When preparing for PSLE, selecting the right assessment book can be troublesome. But with the right guidebook, students will be able to get a feel of how the examination is going to be like and prepare for it more effectively.
Every book aims to help the student excel in their examinations, but they all come in different formats. One has to careful as the content in the books may also be different from what is going to be tested.
If you are considering purchasing an assessment book for a primary school pupil, here is a brief guide to help you select the best one:
- Check if the assessment book follows the current PSLE format
Before you go to a bookshop to purchase an assessment book, go through the current PSLE format.
The Ministry of Education and the Singapore Examinations and Appraisal Board periodically revise the PSLE format to fit the new curriculum. Each revision is published on their website and specifies when these revisions will be carried out. For e.g., if you’re buying a PSLE exam appraisal book next year, you need to purchase the new version provided. To figure out if an appraisal book has been updated recently, you will find a big star or circle at the corner of the book. You may even ask the shop if the book you’re interested in is the current edition.
Purchasing a revised assessment book will help your children get used to the latest PSLE format. They can also find tricks for open-ended and tricky questions that could come up in the examination. Check that the appraisal book has been revised for the last time within 2 years of its purchase date.
The format isn’t the only thing that varies when it comes to PSLE. The syllabus also adjusts to accommodate the current structure and the subjects used in the exam. Since the syllabus is constantly revised, having a new examination book would give your child an advantage.
2. Check if the book comes with answers and explanations
Each appraisal book must come with a response scheme that describes the questions in detail. An evaluation book with a response scheme will help your children study better, particularly for Mathematics.
Open-ended questions may also require more effort, but of course, not all questions can be clarified, such as multiple-choice questions. Check if the answers offered in the response scheme are for open-ended questions. Double-check your notes to make sure that your interpretation is correct as you revisit it.
A good answer and explanation guide helps students understand tough topics. With the help of these notes, students can gain more knowledge and confidence, helping them in their next examination.
3. Decide if you want to get assessment books based on topics or years
Finally, when you select a book review book from the bookshop, you’d find that they are categorised differently. Some books are structured based on their subject matter. Others are organized based on the level that they represent. Due to this difference, consumers have to be mindful when they purchase the best books for their child.
