Forum Letter Replies
Appropriate standards for new PSLE CL exam papers
We refer to Mr He Guo Yuan’s commentary “A discussion of the new PSLE format (小六会考新格式的商榷)”, 25 Jun 10.
The PSLE Chinese Language examinations are pitched at different levels for students taking Standard CL and Higher CL, to assess students’ different levels of ability and attainment.
PSLE Standard CL comprises three papers. Paper 1 (写作) assesses composition writing (20%), Paper 2 (语文理解与应用) assesses language use (45%) and Paper 3 (口试和听力理解) assesses oral and listening skills (35%). In Paper 2, two of the four comprehension texts are in the form of authentic texts e.g. advertisements and notices, which are shorter in length. Students are assessed through multiple-choice questions. The other two comprehension passages assess students’ basic language skills through open-ended questions.
PSLE Higher CL comprises two papers which assess composition writing (40%) and language use (60%) respectively. The demand of the PSLE Higher CL examination is higher and there are questions which require students to demonstrate higher language competency.
We would like to assure Mr He that the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board has in place a rigorous process to ensure that the exam papers are developed by a panel of experienced examiners comprising teachers, curriculum specialists and assessment specialists. The panel ensures that the demand of the examination papers is pitched appropriately.
MOE advises schools to set their school exam papers at the appropriate standard. We have also been conducting workshops to guide teachers on the setting of exam papers that are in alignment with the new PSLE format. We will continue to work closely with schools in guiding teachers to set appropriate school exam papers. We invite Mr He to contact MOE’s Customer Service at Tel: 68722220 to enable us to follow up on the matter.
Director, Curriculum Planning and Development Division
Chief Executive, Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board