Understanding the New PSLE Mathematics Format for 2026: What’s Changed and Why It’s Better

Shaun Png
5 days ago
4 min read

The Primary School Mathematics syllabus and examination format in Singapore are undergoing significant updates, and for the cohort sitting the PSLE in 2026, these changes will make a meaningful difference. In this blog post we’ll walk through what is changing for the Mathematics component of the PSLE, explore how these changes improve the learning and assessment experience, and offer some thoughts on how students and parents can navigate the transition smoothly.

What’s Changing

Here are the key shifts to note for the 2026 PSLE Mathematics exam:

1. Syllabus Update

Using 2021 Mathematics Syllabus for all levels, the new syllabus will apply to Primary 6 students from 2026 onwards. This means the cohort who sit PSLE in 2026 will be the first cohort using that 2021 syllabus for PSLE Mathematics.

2. Topic re-shuffles and removals

Several topics have been moved to earlier years or removed altogether from the PSLE Mathematics scope:

Topics such as 'Nets' (3D solids unfolded) and 'Pie Charts' have been shifted from Primary 6 to Primary 4.
Topics such as 'Average' and 'Ratio' have been shifted from Primary 5 to Primary 6.
Topic of 'Speed' has been removed from the PSLE syllabus (shifted to Secondary 1).
Concepts of 'Turns and 8-point Compass' in the topic of 'Angles' in Primary 4 has been removed from the PSLE syllabus.
Concept of '12h and 24h clock' in the topic of 'Time' has been shifted from Primary 4 to Primary 3.

3. Examination format details

For the PSLE Mathematics paper in 2026, the new exam format will be as follows:

4. Emphasis shift: From breadth to depth, from drill to reasoning

The updated syllabus emphasises mathematical reasoning, conceptual understanding, metacognitive and problem‐solving skills.
The changes are intended to allow topics to be studied at the 'right time' and reduce abrupt jumps in difficulty, thereby smoothing the learning journey.

Why These Changes Make the Format Better

Let’s explore how these revisions improve the learning and assessment process for students.

Better alignment of topics and smoother progression

By moving certain topics to earlier or later years (e.g. Nets and Pie Chart to P4, Ratio and Average to P6, removing Speed from PSLE), the curriculum flow becomes more logical. Foundational concepts are established earlier and more complex ones are positioned when the student is more ready.

Introducing Pie Charts and Nets in Primary 4 gives students more time to internalise visual/spatial reasoning rather than encountering them only at Primary 6.
Shifting Ratio and Average to Primary 6 means that Primary 5 students have a lighter volume of content and can focus more on solidifying core concepts in Fractions and Percentage.
Removing Speed from the PSLE removes a topic that is often quite abstract and difficult for primary-school learners.

This smoother progression helps reduce the 'jump' in difficulty many students feel moving from Primary 5 to Primary 6, thereby reducing stress and enabling better conceptual mastery.

Greater focus on reasoning, problem-solving and real-world application

The new syllabus and format aren’t just about what topics are taught, but how they are taught and assessed. The emphasis shifts away from rote computation towards reasoning, conceptual understanding, and solving non-routine problems.

Why this matters:

It better prepares students for secondary school mathematics and life‐long numeracy, rather than simply preparing for exam drills.
It aligns with the broader educational aim of nurturing critical thinking, metacognition (thinking about how one thinks/solves), and confidence in tackling unfamiliar problems.
It is likely to make the exam experience more meaningful and less about “memorise and apply formula” and more about “understand, apply, reflect”.

Closer alignment to what secondary school will expect

By structuring the syllabus and assessment so that topics are taught when the students are developmentally ready and by emphasising on deeper thinking with topics, the transition to Secondary Mathematics becomes less jarring. Students will be better prepared for the kinds of thinking required in Secondary School, instead of being thrown into the deep end without any preparation.

How to Navigate the Transition

Since the 2026 cohort will experience these changes, here are some practical tips to get prepared and make the most of the new format.

Start early with conceptual clarity. Don’t wait until Primary 6 to grapple with tricky topics. PSLE preparation should actually start in Primary 5. Given the syllabus changes, students can and should build strong foundations in earlier years so that Primary 6 is more about refinement and depth rather than first‐time exposure.
Emphasise problem‐solving, not just practice drills. With more emphasis on reasoning rather than rote, students should be encouraged to:
- Explain why their answer works and makes sense, not just what the answer is.
- Face non-routine questions (the 15% everyone is talking about). Word problems that they haven’t seen before, rather than just repeat variations of familiar ones.
- Reflect on their solution process. "Are my answers reasonable? Did I choose the best method? Could I have solved it differently or more efficiently?"
Balance the workload and revision timeline. With Primary 5 and Primary 6 being designed to be more balanced, students can plan revision in such a way that early buffer time is built in. Don’t cram everything at the end (PSLE preparation starts in Primary 5); Use term‐by‐term consolidation of important topics and concepts.
Develop metacognitive and organisational skills. Because of the 15% higher‐order thinking and problem‐solving questions in PSLE Mathematics, students benefit from knowing how they learn, where they make errors (careless mistakes, misreading questions), and how to fix them—rather than just doing more questions.

In Summary

The 2026 PSLE Mathematics format and syllabus changes reflect a positive evolution:

Topics are re-sequenced to better match students’ progression.
The exam format is more aligned with reasoning, conceptual understanding and real-world application rather than rote memorisation.
Students have the opportunity for a smoother learning journey, less abrupt jumps in difficulty, and better preparation for Secondary Mathematics.

For students and parents, the key is to prepare early, emphasise understanding over rote, plan well, and adapt to the changes proactively. The shift isn’t just about “what’s different in the exam” but about “how students learn mathematics and how we assess their understanding.”

Start your preparation for PSLE Mathematics with us at edIFY: Math and Science!

Join us with our Director of Mathematics, Tr Shaun, as he fosters an inclusive learning environment where every student feels empowered to explore Mathematical concepts at their own pace, ensuring that each individual achieves their full potential.