Learn the rope to get the score. Knowing the exam format is key to standing out from the rest in an exam. As parents and educators, we want to ensure your child is fully ready and confident for the PSLE Mathematics exam. In this article, our Spark Math teachers break down the PSLE Math Paper, the scoring requirements, and exam tips to help your child effectively prepare for the 2024 PSLE Math Exam!
Related topics: PSEL 2024 Math Paper 2 Calculators, PSLE 2024 Exam Dates, Timetable, and Results Release, The New MOE Math Syllabus (Primary 4-6) and More, The New MOE Math Syllabus (Primary 1-3) Myths Debunked
2024 PSLE Math
Exam Dates
The Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) 2024 Mathematics Paper 1 and Paper 2 are scheduled for 27 September 2024 (Friday).
Purpose of the PSLE Math Exam
The 2024 PSLE Math exam, for both the Standard and Foundation levels, aims to evaluate students’ math attainment at the end of primary education based on the learning objectives outlined in the Primary Mathematics syllabus.
It’s important to note that despite updates to the MOE Primary Math Syllabus in 2021, the current cohort of PSLE candidates will be assessed based on the syllabus published in 2013.
Assessment Objectives
Students should be able to:
- Recall mathematical facts, concepts, rules, and formulas; perform straightforward computations and algebraic procedures
- Interpret information; understand and apply mathematical concepts and skills in a variety of contexts
- Reason mathematically; analyze information and make inferences; select appropriate strategies to solve problems
Scoring System
Under the new PSLE Scoring system, students’ performance in the 2024 PSLE Math Exam will be measured against curriculum objectives using scoring bands. This scoring system focuses on your child’s level of achievement, rather than how they have performed relative to their peers.
For Standard Mathematics, there are 8 Achievement Levels (ALs). Students with similar performance will be grouped into the same AL, ranging from AL1 (highest) to AL8 (lowest).
As for Foundation Mathematics, grading is from AL A to AL C. These grades will be mapped to AL 6 to AL 8 of Standard Mathematics for Secondary 1 placement.
Read on for the scoring bands distribution for AL grades in PSLE Standard and Foundation Mathematics, respectively.
2024 PSLE Mathematics (Standard)
Exam Format & Mark Distribution
The exam consists of two written papers, totaling three booklets.
- Both papers will be held on the same day with a break in between.
- Paper 1 has two booklets and doesn’t allow calculators.
- Paper 2 has one booklet and permits calculator use.
Stay tuned for our next article on PSLE-approved calculators.
Question Types
1. Multiple-choice Question
All questions in the PSLE Math (Standard) Exam Paper 1 (Booklet A) are multiple-choice. It includes ten 1-mark questions and five 2-mark questions, totaling 20 marks.
Each question provides four options, with only one correct answer.
The 1-mark multiple-choice questions are straightforward questions designed to test basic concepts and skills, while the 2-mark multiple-choice questions require a deeper level of thinking and may involve multiple steps to arrive at the correct answer.
Exam tip: Manage your time wisely by allocating no more than 1.5 minutes per mark.
2. 1-mark Short-answer Question
In PSLE Math (Standard) Exam Paper 1 (Booklet B), there will be five 1-mark short-answer questions.
For each question, you must write your answer in the given space. Marks are awarded for correct answers. Any unit required in an answer is provided, and you must give your answer in that unit.
These 1-mark questions will be straightforward and test only the basic concepts and skills.
Exam tip: Pay close attention to the units to avoid careless mistakes; always check the given units before solving a question.
2-mark Short-answer Question
In PSLE Math (Standard) Exam Paper 1 (Booklet B), there will be ten 2-mark short-answer questions; and in Paper 2, there will be five such questions.
Each question may have one or two parts. For each question, you must write your answers in the spaces provided. Marks are awarded as follows:
• For questions with two parts, 2 marks are given for the correct answers, one mark for each part.
• For questions with one part only, 2 marks are awarded for the correct answer. If the answer is incorrect, 1 mark is awarded for the correct method or working steps shown.
Any unit required in an answer is provided, and you must give your answer in that unit.
Structured / Long-answer Question
In PSLE Math (Standard) Exam Paper 2, there will be 12 structured or long-answer questions, each worth 3, 4, or 5 marks. The total mark for this section is 45 marks.
