The Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is a significant milestone in the education of Singaporean primary school students. A student’s total PSLE score reflects their academic performance and influences the range of secondary schools they are eligible to apply to.
Introduced in 2016, the updated PSLE Achievement Levels (AL) Scoring System officially replaced the previous T-Score system in 2021.
What Was the Reason for Introducing a New PSLE Scoring System?
In November 2021, the Ministry of Education (MOE) implemented the new PSLE Achievement Levels (AL) Scoring System, which introduces broader scoring bands for each subject. This change reduces the focus on minor score differences that were prevalent in the old T-Score system.
For example, under the previous system, Student Y might score 270 and Student Z 271, leading to fine distinctions. With the new AL system, both students would receive a similar score, such as a ‘4’.
By offering broader scoring bands, the new AL scoring system aims to benefit both students and parents by:
- Providing Primary 6 students with more secondary school options at the same cutoff point.
- Reducing stress for both children and their parents.
- Encouraging students to focus on their interests and strengths.
- Minimising the risk of young learners losing confidence.
Therefore, as a parent of a child preparing for the PSLE, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of this new grading system.
What Is the PSLE Scoring System for 2024?
Singapore’s PSLE now uses the AL Scoring System, where each subject is graded across eight distinct bands known as “Achievement Levels (ALs).”
Students are assigned an AL score from 1 to 8 for each subject, with 1 being the highest. Each AL corresponds to a specific range of marks.
The details of this scoring system are provided in the table below.
The table above illustrates how a subject’s marks (out of 100) translates into Achievement Levels (ALs)
The 2024 PSLE Scoring System will result in more secondary schools having the same cut-off point.
In cases where multiple students share the same PSLE score and compete for the last available spot in a secondary school, tie-breakers will be applied in a specific order. We explain this further below under ‘How will posting be determined in the event of a tie? Will there be additional balloting?’
Additionally, it’s important to note that the 2024 PSLE Scoring System (PSLE AL score) takes into account individual achievements, fostering a more inclusive approach to recognizing students’ academic successes.
Calculating the PSLE Score using the AL Scoring Systems
In the AL system, the total PSLE score is the sum of the four subject scores (AL bands). The overall score will range from 4 to 32, with 4 being the highest possible total.
A simple example of how to calculate your AL Scores from the 4 subjects.
Let’s take a look at another example:
- The student received scores of 2, 3, 5, and 4 in English Language, Mother Tongue Language, Mathematics, and Science, respectively.
- This results in a total PSLE Score of 14 (2+3+5+4).
Keep in mind, under the AL Scoring System, a lower overall PSLE AL score is better. The best possible score is 4, while the highest is 32.
Another example of how to calculate your Overall PSLE Score from each of the 4 subjects.
What Is the Difference Between the T-Score and AL Score in the PSLE Scoring System?
The key difference is that PSLE scores will be less finely differentiated. Under the AL scoring system, there are only 29 possible PSLE scores, compared to the old T-Score system, which offered over 200 possible aggregate T-Scores.
We’ve taken the time to present both scoring systems and their ranges side-by-side in the table below:
A side-by-side comparison of the new PSLE AL Scoring System vs the old T-Score System
Under the T-Score Grading system, students frequently missed securing their preferred school by only a few marks, as there were 200 possible scores. Prior to the current AL Scoring System, PSLE scores followed the T-Score system to measure students’ performance relative to their peers.
The T-Score system was calculated using a formula where the T-Scores of four subjects were combined into an aggregate, reflecting how well a student performed compared to others in the same year. However, this system focused more on relative performance than on absolute achievement levels.
Unlike the T- Score system, having a lower score in the AL Scoring system is better: The best absolute score is 4, and the lowest is 32.
Using the previous example above:
Under the old system, Student X might score 282 and Student Y 281, resulting in a narrow comparison. In contrast, the new AL system is designed to assign similar scores, such as a ‘3’, to both students in cases like this.
How Do The AL Bands Work?
The AL bands were created to offer a fairer and more comprehensive assessment of a student’s understanding and abilities, especially for those in the middle to lower ALs. This approach ensures that students are evaluated more equitably, particularly when applying for school admissions or other educational opportunities.
Lower AL Bands (in red) and Higher AL Bands (in green)
Lower AL Bands (With Example)
Under the MOE’s new AL Scoring System, lower AL bands have a wider range of marks. This approach reflects the broader distribution of student scores in these bands, in contrast to the more concentrated upper ALs.
As shown in the table above (highlighted in red), under the AL system, a student scoring between 45-65 would be given a ‘6’. In the old T-Score system, the same student could have received a ‘B’, ‘C’, or ‘D’.
Upper AL Bands (With Example)
For the upper AL bands, the MOE maintains more precise differentiation. This reduces the likelihood of tie-breakers and ensures that high-achieving students are properly acknowledged for their academic excellence.
As shown in the table above (highlighted in green), under the T-Score system, a student scoring between 75-89 would have received an ‘A’. However, under the new AL Scoring System, the same student could be awarded a ‘2’, ‘3’, or ‘4’.
How will posting be determined in the event of a tie? Will there be additional balloting?
The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Singapore has confirmed that secondary school placements will still be based on academic merit. Simulations by the MOE suggest that around 90% of students will secure their placements without the need for balloting.
In cases where multiple students with the same score are competing for the last available spot in a school, a specific sequence of tie-breakers will be applied:
- Citizenship: Singapore citizens take priority, followed by Permanent Residents (PRs) and then international students.
- School Choice Order: A student who ranked the school higher on their list of preferences will be given priority.
- Computerised Balloting: If the first two criteria are the same, computerised balloting will be used to decide who is admitted.
How Will PSLE AL Scores Impact Secondary School Placement?
Up until 2023, secondary school placements were based on students’ PSLE scores, categorising them into one of three streams:
- Express – G3
- Normal (Academic) or N(A) – G2
- Normal (Technical) or N(T) – G1
Beginning in 2024, a new system will replace the existing streams with three Posting Groups (1, 2, and 3). This change aligns students with subjects at three levels—G1, G2, and G3 (General levels)—which correspond to the previous N(T), N(A), and Express standards.
How PSLE AL Scores map to Express (G3), NA (G2), & NT (G1) placements in Secondary School
Students who do not qualify for any program will have the chance to retake the PSLE, offering a more flexible and personalised educational path in line with the evolving standards of secondary education in Singapore.
Alternatively, students can choose to enrol in the Assumption Pathway School (APS) or NorthLight School (NLS), which provide a more hands-on learning experience. However, admission to these programs is subject to receiving endorsement from the principal.
What Constitutes a Good PSLE AL Score?
A good PSLE score is subjective and varies based on factors like the student’s personal goals and the academic requirements of their preferred secondary schools.
Under the new Scoring System, the typical benchmark for a Total PSLE Score falls between 4 and 32. This score is calculated by combining the results of the four core PSLE subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, and Mother Tongue.
At SLC, we intentionally refrain from labelling one score as better than another, as we recognise that each young learner has unique strengths, weaknesses, and goals. We believe students thrive when they feel comfortable in their learning environment. Many students develop a fear or dislike of certain subjects due to past negative experiences, which can make them reluctant to engage with the material.
If you have a child who is in Primary 5 or entering Primary 6 preparing for the PSLE, consider signing up for our PSLE Preparatory Programme! We offer English Tuition and Chinese Tuition for students preparing for their examinations!
Check out our S1 Bridging Programme for Post PSLE students!
Hurry and Enrol Today!