Every year, students in Singapore prepare for one of the most important exams in their school life—the PSLE. The PSLE English paper tests more than grammar or spelling. It checks how well a student listens, speaks, reads, and writes in English.
In 2025, the format will remain clear and structured. This blog explains each part of the paper. You’ll find tips, layout details, and what students should focus on during practice. Whether you’re a parent or student, this guide helps you feel ready and confident.
Overview of the PSLE English Paper
The English paper has four main parts:
- Paper 1: Writing
- Paper 2: Language Use and Comprehension
- Paper 3: Listening Comprehension
- Paper 4: Oral Communication
Each paper checks a different skill. Together, they form the full picture of how well a student uses English daily.
Paper 1: Writing
Writing tests how well students express thoughts on paper. It has two sections:
- Situational Writing
- Continuous Writing
Let’s look at each.
Situational Writing
Students write a short piece, like a letter, email, or message. They must follow the prompt closely and include the right tone, format, and details. Marks come from both content and language.
Length: Around 120 words
Time: 15 minutes
Continuous Writing
This part asks students to write a composition. A topic is given with three pictures. The student picks one or more pictures and builds a story around it.
Length: 150 words or more
Time: 40 minutes
The story should:
- Have a clear start, middle, and end
- Use proper grammar and spelling
- Show feelings, actions, and thoughts
Writing Paper Breakdown
This table shows what Paper 1 tests and how marks are split.
| Section | Marks | Skills Tested |
| Situational Writing | 15 | Format, tone, main points |
| Continuous Writing | 40 | Ideas, structure, vocabulary, grammar |
| Total | 55 |
Paper 2: Language Use and Comprehension
This paper has both grammar and reading tasks. It checks if a student can use English correctly and understand what they read.
Sections in Paper 2 include:
- Grammar MCQs
- Vocabulary MCQs
- Vocabulary Cloze
- Visual Text Comprehension
- Grammar Cloze
- Editing for Spelling and Grammar
- Comprehension Cloze
- Comprehension (Open-Ended)
Each section tests a different skill. Students need to understand sentence structure, use of words, and how to find meaning in a text.
Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
Marks: 95
Paper 3: Listening Comprehension
This paper checks how well a student hears and understands spoken English. It uses recordings of short talks, conversations, and instructions. Each recording plays once.
Questions include:
- Matching pictures to speech
- Answering direct questions
- Picking correct responses
Tips to improve:
- Listen to English news or podcasts
- Practise noting keywords while listening
- Focus on the tone and clues in the speech
Time: 35 minutes
Marks: 20
Paper 4: Oral Communication
The oral test includes two parts:
1. Reading Aloud
The student reads a short passage clearly and with expression.
2. Stimulus-Based Conversation
A picture or topic is shown. The examiner asks questions based on it. The student answers shares thoughts, and speaks clearly.
Time: About 10 minutes
Marks: 30
To prepare for the English oral, students can:
- Practise reading aloud from books or news
- Discuss topics like school events or hobbies
- Think about their opinions and explain them clearly
PSLE English Paper Overview
Here’s a full look at all four papers, their timing, and marks.
| Paper | Skills Tested | Time | Marks |
| Paper 1 – Writing | Situational + Continuous Writing | 1 hour 5 mins | 55 |
| Paper 2 – Language & Comprehension | Grammar, vocabulary, comprehension | 1 hour 50 mins | 95 |
| Paper 3 – Listening | Listening to spoken texts | 35 mins | 20 |
| Paper 4 – Oral | Reading aloud, conversation | 10 mins | 30 |
| Total | 200 | ||
How to Get Ready for PSLE English?
Winning at PSLE English starts with daily habits. Strong readers soak up ideas quickly, and confident speakers share thoughts with ease. Follow these simple steps to sharpen your English skills and enjoy the journey.
1. Read Every Day
- Books feed the brain with grammar, ideas, and new words. Mix stories, news, and articles to explore different writing styles. Chat about what you read to strengthen your understanding.
2. Tackle Past Papers
- Solving old papers unlocks tricky patterns and trains the mind to think fast. Time yourself to boost speed and sharpen focus.
3. Chat in English Often
- Use English during games, meals, and playtime. Speaking daily turns English into a habit and builds the courage to use it anywhere.
4. Collect New Words
- Learn five new words each week. Sprinkle them into writing and conversations to lock them into memory. Keep a word journal to see how far you’ve come.
5. Welcome Feedback
- Let teachers or parents spot weak spots in writing and speech. Fix one thing at a time to grow stronger step by step.
6. Write Something Every Day
- Jot down short stories, journal entries, or letters. The more you write, the clearer your ideas shine.
7. Listen to Good English
- Tune in to audiobooks, watch educational videos, or listen to English news. Hearing proper English sharpens fluency and refines pronunciation.
8. Slice Big Tasks into Small Chunks
- Instead of rushing before exams, study a little each day. Small, steady steps lead to big success.
Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
| Mistake | How to Fix It |
| Writing too little | Plan before writing; aim for enough detail |
| Missing grammar points | Review rules weekly and do drills |
| Not answering the full question | Underline keywords in the question |
| Reading too fast during oral | Practise slower reading with a clear voice |
| Skipping proofreading in writing | Save 5 minutes at the end to check your work |
What Changed in 2025?
As of 2025, no major changes in the PSLE English structure have been introduced. However, schools continue sharpening students’ ability to express ideas with clarity and confidence. The focus remains on:
- Thinking critically to form well-structured responses.
- Writing with precision to communicate ideas effectively.
- Speaking with confidence in discussions and presentations.
- Reading with attention to grasp key details and deeper meanings.
Teachers also encourage creativity and logical reasoning, helping students apply language skills in real-world situations.
Why PSLE English Matters?
English is the foundation of all learning. Subjects like Science and Math demand strong reading skills to understand concepts and solve problems effectively.
A solid PSLE English score:
- Expands school options, leading to better academic opportunities.
- Boosts thinking skills, making it easier to analyse and explain ideas.
- Prepares students for higher education, where clear communication is essential.
Mastering English doesn’t just improve exam scores—it strengthens lifelong learning and success.
Final Thoughts
The PSLE English paper checks more than spelling or big words. It looks at how well a student uses English in real life—writing stories, reading signs, hearing talks, and sharing ideas.
If students practise each skill slowly and often, they will feel ready. Keep reading, write a composition each week, and enjoy english oral often. With these habits, success in PSLE comes closer each day.
FAQ’s
1. What is tested in the PSLE English Paper 1?
Paper 1 includes Situational Writing and Continuous Writing. Students write short texts like emails or letters, and then they write a composition based on pictures and a topic.
2. Is grammar tested in the PSLE English paper?
Yes. Grammar appears in both multiple-choice and editing sections of Paper 2. It also matters in writing and oral work.
3. What is the total score for PSLE English?
The full score is 200 marks, split across four papers: Writing (55), Language and Comprehension (95), Listening (20), and Oral (30).
