Inside The PSLE English Exam: What You Need To Know

In Singapore, English is one of the subjects you cannot run away from, especially in the levels of compulsory education, primary school and secondary school. While having a good command of English definitely helps in getting a good grade for the English subject, for any exam it is also crucial to understand the requirements and format in order to excel.

The PSLE English exam aims to be quite holistic, testing on students’ oral, listening, written, and reading skills across 4 papers. Let’s take a look at the skills required and format of each paper below.

In Paper 1 (Writing)

Part 1 (Situational Writing):

Presented with a situation and some information (usually in the form of a brochure or poster) students will need to write a short functional text, such as a formal or informal email or letter. The 6 marks for content will judge the writing based on how well it suits the purpose, audience and context of the given situation. The remaining 9 marks are for language use, including the use of good grammar and an appropriate format.

For some tips, read our article on tips for situational writing.

Part 2 (Continuous Writing):

This part of the exam requires writing a short story of at least 150 words. The question paper will provide a topic and three pictures, of which the student can interpret freely to fulfil the writing task. The paper is marked for content (relevance to the topic, logical flow, use of the pictures), and language (grammar, vocabulary, sentence structure, punctuation, paragraphing), with 20 marks allocated for both.

Skills required:

• Writing with the intended purpose, audience, and context in mind, to communicate clearly and effectively
• Using a suitable register and tone according to the requirements
• Generating and selecting appropriate ideas, then organising and articulating them coherently and cohesively.
• Applying proper grammar, spelling, and punctuation in writing
• Utilising suitable vocabulary with precision and clarity.

In Paper 2 (Language Use and Comprehension)

Paper 2 consists of many sections, including grammar MCQ, vocabulary MCQ, cloze passages, editing, transformation and synthesis, and open-ended comprehension. The paper is split into 2 booklets, with Booklet 1 consisting of all the multiple-choice questions, and Booklet 2 consisting of all the open-ended questions.

For some tips on this section, read our article on how to ace your English comprehension test.

Skills required:

• Understanding the meaning of various text types, interpreting them at literal and inferential levels.
• Grasping implied meanings, and making judgments and evaluations through close and critical reading and/or viewing.
• Comprehending how word choice and grammar influences the meaning of the message in context
• Using grammar, spelling, and punctuation accurately, along with suitable use of vocabulary according to the context

In Paper 3 (Listening Comprehension)

Students will listen to a variety of texts and answer multiple choices questions about them. The paper contains 20 multiple-choice questions, and the provided texts may take the form of news items, announcements, advertisements, instructions, explanations, conversations, speeches, and stories. The first seven items will include graphic representations. Each text will be played twice, along with time for students to read and answer the questions before and after each listening.

Skills required:

• Understanding a variety of spoken texts, interpreting them at both literal and inferential levels.
• Identifying key messages, main ideas, and specific details within various spoken texts.
• Making inferences and drawing conclusions by engaging in critical listening.

In Paper 4 (Oral Communication)

The Reading Aloud section requires candidates to read a given passage aloud. Their reading is evaluated based on their ability to enunciate words clearly, and incorporate suitable expression and rhythm. In the Stimulus-based Conversation segment, students will be presented with a visual stimulus and a topic. Examiners will be looking at the student’s ability to form a personal response and participate actively in a conversation related to the topic.

Skills required:

• Reading aloud with clear pronunciation, articulate enunciation, and appropriate intonation to effectively convey information, ideas, and emotions.
• Presenting a well-paced, fluent reading of a passage.
• Articulating personal opinions, ideas, and experiences clearly and effectively during conversations with the examiner.
• Speaking fluently and with grammatical accuracy, utilizing a diverse range of appropriate vocabulary and structures.

Conclusion

Now that you know exactly what to expect in the PSLE English paper, all that is left is to actually work on those skills to tackle each section with confidence! Language development takes time and effort, but we make this easier on you with the guidance of experienced PSLE English Tutors who guide students with passion and patience. Get access to exclusive worksheets, cheatsheets and advice by the same tutors who also have experience with IP English Tuition and O Level English Tuition – ensuring continuity for your child should you decide to continue tuition with us in the future!

Ready to kickstart your PSLE preparation journey? Register with us today to put your child in the fast lane to PSLE success!