📋 PSLE English at a Glance
The PSLE English Language examination is one of the most important assessments that Primary 6 students in Singapore will take. It tests your ability to read, write, listen, and speak in English across four separate papers. Each paper focuses on different language skills, and together they give a complete picture of your English proficiency.
Understanding the exam format is the first step to doing well. When you know exactly what each paper tests, how many marks it carries, and how much time you have, you can plan your revision strategically. Many students spend too much time on one paper and neglect others — this chapter will help you avoid that mistake.
The total examination carries 195 marks across all four papers, with a combined duration of about 4 hours and 35 minutes. However, the papers are taken on different days, so you do not need to prepare for everything at once. Let us break down each paper in detail.
0
Papers
0
Total Marks
0
Chapters
0 XP
To Earn
📋 PSLE English at a Glance
The table below gives you a quick overview of all four papers. Pay attention to the marks and weightage — this tells you where to focus your revision for the biggest impact.
| Paper | Duration | Marks | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1: Writing | 1 h 10 min | 50 | 27.5% |
| Paper 2: Language Use & Comprehension | 1 h 50 min | 95 | 47.5% |
| Paper 3: Listening Comprehension | 35 min | 20 | 10% |
| Paper 4: Oral Communication | ~20 min | 30 | 15% |
PSLE English Paper Weightings
P1: Writing
50 marks
P2: Language
95 marks
P3: Listening
20 marks
P4: Oral
30 marks
Total: 195 marks
✏️ Paper 1: Writing (50 marks, 27.5%)
Paper 1 is the Writing paper. You have 1 hour and 10 minutes to complete two parts. This paper tests your ability to write clearly, creatively, and accurately in English.
📝Part 1: Situational Writing (14 marks)
Write a short functional text of about 150 words based on a given situation. You may be asked to write an informal letter, formal letter, email, report, diary entry, or note.
- Tested on: Purpose, Audience, Context (PAC) + Language accuracy
- Suggested time: 20-25 minutes
- Key skill: Matching tone and format to the audience
📖Part 2: Continuous Writing (36 marks)
Write a composition of at least 150 words (aim for 200-250 words). You choose from three picture-based prompts. This tests your creative writing and storytelling ability.
- Tested on: Content, Organisation, Language, and Mechanics (COLM)
- Suggested time: 40-45 minutes (including 5 min planning)
- Key skill: Story structure (introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution)
📖 Paper 2: Language Use and Comprehension (95 marks, 47.5%)
Paper 2 is the biggest and most important paper. With 95 marks and 47.5% weightage, it carries nearly half your total English grade. You have 1 hour and 50 minutes to complete two booklets.
📗Booklet A (48 marks)
- Grammar MCQ — 10 marks (15 questions)
- Vocabulary MCQ — 5 marks (5 questions)
- Grammar Cloze — 10 marks (10 blanks)
- Vocabulary Cloze — 5 marks (5 blanks)
- Visual Text Comprehension — 8 marks
- Comprehension Open-Ended — 20 marks
📙Booklet B (47 marks)
- Editing for Spelling and Grammar — 12 marks
- Comprehension Cloze — 15 marks (15 blanks)
- Synthesis and Transformation — 10 marks (5 questions)
Tip: Booklet B questions require you to write your own answers, so they are harder than MCQ. Practise these sections more!
Paper 2 Is the Biggest Paper!
Paper 2 (Language Use and Comprehension) carries 47.5% of the total weightage with 95 marks. It covers Grammar, Vocabulary, Editing, Comprehension, and Synthesis and Transformation. Focus your revision here for maximum impact. Even a small improvement in Paper 2 can significantly boost your overall grade.
🎧 Paper 3: Listening Comprehension (20 marks, 10%)
Paper 3 tests your ability to listen and understand spoken English. The examination lasts about 35 minutes. You will hear a variety of texts including conversations, announcements, narratives, and information reports. Each text is played twice.
What You Will Hear
- Conversations — Two or more people talking. Listen for who is speaking, what they want, and how they feel.
- Announcements — School announcements, public service messages. Listen for key details: date, time, location, instructions.
- Narratives — Short stories. Listen for the sequence of events, character feelings, and the main message.
- Information reports — Factual texts about topics like animals, places, or events. Listen for specific facts and details.
🗣️ Paper 4: Oral Communication (30 marks, 15%)
Paper 4 tests your spoken English. You have 10 minutes of preparation time, followed by about 10 minutes of examination. The oral exam has two components:
🎤Reading Aloud (10 marks)
Read a passage of about 150 words aloud. You are assessed on pronunciation, pace, rhythm, and expression.
