New PSLE AL Scoring System 2021: What You and Your Child Should Know

Hello everyone! It has been a while since I last posted on the LBM blog. For today, I will be focusing on what must be on many parents’ and students’ minds – the new PSLE AL score that will take effect in 2021. Hopefully, I will be able to address some of those concerns in my post today. Let’s get started!

1. Key Differences Between the Old and New PSLE Scoring System

Let’s take a look at the comparison table below:

2. How is a student’s results calculated in the new PSLE AL score?

In the new scoring system, each subject is scored using 8 Achievement Level (AL) bands as illustrated below:

For example, if a student scores a raw mark of 73 for a subject, he/she will be placed in AL 5.

The student’s PSLE score is the sum of the four subject scores. Below shows an example of a student’s score for PSLE:

The PSLE AL Score ranges from 4 (best) to 32.

For more information about how the scoring system works, watch the following video: https://youtu.be/vr-9ctEWnaA.

3. How will my child’s score be affected if he/she does Foundation subjects?

Foundation subjects will be graded using 3 scoring bands in the new PSLE AL scoring system. In order to get the student’s PSLE AL score, the Foundation Level AL will then be mapped to AL 6 to AL 8 of Standard subjects, as illustrated in the table below:

For example, if a student scores 70 for Foundation Mathematics, he/she will be placed in Foundation Level AL B. This will then be mapped to AL 7. This is shown below:

4. What is the PSLE AL score needed to qualify for each stream in secondary school?

The existing streams for secondary school will remain the same. Below is the score required to qualify for each stream:

5. Are there any changes to the secondary one posting?

Similar to the current system, places in secondary school will be allocated based on PSLE AL scores first. This means that the student will be posted to the school of his/her first choice as long as he/she meets the required score.

However, for pupils with the same PSLE AL scores vying for the same spot, the following three tiebreakers will be considered in this order:

1. Citizenship

2. Choice order of schools*

3. Computerised balloting

*Choice order of schools is a new tiebreaker that will be introduced from 2021.

With the introduction of this new tiebreaker, choice order of schools will now matter more, so parents and students should consider very carefully the order in which they place the six schools on their list.

To explain how this new tiebreaker works, take a look at the example scenario below:

6. Does the new system affect the way English is taught at Lil’ but Mighty?

The new PSLE AL scoring system allows a student to be graded based on his/her individual performance for each subject, regardless of how his/her peers have performed. In this way, it allows the student to focus on his/her learning, rather than trying to match up to or outdo others.

Likewise, at LBM, we believe in celebrating personal growth and individual achievement. Our teachers work hand in hand with parents to help each child develop his/her potential.

As such, we will continue to focus on imparting to the children useful techniques and strategies – whether it is for writing, oral or Paper 2 components – to help them achieve their personal best in the subject.