How To Prepare Your Child for PSLE? (Primary School Leaving Examinations - Singapore)

What Is PSLE?

As its name suggests, PSLE which is also known as Primary School Leaving Examination, is a Singapore National Examination taken by our 6th grade primary school students before moving on to secondary school.

Getting Started…

Every child deserves a break straight after her year end exam in P5. Still, we need to get her hit on the books quick after a week or so, considering her memory remains fresh before having to put in more effort in re-capping on what’s learnt topics. Collate & reflect on the mistakes attempted from the past exam papers during this short break. Identify her weaknesses and strengths so as to narrow down the needs for revisions. Prepare the essential materials to fill these gaps. Do not over-prepare the materials. When unnecessary teachings are cultivated, more confusions might set in resulting setbacks. Bear in mind, PSLE is a 9-months Marathon, time is precious, results are crucial.

Goals-Oriented…

Sit down & discuss realistic goals and targets with her, based on the latest examination results. Stay focus & allow her to identify her dream school(s). With her dream school in mind, the child is motivated to work towards the targeted results & hence achieving the goals. Place motivational quotes and targets at her study corner. These set as reminders and encourage her further in any case she is demoralize over certain set-backs.

Conquer & Anticipate…

Discuss & manage her daily time-table with mutual agreement. Make her learning journey positive by engaging & involving her. Short-list & select the type of tuitions or enrichments required if any. Devise an appropriate time-table. Give her some breaks in between; not to forget she needs time to complete her school work despite her long school hours after supplementary classes. Short naps can be negotiated; after all having to wake up at 6am and ending as late as 5pm at school is relatively taxing for a 12 years old child. Review & manage the time-table when necessary so as to prevent exhaustions and any unwanted negative learning perspectives.

English

Besides the usual ways of learning a new word a day, encourage her to read newspapers, reader digests and times. Comprehension passages are usually lifted from articles as such. Prepare the child with real world knowledge gives them the confidence and better understanding in attempting the questions asked.

Mathematics

Practise makes perfect.Concepts exposure is essential. It allows you to spot her strengths and weaknesses fast. From there, target on those weaker topics. At the same juncture, get her to do specimen papers to check on her standards of improvement & determine if the approaches are appropriate. Like the saying goes ‘If What You Are Doing Isn’t Working, Try Something Else.” If the standard shows no improvement, time to consider alternatives.

Science

Science is surrounding us. Key words rule the world. Get her to familiarize with the key words and relate her to the world. Hands-on with practical & explore the reality. Visit the outside world allow them to connect the facts to the key words learnt.

In A Nut-Shell…

Education is a life-long journey. Undue stress is unnecessary. Adopt a positive learning attitude, for all we know, we are educating the angels of our future.

Pearline Teo, 2014

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