PSLE English Paper Marks Allocation Breakdown and Marking Scheme (2024)

Confused by the PSLE English Marking Scheme? Wondering how each section of the exam is marked, and what are the key points your child needs to focus on to excel? If questions like these have crossed your mind, you’re in the right place. The PSLE English examination, with its multiple components and detailed assessment criteria, can indeed be a source of anxiety for many parents and students. In this comprehensive guide, we aim to clear the fog surrounding the PSLE English Marking Scheme, so you can prepare your child to tackle the PSLE English paper with confidence.

Overview of the PSLE English Examination

The PSLE English examination is designed to assess students’ proficiency in the English language across four key components:

1. Writing (Paper 1),
2. Language Use and Comprehension (Paper 2),
3. Listening Comprehension (Paper 3), and
4. Oral Communication (Paper 4).

The total marks for the examination sum up to 200, with each component contributing a different weighted towards the final grade:

• Paper 1: Writing (55 marks, 27.5%)
• Paper 2: Language Use and Comprehension (95 marks, 47.5%)
• Paper 3: Listening Comprehension (20 marks, 10%)
• Paper 4: Oral Communication (30 marks, 15%)

Now, let’s examine each paper in further detail.

PSLE English Paper 1: Writing

Paper 1 is divided into two parts: Situational Writing and Continuous Writing (commonly referred to as Composition) and students are given 70 mins to complete it.

• Situational Writing: 15 marks (7.5%)
• Continuous Writing: 40 marks (20%)
• Total: 55 marks (27.5%)

PSLE English Situational Writing (15 marks; 7.5%)

In this section, students are provided with a context and a visual-stimulus. They’re required to write a response to it, generally in the form of an email, letter or report. Out of 15 marks, 6 are awarded for content, while the remaining 9 are awarded for Language.

Success in situational writing hinges on whether you have managed to cover all 6 content points and whether you understand the context, target audience, and purpose of the response. Of course, grammatical, spelling and punctuation mistakes can cost you precious Language marks.

PSLE 2022 Situational Writing Task

PSLE English Composition (40 marks; 20%)

For the composition, students are given a topic and three associated pictures. They must write at least 150 words (usually in the form of a narrative) using one, two or all the pictures. Out of 40 marks, 20 are awarded for Content and 20 for Language.

To achieve top scores in content, ensure your story is creative, engaging, well-developed, and coherent. For high language marks, focus on using a wide range of vocabulary, varied sentence structures, and maintaining accurate grammar and punctuation throughout your writing.

Adapted from PSLE 2022 (A Long Wait)

MARK SCHEME FOR CONTINUOUS WRITING (P5/6)

PSLE English Paper 2: Language Use and Comprehension

Paper 2 Overview

The PSLE English Paper 2 makes up a whopping 47.5% of the PSLE English marks. It’s divided into 2 booklets: Booklet A and Booklet B and students are given 1hr and 50 mins to complete it. Booklet A comprises multiple-choice questions (MCQs). Listed below is the breakdown of this booklet:

Booklet A (Total Marks: 28; 14% of the total PSLE English marks)

• Grammar MCQ: 10 marks (5%)
• Vocabulary MCQ: 5 marks (2.5%)
• Vocabulary Cloze MCQ: 5 marks (2.5%)
• Visual Text Comprehension MCQ: 8 marks (4%)

Booklet B, on the other hand, challenges students with open-ended questions. Here are the subcomponents:

Booklet B (Total Marks: 67; 33.5% of the total PSLE English marks)

• Grammar Cloze: 10 marks (5%)
• Editing for Spelling and Grammar: 12 marks (6%)
• Comprehension Cloze: 15 marks (7.5%)
• Synthesis/Transformation: 10 marks (5%)
• Comprehension Open-Ended (OE): 20 marks (10%)

Now, let’s delve into each component.

PSLE English Grammar MCQ (10 marks; 5%)

This section, comprising 10 MCQs, tests students’ understanding of various grammar concepts including subject-verb agreement, tenses, prepositions and more. Look out for tricky questions involving verbs of perception, perfect tenses and gerunds.

Grammar MCQ Example (From Henry Park Primary School Prelims 2023)

PSLE English Vocabulary MCQ (10 marks; 5%)

In the vocabulary MCQ segment consisting of 10 MCQs, students’ extensive and deep vocabulary knowledge is put to the test. Simply memorising a list of words and their meanings won’t suffice; it’s the understanding of the subtle nuances among words that is crucial.

Vocabulary MCQ Example (From Ai Tong Primary School Prelims 2023)

PSLE English Vocabulary Cloze MCQ (5 marks; 2.5%)

Students are given a passage with 5 blanks to be filled with an appropriate word. Reading the entire passage first is imperative to understanding the context. Beyond merely considering the meaning of the words, pay attention to their connotation and intensity.

