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Is Scoring Above 90 Marks Very Difficult for PSLE Math? | Matrix Math For many students, understanding the PSLE Mathematics syllabus is one thing. Consistently scoring above 90 marks can be another challenge entirely. A recent Lianhe Zaobao feature explored whether Primary School Math in Singapore is becoming more difficult. Matrix Math® was invited to contribute to the discussion, with Matrix Math® Director Jason Hiak (郝大吉) sharing his perspective on how the syllabus and examination landscape have evolved. The key difference may not be that students are learning significantly harder Mathematics. Rather, they are increasingly expected to interpret, reason and apply familiar concepts in unfamiliar situations. Has Primary School Math Become Harder? The Primary Mathematics syllabus has undergone several changes over the years, including adjustments to when certain topics are introduced. For example, Ratio and Average are now introduced in Primary 6 instead of Primary 5, while other topics have been moved to earlier levels. These adjustments can change how much time students have to master different concepts. Jason notes that the lighter Primary 5 syllabus can give students more time to strengthen important foundations such as Fractions, Decimals, Percentage and Volume before progressing to Primary 6. However, syllabus changes alone do not fully explain why examinations may feel more challenging. Your browser does not support the video tag. Matrix Math® · matrixmath.sg Matrix Math® Director Jason Hiak discusses changes to the Primary Mathematics syllabus and how assessment has evolved. Why Is Scoring Above 90 So Difficult? One of the biggest changes is how familiar concepts are tested. Students may already know all the Mathematics required to solve a question, but the question may be presented using: unfamiliar wording; a different diagram or context; limited information; or several concepts combined in one problem. Students therefore have to determine what the question is testing before they can decide how to solve it. This is where the difference between memorising a method and genuinely understanding a concept becomes important. A student who has practised many similar questions may quickly recognise a familiar format. But when that format changes, the student must rely on understanding rather than recognition. Your browser does not support the video tag. Matrix Math® · matrixmath.sg Using a 2025 PSLE Math question involving overlapping equilateral triangles, Jason explains how familiar Mathematics can become challenging when presented differently. Knowing the concept is only the first step. Students must also recognise when and how to apply it. — Jason Hiak, Programme Manager, Matrix Math® Knowing the Method Is No Longer Enough Practice remains essential for PSLE Math. However, effective preparation should go beyond repeatedly completing similar questions. Students should also learn to ask: What concept is being tested? What information is important? Why does this method work? Can I apply the same concept if the question looks completely different? This is particularly important for students aiming for the highest scores. The difference between a good score and an excellent score may come down to whether a student can confidently handle the few questions that require greater interpretation and reasoning. Strong Foundations Still Matter Most The ability to tackle unfamiliar questions starts with strong fundamentals. Take Fractions and Percentage as examples. Students may know the individual procedures involved, but more complex questions often require them to recognise the relationship between different quantities before deciding which procedure to use. At Matrix Math®, our curriculum development team therefore focuses not only on teaching students how to solve a question, but also helping them understand why the solution works. Students are exposed to different variations of the same underlying concept so that they become less dependent on memorising specific question formats. Why Are Challenging Questions Included? The Lianhe Zaobao feature also explored the concerns of parents, some of whom feel that Primary School Math questions have become increasingly difficult to support their children with. MOE’s position, highlighted in the feature, is that challenging questions are designed to assess whether students can apply Mathematics in less familiar situations. These questions form only part of the overall paper. The challenge, therefore, is not necessarily that students are being asked to learn Mathematics beyond the Primary School syllabus. Instead, they may be asked to use Primary School Mathematics at a deeper level. Your browser does not support the video tag. Matrix Math® · matrixmath.sg The broader discussion looks at parental concerns, tuition, and why challenging PSLE Math questions are included. So, Is Scoring Above 90 Marks Difficult? It can be. But the difficulty does not necessarily come from learning more advanced Mathematics. For students aiming above 90 marks, the greater challenge is often being able to: recognise concepts in unfamiliar situations; interpret information accurately; connect different ideas; choose an appropriate strategy independently; and remain flexible when a familiar method is not immediately obvious. A student may know how to calculate. A stronger mathematical thinker understands when, why and how to apply that calculation. At Matrix Math®, our goal is to build that understanding by strengthening students’ foundations and developing systematic problem-solving skills that prepare them for both familiar and unfamiliar questions. Math Made Simple. Watch the Full Lianhe Zaobao Feature This article highlights Matrix Math® Director Jason Hiak’s contribution to the discussion. For the complete feature—including perspectives from parents, educators and MOE—watch the original video on Lianhe Zaobao. Watch the Full Feature on Lianhe Zaobao → Want to see how Matrix Math® helps students build this kind of exam-ready reasoning? Contact us today to learn more.