Exam tip: For each question, you must clearly show your method of solution (working steps) and write your answers in the spaces provided.
There are also multiple-part questions in this section.
Scoring Bands and Achievement Levels
The 2024 PSLE Math Exam (Standard) will be scored using 8 Achievement Levels (ALs). Students who performed similarly will be placed in the same AL, ranging from AL1 (highest) to AL8 (lowest).
| Achievement Level (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 |
2024 PSLE Mathematics (Foundation)
Exam Format
The exam consists of two written papers, totaling three booklets.
- Both papers will be held on the same day with a break in between.
- Paper 1 has two booklets and doesn’t allow calculators.
- Paper 2 has one booklet and permits calculator use.
Check out whether your child’s calculator is SEAB-approved for PSLE 2024 Math Paper 2.
Question Types
Multiple-choice Question
All questions in PSLE Math (Foundation) Exam Paper 1 (Booklet A) are multiple-choice. It consists of ten 1-mark questions and ten 2-mark questions, making a total of 20 marks.
Each question provides four options, with only one correct answer.
The 1-mark multiple-choice questions are generally short, simple, and straightforward. They test the basic concepts and skills of the Primary Foundation Mathematics syllabus.
2-mark Short-answer Question
All questions in PSLE Math (Foundation) Exam Paper 1 (Booklet B) are 2-mark short-answer questions, totaling 20 marks.
Each question may have one or two parts. For each question, you must write your answers in the spaces provided. Marks are awarded as follows:
• For questions with two parts, 2 marks are given for the correct answers, one mark for each part.
• For questions with one part only, 2 marks are awarded for the correct answer. If the answer is incorrect, 1 mark is awarded for the correct method or working steps shown.
Any unit required in an answer is provided, and you must give your answer in that unit.
Structured question
In PSLE Math (Foundation) Exam Paper 2, there will be ten structured or long-answer questions, each worth 3 or 4 marks. The total mark for this section is 20 marks. For each question, you must clearly show your method of solution (working steps) and write your answers in the spaces provided.
Scoring Bands and Achievement Levels
Under the new Achievement Levels (ALs) system, the 2024 PSLE Math Exam (Foundation) is graded AL A to AL C. Similar to ALs for the Standard level, these grades reflect a student’s achievement level rather than their performance relative to peers.
For Secondary 1 placement, Foundation level AL A to AL C are mapped to AL 6 to AL 8 of Standard level subjects to determine a student’s overall PSLE Score.
| Grades for Foundation | Foundation Raw Mark Range | Equivalent Standard Level AL |
|---|---|---|
| AL A | 75 – 100 | AL 6 |
| AL B | 30 -74 | AL 7 |
| AL C | < 30 | AL 8 |
2024 PSLE Math Preparation with Spark Math
Improve your child’s Math learning outcomes the smart way. Spark Math enhances learner-centric pedagogy with innovative technology to make math learning more effective and personalized.
Free PSLE Math Exam Boosters
For our Spark Math P6 students, we provide extra support to enhance PSLE Math preparation:
- Academic Enhancement Performance (AEP) Program: Tailored learning plans, goal-setting, regular reviews, and adjustments guided by experienced teachers and curriculum experts.
- Monthly live webinars: In-depth explanations of assessment questions to clarify any misunderstandings.
- Intensive PSLE revision materials: Access to digital tools, including a smart pen, for a pen-and-paper exam experience with digital recording of all learning activities.
- PSLE Mock exam: Practice under exam conditions to prepare for preliminaries and PSLE, followed by a review session.
Experienced teachers and practical exam tips
Our curriculum designers, comprised of former MOE teachers and child psychologists, update our curriculum yearly to align with the latest MOE syllabus and integrate proven teaching methods. Our teachers also teach students effective answering techniques, identify exam patterns, and master key math concepts, thereby improving their problem-solving and critical thinking abilities.
Give your child a head start in PSLE Preparation today!
Sign up for a FREE trial class now and experience the Spark Math difference. Your child can expect professional teaching, animated explanations, and additional resources to boost their PSLE readiness.
Get ready to ace the PSLE Math exam with confidence! Sign up for a FREE trial class now and embark on this journey to success together. Your child can expect professional teaching, animated explanations, and additional resources to boost their PSLE readiness.
