The best way to prepare for the PSLE is through consistent, focused practice with real exam-style questions. Below, we have curated 7 high-quality PSLE-style questions — covering Mathematics, English, Science, and Chinese — complete with detailed, step-by-step answers. Use these to sharpen your child's exam technique and build confidence for the actual paper.
The PSLE tests more than just content knowledge — it examines how well students apply concepts under timed, exam conditions. Practising with realistic questions helps students recognise common question patterns, manage time effectively, and avoid careless mistakes that cost marks.
Each question below is written at the P6 PSLE difficulty level and mirrors the format used in top primary school prelim papers across Singapore. Work through them carefully, then toggle the answer to check your working.
PSLE Hero gives you access to the largest curated bank of top school PSLE questions — with instant marking, step-by-step answers, and progress tracking.
▶ Download PSLE Hero Free on Google PlayAlice and Ben shared a sum of money in the ratio 3 : 5. Alice then received $40 more from their mother, and the ratio of Alice's money to Ben's money became 1 : 1. What was the total sum of money they shared at first?
Step 1: Let Alice's share be 3 units and Ben's share be 5 units.
Step 2: After receiving $40, Alice has (3 units + $40). The new ratio is 1 : 1, which means Alice and Ben now have the same amount.
Step 3: So, 3 units + $40 = 5 units. This gives us: $40 = 5 units − 3 units = 2 units.
Step 4: 1 unit = $40 ÷ 2 = $20.
Step 5: Total sum at first = 3 units + 5 units = 8 units = 8 × $20 = $160.
Key concept: Use the "before and after" model method. Since only Alice's amount changed, Ben's share stays the same — this lets you find the value of 1 unit.
Fill in the blank with the correct form of the verb in brackets.
By the time the fire engine arrived, the residents __________ (evacuate) the building safely.
The sentence describes two past actions: (1) the residents evacuating, and (2) the fire engine arriving. Because the evacuation happened before the fire engine arrived, we use the past perfect tense ("had + past participle") for the earlier action.
Why not simple past? "evacuated" would imply both events happened at the same time or in sequence. The past perfect had evacuated clearly shows the evacuation was completed before the arrival — this distinction is what PSLE markers look for.
Grammar rule: When two past events are described and one happened before the other, use the past perfect tense for the earlier event and simple past for the later event.
A metal spoon and a wooden spoon are both placed in a pot of boiling water for 5 minutes. Which of the following statements best explains why the metal spoon feels hotter to touch than the wooden spoon?
Both spoons are in the same pot of boiling water for 5 minutes, so they reach approximately the same temperature — this eliminates option (A).
The metal spoon feels hotter because metal is a good conductor of heat. When you touch it, heat is transferred rapidly from the spoon to your hand. Wood is a poor conductor (insulator), so heat flows much more slowly to your hand, making it feel cooler to the touch.
Common mistake: Many students choose (A), confusing "feels hotter" with "is at a higher temperature." The question tests the concept of rate of heat transfer, not temperature difference. This is a frequently tested PSLE Science concept.
Each question in PSLE Hero comes with a detailed, worked solution — just like the explanations above, but for over 3,100 questions.
▶ Try PSLE Hero for FreeA shopkeeper bought a bag for $80 and sold it for $100. What was his percentage profit based on the cost price?
Step 1: Find the profit. Profit = Selling Price − Cost Price = $100 − $80 = $20.
Step 2: Percentage profit is calculated based on the cost price:
Step 3: Percentage Profit = (Profit ÷ Cost Price) × 100% = ($20 ÷ $80) × 100% = 25%.
Key concept: In PSLE, percentage profit or loss is always calculated based on the cost price, not the selling price — unless the question specifically states otherwise. This is a very common exam trap.
Read the passage below, then answer the question.
Question: Why did it take Lina "a full three seconds before she could move"? Use evidence from the passage to support your answer.
Lina was overwhelmed with shock and disbelief at hearing her name called as the winner. The passage states that "she felt her knees buckle," which shows that her body reacted physically to the surprise. Despite having prepared for six months, the moment of actually winning was so unexpected and emotionally intense that she was momentarily frozen.
Answering technique (PEEL):
Point: Lina could not move because she was overwhelmed with shock.
Evidence: "She felt her knees buckle" — this shows her physical reaction to the surprise.
Explain: Although she had prepared intensively for months, the actual announcement caught her off guard emotionally.
Link: The three-second delay was caused by her body and mind needing time to process the disbelief of winning.
Tip: PSLE comprehension questions that ask "why" require you to state a reason and support it with a direct quote or reference from the passage. Always use the PEEL structure for 2-mark or 3-mark questions.
A polar bear has thick, white fur and a layer of fat (blubber) beneath its skin. Explain how two of the polar bear's physical features help it survive in the Arctic.
Feature 1: Thick fur
Claim: The polar bear's thick fur helps it survive in the cold Arctic.
Evidence: Thick fur traps a layer of warm air close to the body.
Reasoning: This layer of trapped air acts as insulation, reducing heat loss from the body to the cold surroundings. This keeps the polar bear warm even in sub-zero temperatures.
Feature 2: Layer of fat (blubber)
Claim: The layer of blubber beneath the polar bear's skin helps it survive in the cold Arctic.
Evidence: Fat is a poor conductor of heat.
Reasoning: Because fat does not conduct heat well, the blubber acts as an additional layer of insulation that minimises heat loss from the polar bear's body. It also serves as an energy store for periods when food is scarce.
Tip: For "explain" questions in PSLE Science, always use the CER (Claim–Evidence–Reasoning) framework. State what the feature does, give a scientific fact as evidence, then explain the link between the feature and survival.
选出最适当的词语填在横线上。
弟弟不小心把花瓶打碎了，妈妈虽然很生气，但还是 __________ 地对他说："下次要小心一点。"
句子中"虽然很生气，但还是"这个转折关系告诉我们，妈妈虽然内心生气，但她的语气却是与生气相反的。因此，正确答案是 温和（gentle, mild），表示妈妈用平和的态度对弟弟说话。
为什么其他选项不正确？
(A) 严厉 — 意思是 strict / harsh。如果妈妈"严厉"地说，就与"虽然生气但还是……"这个转折矛盾了。
(C) 兴奋 — 意思是 excited。花瓶被打碎，不可能兴奋，不合情境。
(D) 骄傲 — 意思是 proud。在这个情境中没有让妈妈感到骄傲的事情发生。
答题技巧： 遇到"虽然……但是……"这类转折关联词时，横线上的词语通常与前半句的情绪或状态相反。这是 PSLE 华文词语填空的常见考法。
These 7 questions are just the beginning. PSLE Hero covers Maths, English, Science & Chinese with real top school prelim questions, step-by-step solutions, and smart progress tracking.
▶ Get PSLE Hero on Google Play — It's FreeThese 7 free PSLE practice questions give you a taste of what focused, exam-style practice looks like. If your child found them helpful, imagine having access to over 3,100 questions — across all four subjects — with every question accompanied by a complete step-by-step solution.
PSLE Hero is trusted by Singapore parents who want to give their children a competitive edge without expensive tuition. The app is free to download, and you can start practising in under a minute.