How the PSLE Score is calculated
The PSLE T-Score will be replaced with wider scoring bands, known as Achievement Levels (ALs).
Each PSLE subject will be scored using 8 ALs. Students who perform similarly will be placed in the same AL for each subject.
| AL | Raw Mark Range |
|---|---|
| 1 | ≥ 90 |
| 2 | 85 - 89 |
| 3 | 80 - 84 |
| 4 | 75 - 79 |
| 5 | 65 - 74 |
| 6 | 45 - 64 |
| 7 | 20 - 44 |
| 8 | < 20 |
To understand why the scoring bands are uneven, click here.
Why are the scoring bands not evenly distributed?
THEY PROVIDE MEANINGFUL DIFFERENTIATION
- The PSLE is designed such that students are able to show what they can do. As we expect slightly less than half of the PSLE cohort to score AL 1-4 for Standard subjects, the upper AL bands have comparatively narrower ranges. At the middle to lower ALs, students' scores are more widely distributed, hence finer distribution in raw mark ranges are less meaningful and would go against our goal to reduce fine differentiation between students' examination results. The approach taken strikes a careful balance between reducing undue differentiation between students and ensuring meaningful secondary school posting outcomes.
Your child's PSLE Score will be the sum of the four subject scores. It ranges from 4 to 32, with 4 being the best possible total score.
Example of how a student's PSLE Score is calculated
| English Language | AL3 |
| Mother Tongue Language | AL2 |
| Mathematics | AL1 |
| Science | AL2 |
| PSLE Score: 8 | |
|---|---|
Under the new AL system, if your child is taking foundation subjects, your child will be graded AL A to AL C.
Like standard subject ALs, the Foundation subject ALs will reflect a student's level of achievement, rather than how they have performed relative to their peers.
For the purpose of S1 posting, Foundation Level AL A to AL C will be mapped to a Standard Level subject equivalent of AL 6 to AL 8 respectively, to derive a student's overall PSLE Score.
| Grades for Foundation | Foundation Raw Mark Range | Equivalent Standard Level AL |
|---|---|---|
| A | 75 - 100 | 6 |
| B | 30 -74 | 7 |
| C | < 30 | 8 |
The grading and corresponding mark ranges for Higher Mother Tongue Languages (HMTL) (i.e. Higher Chinese Language (HCL), Higher Malay Language (HML) and Higher Tamil Language (HTL)) remain unchanged under the AL scoring system.
| Grade | Mark Range |
|---|---|
| DI (Distinction) | 80 - 100 |
| ME (Merit) | 65 – 79 |
| PA (Pass) | 50 – 64 |
| UG (Ungraded) | 0 – 49 |
Under the new scoring system, students exempted from MTL, due to extenuating circumstances, will be assigned an MTL score so they have a PSLE Score comprising four subjects, for the purposes of S1 Posting. The same approach is taken in today's T-score system. Their assigned MTL score will:
- Take reference from peers with similar scores for English, Mathematics, and Science.
- Maintain parity of treatment with students who take Foundation MTL (who will score between AL 6 to 8)
Hence, students will receive an assigned MTL score between AL 6 to 8 in PSLE.
Click here to find out how a student's MTL score is assigned.
To determine the assigned MTL score, reference is made to MTL scores of other students who have achieved similar scores in English, Mathematics and Science. The same approach is taken in today's T-Score system.
This acknowledges that this group of students has valid reasons for seeking MTL-exemption or taking an AsL/FL, while recognising that the majority of students do take an official MTL at the Standard or Foundation level and therefore bear a heavier learning and assessment load.
Your child will be posted to secondary school through three Posting Groups - Posting Groups 1, 2, and 3 - based on their PSLE score. Posting Groups will only be used for the purposes of admitting students into secondary school and to guide the initial subject levels students can offer at the start of Secondary One.
Throughout their secondary school education, students can take subjects at three subject levels, known as G1, G2, G3 (G stands for General), mapped from the previous N(T), N(A) and Express standards respectively. Students will have the flexibility to adjust their subject levels at appropriate junctures, based on their strengths, interests and learning needs. Students will subsequently access programmes and post-secondary pathways based on their various subjects and subject level combinations.
| PSLE Score | Posting Group(s) | Indicative level for most subjects at start of Secondary 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 - 20 | 3 | G3 |
| 21 - 22 | 2 or 3 | G2 or G3 |
| 23 - 24 | 2 | G2 |
| 25 | 1 or 2 | G1 or G2 |
| 26 - 30 (with AL7 or better in EL and MA) | 1 | G1 |
