Release of 2021 Primary School Leaving Examination Results

24 NOV 2021

1. Candidates who sat for the 2021 Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) under the new Achievement Level (AL) scoring system received their results today. School candidates received their results in their respective primary schools from 11am onwards while those who were unwell, self-isolating due to COVID-19, or who preferred an alternative to gathering physically in school, were also able to view their results online via Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board’s (SEAB) Candidates Portal at www.seab.gov.sg.

2. This is the first year where each PSLE subject has been scored using eight ALs. The new PSLE scoring system aims to reduce fine differentiation of students’ examination results at a young age, recognise students’ level of achievement regardless of how their peers have performed, and allow students and their parents to explore a wider range of secondary schools.

Performance of 2021 Primary 6 Cohort

Eligibility for Secondary School and Course Eligibility

3. The course eligibility of the 2021 Primary 6 cohort is largely comparable to that of the 2020 Primary 6 cohort under the T-score system. A total of 39,119 Primary 6 candidates sat for the PSLE this year, of which 98.4% are assessed suitable for secondary school courses. 68.4% of the candidates are assessed suitable for the Express course, 18.9% for the Normal (Academic) [N(A) course] and 11.1% for the Normal (Technical) [N(T)] course.

4. For the remaining candidates, they may choose to re-attempt the PSLE next year. Alternatively, Assumption Pathway School (APS) and NorthLight School (NLS) offer customised programmes with a more experiential and hands-on learning approach, which can benefit these students. Students who have attempted the PSLE once and would like to apply to APS or NLS can do so with a recommendation from their primary school principal.

Eligibility for Subject-Based Banding (Secondary) [SBB (Sec)]

5. In 2018, the Ministry of Education (MOE) introduced Subject-Based Banding (SBB) in all secondary schools with N(A) and N(T) courses to provide students with greater flexibility to take various subjects at a more demanding level based on their subject-specific strengths and aptitudes.

6. Under the AL scoring system, students in the N(A) and N(T) courses will continue to be able to take subjects at a more demanding level from Secondary 1 (S1), based on their AL scores for individual subjects1. About 65% of students from the Normal courses are assessed to be suitable to take at least one subject at a more demanding level. This is an increase from 47% of students from the Normal courses in the 2021 S1 cohort, due to the change in SBB (Sec) eligibility criteria under the AL system.

Secondary 1 (S1) Posting Exercise

7. The S1 Option Form to select secondary schools will be given to eligible students when they collect their PSLE results slips in person. Alternatively, students can download a copy of the S1 Option Form from the Secondary 1 Internet System (S1-IS). The unique S1 Personal Identification Number (S1 PIN) to access the S1-IS had been given to students through their schools at the end of Term 4.

8. The S1 Option Form provides key information regarding the submission of school choices. Students, in discussion with their parents, should first consider their secondary school choices, make their decision, and complete the option form before logging on to the S1-IS to submit their secondary school options. This will help to ensure the smooth completion of their online submission. The S1-IS will be accessible from 11.30am on Wednesday, 24 November 2021 to 3.00pm on Tuesday, 30 November 2021 through MOE’s S1 Posting website at www.moe.gov.sg/s1-posting.

9. The indicative PSLE Score ranges for individual secondary schools released by MOE in April 20212 serves as a starting point for students and their parents as they consider their secondary school choices. However, beyond grades, there are other important factors when considering what would be a good fit for the student’s overall learning needs, strengths and interests. These include the schools’ distinctive programmes, subjects and Co-Curricular Activities offered, ethos and culture, home- school distance, and support for Special Educational Needs, if required. For a more holistic understanding of the offerings by the 139 secondary schools taking part in the 2021 S1 Posting Exercise, please visit SchoolFinder (https://moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder). Parents and students are encouraged to take the time to explore the schools’ websites, social media pages, as well as take part in their virtual open houses, to find out more about the schools that interest them before selecting the schools.

Release of S1 Posting Results

10. The S1 Posting Results will be released between 22 December 2021 and 24 December 2021. The posting results can be accessed through any of the following channels:

  • Short Message Service (SMS) via a local mobile number (if provided by the applicant during the application process)

  • S1-IS (www.moe.gov.sg/s1-posting) using the student’s Birth Certificate number / FIN, and the S1 PIN

  • At the student’s primary school

11. Students do not need to report to their posted secondary schools after receiving their S1 Posting Results. Instead, they should refer to their posted schools’ websites after receiving their posting results for more information such as instructions on online purchase of books and uniforms, booklist, and the reporting details. Parents of the incoming S1 cohort who are on Parents Gateway (PG) would also receive instructions from the posted schools from the afternoon of the day the S1 Posting results are released.

12. If students are unable to report to their posted secondary school on the first day of school in January 2022 due to valid reasons, they may contact their posted secondary school directly to confirm that they are taking up the place, and the school will reserve the place for them.

1 For more details on the SBB eligibility criteria under the AL scoring system, please refer to: https://moe.gov.sg/microsites/psle-fsbb/psle/faqs.html.

2 For more details on the indicative PSLE Score ranges for individual secondary schools, please refer to: https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/press-releases/20210427-psle-2021-supporting-students-and-their-parents-in-making-informed-school-choices

.