An older dictionary may still be usable for PSLE Mother Tongue Paper 1 if it is the exact title, edition or electronic model previously approved by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) and its approval has not been withdrawn. Start by matching the copy you have to the published list, including the previously approved section. Then check your school’s instructions for PSLE 2027.
Check the dictionary itself before taking it to school. A hand-me-down printed copy may contain highlights, stickers or notes from another child. Under the published 2026 PSLE rules, printed dictionaries must be free of annotations and be checked and stamped by the school beforehand. Electronic dictionaries also require a school check, with different preparation rules. Use the 2027 instructions when available.
- Match the exact edition, ISBN or model, where shown.
- Read the notes on previously approved dictionaries and check for updates.
- Inspect the actual copy and bring it for the school’s check.
- Use the dictionary only for the paper where it is permitted.
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Match the dictionary to the paper
The published 2026 PSLE instructions permit approved dictionaries for Mother Tongue and Higher Mother Tongue Paper 1 composition. For Non-Tamil Indian Languages, they specify an unannotated monolingual dictionary for Paper 1 and direct candidates to consult their NTIL school. Check your exact subject and paper in the 2027 instructions before packing.
A printed dictionary’s title may stay the same across editions. Compare the edition, publisher and ISBN if the approved entry lists one. For an electronic dictionary, use the model shown on the device. A familiar brand name alone cannot establish that your device matches a listed model.
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Worked example | Two copies from an older sibling
Jia has a printed Chinese dictionary and an electronic one from her sister. The printed book matches an approved edition, but Jia finds a highlighted page and a handwritten translation inside. She shows the copy to her teacher and asks whether she should prepare a clean approved copy for inspection.
The electronic device has a readable model number. Jia and her parent check both sections of the list and read the accompanying notes. They confirm the school’s inspection arrangements, test silent mode and check the battery before practising with it. They use only the device the school confirms for the examination.
Make a one-line record for each copy
Write the exact title or model, where you found it in the list and when the school is checking it. If you cannot match an edition, photograph its publication page or model label for the school to inspect. This helps resolve questions before a replacement is purchased.
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Practise using a dictionary in a composition
Start with a short writing task. Mark one or two words you need to check and continue drafting. Then look up the spelling or meaning and reread the whole sentence. Keep the word if it fits the sentence and you understand it. If the lookup takes too long, practise expressing the same idea with familiar vocabulary.
For an electronic device, rehearse the lookup using the same input method you expect to use in the paper. The published 2026 instructions specify battery operation and silent mode, and advise bringing spare batteries. Check the current instructions for storage media and other equipment before packing.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the end of an approval period mean I must buy a new dictionary?
Read the list’s notes. SEAB’s published list describes continuing use for previously approved dictionaries unless changes lead to withdrawal of approval. Confirm your exact copy and the instructions for your exam year.
Can I keep an old school stamp and skip this year’s check?
Ask your school to check the copy for your sitting. The book may have acquired annotations or changed condition since the previous inspection.
Where can I verify the rules?
Use the SEAB approved dictionary page, the PSLE page for current candidate instructions and the published 2026 rules as a planning reference.