PSLE tuition planning by subject

Each of the four PSLE subjects is graded with an Achievement Level (AL). For Standard subjects there are eight levels, based on the pupil's own marks rather than on how other pupils perform.

The PSLE Score is the sum of the four subject levels, so it ranges from 4 to 32, and a lower score is better. Foundation subjects are graded AL A (75 to 100), AL B (30 to 74) and AL C (below 30), which count as AL6, AL7 and AL8 when the PSLE Score is added up.

One practical consequence: a few marks matter most near a band boundary. Moving from 84 to 85 changes the level; moving from 66 to 73 does not.

In Primary 5 and 6, English Language, Mother Tongue Language, Mathematics and Science are each taken at Standard or Foundation level. The school recommends a combination based on Primary 4 results, parents indicate their preference, and the school reviews it afterwards.

The Ministry of Education states that taking a subject at Foundation level is not a disadvantage and is meant to build the fundamentals. If you are arranging tuition, tell the centre which level your child takes for each subject.

• Use school results and the teacher's feedback to find the subject, and the part of it, where your child is losing marks.
• Support for one or two subjects is easier to sustain than tuition in all four.
• Leave time for rest, school homework and the school's own remedial or supplementary lessons.

The Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board lists Mathematics and Foundation Mathematics as revised formats for the 2026 examination. Ask a centre whether its Primary 6 materials and practice papers follow the current format.

209 centres on Brightly are linked to Primary 6 Mathematics. Browse PSLE Math tuition.

Science and Foundation Science are also listed as revised formats for 2026. Ask how the centre teaches pupils to explain an answer, not only to recall facts, and whether its materials match the current format.

176 centres on Brightly are linked to Primary 6 Science. Browse PSLE Science tuition.

English is assessed across writing, comprehension and language use, listening and oral communication. Ask which of these a class covers, because many programmes concentrate on one or two.

154 centres on Brightly are linked to Primary 6 English. Browse PSLE English tuition.

Mother Tongue Languages are offered at Standard, Foundation and, for some pupils, Higher level. Confirm which level a class teaches. The oral examination for Standard and Foundation Mother Tongue Languages is conducted in e-Examination format, so ask whether oral practice reflects that.

145 centres on Brightly are linked to Primary 6 Chinese. Brightly's subject guides do not currently cover Malay or Tamil. Browse PSLE Chinese tuition.

Examination formats are published by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board and can change between years. Use its current page for the year your child sits the examination instead of relying on a centre's summary or on this guide.

For choosing a centre once you know the subject, see how to choose a primary tuition centre or browse all PSLE tuition.