All About Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE)

PSLE Mathematics Syllabus & Exam Format

PSLE Mathematics Overview

We see the need for Mathematics everywhere in Singapore, from something as simple as calculating your expenses to planning home renovation, engineering or investments. The PSLE Mathematics syllabus and examinations will teach our P6 students important life skills in thinking, analysing and problem-solving.

PSLE Mathematics uses various mathematical concepts and processes to show students how to think logically, analyse complicated problems and solve issues effectively. The syllabus is rigid but incredibly helpful to develop students mentally.

Many parents and students consider PSLE Mathematics to be one of the hardest and most important PSLE subjects. It can be easy to score well for the PSLE, but you need patience, hard work and practice to see results.

As such, we often see parents spend the most time and effort giving their children Mathematics revision, practice and additional Maths tuition classes. The PSLE Maths examination is just a matter of preparation and practice – if we can do it, so can you!

Learning Objectives of Mathematics

For most citizens of the 21st century, learning Mathematics will help us to develop critical problem-solving skills and processes that will be useful in everyday life. Furthermore, even with the improvements in technology, we are still required to understand basic Mathematical concepts that allow us to make split-second decisions constantly.

Therefore, PSLE Mathematics aims to teach us in growing our attitudes, skills, concepts, processes and metacognition in not just Mathematics, but also in daily functions and processes.

This is done so by using numerical, algebraic, geometrical, statistical, probabilistic and analytical concepts in PSLE Mathematics.

PSLE Mathematics (0008)

PSLE Mathematics assesses your critical thinking and problem-solving skills and abilities when you recall mathematical facts, concepts, rules and formulae and perform computations. Also, you will need to interpret, understand, reason and analyse information and use appropriate strategies.

This examination will use multiple-choice questions (MCQ), short-answer and structured-answer questions. Every student will sit a combined examination duration of 2 hours 30 minutes.

In total, the PSLE Maths examinations has a total of 100 marks, which is then used for the Achievement Levels (AL) Score calculation.

The PSLE Mathematics syllabus is meant to teach students basic mathematical concepts for their everyday lives and to help them prepare for Secondary School Mathematics and Physics.

There are currently nine topics across Numbers and Algebra, Measurements and Geometry and Statistics being tested in the PSLE Maths examinations:

Whole Numbers
Measurement
Geometry
Data Analysis
Fractions
Decimals
Percentage
Ratio
Speed

PSLE Mathematics (0008) tests students two papers, both taken on the same day with an hour-long break in between them.

Paper	Component	Marks	Weightage	Duration
1A	Multiple-choice	20	20%	1 hour
1B	Short-answer	25	25%	1 hour
2	Short-answer	10	10%	1 hour 30 minutes
2	Structured/long-answer	45	45%	1 hour 30 minutes
Total		100	100%	2 hours 30 minutes

Scientific calculators that are pre-approved by SEAB will be allowed for Paper 2 of the PSLE Mathematics examination. Calculators should not have any programmable or graphing functions.

As of 2020, these are the calculators approved by SEAB:

Calculator Brand	Calculator Model	Approved Period
CASIO	FX 82MS	Until 2021
	FX 85MS
	FX 95MS
	FX 96SG Plus
	FX 97SG X	Until 2022
	FX 350MS	Until 2021
CANON	F-960SG	Until 2021
SHARP	EL W531S	Until 2023
	EL W531S II	Until 2022
	EL W531XM	Until 2023
	EL 533X	Until 2024

More information on the approved list of calculators is available on the SEAB website and Approved Calculator List (2020).

PSLE Maths Paper 1 comprises of two booklets, Booklet A and Booklet B, to test your mathematical concepts and calculation using short, structured questions. No calculators are allowed for this hour-long paper.

Booklet A (20 marks)

Booklet A has 15 MCQs, of which there are 10 1-mark questions and 5 2-marks questions. These questions are meant to be straightforward and assess basic concepts and skills.

Booklet B (25 marks)

Booklet B contains 15 short-answer questions, with 5 1-mark questions and 10 2-mark questions. Although the questions are also meant to be straightforward, you are reminded to show your workings and provide units in your answers. Be sure to avoid careless mistakes, too.

PSLE Maths Paper 2 comprises of 17 questions, of which 5 are short-answer questions worth 2 marks each and 12 are structured or long-answer questions worth 3 to 5 marks each. The use of calculators is allowed for this 90-minute-long paper.

Throughout the paper, there are multiple problems in every question and no structured procedures are provided. You will need to think and apply the correct mathematical concepts to solve each problem successfully.

