Key Strategies: Know How to Prepare for PSLE Maths
Mathematics is a challenging subject that requires students to demonstrate a deep understanding of mathematical concepts and the ability to apply these concepts to solve complex problems.
With the increasing emphasis on problem-solving and critical thinking evolving in our PSLE math syllabus based on recent years' trends, students need to develop effective strategies to tackle challenging math problems and achieve excellence in the exam.
Achieving excellence in PSLE math requires conceptual understanding, problem-solving skills, and effective exam strategies to translate your child’s efforts into good scores.
Steps to Attain Strong Fundamentals and Achieve the Scores
1. Mastering Heuristics Skills
Heuristics skills are essential for solving complex math problems in PSLE. Students need to develop these skills as early as Primary 2.
Empowering students with these eight (8) essential heuristics skills will give them a good head start in PSLE Paper 2.
Model Drawing: Learn and understand the usage of comparison models to visualise relationships between problem components.
Structure
The Comparison Model is a visual representation that highlights the difference between two quantities.
Using this model facilitates comparisons in:
- Addition
- Subtraction
- Multiplication
- Division
Example
Ali has 5 more marbles than Sang-Woo. Ali has 7 marbles. How many marbles does Sang-Woo have?
Using the Comparison Model:
Ali’s marbles: 7
Difference: +5 (difference)
Sang-Woo’s marbles: 7 + 5 = 12
Answer: John has 12 marbles.
Explore Options with Systematic Lists: Ensure all possibilities are considered, using keywords that link to the numbers in the word problem.
Benefit
- Ensures no possibilities are overlooked
- Helps in counting, probability, and combinatorics problems
- Reduces errors by approaching problems methodically
Example
How many different two-digit numbers can be formed using the digits 4, 5, and 6, without repeating any digit?
Systematic Listing Solution:
- List possible numbers starting with 4: 45, 46
- List possible numbers starting with 5: 54, 56
- List possible numbers starting with 6: 64, 65
Complete List of Numbers
45, 46, 54, 56, 64, 65
By using systematic listing, we can confidently determine that 6 possible two-digit numbers can be formed.
Table Drawing: Structure information for more precise analysis and understanding.
At First-Change-End (ACE) Table
A visual tool adapted from the tic-tac-toe game, the ACE table helps students break down and observe problem sums and analyse the solution.
Structure
A 3×3 grid with clear headers:
- 1. At First (Start): Initial situation or starting point.
- 2. Change: Actions made in the problem sum.
- 3. End: Final outcome or result.
Benefits
Clarifies student thinking and work and organises information in a structured table
Use ideal for Upper Primary students, the ACE table is handy for problem sums involving:
- Fractions
- Ratio
- Percentage
Example
Annie baked 285 pretzels and cheese sticks. She sold 45 pretzels and 40% of the cheese sticks. After that, the ratio of the number of pretzels to cheese sticks Annie had left was 1:3.
What fraction of her cheese sticks did Annie use? (Give your answers in the simplest form.)
How many pastries did Annie have left at the end?
Table Drawing Solution
Smart process: Always convert percentages to fractions to work with. 40% = 40/100 = ⅖ (Ans B)
1u + 45 + 5u = 285
6u → 285 – 45 = 240
6u → 240
1u → 240 ÷ 6 = 40
4u → 40 x 4 = 160 (Ans B)
Answer: Annie had 160 pastries at the end.
Work Backwards: Find the starting point when the final outcome is known.
Guess and Check: Make educated guesses and adjust findings correctly based on checks..
Supposition Method: Explore outcomes by forming hypothetical scenarios.
Before-After Concept: Compare quantities before and after a change to understand transformations.
Pattern Recognition: Identifying patterns, such as relationships to special numbers or repeated shapes, is crucial for solving complex pattern problems efficiently. With an increasing weightage of pattern-based questions in the PSLE, mastering this skill can boost confidence, improve problem-solving skills, and improve grades.
2. Practical Exam Techniques
Practical exam techniques are critical for achieving excellence in PSLE math. Students need to develop strategies for managing their time effectively, avoiding common mistakes, and maximising their scores.
Techniques such as reading questions carefully, checking answers, and using estimation and approximation can help students achieve higher exam scores.
Consider incorporating the CUBE strategy to enhance your child's reading and comprehension skills, particularly in exam settings such as PSLE. This approach can help mitigate a common pitfall: rushing through questions and exam anxiety without fully understanding each question. You can adopt this mnemonics of C.U.B.E.
Circle all numbers in the question.
Underline what the question is looking for.
Box the keyword/s in the question and explore the associating number each keyword relates to.
Eliminate At times, certain numbers or information are irrelevant to solving the question. Learn to identify these distractions and focus on solving.
Adopting the CUBE strategy can significantly improve your child's performance and confidence in math exams.
