How to Make Sense of the PSLE Malay Language Syllabus in Singapore

PSLE Malay Language syllabus for Singapore families: a plain guide to SEAB code 0006, the three papers, the 200 marks, the oral and listening components, the proverb list, and how to read an official document written almost entirely in Malay.

The SEAB document is the official description of the PSLE Malay examination.

It is precise and dense, and almost all of it is in Malay.

Some families may find it hard to read, especially when Malay is not their strongest language.

Once you know how it is organised, it becomes a useful map.

This guide is useful for families who need to:

understand the three PSLE Malay papers and what each one tests;
see where the 200 marks come from, section by section;
find the proverb list printed at the end of the document; or
check what the SEAB document actually says, even if their own Malay is limited.

At eduKateSG, we read the SEAB syllabus before planning lessons in the subjects we teach. This guide applies the same careful reading to PSLE Malay.

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PSLE Malay Language Syllabus at a Glance

Syllabus: PSLE Malay Language
Code: 0006
Who takes it: PSLE candidates taking Malay Language (SEAB lists Higher Malay Language, 0016, and Foundation Malay Language, 0026, separately)
Examination year of this document: 2026 (listed on SEAB’s PSLE Formats Examined in 2026 page; the cover reads “For examination from 2017”)
Language of the document: Malay, apart from the English cover line and a few table labels such as MCQ
Papers: three (Composition; Language Use and Comprehension; Oral and Listening Comprehension)
Total marks: 200
Written papers: 50 min (Paper 1) and 1 h 40 min (Paper 2)
Paper 3: 45 min in all; Oral about 15 min, with 10 min of preparation, and Listening about 30 min
Dictionary: an approved dictionary may be used in Paper 1
Peribahasa list: 60 proverbs and idioms (peribahasa) with meanings, 30 under Primary 3 and 4 and 30 under Primary 5 and 6
Where to download: SEAB: PSLE Formats Examined in 2026

This guide is based on the SEAB syllabus document examined in 2026. SEAB can update syllabuses, so always check the latest version on the SEAB website. SEAB has not yet published the 2027 PSLE formats at the time of writing.

What the Syllabus Is For

The document opens with one purpose.

The examination measures a candidate’s level of attainment and competence in Malay, based on the objectives of the Primary School Malay Language Syllabus 2015 from the Ministry of Education.

It then lists ten things the examination assesses, from listening and speaking to proverbs, grammar and writing.

So there are two documents. The MOE syllabus describes what pupils learn. This SEAB document describes how that learning is examined.

The document does not describe what comes before or after the PSLE. Higher Malay and Foundation Malay have their own SEAB syllabuses.

How the Examination Is Structured

Paper 1: Composition (Karangan)

Duration: 50 min
Marks: 40
Weighting: 20%
Choice: one of two questions, a composition on a given topic or a composition based on a picture series
Length: at least 150 words
Dictionary: an approved dictionary may be used

Paper 2: Language Use and Comprehension (Penggunaan Bahasa dan Kefahaman)

Duration: 1 h 40 min
Marks: 90, from 40 questions; all questions are answered
Weighting: 45%
Booklet A, Section A, Language Use: affixes (10 multiple-choice questions, 20 marks), proverbs (5 questions, 10 marks) and word classes (5 grammar questions completing a text, 10 marks)
Booklet A, Section B, Comprehension 1: 5 multiple-choice questions on an expository text, 10 marks
Booklet B, Section C, Phrases: 4 fill-in-the-blank questions, choosing the correct phrase for each gap in a dialogue, 8 marks
Booklet B, Section D, Comprehension 2: 11 multiple-choice and free-response questions, 32 marks; 4 on an authentic text such as an advertisement, brochure, poster, leaflet or menu, and 7 on a narrative text

Paper 3: Oral (Lisan)

Duration: about 15 min, with 10 min of preparation
Marks: 50 (Reading Aloud 20, Conversation 30)
Weighting: 25%
Part A, Reading Aloud: a passage shown on a computer screen
Part B, Conversation: watch a short video clip of 55 to 60 seconds, then take part in a conversation with the oral examiner

Paper 3: Listening Comprehension (Kefahaman Mendengar)

Duration: about 30 min
Marks: 20, from 10 multiple-choice questions
Weighting: 10%
Texts: 7 authentic texts of various kinds, such as articles, advertisements, announcements and short stories

SEAB’s listing page adds that, from 2017, the oral examination for Standard and Foundation Mother Tongue Languages is conducted in the e-Examination format.

