MARCH 2016

SURVEY REPORT ON
PSLE AGGREGATE SCORES AND GRADES

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
ABOUT US
EducationCube.com helps you make smarter education choices by
providing visitors with one-stop access to news and information on
education.

EducationCube.com is an education and learning hub where students

and parents can learn about and make contact with educational
businesses and services.

Whether you are a parent researching the next step in your child’s
learning journey, a student looking to find a swimming coach or math
tutor, or an adult looking to upgrade your academic qualifications and
professional skills, you can find thousands of schools, learning centres,
and other related information about them on www.educationcube.com.

EducationCube.com is owned and operated by The Rolling Cube Private

Limited.

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
THE SURVEY
By using and analysing past years’ PSLE results, this survey aims to help
students sitting for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), and
their parents, obtain a more accurate picture of their academic
performance, and the result they want to achieve.

Parents with children who have taken or are taking the PSLE are
naturally curious about how the PSLE Aggregate Score is calculated.

While the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) has

published a formula to calculate PSLE subject scores, a student’s
aggregate for each subject is ultimately dependent on how the cohort
for that exam year does for each subject.

Nobody can predict how a cohort will perform until the results are
released. Often, it seems one can only second guess. Some parents, on
receiving the results, are shocked to see a low aggregate score even
though their child achieved straight As.

We hope this survey will help to shed some light on such areas. It aims
to reassure both students and their parents by offering one possible way
to benchmark their current school performance better. Students can
then work more realistically towards a PSLE result that they want, and
can achieve. Parents can also use the survey to assist in their
considerations for secondary school choices.

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
GENERAL INFORMATION
In Singapore, students in Government, Government-aided, or approved
institutions in Singapore are eligible to sit for the PSLE when they are in
Primary 6. Students select various streams to take in secondary school
based on their PSLE aggregate score.

39,286 students sat for the PSLE in 2015. The Ministry of Education (MOE)
said that a total of 38,610 students (98.3 per cent) were eligible for
secondary school. 66.2 per cent of them qualified for the Express stream,
21.7 per cent for Normal (Academic), and 10.4 per cent qualified for
Normal (Technical).

The grades for each Standard Subject are A* (highest grade) A, B, C, D, or E

(lowest grade). For Foundation Subjects, the grades awarded are Grade 1,
2, 3 or 4. Higher Mother Tongue Subjects are awarded Distinction, Merit,
or Pass.

The Grade Mark Range is:

Grade Mark Range

A* ≥91
A 75 – 90
B 60 – 74
C 50 – 59
D 35 – 49
E 20 – 34

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
GENERAL INFORMATION
A subject’s T-score is derived from, the following formula, where x is the
candidate’s mark for the subject, m is the average mark (mean) scored by
all the candidates, and s is the spread of marks around the average mark
(standard deviation).

The PSLE aggregate score is then calculated by adding all the T-scores for
the examinable subjects taken by the candidate.

The cut-offs in PSLE aggregate scores to qualify for the different secondary
school streams are:

Stream PSLE Aggregate Score

Express 200 and above
Express/ Normal (Academic) 188 – 199
Normal (Academic)/ Normal (Technical) 152 – 187
Normal (Technical) 151 and below

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
SAMPLE SIZE
We received a total of 2,951 PSLE results of which 314 results were for the 2015 PSLE. For the
purpose of analysing the relationship between grades and aggregate scores, we focussed on
analysing the results of 264 students who passed all four standard subjects for their PSLE in
2015.

We received a total of 2,951

individual PSLE results taken
as far back as 1987.

Of these, 1,203 students

took their PSLE recently
between 2011 and 2015
(Figure 1).

Figure 1

Of the 314 students

recorded taking their PSLE in
2015, 84% or 264 students
received grades for 4
standard subjects.

The 16%, or remaining 50

students, either took
foundation subjects, or were
graded for 3 subjects or less.
Some of the students with
less than 4 subject grade
either failed a subject, or
were exempted from taking
it (Figure 2).
Figure 2

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
SAMPLE SIZE
To test if our sample size was robust for analysis, we compared it with the national average
and found them to be similar.

Comparing our Sample Size with the National Average

80.0%
Our sample size of 264
70.0%
individual results from
60.0% the 2015 PSLE closely
50.0% resembles that of the
national average, in
40.0% terms of percentages
30.0% qualifying for the
Express stream, Normal
20.0%
(Academic) and Normal
10.0% (Technical) courses in
0.0% secondary schools
Express Normal Academic Normal Technical (Figure 3).

