Briefing on PSLE for Parents12 March 2021

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• Overview of PSLE

• Understanding the PSLE Score

• How S1 Posting Works

• Courses in Secondary Schools

• Indicative AL COP Ranges

• Choosing a Suitable Secondary School

• SBB Eligibility Criteria

• Direct School Admission (DSA-Sec)

• Home-School Partnership

OUTLINE OF SHARING

Please do not do any recording. The presentation slides will be made available on the school website.

OVERVIEW OF PSLE

OVERVIEW OF PSLE

• PSLE is a placement exam that assesses students’ suitability for

secondary education

• Places students in a course that suits their learning pace, ability and

inclination

• Courses in secondary schools

- Express stream

- Normal (Academic) stream

- Normal (Technical) stream

• Students who do not perform well at PSLE and is not eligible for

posting to a secondary school may repeat in the school or apply to

Northlight School or Assumption Pathway School .

UNDERSTANDING THE

PSLE SCORE

ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS FOR STANDARD SUBJECTS

From 2021 onwards, the PSLE T-scorewill be replaced by wider scoring bands.

Each subject will be scored using 8 bandsknown as Achievement Levels (AL), withAL1 being the best score and AL8 beingthe lowest score.

The ALs reflect the student’s level ofachievement for the subject and itmeasures individual performance and nothis performance relative to his peers.

The student’s total PSLE score will be thesum of the four subject scores, rangingfrom 4(best) to 32.

ALRAW MARK

RANGE

1 ≥ 90

2 85 – 89

3 80 – 84

4 75 – 79

5 65 – 74

6 45 – 64

7 20 – 44

8 < 20

Foundation Level

AL Reflected on

Result Slip

Foundation Raw

Mark Range

A 75 – 100

B 30 – 74

C < 30

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Each foundation subject will be scored using 3

bands known as Achievement Levels (AL).

ACHIEVEMENT LEVELS FOR FOUNDATION SUBJECTS

For the purpose of S1 posting, Foundation level AL A toAL C will be mapped to AL 6 to AL 8 of Standard levelsubjects respectively, to derive a student’s overallPSLE Score.

This mapping is based on the learning and assessmentload of the subjects, and informs students of theirreadiness to access the curriculum at the secondarylevel.

Foundation Level

AL Reflected on

Result Slip

Foundation Raw

Mark Range

Equivalent

Standard

Subject AL

Standard Raw

Mark Range

A 75 – 100 6 45-64

B 30 – 74 7 20-44

C < 30 8 <20

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MAPPING OF FOUNDATION AL TO STANDARD AL

A student’s PSLE Score is the sum of the four ALscores across his/her Standard and Foundationsubjects.

ENGLISH

FOUNDATION MOTHER

TONGUE

MATHEMATICS

FOUNDATION SCIENCE

AL3

ALB

AL5

ALB

PSLE SCORE: 22

9

THE PSLE SCORE

AL7

AL7

Students will continue to be assigned to Express,Normal(Academic) and Normal(Technical) course basedon the overall PSLE score.

Students taking Foundation subjects are eligible for theExpress Course, as long as they meet the courseplacement criteria.

ENGLISH

FOUNDATION

MOTHER TONGUE

MATHEMATICS

FOUNDATION

SCIENCE

AL3

ALB

AL5

ALB

PSLE SCORE: 22

PLACEMENT

OUTCOMEPSLE SCORE

EXPRESS 4 – 20

EXPRESS /

N(A) option21 – 22

N(A) 23 – 24

N(A) / N(T)

option25

N(T)

26 – 30, with AL7 or

better in both EL and

MA 10

HOW S1 POSTING WORKS

PROGRESSION PATHS FOR PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS

Express

Normal (Academic)

Normal (Technical)Normal (Academic)

Normal (Technical)

PSLE

P6Standard

PSLE

P6Foundation

PSLE

P6Different Subj Combinations

HOW S1 POSTING WORKS

CHOICE ORDER OF SCHOOLS MATTERS

Students will be posted to a secondary school based on

academic merit i.e. overall PSLE score.

If two or more students with the same PSLE Score vie for

the last remaining place in a school, tie-breakers will be

used in the following order:

1. CITIZENSHIP

2. CHOICE ORDER OF SCHOOLS (NEW for 2021 PSLE

cohort onwards)

3. COMPUTERISED BALLOTING

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20 20

4 students - Jane, Bryan, Mary and John, are vying for the last places in School A and School B.

Students with

better scores

will be posted

first

Jane will be posted first

as she has a better

PSLE score, and will be

posted to School A.

As Jane has taken that last place in School A, Bryan, Mary and

John, having the same PSLE score, will vie for the last available

place in School B.

