New PSLE scoring system to be based on pupils' raw scores

Singapore

A NEW way of presenting pupils' scores in the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) was unveiled on Wednesday - one that will be based on the pupils' raw scores in each of the four examinable subjects, instead of the present system of T-scores, which grades pupils relative to how their peers performed.

Under the new scoring system, a pupil's raw score in each PSLE subject - English, mathematics, science and mother tongue - will land him or her in one of eight Achievement Levels (ALs), with AL1 being the top-mark band. Each pupil's PSLE score will be the sum of his or her ALs in the four subjects, ranging from the best score of four, going up to 32. There will thus be 29 possible PSLE scores.