Figure 3 Sample Size National Average

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
GRADES BY SUBJECT
Is it true that you can score better in Mathematics than in the other 3 subjects – English,
Mother Tongue, or Science? While it may seem easier to score an A* in Mathematics, we
cannot conclude that Mathematics is the easiest subject as far more students scored an A in
English, Mother Tongue, and Science.

Figure 4
Grades obtained by subject
300 Figure 4 shows the
breakdown in grades
250
obtained by subject.
200

150 Figure 5 compares the

grades of all 4 subjects
100 against each other.

50
Figure 6 shows the
0 percentage of students
English Mother Tongue Mathematics Science scoring either A* or A for
A* A* B C D E the subject.

Figure 5
Grade by subject
180
Figure 6
160
140 Percentage of students scoring either A* or A
for the subject
120
100 80%

80 60%
60
40%
40
20%
20
0 0%
A* A B C D E English Mother Mathematics Science
Tongue
English Mother Tongue Maths Science

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
GRADES AND AGGREGATE
SCORE OVERVIEW
All 264 results were plotted against their 4 subject grades to find out the minimum and
maximum aggregate scores achieved.

Figure 7

280
Aggregate Score

275
270
265
260
255
250
245
240
235
230
225
220
215
210
205
200
195
190
185
180
175
170
165
160
155
150
145
140
135
130
125
120
4 Subject Grades Combination
Minimum Score Highest Score

The scores were not differentiated based

on grades achieved by subject. For
example, a student in the group achieving
1A*3B could have received the A* for any
one of the four subjects (Figure 6).

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
EXPRESS STREAM
The information below represents the combination of grades obtained which resulted in a
minimum aggregate score value of 200 and above. The highest aggregate scores obtained per
grade combination is also shown.

Figure 8

Express
280
275
270
265
260
255
250
245
240
235
230
225
220
215
210
205
200
195
190
3AS1A
2AS2A

1AS3A
4A

1AS3B
2AS1A1B

1AS2A1B
3A1B
1AS1A2B
3A1C
1AS1A1B1C
1AS2A1C

2A2B
4AS

Minimum Score Highest Score

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
EXPRESS STREAM/
NORMAL (ACADEMIC) COURSE
The Information below shows the types of grades obtained which resulted in minimum
aggregate scores of between 188 and 199. These students could have opted to take either the
Express Stream or the Normal (Academic) Course.

Figure 9
Express/ Normal
Academic
235
230
225
220
215
210
205
200
195
190
185
180
175
170
165
160
155
150
145
140
135
130
125
120
2A1B1C
1AS3C

1A3B
1A2B1D

Highest Score
Minimum Score

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
NORMAL(ACADEMIC) COURSE
The information below represents the types of grades obtained which resulted in minimum
aggregate scores between 152 and 187.

Figure 10

Normal Academic
215

210

205

200

195

190

185

180

175

170

165

160

155

150

145

140

135

130

125

120
2B1C1D
3B1C

2B2C
4B

1B2C1D
2B2D
1A2B1C

2B1D1E
1A3C

Minimum Score Highest Score

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
NORMAL(TECHNICAL) COURSE
The Information below represents the types of grades obtained which resulted in a minimum
aggregate score value under 152.

Figure 11
Normal Technical
165

160

155

150

145

140

135

130

125

120
1B1C2D

1B1D2E
3C1D

2C2D
3C1E

Highest Score
Minimum Score

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
 GRADES, SCORES & STREAMS
Using the assumption that each student would select the best possible stream for secondary
school, the information below shows the best outcome by grade combination, using the
highest aggregate score as a basis for entering the best possible stream.