Tie-breaker 1:

Citizenship

Bryan and Mary are Singapore Citizens and

will have a priority to enter School B.

John will be tie-

broken out as he is a

Permanent

Resident.

With no places in

School B, John will

be considered for

School D.

Tie-breaker 2:

Choice order of

schools

As Bryan ranked

School B higher than

Mary in his choice

order of secondary

schools, he will be

posted to School B.

Since the last

place of School B

is taken by Bryan,

Mary will be

considered for School C.

Tie-breaker 3:

Computerised

balloting

Jane

Singapore

Citizen

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Bryan

Singapore

Citizen

Mary

Singapore

Citizen

John

Singapore PREXAMPLE:

School A

Students will be ranked taking into account their performance in HCL.

This posting advantage applies before the tie-breakers for S1 posting.

This posting advantage only applies to posting to SAP secondary schools

HCL POSTING ADVANTAGE FOR ENTRY TO SAP SCHOOLS

8 DISTINCTION

8 MERIT

8 PASS

8 NO HCL

9 DISTINCTION

7 NO HCL1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

15

PSLE

Score

7

8D

8M

8P

8

9D

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• The Sec 1 Option Exercise is conducted immediately

after release of PSLE results in late Nov*

• The Sec 1 Option Exercise is an online exercise

• Pupils to indicate 6 choices

• In event of the need to appeal for a transfer

- do so at the secondary school that your child is

posted to

SEC 1 POSTING PROCESS

* Note: Please do not leave the country until after 2nd week of T4 school holidays

COURSES IN SECONDARY

SCHOOLS

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Express • 4-year course

• GCE ‘O’ level

• May opt for Higher Mother

Tongue

COURSES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

For students who do not meet the above criteria, secondary schools

will continue to have the flexibility to offer HMTL to students, if they

are assessed to have high ability and interest in MTL and are able to

take HMTL without affecting their performance in other subjects.

ELIGIBLITY CRITERIA FOR SECONDARY SCHOOL HMTL

(i) PSLE Score of 8 or better

OR

(ii) PSLE Score of 9 to 14 inclusive; and attain

AL1 / AL2 in MTL or

Distinction / Merit in HMTL

The eligibility criteria for taking HMTL is intended to

ensure that students can cope with the higher academic load

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ELIGIBILITY FOR HMTL IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

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Normal

Academic

N(A)

• Sit for the GCE ‘N’ level exam at the end

of the 4th year

• Proceed to GCE ‘O’ level at 5th year

OR

• Polytechnic Foundation Programme

(PFP): a 1-year diploma-specific

foundation programme conducted by

polytechnic before progressing to Year 1

poly diploma

• Direct Entry Scheme to Poly Prog (DPP)

: a through-train pathway to polytechnic

via 2-year Higher Nitec at ITE

COURSES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

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• 4 year course

• Geared towards technical-vocational

education at ITE

Normal

Technical

N(T)

COURSES IN SECONDARY SCHOOLS

INDICATIVE ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL (AL) CUT-OFF POINT

(COP) RANGES FOR DIFFERENT SCHOOL TYPES

To further familiarise the first batch of students and parents with the new PSLE 2021 scoring system, MOE has provided information on indicative AL COP ranges for different school types in 2020, generated based on data from the 2019 S1 Posting Exercise.

Similar to the previous T-score system, the AL COP for a school may vary from year to year, depending on students’ PSLE results and their school choices for that year’s S1 Posting Exercise.

Information on individual secondary schools’ indicative AL COPs will be released in first half of 2021. These AL COPs will be derived from the PSLE Scores and choice patterns of the 2020 S1 Posting Exercise.

INDICATIVE ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL (AL) CUT-OFF POINT (COP) RANGES FOR

DIFFERENT SCHOOL TYPES

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Government &

Government-aided Schools

These schools are the mainstay of

our education system, and offer

high-quality education at

standardised fees. These schools

offer a range of electives, applied

subjects and student development

programmes.

Course Indicative AL

COP range for

2019 PSLE

Express

(Integrated

Programme (IP))

7 – 9

Express (O-

level)

8 – 22

N(A) 22 – 25

N(T) 26 – 30

INDICATIVE ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL (AL) CUT-OFF POINT (COP) RANGES FOR

DIFFERENT SCHOOL TYPES

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Autonomous Schools

These schools are Government or

Government-aided schools that

provide a wider range of

programmes that seek to enhance

students’ learning experiences and

develop their talents.

Course Indicative AL

COP range for

2019 PSLE

Express (IP) 7 – 9

Express (O-

level)

8 – 16

N(A) 22 – 25

N(T) 26 – 29

INDICATIVE ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL (AL) CUT-OFF POINT (COP) RANGES FOR

DIFFERENT SCHOOL TYPES

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Independent schools

These schools have the autonomy

to develop their curriculum and

programmes to cater to their

students’ diverse learning needs.

