Subject-Based Strategies (SBS) for PSLE MATHEMATICS (Fnd)
TIPS TO DO WELL FOR PSLE MATHS PAPER
1. Time Management
Use the following to find out how much time you should spend on a question
before going on to the next. You can always come back to this question later.
No. of Amt. of time
Qn No. Remarks
marks for each question
Booklet A
1 – 10 1m 1 min
For 1 mark:
Paper 1
11 – 20 2m 2 min
60 𝑚𝑖𝑛
50 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑠
Booklet B
21 – 30 2m 2 min = 1 min 12 s
≈ 1 min
By following the above, there is some spare time for the questions that were
skipped after you complete the last question.
1 – 10 2m 3 min
For 1 mark:
Paper 2
60 𝑚𝑖𝑛
3m 4 min 30 s
40 𝑚𝑎𝑟𝑘𝑠
11 – 16 = 1 min 30 s
4m 6 min
Using the time allocated for the next question for the current one would not be
wise because the next question’s 2 marks is not going to be worth any less than
the 2 marks you are struggling with!
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2. Multiplication Tables Mastery
Paper Use of calculators? Total marks
1 No 50
2 Yes 40
As can be seen from the above, total marks for Paper 1 is more than that for
Paper 2 and the use of calculators is not allowed.
This means that it is very important to be very good in your multiplication tables!
This would also greatly help when you do division.
A few ways to be good at this
Chanting (Verbal repetition of the multiplication tables over and over again)
Skip Counting
Using songs (Search YouTube for multiplication songs. There are plenty
to choose from)
Fingers (Works for 9 times table)
Practise, practise, practise! (If you want to master them)
3. Mastering Mechanical Sums
Take the time to practise basic skills such as addition, subtraction, multiplication
and division. Practice makes perfect! Ensure strong fundamentals and develop
conceptual understanding rather than memorising the steps. The more you
practise, the better you will be.
For paper 2, focus on the process of solving the problem and not merely arriving
at the final solution without understanding. Show all workings clearly step by step
to score the method marks. Since calculators are allowed in paper 2, be
familiar with the way they work. E.g. Keying fractions
Do not go into the exam room with pre-determined method or answer. Think of
various steps to solve the sums. E.g. drawing model, pictorial for fractions, etc.
Build your confidence and always think that everything is possible. Attempt all the
questions even they are difficult. They can help you to score method marks.
4. Cutting down on loss of marks through careless mistakes
How? Through proper checking! Almost every student checks his or her work
but many do not do it properly. They end up flipping through the paper instead of
actually checking.
Proper checking involves either going through the working done earlier carefully
or even doing the questions once more, depending on the amount of time you
have left for checking.
Some students actually check from the back of the paper to the front. The
reasoning is that we tend to be more rushed nearing the end of the paper,
resulting in more careless mistakes.
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5. Your Brain Needs Sufficient Rest
Last but not least, do ensure you are getting sufficient sleep! Our brain needs
sufficient rest in order to function at its best! This is not about only having
sufficient rest the night before. Our body clock needs time to be properly tuned!
~Remember to stay calm and just do your best!~
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