PSLE Scoring System Explained: AL Grades and How They Work

The Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is an important milestone for students in Singapore, determining their placement in secondary schools. Understanding the Achievement Level (AL) grading system helps parents and students set realistic goals and plan their studies effectively. Whether preparing independently or through PSLE tuition, knowing how the AL grades work is essential for academic success.

1. Understanding the AL Grading System

The AL system replaced the old T-score system to provide a more transparent and less competitive scoring method. The AL grades range from AL1 to AL8, with AL1 being the highest and AL8 the lowest. The grading breakdown is as follows:

  • AL1: 90 – 100
  • AL2: 85 – 89
  • AL3: 80 – 84
  • AL4: 75 – 79
  • AL5: 65 – 74
  • AL6: 45 – 64
  • AL7: 20 – 44
  • AL8: 0 – 19

Each subject is graded individually, and the total PSLE score is the sum of AL scores from all four subjects—English, Mathematics, Science, and Mother Tongue.

2. How the PSLE Score Is Calculated

A student’s PSLE score is the sum of their AL grades across all subjects. For example:

  • English: AL2 (85)
  • Mathematics: AL3 (82)
  • Science: AL4 (78)
  • Mother Tongue: AL3 (80)

Total PSLE Score = 2 + 3 + 4 + 3 = 12

The lower the total score, the better the placement options for secondary school.

3. Secondary School Placement

The Ministry of Education (MOE) assigns students to secondary schools based on their PSLE score. The placement order follows these priorities:

  1. PSLE Score – Lower scores have priority for admission.
  2. Choice of Schools – Students list their preferred schools in order.
  3. Tie-Breakers – If two students have the same score, citizenship status and computer balloting may be used.

Understanding this system helps students and parents make informed choices when selecting schools.

4. Importance of Subject Performance

Since each subject contributes equally to the total PSLE score, strong performance in all subjects is crucial. Students who struggle in certain subjects can benefit from PSLE tuition to improve their understanding and boost their final score.

5. How PSLE Tuition Can Help

Many students seek PSLE tuition to strengthen weaker subjects, refine exam techniques, and improve time management. Some key benefits include:

  • Personalized Guidance – Tutors provide targeted help in challenging areas.
  • Practice with Exam Papers – Exposure to past-year papers builds confidence.
  • Effective Study Strategies – Structured lessons improve retention and understanding.

Tuition can be a useful support system for students aiming to achieve their desired PSLE score.

Conclusion

The AL grading system simplifies the PSLE tuition and school placement process by focusing on subject mastery rather than relative performance. Understanding how the scores are calculated allows students to plan their studies better and make informed choices about secondary school options. With the right preparation, students can achieve their best possible PSLE results.

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