PSLE Grading System Explained — Understanding AL Scores
If your child is preparing for the PSLE, you’ve probably heard the term AL score mentioned a lot.
But what does it really mean, and how does it affect your child’s secondary school posting?
This guide breaks down exactly how the PSLE grading system works, how Achievement Levels (ALs) are calculated, and what parents should focus on when supporting their child’s preparation.
Contents:
What Is the PSLE AL System? 📚
In 2021, the Ministry of Education (MOE) replaced the old T-score system with the Achievement Level (AL) grading system.
Instead of ranking students against one another, this new approach measures each child’s performance against a fixed standard.
Each subject is now graded from AL1 (best) to AL8 (lowest). The four AL scores from English, Maths, Science, and Mother Tongue are added together to form a total PSLE Score — ranging from 4 to 32.
For example:
If your child scores AL2 in English, AL3 in Maths, AL2 in Science, and AL4 in Mother Tongue, their total PSLE Score is:
2 + 3 + 2 + 4 = 11
PSLE Achievement Level (AL) Bands 🥇
Here’s the official AL breakdown published by MOE:
Each subject is graded separately, and there is no bell curve — meaning your child’s performance is judged independently of others.
Why MOE Changed to the AL System ↪️
The AL system aims to:
✅ Reduce competition between students by removing fine T-score distinctions (e.g., 231 vs 232).
✅ Encourage deep understanding rather than surface exam drilling.
✅ Allow students to focus on overall learning and wellbeing.
✅ Create a broader range of outcomes (only 29 possible total scores instead of hundreds).
It’s designed to help children see learning as a journey — not just a score race.
Parents who want to explore what this means for their child’s English performance can read our PSLE English guide below.
How the Overall PSLE Score Is Calculated 🧮
Each subject gets an AL1–8 grade.
Add all four ALs together to get your child’s total PSLE Score.
The lowest total score (4) is the best possible, while the highest (32) is the lowest performance band.
The PSLE Score determines the Posting Group your child will enter for secondary school.
See the 2025 PSLE Cut-Off Points Table for how these scores translate to real secondary school placements.
How Posting Works After AL Scores Are Released 🤔
During the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise, your child’s total PSLE Score is compared with the cut-off points of their chosen schools.
Admissions follow this sequence:
Students are grouped by PSLE Score.
Within each score group, priority goes to citizenship (Singaporeans first, then PRs, then international students).
School choice order is then used as a tiebreaker.
If still tied, a computerised ballot decides the final place.
Understanding HCL Distinctions (D/M/P) 🧠
For students in SAP schools, Higher Chinese Language (HCL) results can be used to gain an advantage when applying to certain schools.
Suffix meanings:
D = Distinction
M = Merit
P = Pass
These don’t affect the total PSLE Score itself but can help in posting to SAP schools if the child has the same score as another applicant.
What Parents Should Focus On 🧘
Instead of stressing over the number, focus on:
Balanced preparation across all four subjects.
Consistent revision habits and understanding marking criteria.
Strong English skills (since Paper 2 carries heavy weight).
Mock exam practice to build familiarity and confidence.
PSLE resources to get started
Summary 🔁
The AL grading system was built to help children learn without unnecessary comparison — it’s meant to empower, not intimidate.
By understanding how AL scores work, you can guide your child to focus on steady improvement, exam confidence, and subject mastery — the qualities that make the biggest difference when PSLE results arrive.