As students across Singapore prepare for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), several families are emphasizing a balanced approach to study that combines early preparation with maintaining well-being. Conversations with parents and pupils highlight diverse strategies designed to help children navigate the pressures of the national exam while preserving their motivation and mental health.
Faith Goh, who completed the PSLE in 2025, recalls a year that balanced intense revision with moments of relaxation, including study sessions at cafes and occasional leisure trips such as diving holidays overseas. The 13-year-old said the breaks helped her focus better when studying, underscoring the importance of flexibility in managing the demanding exam schedule.
Health care administrator Lynette Ong, mother of two daughters aged 12 and 14, adopts an exam strategy that hinges on understanding each child’s strengths and exam format. She encourages her younger daughter to focus on securing easy wins, such as aiming for a high grade in the English oral exam, which accounts for 20% of the overall English score. Ong also advocates easing children into past-year papers, recommending introducing exam questions in small, manageable portions to prevent overwhelming them.
Parents and pupils alike stress the value of early preparation, with many suggesting starting revision as early as Primary 4 to alleviate last-minute stress during the PSLE year. Ong noted that delay in beginning tuition for her elder daughter until midway through Primary 5 resulted in a densely packed schedule. Faith’s father, Desmond Goh, who works in healthcare innovation, agrees that early revision fosters deeper understanding rather than rote memorization and helps build consistent study habits.
In terms of maintaining joy during the preparation phase, some families encourage children to continue extracurricular activities. Sales manager Eva Basil allowed her son to keep attending football practice and tournaments throughout his PSLE season in 2025, believing that sustaining his passion contributed positively to his motivation. Ong emphasizes nurturing curiosity and self-directed learning to keep the joy of education alive, mentioning their use of artificial intelligence tools like Claude to analyze her daughter’s schoolwork and identify areas for improvement.
Both parents and students recognize the importance of perspective regarding the exam’s significance. Secondary 2 student Theresa Ng described the PSLE as “not as scary or hard as it seems” and advised approaching it like any other test. Desmond Goh echoed this sentiment, stressing that the exam does not define a child’s future and prioritizing a child’s well-being over grades. Basil also highlighted the role parents play in establishing calming pre-exam routines, such as quiet reflection or positive encouragement, noting that reassurance and support help children manage exam nerves.
While the PSLE remains a significant academic milestone, families featured in these discussions advocate for a balanced, supportive environment that helps children meet the challenge without sacrificing their confidence or happiness.