- Read at a natural pace — not too fast, not too slow
- Pause at full stops and commas
- Use expression — raise your voice for questions, slow down for dramatic parts
💬Stimulus-based Conversation (20 marks)
Discuss a visual stimulus (usually a picture or poster) with the examiner. You share your personal opinions and experiences.
- Always elaborate — never give one-word answers
- Give your opinion, explain why, and share a personal example
- Speak confidently — even if you make mistakes, keep going
⏰ Time Management Tips for Each Paper
Good time management is crucial for scoring well. Many students lose marks not because they do not know the answer, but because they run out of time. Here is a suggested time allocation for each paper:
| Paper | Section | Suggested Time | Key Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| P1 | Situational Writing | 20-25 min | Use PAC strategy, address ALL points |
| P1 | Continuous Writing | 40-45 min | 5 min plan, 30 min write, 5 min check |
| P2 | Booklet A MCQ | 30-35 min | Do not spend too long on one question |
| P2 | Booklet A Comprehension OE | 25-30 min | Answer in complete sentences |
| P2 | Booklet B Editing | 10-12 min | Read line by line carefully |
| P2 | Booklet B Comp Cloze | 15-18 min | Read entire passage first |
| P2 | Booklet B Synthesis | 15-18 min | Identify the pattern, then transform |
| P3 | Listening | 35 min (fixed) | Read questions BEFORE the audio plays |
| P4 | Reading Aloud | ~3 min | Practise pronunciation of difficult words |
| P4 | Conversation | ~7 min | Elaborate with reasons and examples |
🌟 How to Score A* in PSLE English
Scoring an A* (the highest band) in PSLE English requires a well-rounded approach. You need to be strong across all four papers, not just one or two. Here is a step-by-step plan to maximise your score:
Your A* Game Plan
Master Grammar First
Grammar affects every paper — your composition, comprehension answers, editing, and even oral marks depend on accurate grammar. Learn the top 30 grammar rules and practise them daily. This is the foundation for everything else.
Build Your Vocabulary
Read widely — newspapers, storybooks, and comprehension passages. Keep a vocabulary notebook. Learn at least 5 new words every week with their meanings, synonyms, and example sentences. Use context clues to figure out unfamiliar words.
Practise Composition Writing Weekly
Write at least one full composition every week. Use the 5-part story structure (introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, resolution). Get feedback from a teacher or parent. Focus on using vivid descriptions and dialogue.
Do Timed Practice Papers
Practise under exam conditions. Time yourself strictly. This builds your speed and helps you manage the pressure of the real exam. Aim to complete each paper with 5-10 minutes to spare for checking.
Read Aloud Daily for 10 Minutes
This helps with Paper 4 (Oral) and also improves your overall language skills. Read newspaper articles, storybooks, or your own compositions out loud. Focus on pronunciation, pace, and expression.
Review and Learn from Mistakes
After every practice paper, go through your mistakes carefully. Understand WHY you got each question wrong. Keep an error log and revise it before the exam. The same question types repeat every year.
⚠️ Top 5 Mistakes That Cost Students Marks
After analysing thousands of PSLE English papers, these are the most common mistakes that prevent students from scoring A or A*:
Not addressing ALL content points in Situational Writing
Students lose 2-4 marks by skipping content points from the stimulus. Always tick off each point as you write.
Telling instead of showing in Continuous Writing
Writing "I was very happy" instead of describing the emotion through actions, thoughts, and sensory details. Show-don't-tell is the number one skill examiners look for.
Not answering Comprehension questions in complete sentences
Many students write fragments or bullet points. PSLE requires full sentences. Start your answer by using words from the question.
Subject-verb agreement errors in Grammar
Mistakes like "The group of students were talking" instead of "was talking". The same grammar patterns appear every year — learn the top 30 rules.
Giving one-word answers in Oral Conversation
Responding "Yes" or "No" without elaboration. Always give your opinion, explain your reasoning, and provide a personal example.
Which paper carries the highest weightage in PSLE English?
How many marks is Paper 1 Part 2 (Continuous Writing) worth?
🔍 What Examiners Look For
Understanding the examiner's perspective helps you write better answers. Here is what examiners are looking for in each paper:
👆 Tap to reveal
👆 Tap to reveal
👆 Tap to reveal
👆 Tap to reveal
👆 Tap to reveal
👆 Tap to reveal
👆 Tap to reveal
👆 Tap to reveal
You Can Do This!
PSLE English is very manageable with the right preparation. Each paper tests specific, predictable skills that you can practise and improve. The same question types appear every year. Start with the chapters that feel hardest, and work through them step by step. Consistency is the key — even 30 minutes of focused practice daily will make a huge difference!
