To derive a PSLE score, the A to C bands for these subjects will be pegged to the corresponding Achievement Level grades of 6 to 8 for Standard level subjects.
This new system will replace the current aggregate T-score system, in which students are graded relative to their peers. With only 29 possible PSLE scores under it, compared with more than 200 possible T-score aggregates under the current system, this would mean that students will not be as finely differentiated, said the MOE.
Primary schools to present exams in AL grade bands from 2020In a bid to familiarise students and parents with the new PSLE grading system, primary schools will be presenting their school-based exam results in AL grade bands fo those students in Primary 5 and 6. This will start from next year’s cohort of Primary 5 pupils.
Students who score between 4 to 20 will be eligible for the Express stream. Those with higher scores may be placed in two other streams: Normal and Normal . This criteria takes reference from existing eligibility, and is intended to ensure that students can cope with the higher load, said the MOE. “Hopefully, the parents... will use this understanding to make solid educational choices for their progress into the next stage of educational journey with our schools,” said Wong.
It will ensure that graduates from Singapore’s education system are equipped with a repertoire of “real skills”, such as critical thinking, creativity, innovativeness and digital knowledge, he added. “For one, there is a certain group of parents out there with very high educational aspirations for their children. They only want the most prestigious secondary schools – for their own reasons,” added Prof Tan.