In practice, Paper 2 carries the largest share at 45%.

Oral and Listening together carry 35%.

What the Syllabus Covers

The document has no topic list. Its ten objectives, (a) to (j), describe the skills tested. We group them under five headings.

Listening

understanding conversations and spoken texts; and
finding main ideas, recalling key details and interpreting implied meaning.

Speaking

reading a passage aloud fluently, with standard pronunciation (sebutan baku) and suitable expression;
explaining main ideas from a stimulus, such as a video clip, and giving opinions to the examiner; and
interacting orally, fluently and clearly, with standard pronunciation, for different purposes, audiences and situations.

Reading

working out word meanings from context;
finding specific information and main ideas; and
comparing and classifying information.

Language Use

using proverbs and idioms (peribahasa) in suitable contexts; and
using affixes (imbuhan), word structure and sentence structure in a given context.

Writing

writing a short narrative composition of at least 150 words that expresses feelings; and
interacting in writing clearly and effectively for different purposes, audiences and situations.

The document ends with its own proverb list (Senarai Peribahasa): 30 proverbs under Primary 3 and 4 and 30 under Primary 5 and 6, each with its meaning.

What the Examiners Are Looking For

The objectives have no separate weightings. The specification table gives a weighting to each component instead:

Paper 1, Composition: 20%
Paper 2, Affixes: 10%
Paper 2, Proverbs: 5%
Paper 2, Word Classes: 5%
Paper 2, Comprehension 1: 5%
Paper 2, Phrases: 4%
Paper 2, Comprehension 2: 16%
Paper 3, Reading Aloud: 10%
Paper 3, Conversation: 15%
Paper 3, Listening Comprehension: 10%

In plain terms, examiners look for accurate grammar and vocabulary, clear understanding of what is read and heard, and fluent Malay with standard pronunciation when speaking.

How to Read the Syllabus Document

Read it in this order:

Cover: the subject name, the code 0006 and the line “For examination from 2017”
Section 1, assessment objectives (Objektif Penilaian): the purpose, then objectives (a) to (j)
Section 2, examination format (Format Peperiksaan): each paper’s time, marks and weighting, with a short description of every section
Section 3, table of specifications (Jadual Pengkhususan): one table for all three papers; in the questions column, “2 (1)” means two questions, one to be answered
Proverb list: at the end, with each proverb and its meaning (maksud)
Useful words: markah (marks), minit (minutes), Bahagian (Section), Buku (Booklet) and Respons bebas (free response)

If Malay is not your strongest language, start with the table.

Common Misunderstandings

Paper 3 is only the oral

Paper 3 has two components: the Oral (50 marks) and Listening Comprehension (20 marks). Together they take about 45 minutes and carry 35%.

The composition must be based on pictures

Candidates choose one of two questions: a composition on a given topic or one based on a picture series.

There is no way to know which proverbs to learn

The document prints a proverb list for the primary-level Malay examination, with meanings, grouped under Primary 3 and 4 and Primary 5 and 6.

Paper 2 is all multiple-choice

Not all of it. Section D, worth 32 marks, includes free-response questions.

A dictionary can be used in every paper

The document mentions an approved dictionary only for Paper 1.

How Students Can Use the Syllabus

1. Map the 200 marks

Copy the specification table onto one page, with English labels. Mark the strongest and weakest sections.

2. Work through the proverb list

Learn a few proverbs at a time, with their meanings. Then use each one in a sentence of your own.

