The PSLE exam (Primary School Leaving Examination) is a nationwide examination organized by the Ministry of Education in Singapore. It takes place annually, serving as the final-year assessment for Singaporean primary school students as they conclude their primary education. Students are assigned to corresponding secondary school courses based on their PSLE scores, with the total score ranging from 4 to 32.

Exam Subjects

The PSLE exam includes English, Mother Tongue (Chinese, Malay, Tamil based on ethnicity), Mathematics, and Science. Students learning an advanced Mother Tongue language are also required to take an additional advanced Mother Tongue exam.

Foundation-level subjects are designed to support students with lower learning needs, as regular-level subjects may be less suitable for them. Students choosing foundation-level subjects receive additional assistance to help them build a foundation for more confident entry into secondary school.

Grading Rules

The overall score considers AL (Achievement Level) grades in English, Mathematics, Science, and Mother Tongue. The highest total score is AL 1 x 4 subjects = 4 points, and the lowest total score is AL 8 x 4 subjects = 32 points.

• 90 and above - AL 1
• 85-89 - AL 2
• 80-84 - AL 3
• 75-79 - AL 4
• 65-74 - AL 5
• 45-64 - AL 6
• 20-44 - AL 7
• Below 20 - AL 8

Streaming System

Based on the Primary 6 examination results, students are allocated to different secondary schools. The top-performing students enter the “Express” track, bypassing the need for the Singapore O-Level exams.

Secondary schools offer five courses: Express, Normal (Academic), Normal (Technical and Vocational Education), IP (Integrated Programme) Direct Admission, and Chinese Special Programme.

• Students in the IP Direct Admission enter top schools without needing the Singapore O-Level exams.
• Express and Normal (Academic) students can take the Singapore O-Level exams in the fourth year of secondary school, with results determining entry into junior colleges, centralised institutes, or polytechnics.
• Normal (Technical) and Vocational Education students take the Singapore O-Level exams in the fifth year of secondary school.