Course Indicative AL

COP range for

2019 PSLE

Express (IP) 6 – 8

Express (O-

level)

8 – 10

INDICATIVE ACHIEVEMENT LEVEL (AL) CUT-OFF POINT (COP) RANGES FOR

DIFFERENT SCHOOL TYPES

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CHOOSING A SUITABLE

SECONDARY SCHOOL

• Ability/Aptitude

- The school’s previous year’s indicative AL COP

- Academic performance of your child

- Disposition of your child

• Interests / Talents

- Programmes and schemes offered by the school

• Distance and Accessibility from home

CONSIDERATIONS FOR CHOOSING

SECONDARY SCHOOLS

Discuss with your child

RESOURCES• MOE SchoolFinder tool - More information on secondary

schools can be found here, on school websites and in the

Sec 1 information booklet given to students in Primary 6.

•Open Houses - Secondary schools also hold open houses

where you and your child can learn more about the school’s

programmes, and speak with teachers and students.

• Indicative cut-off points ranges for different school

types

• The indicative AL COPs ranges for school types can be

used as reference point.

• MOE will be providing indicative AL COPs for

secondary schools in 1H/2021, based on the data from

2020 S1 posting exercise.

• The actual cut-off points may differ, depending on how

students exercise their choices that year.

MOE SchoolFinder

Tool

SUBJECT-BASED BANDING (SECONDARY)

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

• Since 2018, MOE has introduced Subject-Based Banding (SBB) in all secondary schools with N(A) and N(T) courses.

• SBB (Sec) provides students with greater flexibility to take various subjects at a more demanding level based on their subject-specific strengths and aptitudes.

• Under the new PSLE scoring system, students from the Normal course will continue to be eligible to take subjects at a more demanding level at Secondary 1 based on their AL scores for individual subjects, to recognise and develop students’ subject-specific strengths.

SUBJECT-BASED BANDING (SECONDARY)

[SBB (SEC)] ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

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• Under the new AL scoring system, the SBB (Sec) eligibility criteria is as follows:

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PSLE Standard / Foundation Subject

Grade

Option to take

subject at

AL 5 or better in a Standard level subject Express level

AL 6 or better in a Standard level subject

OR

AL A in a Foundation level subject

N(A) level

SBB (SEC) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA UNDER

THE AL SCORING SYSTEM

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SBB (SEC) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA UNDER

THE AL SCORING SYSTEM• A student scores an overall Score of 23 and

AL 5 for Science will placed in the N(A) course. He will be eligible to take Science at a more demanding level (i.e. Express level) at Secondary 1.

• Taking up Science at a more demanding level would allow him to learn at a level more suited to his pace of learning, aptitudes and passions. It could also motivate him to be more meaningfully engaged.

• Eligible students can discuss with their parents and teachers to decide whether to accept the offer.

• As students grow and develop in secondary school, they will continue to have more opportunities to take subjects at more demanding levels based on their in-school performance, to further pursue their interests and develop to their fullest potential.

DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION (DSA-SEC)

Entering a Secondary School

PSLE/S1 Posting Process DSA-Sec

• Based on a student’s PSLE score• Most students enter secondary

schools this way

• Based on a diverse range of talents and achievements in specific academicsubjects or non-academic areas, beyond what the PSLE recognises

• Allows students to access school programmes to develop their talents

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Who should participate in DSA-Sec ?

If your child has specific talents which

a school offers the DSA-Sec in,

and is passionate about and

committed to developing

his/her strengths and interests,

Talent

PassionCommitment

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DSA-Sec can support

his/her development in that talent area.

Which school should my child apply to? • Look for a school with programmes that match your child’s strengths

and interests• Schools are looking out for students whose interests and talents

they can develop further. • Learn more about the secondary school’s pace of learning and

overall range of programmes

• Get the latest information about what each school offers by:• Visiting schools’ websites• Attending schools’ Open Houses to also experience their

environments and cultures• Visiting the MOE’s DSA-Sec website

https://www.moe.gov.sg/secondary/dsa

• Students will apply for DSA through a centralised DSA-Sec Application Portal, using a common application form.

DSA-SEC APPLICATION

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ESTIMATED TIMELINE FOR DSA-SEC

May - June(4 weeks)

Apply for DSA-Sec through DSA-Sec Application Portal.

Aug/Sep

Shortlisting and selection by secondary schools. Each secondary school has different selection criteria for its categories and programmes. Schools will inform you of the selection outcome by Aug/Sep.

Rank your offers, if you receive offers from multiple schools

Late-October

You will know whether you have been allocated to a school through the DSA-Sec, at the same time you receive your PSLE results.