Figure 12

EXPRESS
EXPRESS/NORMAL
NORMAL ACADEMIC
NORMAL TECHNICAL

GRADE 4AS 3AS1A 2AS2A 2AS1A1B 1AS3A 4A 1AS2A1B 3A1B 1AS1A2B 3A1C 1AS1A1B1C 1AS2A1C 1AS3B
LOWEST SCORE 259 254 244 243 236 221 220 216 215 214 212 211 206
HIGHEST SCORE 271 266 259 245 254 251 247 237 218 215 213 212 231
GRADE 2A2B 1AS3C 2A1B1C 1A3B 1A2B1D 4B 3C1D 3B1C 1A1B2C 2B1C1D 1A1B1C1D 1A2B1C 1A2C1E
LOWEST SCORE 200 198 197 196 188 186 186 183 182 182 181 175 168
HIGHEST SCORE 233 199 216 226 195 200 187 197 194 183 182 207 179
GRADE 2B2C 1B3C 1A3C 1A2C1D 1B2C1D 1A1B1D1E 2B2D 1A1C2D 2B1D1E 1B2C1E 3C1D 1A1C1D1E 3C1E
LOWEST SCORE 166 166 165 164 161 158 158 157 155 154 151 150 148
HIGHEST SCORE 187 174 178 180 172 175 159 167 159 155 161 151 157
GRADE 3C1E 1A1C2E 2C2E 1B1C2D 2C1D1E 1B2D1E 2C2D 1C2D1E 1B3E 1B1D2E
LOWEST SCORE 148 148 147 144 139 137 133 128 126 126
HIGHEST SCORE 157 153 148 153 145 150 134 132 127 127

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
FINDINGS SUMMARY
We received a total of 2,951 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE)
results spanning the years 1987 to 2015. Of these, 314 students took
their examination in 2015. From these 314 students, we focussed our
analysis on 264 of them for passing all four standard subjects – English,
Mother Tongue, Mathematics, and Science.

While it may be true that it appears easier to score an A* for

Mathematics as seen in Figure 5, more students also scored an A in the
other three subjects. When we look at the percentage of students who
scored either A* or A for individual subjects in Figure 6, we find that a
greater number of students scored either an A* or A for Mother Tongue
(68%) than in Mathematics (44%).

In general, having good grades does not necessarily translate into having
good aggregate scores. From Figure 12, we can see that students with
lower grades have achieved better aggregate scores than others with
better grades. For example, a particular Student X scored 233 with
grades of 2As and 2Bs, bettering a Student Y who scored 221 with 4As.

To understand why, we can assume the following rationale:

a) Student X had lower grades but scored at the higher end of the grade
mark range for each subject.

• Scores per subject: 90(A), 90(A), 74(B), 74(B)

• Total score: 328
• Average score: 82

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
FINDINGS SUMMARY
b) Student Y had higher grades but scored at the lower end of the grade
mark range for each subject.

• Scores per subject: 75(A), 75(A), 75(A), 75(A)

• Total score: 300
• Average score: 75

Averaging these results will show that Student X with the lower grades
ended up with the higher overall average score.

In general, those looking to join an Integrated programme (IP) will need

to be prepared to attain a minimum grade combination of 3A*1A, or
obtain scores on the highest end of the grade mark range of 2A*2A.

Students with grades poorer than 2A2B will most likely received
aggregate scores that are below 200.

While most students with 4Bs or better received aggregate scores above
188, qualifying them for Express stream, a minority of students with 4Bs
had aggregate scores lower than 188, which meant they had to take up
Normal courses.

Students with less than 4Cs have a high chance of being streamed into
Normal (Technical) courses.

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
DISCLAIMERS AND COPYRIGHT
DISCLAIMER

This report summarises the findings of the ad hoc online survey

conducted by The Rolling Cube Private Limited, which owns and
operates www.educationcube.com and is based on information
voluntarily provided by individuals. We make no guarantees about the
accuracy of the results, and you should not rely on the survey report to
provide any definitive outcomes other than that they reflect the
outcomes of the responses by individuals who participated in the survey.

All information provided in this report and/or on the website is for non-
commercial educational purposes only. The Rolling Cube Private Limited
will not accept liability for any inaccuracies or errors in the report or
liability for any loss, damage, or other problems, including, without
limitation, indirect or consequential loss or damage arising from or in
connection with the use of this report.

COPYRIGHT © 2016 BY THE ROLLING CUBE PRIVATE LIMTIED

All rights reserved. No part of this report may be reproduced,
distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including
photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods,
without prior written permission from The Rolling Cube Private Limited,
except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews, and
certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law.

For permission requests, email to: admin@therollingcube.com.

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
VISIT OUR WEBSITE
www.educationcube.com

Discover information about educational Easily find schools or locate schools and
products and services services near you

Register for events Scan and read news and articles in your
specific areas of interest

Enquire about schools or programmes that

interest you Participate in forum community discussions

Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private

Limited www.educationcube.com
Copyright © 2016 The Rolling Cube Private
Limited www.educationcube.com