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Lion City Scholar helps you track every mistake your child makes and uses AI to explain exactly where they went wrong — aligned to PSLE AL bands. Try it free →
PSLE 2026 Scoring System Explained — What Every Parent Needs to Know
How PSLE Scoring Works in 2026
Since 2021, PSLE uses the Achievement Level (AL) system instead of the old T-score. Each subject is graded AL1 to AL8, with AL1 being the best.
The AL Bands
| AL | Score Range | What It Means |
|---|---|---|
| AL1 | ≥ 90% | Exceptional mastery |
| AL2 | 85–89% | Very strong |
| AL3 | 80–84% | Strong |
| AL4 | 75–79% | Good |
| AL5 | 65–74% | Adequate |
| AL6 | 45–64% | Below average |
| AL7 | 20–44% | Weak |
| AL8 | < 20% | Very weak |
How the Total Score Works
Your child's PSLE score is the sum of their four subject ALs. The best possible score is 4 (AL1 in all four subjects). The range is 4 to 32.
What This Means for Secondary School
Schools are grouped by cut-off points. In 2025, popular schools like Raffles Girls' had a cut-off of 6, while most neighbourhood schools accepted scores of 20-26.
How to Help Your Child
- Focus on weak subjects first — improving from AL6 to AL5 (one band) has the same impact as improving from AL2 to AL1
- Understand the question types — PSLE tests application, not memorisation
- Practice with actual PSLE-format papers — familiarity reduces exam anxiety
- Track mistakes, not just scores — understanding WHY your child gets questions wrong is more valuable than drilling more papers
Lion City Scholar helps you track every mistake your child makes and uses AI to explain exactly where they went wrong — aligned to PSLE AL bands. Try it free →
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