Late-November

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DSA-Sec Application Portal• Students will be able to apply for DSA through a centralised DSA-Sec

Application Portal, using a common application form.

• The portal simplifies and streamlines the DSA application process, making it convenient for all students.

• No fees charged for DSA-Sec application and selection.

• You can indicate up to three choices. For each choice, you will need to choose a secondary school and a talent area from that school.

• You do not need to submit testimonials or hardcopy documents to the secondary school during application.

• Of the three choices, up to two choices may be used to apply to the same school, for two different talent areas of that school. This is to cater to your child’s multiple interests, and allow your child to choose different schools which can develop his/her strengths and interests.

• You and your child are encouraged to consider your choices carefully, and manage the time and effort participating in multiple trials and interviews.

Examples of Possible Choice Combinations

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Your child can apply to up to three different schools, with no restrictions on the talent areas.

If your child chooses two areas in one school, he/she can apply to two different schools only,

Your child cannot use all three choices on one school. He/she can leave the third choice blank or choose another school.

EXAMPLE 1

Talent(s) School(s)

Choir School A

Choir School B

Choir School C

EXAMPLE 2

Talent(s) School(s)

Choir School A

String Orchestra School A

Choir School B

EXAMPLE 3(Not allowed)

Talent(s) School(s)

Choir School A

String Orchestra School A

Mathematics School A

What are schools looking for?

Talent, passion, commitment

• Schools may look at achievements and participation (e.g. in Junior Sports Academy).

• Schools may also conduct tests, trials or selection camps to identify students with strengths, or sound fundamentals and potential, in particular areas.

Strong personal qualities

• Schools may look at CCA records and VIA participation.

• Schools may also conduct interviews.

Good academic fit

• Schools may look at primary school results to ensure students can benefit from the school’s pace of learning.

Advise your child to be sincere, genuine, and be himself/herself –if he/she is a good fit for the school, it will show.

• The selection process differs across schools, and across different DSA-Seccategories.

• Generally, schools are looking for candidates with:

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What are the possible DSA-Sec outcomes?

• Confirmed Offer (CO) Your child has a place reserved in the school, as long as his/her PSLE results qualify him/her for a course the school offers (i.e. Express, Normal (Academic) or Normal (Technical)).

• Wait List (WL) Your child will be given a place in the school if other students with Confirmed Offers do not take up those offers, and if his/her PSLE results qualify him/her for a course the school offers. Allocation will be based on students’ rank on the school’s Wait List.

• Unsuccessful Your child has not been given a place in the school. If your child still wishes to enter the schools he/she applied for, he/she can apply through the S1 Posting process using his/her PSLE results.

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If my child has a DSA-Sec Confirmed Offer, does it mean that his/her PSLE results will not matter?

• Your child’s PSLE results will still be used to determine the secondary school course he/she is eligible for (i.e. Express, Normal (Academic), Normal (Technical))

• Even if he/she has a Confirmed Offer, he/she must qualify for a course offered by the school to be admitted to the DSA-Sec school.

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Example: Leo has a Confirmed Offer from Courage Secondary, which offers the Express Course only. However, Leo’s PSLE results qualify him for the Normal (Academic) course. Hence, Leo will not be able to go to Courage Secondary through DSA-Sec. If he is not allocated a place in another DSA-Sec school whose CO/WL offer he had accepted at the School Preference stage, he will participate in the S1 Posting.

HOME-SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP - STRATEGIES TO

SUPPORT YOUR CHILD

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• Know and value your child

• Set high expectations but encourage small progress and

affirm good effort

• Help your child set routines and adopt good habits

- set aside time for revision each day

- conducive environment (eg. proper table and chair, good

lighting, no distractions) for doing homework and revision

- guide and monitor your child to use his/her time in a holistic and

balanced manner, eg. homework completion, rest, exercise,

hobbies, reading, screen time, etc.

- imbue in your child a GROWTH Mindset

- help your child plan his holidays (note - extra classes in last

week of June, 1st 2 days of Sept break)

STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD

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• Adopt a whole family approach and make your child

feel that he/she is not alone

• Assure your child that your love is unconditional

• Talk to your child about his school of choice – visit

school websites or attend open houses

• Work closely with your child’s teachers

STRATEGIES TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD

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Thank You

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Independent

Schools

Special

Assistance

Programme

Schools

(SAP)

Autonomous

Schools

Schools with

Niche

Programmes

S’pore

Sports

School

NUS High

School of

Math &

Science

School of

the Arts

(SOTA)

NLS

APS

Specialised Secondary Schools

Integrated

Programme

Schools

School of

Science &

Technology

(SST)

Types of Secondary Schools

Spectra

Crest