2026 PSLE Mathematics Format: Key Changes and Their Benefits

Parents preparing their children for the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) often feel anxious, especially when major format changes are announced. With the 2026 PSLE Mathematics format introducing adjustments to topics, assessment structure, and marking, it is natural to worry about how these changes will affect exam readiness, confidence, and outcomes. Many parents ask: Will my child cope? Are the changes harder? How should we prepare differently?

The good news is that the 2026 PSLE Mathematics format has been carefully redesigned by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to better support learning, build strong foundations, and ensure fairness in assessment. This article explains what is changing, why it matters, and how parents can effectively prepare for the PSLE with confidence and clarity.

Overview of the 2026 PSLE Mathematics Update

The updated PSLE Math syllabus began its rollout in 2021, starting with Primary 1. By 2026, Primary 6 students will be the first full cohort to sit for the PSLE under this revised MOE PSLE Math syllabus.

This means the PSLE Mathematics exam in 2026 reflects what students have been learning consistently from Primary 1 onwards, unlike earlier cohorts who experienced transitional changes.

The update aligns with MOE’s broader vision for the school leaving examinations PSLE: to prepare students not just for scores, but for secondary education and lifelong learning.

Topics Changes

Re-shuffling of topics across levels:

P6 Topics Sequence Change: 

In Primary 6, Algebra has been moved from the first topic in the textbook to the last topic.

What does it mean?

In Circles, students will no longer encounter questions that require answers in terms of π or in algebraic form (due to Algebra now being taught at the end of the year).

2026 PSLE Examination format details

The examination consists of two written papers comprising three booklets. 

For questions that require units, the units will now be provided on the answer lines.

Side-by-side Comparison (Old vs New)

Units Printed on Answer Lines

Change in Duration

Total duration remains unchanged.

Change in Marks Allocation

Change in Format

Benefits of New Format

• Topic changes: Speed and circles have traditionally been challenging topics for many students. With the removal of the topic Speed and the adjustment to the Circles topic—specifically the removal of questions that require answers to be left in algebraic form—the difficulty of these topics should be more manageable. This change is expected to benefit students by allowing them to focus more effectively on consolidating and revising key concepts from Primary 1 to Primary 5.

• Units given on answer line: As marks were often lost due to missing or incorrect units, this change helps reduce such avoidable errors.

• Change in Duration: Even though the total examination time remains the same, the shorter duration for Paper 2 may help students maintain focus.

• Change in Format: 

  • Paper 1 (non-calculator) will now carry 50 marks, an increase from 45 marks. This change places greater importance on strong mental and written calculation skills.

  • Paper 2 will have two fewer long-answer questions. With fewer long answer questions, many students may find the paper easier to manage.

  • Five 1-mark questions will be removed from Paper 1 Booklet B. As these questions previously allowed students to score quick marks, students should be aware of this change and prepare accordingly.

How Parents Can Help Children Prepare Effectively

To prepare for the PSLE under the new format, parents should:

• Ensure strong understanding of foundational topics from Primary 1–5

• Practise a wide range of PSLE Math questions and answers

• Focus on non-calculator skills for Paper 1

• Review past formats such as PSLE Math 2023 to understand progression

• Encourage clear working to align with the PSLE marking scheme

Consistent exposure to varied math questions, rather than excessive drilling, helps students learn to apply concepts flexibly.

Why These Changes Matter Beyond PSLE

Ultimately, the goal is not just exam success, but ensuring students learn mathematics meaningfully. By refining the PSLE Math exam, MOE supports deeper learning, better application, and smoother progression into secondary school subjects and other analytical disciplines.

Confidence Through Clarity

Change often brings uncertainty, but the 2026 PSLE Mathematics format is a positive step forward. By streamlining topics, refining assessment design, and reducing avoidable errors, the new format supports students in demonstrating true understanding.

For parents, the key is not to panic, but to stay informed and guide children steadily. With the right preparation and mindset, students can approach the primary school leaving examinations with confidence, resilience, and clarity—ready not just to score well, but to thrive in the next stage of learning.

Parents who want their children to stay confident and ahead in Primary Mathematics will find strong support in the AGrader Primary Tuition Programme, where weekly lessons are thoughtfully designed to follow the latest MOE syllabus and taught ahead of school to give students a clear advantage. Each lesson is reinforced with comprehensive, in-house learning materials and weekly worksheets that build strong understanding through consistent practice, whether your child is in P1–P5 or preparing for P6 Maths. 

Beyond structured classroom teaching and clear explanations, AGrader goes the extra mile with its exclusive EverLoop Improvement System, a complimentary after-class support programme that allows students unlimited access to additional revision sessions, either in person or online. By attempting extra worksheets and learning from guided explanatory videos for questions they answered incorrectly, students can effectively close learning gaps and strengthen exam readiness at their own pace. 

If you are looking for reliable primary maths tuition in Singapore that delivers results and confidence, enrol your child with AGrader today and give them the support they deserve to excel.

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