For every question, you will need to show your workings (method of solution) clearly and state your final answers in the space provided. This is a very important requirement to obtain the maximum points as examiners will most likely grade your workings. Like in Paper 1, you will also have to provide units.

PSLE Foundation Mathematics (0038)

PSLE Foundation Mathematics differs from Standard PSLE Mathematics by having reduced requirements for understanding and mastery of various mathematical concepts and problem-solving skills. Both Foundation Mathematics and Standard PSLE Mathematics have the same two papers but with less scope and difficulty.

By doing so, students can instead focus their time and resources on building a strong foundation for Mathematics. The syllabus also prepares them adequately for learning Mathematics at a higher level in the future.

The combined duration is shorter at 2 hours and has a total of 90 marks.

Similar to Standard PSLE Mathematics syllabus, Foundation Mathematics teaches students basic mathematical concepts for their everyday lives.

There are currently seven topics across Numbers and Algebra, Measurements and Geometry and Statistics being tested in the PSLE Foundation Maths examinations:

Whole Numbers
Measurement
Geometry
Data Analysis
Fractions
Decimals
Percentage

Scientific calculators that are pre-approved by SEAB will be allowed for Paper 2 of the PSLE Foundation Mathematics examination. The calculators approved are the same as the Standard PSLE Mathematics. Calculators should not have any programmable or graphing functions.

As of 2020, these are the calculators approved by SEAB:

Calculator Brand	Calculator Model	Approved Period
CASIO	FX 82MS	Until 2021
	FX 85MS
	FX 95MS
	FX 96SG Plus
	FX 97SG X	Until 2022
	FX 350MS	Until 2021
CANON	F-960SG	Until 2021
SHARP	EL W531S	Until 2023
	EL W531S II	Until 2022
	EL W531XM	Until 2023
	EL 533X	Until 2024

More information on the approved list of calculators is available on the SEAB website and Approved Calculator List (2020).

PSLE Foundation Mathematics (0038) tests students using two papers, both taken on the same day with an hour-long break in between them.

Paper	Component	Marks	Weightage	Duration
1A	Multiple-choice	30	33.4%	1 hour
1B	Short-answer	20	22.2%	1 hour
	Short-answer	20	22.2%	1 hour
	Structured/long-answer	20	22.2%	1 hour
Total		90	100%	2 hours

PSLE Maths Revision Notes & Resources

If you want to achieve the maximum score in PSLE Maths, you need plenty of time because mastering PSLE Mathematics needs complete knowledge of the concepts and endless practices, including using maths assessment books.

You need to start early for your PSLE Mathematics revision, and we have the right resources for you! You can use our free downloadable Maths revision notes and resources to improve your understanding of the concepts and practice.

These PSLE Maths Resources are obtained and packaged from top schools and tutors in Singapore and are proven to help you to deepen your understanding and get closer to the PSLE Mathematics Distinction.

Get your free PSLE Maths Resources

Free Primary School Test Papers

Time is essence in the intensive PSLE Mathematics examination papers. You need time to think carefully, show your workings, get the right answers and check through for any careless mistakes.

Therefore, practicing your PSLE time management on past year primary school test papers can keep you sharp, focused and ready to ace the PSLE Maths examination. Download our free P6 Mathematics Exam Papers and start preparing for the PSLE today!

Time is essence in the intensive PSLE Mathematics examination papers. You need time to think carefully, show your workings, get the right answers and check through for any careless mistakes.

Download our free test papers

Important PSLE Dates for PSLE Mathematics

Keep track of the next upcoming PSLE Maths examination so that you can plan and prepare yourself adequately for this important examination paper. Remember, you can perform well in any PSLE subject paper when you are well-prepared with the knowledge, well-equipped with the right stationery and mentality and well-rested the night before.

Date	Upcoming PSLE Dates for English	Time
Oct 02	Mathematics Paper 1	08:15 am
Oct 02	Mathematics Paper 2	10:30 am
Oct 02	Foundation Mathematics Paper 1	08:15 am
Oct 02	Foundation Mathematics Paper 2	10:30 am

See all Important PSLE Dates

Ace your PSLE Mathematics with PSLE Home Maths Tuition

Having problem solving the PSLE Maths questions? Are the concepts taught too challenging for you to understand alone? Do you need more practice to improve?

With PSLE Maths home tuition, you can now get exceptional and personalised help in the Mathematics in the comfort of your house. Our Mathematics tutors are well-equipped to teach the latest PSLE Maths syllabus and are professional to make sure you can learn, revise and practice more effectively than ever.

Nobody goes into battle alone. We are ready to give you the help you need to excel in the Maths examination.