📅Suggested Weekly Revision Timetable
Use this timetable as a guide for balanced PSLE English revision. Adjust based on your strengths and weaknesses — spend more time on areas where you lose the most marks:
| Day | Focus Area | Activity (30-45 min) | Tips |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monday | Grammar | 10 Grammar MCQ + 10 Cloze questions | Focus on one rule per session (e.g., tenses, articles) |
| Tuesday | Comprehension | 1 full comprehension passage with questions | Practise the PEEL method for 2-mark answers |
| Wednesday | Vocabulary | Learn 5 new words + context clue practice | Write each word in a sentence to remember it |
| Thursday | Composition | Write one full composition OR plan 3 stories | Time yourself: 5 min plan, 30 min write, 5 min check |
| Friday | Synthesis | 5 Synthesis & Transformation questions | Focus on reported speech and passive voice |
| Saturday | Oral Practice | Read aloud 10 min + conversation practice | Record yourself and listen back for improvements |
| Sunday | Review & Rest | Review mistakes from the week + light reading | Read for pleasure — builds vocabulary naturally |
🎯Scoring Strategies by Grade Target
Your revision strategy should depend on your target grade. Here is where to focus based on your current level:
Target: AL1-AL2 (Top Band)
You already have strong fundamentals. Focus on: (1) Composition — aim for vivid descriptions, show-don't-tell, and strong endings. (2) Inferential comprehension — practise reading between the lines. (3) Oral conversation — develop 3-4 talking points per topic with personal examples. These high-value skills differentiate top scorers.
Target: AL3-AL4 (Good Band)
Strengthen your Paper 2 scores: (1) Grammar — drill Subject-Verb Agreement, tenses, and articles until you can score 8/10. (2) Synthesis — memorise all 15 connector patterns. (3) Editing — practise spotting common spelling mistakes. These are the most "scorable" sections with practice.
Target: AL5-AL6 (Passing Band)
Focus on the easiest marks first: (1) Visual text comprehension — these are the most straightforward questions. (2) Situational Writing — learn the format and content point system. (3) Listening — read questions before audio plays, eliminate wrong options. (4) Oral reading aloud — practise clear pronunciation daily.
📚Top Resources for PSLE English Preparation
Past Year Papers
The single best resource. Do at least 5 years of past papers under timed conditions. Mark your own work and identify patterns in your mistakes.
Assessment Books
Popular choices: CASCO PSLE English, EPH Model Compositions, SAP Grammar books. Choose one and finish it completely rather than buying many.
Daily Reading
Read The Straits Times (Junior), Newsmaker, storybooks, or non-fiction articles. Reading builds vocabulary, grammar sense, and comprehension skills naturally.
Oral Practice with Family
Ask parents or siblings to be your "examiner." Practise reading aloud and answering opinion questions for 10 minutes daily. This is the fastest way to improve oral scores.
Vocabulary Notebook
Keep a small notebook. Every time you learn a new word, write the word, its meaning, a synonym, and a sentence. Review 5 words daily before bed.
English Podcasts / Audiobooks
Listen to English podcasts for 10-15 minutes daily to improve listening comprehension. Good options: BBC Learning English, StoryNory, or age-appropriate audiobooks.
⚠️Common Mistakes That Cost the Most Marks
Poor time management
Spending too long on Situational Writing (14 marks) and rushing Continuous Writing (36 marks). Budget 20-25 min for Part 1 and 35-40 min for Part 2.
No story planning
Jumping straight into writing without planning leads to messy plots, repeated ideas, and weak endings. 5 minutes of planning saves 10 minutes of confusion.
Not answering in full sentences
Open-ended comprehension answers must be in complete sentences. "Because he was sad" loses marks. "Tom felt upset because his friend moved away" scores full marks.
Careless spelling in Editing
If you correct a misspelled word but spell the correction wrong, you lose the mark. Write corrections neatly and double-check your spelling.
Choosing the first answer you hear
In Listening, speakers often mention distractors before the correct answer. Always listen for signal words like "actually", "but", "however" — the correct answer usually comes after these words.
One-word answers in Oral
Saying "yes" or "no" without elaboration scores very low. Always use the PEE structure: Point, Explain, Example. Aim for 3-4 sentences per answer.
📝Exam Day Checklist
Being well-prepared on exam day reduces anxiety and helps you perform at your best. Follow this checklist for each paper.
✅ What to Bring
- • 2B pencil (for shading OAS — optical answer sheet)
- • Blue or black pen (for written answers)
- • Good quality eraser
- • Ruler (for underlining in comprehension)
- • Water bottle (stay hydrated!)
- • Watch (some halls have no clock)
⏰ Time Management
- • Paper 1: 20-25 min Situational + 40-45 min Composition + 5 min check
- • Paper 2: 1 min per MCQ + 2-3 min per open-ended + 5 min review
- • Paper 3: Listen actively, fill answers IMMEDIATELY
- • Paper 4: Deep breaths before Oral, speak clearly and confidently