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PSLE 2024 Scoring System

Understanding the PSLE scoring system

The PSLE Scoring System, which has recently been revised by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Singapore, now grades the students according to the 'Achievement Levels (AL) Scoring System' instead of the 'T-score system'. This change, effective since 2021, aims to provide a broader scoring band for each subject, enabling Primary 6 students to have more options of Secondary Schools to select from, while allowing them to concentrate on their strengths and interests. The MOE intends to reduce the score gap between students and alleviate stress for both children and parents.

With the new PSLE Scoring System, differentiation between students is minimised, decreasing the likelihood of a loss of confidence among young learners. Therefore, as a parent of a child preparing for the PSLE, it is crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of this grading system alteration. To find out your expected PSLE Score, simply key in your expected score for each of the four subjects into our PSLE Score Calculator!

In this article, we will be covering the following topics. Click below to jump to the relevant sections:

PSLE T-score vs PSLE AL score

The main difference between the old and new PSLE scoring system is the previous T-Score grading system put a finer emphasis on the marks secured by students, while the AL grading system does not. Let us explain how: T-Score grading meant that students missed getting their choice of school or courses by a few marks as there were 200 different scores. However, the new PSLE AL scoring system reduces the differentiation in students’ scores, cutting the range of possible PSLE scores to just 29 different scores (4 to 32, with 4 being the best). This means that more students will have the same PSLE scores.

Allow us to simplify this further with an example:
 

Suppose Tim secured 270 and Jim got a score of 275, the comparison between the two under T-Score grading would have been much more conspicuous. However, under the new AL grading system, Tim and Jim would both get a score of 4, thereby equalising their chances of getting into a school of their choice.


The new PSLE Scoring system also means that more schools have the same cut-off point. It affords the students a wider range of schools to choose from. Students can now consider not just from an academic standpoint but also strengths, interests, unique school programmes, culture fit, co-curricular activities etc to continue their next stage of education.

Refer to the table below for a comprehensive summary of the changes:

 

PSLE T Score PSLE AL Score
  • Reflects how well a student has performed in comparison to batchmates
  • Reflects how well a student has fared in comparison to the curriculum's learning objectives
  • A student can have over 200 possible T-scores
  • A student can have 29 possible PSLE scores
  • Student's score is more finely differentiated
  • Few students will have the same T-Score
  • Student's score is less finely differentiated
  • More students will have the same T-Score
  • Fewer schools have the same cut-off point.
  • More schools have the same cut-off point.

PSLE scoring bands

Under the PSLE AL scoring system, there are 8 different PSLE scoring bands that are awarded for all standard PSLE subjects. The scoring range for each PSLE standard subject is as follows:
 

AL (Achievement Levels) Raw Mark Range
1 Above 90
2 85-89
3 80-84
4 75-79
5 65-74
6 45-64
7 20-44
8 Below 20


If you notice, AL6 and AL7 have a wider mark range than the other bands. MOE reassures that the AL bands reflect the way the curriculum and examinations are designed, where the levels of understanding are not linear. The ALs reflect the reality of learning, where each band reflects a level of understanding of a certain subject. Additionally, it is an indication of the student’s readiness level for the next course of study.

How the new PSLE AL scores are calculated?

With the AL scoring system, a student’s PSLE Score will be the sum of the four subjects added together. It can range from 4 to 32, with 4 being the best possible score. Below is an example of how a student’s PSLE Score is calculated:
 

Subject Score
English Language AL2
Mother Tongue Language AL3
Mathematics AL1
Science AL1
\(\begin{align}\small \text{Overall PSLE Score} &= 2 + 3 + 1 + 1\\[2ex]                &= 7 \end{align}\)

 

Students will continue to be placed in one of the three Secondary School streams (Express, N(A), and N(T)) based on their PSLE Score until 2023. From 2024, students will be posted to secondary school through three Posting Groups - Posting Groups 1, 2, and 3. Students will be taking subjects at three subject levels - G1, G2, and G3 (G stands for General), mapped from the previous N(T), N(A), and Express standards respectively. Those who are not eligible for any courses will be offered the option of retaking the PSLE.

 

Placement Outcome PSLE Score
Express 4 - 20
Option of Express or Normal Academic (NA) 21 - 22
Normal Academic (NA) 23 - 24
Option of Normal Academic (NA) or Normal Technical (NT) 25
 Normal Technical (NT) 26 - 30. Students must also score AL7 or better in both English and Mathematics

 

Alternatively, students can also opt for the Assumption Pathway School (APS) or NorthLight School (NLS) for a more experiential and hands-on learning approach. Opting for these courses, however, requires the principal’s endorsement.

Indicative achievement level cut-off points

Also known as AL COP, the cut-offs for different school types will be based on the previous year's cohort’s PSLE results and school choices. Let us see how it works: MOE will take the lowest and the highest indicative AL COPs of schools within each school type like government and aided schools, autonomous and independent schools, to find the range of indicative AL COPs based on the score of the last student admitted.

Remember, the AL COP may change every year depending on the PSLE results and school choice patterns. MOE encourages parents to choose schools wisely — not just academically but also:

  • Consider the school environment
  • Tally the child’s interests/aspirations with that of the school
  • Proximity to residence

Parents are also encouraged to research each school’s programmes such as Co-Curricular Activities (CCA), Learning for Life Programme (LLP) and Applied Learning Programme (ALP). The ranking of their choice of schools will be used as a tie-breaker in case two students have the same PSLE score and are vying for the last available seat in a school.

For example, a student who placed ABC Secondary School as 1st choice will be given priority over another student who placed ABC Secondary School as 2nd choice even though both of them have the same PSLE score.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What are AL scores in the PSLE? 

AL scores refer to the Aggregate Scores of the PSLE. It is the total score achieved by adding up the scores for the four subjects in the PSLE.

Q2. Why are AL scores important?

AL scores are important as they are used by secondary schools to determine the eligibility of students for admission. The higher the AL score, the more choices of secondary schools the student will have.

Q3. When are PSLE results released? 

PSLE results are typically released in November or December, around six weeks after the exams are taken. The exact release date is announced by the Ministry of Education each year.


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