3. Practise Paper 2 by section

Affixes, proverbs, word classes, phrases and the two comprehension sections each carry their own marks. Track them separately.

4. Write to time and length

Practise both composition types within 50 minutes, and check that each reaches at least 150 words.

5. Rehearse the oral routine

Read short passages aloud from a screen. Watch a clip of about a minute, then explain its main idea and give a view.

6. Keep an error log

Note each mistake under its section name, such as affixes or Comprehension 2. Patterns appear quickly.

How Parents Can Help

read the specification table together once, even if your own Malay is limited;
ask which section lost marks in the last test, not only the total;
go through a few proverbs from the list each week, with their meanings;
make room for spoken Malay at home, such as a short chat about a video or the day; and
remember that Oral and Listening carry 35%, so speaking and listening practice counts.

How eduKateSG Uses the PSLE Malay Language Syllabus

our core classes are in English, Mathematics and Science, and we will say honestly whether we are the right fit for a Mother Tongue need;
we wrote this guide so families can read the official Malay document with confidence;
we read every syllabus the same way: purpose first, then format, then marks; and
the same diagnostic habit applies to Malay: find which section is losing marks before deciding what to practise.

Getting Support

Every student starts from a different place.

Speak with us about your child’s level, subject and recent results. If our 3-pax classes are the right fit, we will explain how they work. If they are not, we will say so honestly.

Format: Premium 3-pax small-group tutorials, 1.5 hours weekly

The usual first step is a parent–student consultation.

What Parents Can Bring to the Consultation

Useful materials include:

a copy of the syllabus, or its code;
recent test papers and weighted assessments;
the latest report book;
the school’s assessment schedule; and
examples of questions the student finds difficult.

We are not only looking at the score.

We are looking for patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many papers are there in PSLE Malay Language?

There are three papers: Composition (40 marks, 20%), Language Use and Comprehension (90 marks, 45%), and Oral and Listening Comprehension (70 marks, 35%). The total is 200 marks.

How long is each PSLE Malay paper?

Paper 1 is 50 minutes and Paper 2 is 1 hour 40 minutes. Paper 3 is 45 minutes: the Oral takes about 15 minutes, with 10 minutes of preparation, and Listening Comprehension takes about 30 minutes.

How many words must the PSLE Malay composition have?

At least 150 words. Candidates choose one of two questions, on a given topic or on a picture series, and an approved dictionary may be used.

Is there a proverb list for PSLE Malay?

Yes. The document ends with a list of proverbs for the primary-level Malay examination: 30 under Primary 3 and 4 and 30 under Primary 5 and 6, each with its meaning. In Paper 2, the proverbs section has 5 questions worth 10 marks.

What happens in the PSLE Malay oral?

Candidates are given 10 minutes of preparation. They read aloud a passage shown on a computer screen (20 marks), then watch a short video clip of 55 to 60 seconds and take part in a conversation with the examiner (30 marks).

Where do I download the PSLE Malay Language syllabus?

It is on the SEAB page PSLE Formats Examined in 2026, listed under Malay Language with code 0006. The document is mostly in Malay.

Helpful Reading

The eduKateSG Syllabus Series

Plain-language guides to SEAB syllabuses, from PSLE to A-Level. More guides are being added.

Mother Tongue guides

PSLE Chinese Language (0005)
PSLE Malay Language (0006) (this guide)
PSLE Tamil Language (0007)

More Primary (PSLE) guides

PSLE Malay Language Syllabus: Three Papers, One Map

The PSLE Malay Language syllabus is short.

It is written in Malay, but its table is clear.

Three papers. Two hundred marks.

Sixty proverbs, listed by level.

Read the table once, carefully.

Then let every piece of practice point to a part of it.

Arrange a Parent–Student Consultation

Speak with us about your child’s level, recent results, learning gaps and the dates ahead.

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How to Make Sense of the PSLE Malay Language Syllabus in Singapore | SEAB 0006 Papers, Skills and Marks