Understanding where your child commonly goes wrong can be beneficial in PSLE preparation. Students should be aware of common mistakes such as misreading questions, not showing their work, and careless mistakes in calculations. Checking work after finishing will help secure the few marks and push up an Al grade your child deserves. Consider the strategy mnemonics NT.U.C.
Check your work for:
NT : Number transfer from question onto equations and within each equation to the next. working’ numbers must also tally with equations.
U: For measurement questions, students must ensure they have the units inserted as final answers. Double-check to ensure the correct measurements are made. For example: is it just cm (perimeter) or is the correct answer cm² or m² (area)
C: Calculations, especially on correct operations used and correct regrouping.
3. Structured Learning and Practice
Structured learning and practice are essential for achieving excellence in PSLE math. Students need to develop a systematic approach to learning and practicing math concepts.
While school textbooks, workbooks, and homework are essential, they may not provide enough practice or support for students who need extra help. To fill this gap, consider the following of targeted online resources available online and usage of AI Question and Answer tool.
Practise Problem Solving Regularly
Consistent practice is essential for building problem-solving skills and confidence in math. Students should aim to solve various math problems, including PSLE math questions from past years' papers. This will help them develop a systematic approach to solving math problems and improve their problem-solving efficiency.
Assisted and Identified Tuition Help:
- Private tutors specialising in math
- Small group tuition classes
- Approach the class teacher to clarify doubts or extra remedial class
Benefits
- Personalised attention and guidance
- Focused practice and reinforcement
- Improved understanding and confidence
- Enhanced academic performance
By leveraging these additional resources, students can receive the support they need to excel in math, deepen their understanding of math concepts, and improve their problem-solving skills.
Learn from Others or Teach Someone Else
One good tip is to teach someone: Studies have shown that explaining concepts to others helps reinforce one's own understanding and retention. Your child can attempt to explain to you or their friends.
Another tip is to know someone who excels in math. Having a study buddy who excels in math can provide valuable guidance, support, and motivation.
4. Knowing your child’s strengths and weakness
Using data and analytics tools, such as quick quizzes and progress tracking, helps your child identify areas of strength and weakness, develop targeted strategies for improvement, and pinpoint learning gaps.
Consider collaborating with teachers and tutors to gain valuable insights that can help your child personalise their learning approach, identify and address knowledge gaps, and build a stronger foundation in math. This could potentially lead to an improvement of up to one to two grades.
5. Knowing PSLE Components Topical Weightage
Review P5 Topics: Fractions, Ratios & Percentages
Revisiting the fundamentals taught in Primary 5 is essential for building a strong foundation in math. Students should focus on mastering fractions, ratios, and percentages, as these topics form the bedrock for more complex Primary 6 math concepts.
Mastering New Topics: Algebra, Circles, Pie Charts, Speed & Nets
In Primary 6, students are introduced to new topics commonly tested in the PSLE math paper. These include algebra, circles, pie charts, speed, and nets. Students should focus on developing a deep understanding of these concepts and practicing applying them to different types of questions.
6. Learn Effective Time Management
Good time management is essential during the PSLE math paper. Students should practice solving math problems under timed conditions, allocate their time wisely, and learn to move on if they are stuck on a particular question. To maximise your child’s AL grade, consider finishing all other questions efficiently and fast enough, so you have more time for the last 5 questions on Paper 2, as they:
- Require higher-order thinking and problem-solving skills
- Are more complex and open-ended
- Carry more marks than other questions
Effective time management is crucial. The PSLE Math exam consists of two papers, each with its own unique components and time allocations.
Paper 1
- Booklet A (Multiple-Choice Questions): 15 questions, with 10 worth 1 mark each and 5 worth 2 marks each. Calculators are not allowed.
- Booklet B (Short-Answer Questions): 15 questions, with 5 worth 1 mark each and 10 worth 2 marks each. Calculators are not allowed.
Paper 2
- Structured/Long-Answer Questions: 17 questions, with 5 short-answer questions worth 2 marks each and 12 structured/long-answer questions worth 3-5 marks each. Calculators are allowed.
To manage time effectively, students should allocate:
- 1-2 minutes per multiple-choice question
- 2-3 minutes per short-answer question
- 5-7 minutes per structured/long-answer question
By focusing on these key strategies, students can develop a systematic approach to solving math problems, build confidence and problem-solving skills, and achieve excellence in the PSLE math exam. With the right mindset, strategies, and practice, students can overcome the challenges of the PSLE math paper and achieve their academic goals.
Final Words
Achieving a good AL Grade in PSLE math requires conceptual understanding, problem-solving skills, and effective exam strategies. By mastering heuristics skills, developing practical exam techniques, using structured learning and practice, and leveraging data-driven approaches, your child can create a systematic approach to solving math problems and achieving excellence in this national exam. Register now at Mavis Tutorial Centre to score high in exams.
About The Author
