AL system for Primary School

Understanding the AL System in Primary School

In Singapore’s primary education landscape, the Achievement Level (AL) system plays an important role in how students’ learning progress and outcomes are assessed. Introduced as part of broader education reforms, the AL system aims to reduce excessive competition, place greater emphasis on individual learning, and encourage holistic development among students.

What Is the AL System?

The AL system, short for Achievement Level, is a standards-based grading system used in primary schools, most notably for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). Instead of ranking students against one another, the AL system measures how well a student has mastered specific learning outcomes.

Under this system, each subject is graded into eight Achievement Levels (AL1 to AL8), with AL1 representing the highest level of achievement. Each AL corresponds to a range of marks, grouping students with similar levels of understanding together.

Why Was the AL System Introduced?

The AL system was introduced to address concerns about stress and unhealthy competition caused by overly fine score distinctions. Previously, small differences in marks could significantly affect a student’s secondary school posting.

With the AL system, the focus shifts to:

• Reducing exam-related stress by using broader score bands

• Encouraging learning for understanding, not just marks

• Recognising that children develop at different paces

• Promoting a more holistic education experience

How the AL System Works

In the PSLE, students take four subjects: English, Mathematics, Science, and Mother Tongue. Each subject is awarded an Achievement Level from AL1 to AL8. The four AL scores are then added together to form the student’s PSLE Score, which ranges from 4 (best) to 32.

A lower total score indicates stronger overall performance. This score is used for secondary school posting, alongside factors such as school choice and citizenship status.

Benefits of the AL System

One of the key strengths of the AL system is that it values mastery over comparison. Students are assessed based on what they know and can do, rather than how they rank against their peers.

Other benefits include:

• Fairer assessment through broader score bands

• Less emphasis on marginal mark differences

• Greater focus on long-term learning goals

• Support for diverse learners with different strengths

What This Means for Students and Parents

For students, the AL system encourages them to focus on steady improvement and deep understanding, rather than chasing every single mark. For parents, it offers reassurance that their child’s education is not defined by narrow rankings but by meaningful learning progress.

Parents can support their children by:

• Emphasising effort and learning, not just results

• Helping children set realistic, personal goals

• Encouraging balance between academics and well-being

Conclusion

The AL system represents a positive shift in how academic achievement is viewed in primary school. By focusing on standards and learning outcomes rather than competition, it helps create a more supportive and balanced environment for young learners. Ultimately, the AL system reminds us that education is not just about scores, but about nurturing confident, capable, and resilient children.