 Sep 2012 00:27:37 GMT]]>

verykiasumummy:
the students most affected will be the first batch who will kenna this.. supposed to be P3 this yr... poor them..

Yes my DD's batch

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/852640https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/852640Wed, 19 Sep 2012 00:27:37 GMT