PSLE 2026 Syllabus Changes: Maths & Science (and Exam Dates)

The 2026 PSLE brings real syllabus changes to both Mathematics and Science, with a clear shift away from rote memorisation toward reasoning and inquiry. These affect students currently in Primary 6 (the 2026 cohort).

Key exam dates

The 2026 PSLE written examinations are scheduled for Thursday 24 September to Wednesday 30 September 2026, with results expected in late November. (Always confirm exact dates and the oral/listening-comprehension schedule with your school and SEAB.)

Mathematics: what's removed

• Speed — one of the hardest P6 topics — has been removed entirely from the PSLE syllabus.
• Turns and the 8-point compass (previously under Angles at P4) are removed.

Mathematics: what moved

Some topics shifted earlier for more practice time; others moved to P6 for deeper work:

• Nets and Pie Charts: P6 → P4
• 12-hour & 24-hour clock: P4 → P3
• Average and Ratio: P5 → P6 (expect Ratio combined with Percentages and Fractions)

Science: what's removed

• The standalone Cell Structure topic is removed — students no longer memorise terms like cytoplasm, nucleus or cell membrane for the PSLE. The broader concept of a cell as the basic unit of life remains within Reproduction, but the detailed memorisation is gone.

The Science syllabus now leans harder into scientific inquiry and application rather than recalling terminology — so practice should emphasise explaining, predicting and applying concepts to unfamiliar scenarios.

What this means for practice

With Speed gone, redirect that energy to Ratio and Average, which now sit at P6. For Science, drill skills — interpreting data, explaining cause and effect, and applying concepts — over memorising definitions.

Summarised from publicly reported MOE 2021 Mathematics & Science syllabus updates for the 2026 PSLE cohort. Confirm specifics with the MOE syllabus and your child's school.