Vocabulary Cloze Example (From Methodist Girls’ Primary School Prelims 2023)

PSLE English Visual Text Comprehension MCQ (8 marks; 4%)

Here, students are presented with visual materials such as advertisem*nts, posters, or informational brochures. They must answer 8 MCQ questions based on the text. The VTC is straightforward once you’ve mastered the following:

• Understanding the purpose of the test
• Detail-oriented reading
• Knowing common time expressions
• Utilising the process of elimination

Example of Visual Text Comprehension Poster (From Anglo Chinese Primary School Prelims 2023)

That concludes our breakdown of Booklet A. Now it’s time to turn our attention to Booklet B, a whole other ball game…

PSLE English Grammar Cloze (10 marks; 5%)

The Grammar Cloze is similar to Grammar MCQs in that students are tested on their understanding of various grammar rules like prepositions, pronouns, connectors and more. This component features a passage with 10 missing words, and students must select the appropriate word from a provided box to fill in these blanks. Although it is an easy section to score in, beware of questions which test your knowledge of phrasal verbs and tricky tenses!

Grammar Cloze Example (From Methodist Girls’ Primary School Prelims 2023)

PSLE English Editing (12 marks; 6%)

This section presents students with a passage containing 12 underlined words. Students must correct these words, which consist of six grammatical errors and six spelling mistakes. Knowing tenses, word forms and connectors is necessary for scoring well.

Example of Editing (From Anglo Chinese Primary School Prelims 2023)

PSLE English Comprehension Cloze (15 marks; 7.5%)

The dreaded comprehension cloze is arguably one of the trickiest sections of Paper 2. Students are required to read a passage and fill in 15 blanks with the most appropriate word. Many fail to recognise that this section is not a guessing game. One must make use of contextual clues in the passage and employ forward and backward reading to derive the answer. In addition, knowing synonyms and antonyms, collocations, phrasal verbs and idioms can boost your marks.

Comprehension Cloze Example (From Henry Park Primary School Prelims 2023)

PSLE English Synthesis/Transformation (10 marks; 5%)

The Synthesis and Transformation section consists of 5 questions, each worth 2 marks. It requires you to combine two given sentences and/or change a given sentence without losing its original meaning. Questions can test you on the following:

• Reported Speech
• Active and Passive Voice
• Word Transformation
• Conditionals
• Connectors
• Relative Pronouns

Example of Synthesis and Transformation (From Nanyang Primary School Prelims 2023)

PSLE English Comprehension OE (20 marks; 10%)

In this section, students are presented with a passage, followed by a series of 10 questions that require them to extract relevant information, make inferences, and synthesise knowledge from the text. It’s important to craft well-structured and grammatically correct responses that directly address the questions. Take note that no ½ marks are awarded here, so precision is key!

Here are some common question types:

• Factual questions
• Inference questions
• True/ False questions
• Cause and Effect questions
• Referencing questions
• Vocabulary questions

PSLE English Paper 3: Listening Comprehension

This 35-minute paper consists of 20 MCQ questions and carries a 10% weightage. 7 recordings, in the form of advertisem*nts, news reports and interviews, are played twice. Scanning the questions beforehand, practicing active listening and jotting down key points are useful strategies to tackle this section.

PSLE English Paper 4: Oral Communication

The PSLE English Oral Examination assesses a student’s proficiency in reading and speaking. Students are given 5 minutes of preparation time while the actual exam takes approximately 10 minutes. It accounts for 30 marks, or 15% of the overall PSLE English marks and is divided into two parts:

• Reading Aloud (10 marks; 5%)
• Stimulus-Based Conversation (20 marks; 10%)

PSLE Oral Reading Aloud (10 marks; 5%)

Students must read a given passage to an examiner. Points are awarded for fluency, articulation and pronunciation. It’s important to read with the right intonation, tone and pacing to earn high marks. Remember not to mumble or freeze when you see unfamiliar words. Be confident throughout!

PSLE Oral Stimulus-based Conversation (20 marks; 10%)

Students are also given a visual stimulus in the form of an advertisem*nt, a poster, a photo etc. They will then be asked 3 questions related to the stimulus. Generally, the first 2 questions are directly related to the stimulus. To answer them, you need to incorporate the details given in the picture and justify your opinion. The last question is broadly related to the theme of the visual stimulus. Sharing personal anecdotes, reflecting on past experiences and discussing current affairs related to the topic are encouraged. Students are tested on their ability to express their ideas and carry out a conversation seamlessly.

Stimulus-based Conversation Picture (PSLE English 2022)

Navigating the complexities of the PSLE English examination and its marking scheme can be daunting. With a clear breakdown of the examination’s structure, marking criteria, and the proportionate weightage of each paper, students can allocate their study time more effectively. By approaching each section with tailored strategies and a deep understanding of what examiners are looking for, students can approach the PSLE English exam with confidence.

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