How to Make Sense of the PSLE Science Syllabus in Singapore

PSLE Science syllabus for Singapore families: a plain guide to SEAB code 0009, the single written paper, its two booklets, the marks and how to use the official document to plan steady revision.

The SEAB syllabus is the official description of the PSLE Science examination.

It is short and precise. A few paragraphs and one table hold almost every number that matters.

It is easy to glance at it once and move straight to practice papers.

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

This guide is useful for families who need to:

understand the revised PSLE Science format examined from 2026;
see how the marks are split between multiple-choice and structured questions;
know what the two assessment objectives ask for; or
check what the SEAB document says, and does not say, before planning revision.

At eduKateSG, we read the SEAB syllabus before we plan lessons, so practice matches the paper students will actually sit.

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PSLE Science Syllabus at a Glance

Syllabus: PSLE Science
Code: 0009
Who takes it: PSLE candidates taking Science (Foundation Science has its own syllabus, code 0039)
Examination year of this document: 2026 (the cover reads: For examination from 2026)
Status: marked Revised on SEAB’s 2026 listing page
Papers: one written paper made up of two booklets, A and B
Questions: 30 multiple-choice and 10–11 structured; all questions must be answered
Total marks: 100 (60 in Booklet A, 40 in Booklet B)
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Practical component: none described; the document sets out one written paper only
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.

SEAB marks the 2026 PSLE Science format as Revised. The document itself does not list what changed, so treat its format table as the reference.

What the Syllabus Is For

The document states one purpose.

The PSLE Science paper assesses a pupil’s attainment in Science as stated in the 2023 primary science syllabus.

So there are two documents. The 2023 primary science syllabus sets out what pupils learn. This SEAB document sets out how that learning is examined.

The assessment objectives describe the skills and abilities pupils are expected to show at the end of the course.

That is why the SEAB document has no topic list. It is a format document: purpose, objectives, booklets, marks and time.

For more on the two kinds of syllabus, read the difference between the MOE syllabus and the SEAB exam syllabus.

How the Examination Is Structured

There is one written paper of 1 hour 45 minutes, made up of two booklets. Candidates must answer all the questions in both booklets.

Booklet A: Multiple-choice

Questions: 30, each with four options
Marks: 2 per question, 60 in total
Weighting: 60 of the 100 marks (the document gives marks, not percentages)
Time: part of the 1 hour 45 minute paper; the document does not split the time between booklets

Booklet B: Structured

Questions: 10–11
Marks: 2, 3, 4 or 5 per question, 40 in total
Weighting: 40 of the 100 marks
Choice: none; all questions must be answered

In practice, Booklet A carries the larger share of the marks, so accuracy across all 30 questions matters.

Booklet B carries up to 5 marks per question, so complete, well-reasoned answers matter there.

What the Syllabus Covers

The SEAB document does not list themes or topics. It refers to the 2023 primary science syllabus for content, and focuses on how that content is examined.

What the SEAB document sets out

the purpose of the examination;
two assessment objectives;
the format of the paper and its two booklets; and
the duration.

What it leaves to the 2023 primary science syllabus

the content pupils learn; and
the detail of the attainment being assessed.

The two kinds of questions

multiple-choice: 30 questions, four options each, 2 marks each; and
structured: 10–11 questions, each worth 2, 3, 4 or 5 marks.

The objectives connect everything: knowledge with understanding is the base, and application and inquiry put it to use.

What the Examiners Are Looking For

There are two assessment objectives. The document does not give weightings for them.

I. Knowledge with Understanding

knowledge and understanding of scientific facts, concepts and principles.

II. Application of Knowledge and Scientific Inquiry

applying scientific facts, concepts and principles;
making predictions and formulating hypotheses;
interpreting and analysing information;
evaluating observations, information and methods; and
communicating explanations and reasoning.

The document adds that pupils may show these in words, or by using diagrams, tables and graphs.

Knowing a fact is the start.

The paper also asks pupils to use it, reason with it and explain it.

How to Read the Syllabus Document

The document is very short. Read it in this order:

Cover: PSLE Science and the line For examination from 2026
Purpose of the Examination: the link to the 2023 primary science syllabus
Assessment Objectives: the two objectives and the inquiry skills listed under the second
Format of Paper: one written paper, two booklets and Table 1, with questions and marks for each booklet
Notes (a) and (b): four options per multiple-choice question and marks per structured question, followed by the rule that all questions must be answered
Duration of Paper: 1 hour 45 minutes

Common Misunderstandings

PSLE Science has a practical examination

The document describes one written paper with two booklets. It does not mention a practical component.

