All About Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE)

PSLE Science Syllabus & Exam Format

PSLE Science Overview

In order to understand the world technology and scientific discoveries around us and contribute to the Singapore economy, learning Science is a necessity for all 21st Century students. The PSLE Science syllabus and examinations will help students become future thinkers that are knowledgeable, logical and reasoned thinkers.

PSLE Science tests your understanding, reasoning and application of various scientific knowledge and concepts. There are few calculations, creativity or language required in the current PSLE Science syllabus.

Hence, it is entirely possible to do well in Science provided your child has an interest in it and puts in some effort into learning and understanding the science syllabus (as well as keeping up with the changes).

Science may be one of the easiest subjects to score in the PSLE. Therefore, SmileTutor advices all parents to use our science resources and provide 1-to-1 science tuition at home to help your child secure that AL1. The PSLE Science examination paper will never be challenging if you set your heart out into learning it well!

Learning Objectives of Science

In the modern day, Science is no longer an abstract subject that does not relate to everyday processes. Science is prevalent in daily life, society and the environment, hence learning a science curriculum will help us to be better thinkers and doers of our society and environment.

PSLE Science syllabus uses inquiry as the basis of learning science, and students will gain knowledge, understanding, application, skills, processes, ethics and attitudes throughout their time learning the subject.

PSLE Science (0009)

PSLE Science uses life sciences and physical sciences to determine how well you can apply scientific facts, concepts and principles to different domains. Students will also need to interpret various information and explore problems using a combination of process skills.

The assessment will be conducted in the form of multiple-choice questions (MCQ) and open-ended questions. Every student will sit a combined examination duration of 1 hour 45 minutes.

In total, the PSLE Science examinations has a total of 100 marks, which will be used for the Achievement Levels (AL) Score calculation.

Throughout the PSLE Science syllabus, there will be five main themes across Life Science and Physical Science.

These five main themes of Diversity, Cycles, Systems, Interactions and Energy will include many diverse and relevant topics:

Theme	Life Sciences	Physical Sciences
Diversity	Diversity of Living Things	Diversity of Materials
Cycles	Life Cycles of Plants Reproduction in Plants	Matter Water and Changes of State
Systems	Plants and their parts Plant Transport System The Unit of Life Air and the Respiratory System The Circulatory System	Electrical Systems
Interactions	Man’s Impact on the Environment Living Together	Magnets and their Characteristics Forces
Energy	Energy in Food	Light and Shadow Heat and Temperature Forms and Uses of Energy

PSLE Science (0009) tests students using only a single examination paper with two components

Booklet	Component	Marks	Weightage	Duration
A	MCQ	56	56%	1 hours 45 minutes
B	Open-ended	44	44%	1 hours 45 minutes
Total		100	100%	1 hours 45 minutes

PSLE Science uses a mix of MCQs and open-ended questions to check your knowledge, understanding and application of the science syllabus. You will attempt two different components across the two booklets, which is 1 hour and 45 minutes long.

Booklet A (56 marks)

There are 28 MCQs in Booklet A, and each question carries 2 marks. Four options will be provided for each MCQ.

Given the relatively high weightage of each question, you need to attempt each question carefully to score the maximum points.

Be sure to use this four-step process to solve your MCQ: Read the question thoroughly; Identify key concepts tested; Study all options; Eliminate incorrect options.

Booklet B (44 marks)

There are around 12 to 13 open-ended questions in Booklet B, and each question can carry between 2 to 5 marks.

There will be a mix of short answers and longer answers required for different questions, and this can be determined by the mark allocation.

You will also need to provide correct scientific terms, answer fully and accurately and use scientific reasoning. An easy way to do so is to use Science Keywords, which we have collated in our PSLE Revision Notes section.

PSLE Foundation Science (0039)

PSLE Foundation Science is only slightly different from Standard PSLE Science due to the lowered difficulty and reduced syllabus.

Students can spend more time and resources into building a strong foundation for Science, which will help prepare them to learn Science at a higher level in the future.

Overall, PSLE Foundation Science has a total of 70 marks and is 1 hour 15 minutes in duration.

Like Standard PSLE Science syllabus, there will be five main themes across Life Science and Physical Science in Foundation Science.

These five main themes of Diversity, Cycles, Systems, Interactions and Energy will include many diverse and relevant topics:

Theme	Life Sciences	Physical Sciences
Diversity	Diversity of Living Things	Diversity of Materials
Cycles	Life Cycles of Plants Reproduction in Plants	Matter Water and Changes of State
Systems	Plants and their parts Plant Transport System Air and the Respiratory System The Circulatory System	Electrical Systems
Interactions	Man’s Impact on the Environment Living Together	Forces
Energy	Energy in Food	Forms and Uses of Energy

PSLE Foundation Science (0039) tests students using only a single examination paper with three components:

Booklet	Component	Marks	Weightage	Duration
A	MCQ	36	51.4%	1 hour 15 minutes
B	Structured	14	20%	1 hour 15 minutes
B	Open-ended	20	28.6%	1 hour 15 minutes
Total		70	100%	1 hour 15 minutes

PSLE Science Revision Notes & Resources

There is only one trick to doing well in PSLE Science: Understanding and memorising all content and information from the PSLE Science syllabus.

You can start learning and revising your PSLE Science content using our free downloadable Science revision notes and resources. We also have a Science Keywords List for you to focus on.

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

There is only one trick to doing well in PSLE Science: Understanding and memorising all content and information from the PSLE Science syllabus.

You can start learning and revising your PSLE Science content using our free downloadable Science revision notes and resources. We also have a Science Keywords List for you to focus on.

Get your free PSLE Science Resources

Free Primary School Test Papers

Think you’re prepared for PSLE? Before you head for your exams, it’s important to first do mock exams to see if you can do well under time pressure. One of the best ways to do this is by downloading our free PSLE exam papers.

PSLE Science is definitely not a walk in the park. After you’ve memorized all the science formulas and facts you need to, it’s time to test yourself. Don’t go into the exam with false confidence or wishful thinking – it’s REALLY important to test yourself using mock examination papers!

Download our free test papers

Important PSLE Dates for PSLE Science

Keep track of the next upcoming PSLE Science 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 06	Science / Foundational Science	08:15 am

See all Important PSLE Dates

Understand the PSLE Science content with PSLE Science Home Tuition

Are you revising the content taught in PSLE Science but you can’t understand them? Do you need professional guidance to make sure you stay focused?

With PSLE Science home tuition, you can now get exceptional and personalised help in the Science in the comfort of your house. Our Science tutors are well-equipped to teach the latest PSLE Science 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 Science examination.