The New PSLE Scoring System and its changes with effect from 2021
Changes for new PSLE scoring system
What changed for the new PSLE scoring system? According to MOE, when there are fewer possible PSLE Scores, schools are less differentiated by COPs, and students and their parents will have a wider range of schools to choose from at every PSLE Score. Learn about the shift away from T-scores towards AL scores (Achievement Levels) in this article.
6 Changes to the PSLE Scoring System
- The PSLE T-score has been 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.
- The ALs are not evenly distributed, with narrower ranges for the upper ALs and wider ranges for the lower ALs.
- The 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.
- The new PSLE scoring system will reduce fine differentiation between students’ examination results. It will also recognise students’ strengths and weaknesses in different subjects.
- Foundation level subjects will be graded AL A to AL C.
The old PSLE grading system
Under the old T-score grading system, subject T-scores showed how well the student performed relative to their peers in a particular subject. Thereafter, the 4 subject T-scores are added to form the T-score Aggregate. This aggregate shows how well the student did compared to everyone else who sat for the PSLE in the same year.
https://www.moe.gov.sg/microsites/psle-fsbb/assets/images/new%20psle%20scoring%20system/toggles/how-is-the-psle-scored.jpg
Use of ALs in PSLE (Achievement Levels)
Under the new PSLE scoring system, the use of ALs (Achievement Levels) for PSLE scores reflects how well students have done relative to learning objectives of the curriculum as opposed to the past, where students were measured based on how well they had done vis-a-vis their peers of the same PSLE batch.
Difference between using Achievement Levels and T-scores
Under the old PSLE scoring system, there were more than 200 possible T-scores. However under the new PSLE scoring system, there are only 29 possible PSLE Scores. Each PSLE subject will be scored using 8 ALs. Students who perform similarly will be placed in the same AL for each subject. The shift away from peer-based ranking means PSLE scoring after 2021 is now less like a fine-toothed comb and more like a broad-based brush.
Enhancing Fairness and Encouraging Holistic Development at the PSLE Level
The Ministry of Education (MOE) has implemented a significant change in the assessment framework for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). The shift from cut-off points to T-scores aims to foster holistic development of each student.
The main goals of the new PSLE scoring system are to:
- Reduce the emphasis on academic results at a young age.
- Help students discover and develop their strengths and interests.
- Ensure that students are placed in secondary schools that best suit their educational needs.
For more information on the new PSLE scoring system, refer to MOE’s website: https://www.moe.gov.sg/microsites/psle-fsbb/psle/main.html