Some questions can be skipped or chosen

There is no choice. Candidates must answer all the questions in both booklets.

Structured questions carry most of the marks

Booklet A’s 30 multiple-choice questions carry 60 marks. Booklet B carries 40.

Memorising facts is enough

Knowledge with Understanding is one of two objectives. The other asks pupils to apply knowledge and use scientific inquiry: predict, interpret, evaluate and explain.

Older practice papers always match the current format

The 2026 format is marked Revised. Before timed practice, check a paper’s question counts and marks against Table 1, and its time against the 1 hour 45 minute duration.

How Students Can Use the Syllabus

1. Learn the shape of the paper

Thirty multiple-choice questions at 2 marks each, then 10–11 structured questions at 2 to 5 marks each, all in 1 hour 45 minutes.

2. Use the objectives as a checklist

For each topic, ask: can I state the key facts, apply them, make a prediction, interpret data and explain my reasoning?

3. Practise explaining in full

Structured questions carry up to 5 marks. Practise clear, complete sentences that give a reason.

4. Read diagrams, tables and graphs

The objectives mention all three. Practise taking information from each, and presenting it.

5. Practise to time

Do both booklets in 1 hour 45 minutes. Note how long Booklet A takes, so enough time is left for Booklet B.

6. Keep an error log

Label each error: knowledge, application or inquiry skill. The pattern shows what to practise next.

How Parents Can Help

read Table 1 together once, calmly;
ask your child to explain everyday events, such as why ice melts or why wet clothes dry;
encourage answers in full sentences that give a reason;
notice whether marks are lost in Booklet A or Booklet B;
support steady revision across the year, not only before the examination; and
treat a weak result as a direction for practice, not a verdict.

How eduKateSG Uses the PSLE Science Syllabus

we plan practice around the two booklets and the marks in Table 1;
we use the two assessment objectives to check both knowledge and application;
we practise the inquiry skills the document lists: predicting, interpreting, evaluating and explaining;
we give feedback on structured answers so explanations become clear and complete; and
we check SEAB’s latest format document each year, especially after a revision.

Class Details

Format: Premium 3-pax small-group tutorials

Levels: Primary 1 to Primary 6, including PSLE preparation

Subjects: English, Mathematics and Science

Duration: 1.5 hours weekly

Teaching approach:

diagnosis before teaching;
clear explanation from first principles;
guided and independent practice;
retrieval and mixed revision;
error analysis; and
alignment with school assessments and the PSLE format.

Limited trial lessons may occasionally be available when the 3-pax class configuration permits. 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 Science?

There is one written paper made up of two booklets. Booklet A has 30 multiple-choice questions (60 marks), and Booklet B has 10–11 structured questions (40 marks).

How long is the PSLE Science paper?

The paper lasts 1 hour 45 minutes. Candidates must answer all the questions in both booklets.

Does PSLE Science have a practical examination?

The SEAB document describes one written paper only. It does not mention a practical component.

What changed in the 2026 PSLE Science format?

SEAB marks the 2026 format as Revised, and the document applies to examinations from 2026. The document does not list the changes, so use Table 1 and the stated duration as the reference for questions, marks and time.

Is the SEAB syllabus the same as what my child’s school teaches?

Not exactly. The SEAB document describes the examination, which assesses attainment in Science as stated in the 2023 primary science syllabus. It does not list topics.

Where do I download the PSLE Science syllabus?

It is on the SEAB page PSLE Formats Examined in 2026, listed under Science with code 0009.

Helpful Reading

The eduKateSG Syllabus Series

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

Primary (PSLE)

PSLE English Language (0001)
PSLE Mathematics (0008)
PSLE Science (0009) (this guide)

Secondary (SEC)

Junior College (A-Level)

PSLE Science Syllabus: One Paper, Two Booklets

The PSLE Science syllabus is short.

One paper. Two booklets. One hour and forty-five minutes.

Knowledge is the base.

Application and inquiry build on it.

Read Table 1 once, carefully.

Then let every revision session 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.

Contact eduKate Singapore

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eduKate Punggol
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Singapore 828761

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Singapore 268674
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+65 8823 1234

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How to Make Sense of the PSLE Science Syllabus in Singapore | SEAB 0009 Papers, Booklets and Marks