Every year, students in Singapore anxiously await their PSLE scores. This important exam determines which secondary school students will attend. But how are the scores calculated? In this blog post, we will discuss the process of calculating PSLE scores and what goes into determining the streaming of students into secondary schools. Stay tuned for more information!
What is the PSLE aggregate score all about and how to calculate PSLE score?
Every year, the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is taken by Primary 6 students in Singapore who are due to finish primary school and move on to secondary education. The PSLE is a standardized test that covers four main subjects – English, Maths, Science and Mother Tongue. Based on their results, students will be streamed into different types of secondary schools. The PSLE aggregate score is the total score of the four subjects, English, Maths, Mother Tongue and Science.
A new scoring system known as achievement levels (ALs) was introduced in 2021, replacing the previous PSLE T-score system. The PSLE score calculated takes into account a student’s total marks in the four main subjects, as well as the AL score that corresponds to the marks in each of these subjects. There are a total of eight ALs from AL1 to AL8. The lower the AL, the better the performance of the student in that particular subject. AL1 is awarded for more than 90 marks to full marks of 100. AL2 is awarded for 85 to 89 marks, AL3 for 80 to 84 marks, and AL4 for 75 to 79 marks. As for AL5, AL6 and AL7, the corresponding marks are 65 to 74 marks, 45 to 64 marks and 20 to 44 marks respectively. Finally, AL8 is awarded for anything less than 20 marks.
To calculate your PSLE aggregate score, you will need to know your AL for each of the four subjects and add them up. The range of the PSLE aggregate score is from 4 to 32. The highest possible score is a perfect score of 4, while the lowest possible score is 32. A student’s position on the scoring scale will give an indication of how they have performed in comparison to other students.
How does the recent PSLE score calculation differ from the T score calculation in the past?
The previous PSLE score was calculated using the T-score system, which is a statistical measure involving standard deviation. Your child’s T-score is then compared to the average T-Score of the cohort (all students who are taking the PSLE that year). The difference between these two scores will give you your child’s aggregate score. To calculate the T-score back then, we first need to find your child’s raw T-score for each subject. Once we have all four raw scores, we can calculate the average score. This figure is then compared to the cohort’s average raw score, and the difference is used to calculate a student’s PSLE score in the past. This method was particularly complicated and led to over 200 possible T-scores as compared to the current 29 possibilities for the AL score.
How does the PSLE score calculation affect students and their families?
The PSLE score calculation will affect students and their families in a few different ways. Firstly, the score will determine which secondary school the student will be streamed into. There are three main types of secondary schools in Singapore – Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical). Students with better high scores will typically be streamed into Express courses while those with lower PSLE scores will be streamed into Normal courses.
Secondly, the PSLE score is a reflection of the student’s academic ability and is often used as a benchmark for their future academic achievements. Families may feel pressure to ensure that their child scores well in order to get into their desired school or course. Lastly, the PSLE score calculation may also affect a family’s decision on whether to send their child to a tuition centre for tuition or not. Some parents feel that PSLE science tuition and maths tuition is especially necessary in order to help their child score well on the PSLE.
Are there any other things parents should know about the PSLE score calculation process?
Yes, there are a few other things that parents should know about the PSLE score calculation process. Firstly, the PSLE score is not the only factor that determines which secondary school a student will be streamed into. Other factors such as CCA and previous academic achievements may also be taken into account. Secondly, the PSLE score is just one indication of a student’s academic ability and should not be used as the sole criterion for determining their future success. Finally, parents should also remember that the PSLE score is not indicative of their child’s intelligence or worth as a person. Every child is unique and has their own strengths and weaknesses. The most important thing is to encourage and support your child, regardless of their PSLE score.
How can parents help their children prepare for the PSLE exams to achieve better scores?
There are a few things that parents can do to help their children prepare for the PSLE exams. Firstly, they should ensure that their child is getting enough rest and exercise leading up to the exams. Secondly, they should create a quiet and comfortable study environment for their child to minimize distractions. Thirdly, they should provide their child with healthy food and snacks to help them concentrate. Fourthly, they should encourage their child to take practice exams for the different subjects under timed conditions to get used to the exam format. Finally, they should be supportive and encouraging throughout the entire process. Remember, the most important thing is not the score itself but the effort and progress that your child makes.
Conclusion
The PSLE score calculation is a process that determines how well students have performed on the PSLE in their final year of Primary school. The score is used to stream students into different secondary schools based on their academic ability. Families may be under a lot of stress to ensure that their kid gets high marks in order to get into their selected school or subject. However, it is important to remember that the PSLE score is not the only factor that determines which secondary school a student will be streamed into. The most significant thing is to encourage and support your child, no matter what their PSLE score is.
