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A study of out-of-school mathematics practice books for the PSLE in Singapore
Author
Teo, Pei Pei
Supervisor
Kaur, Berinderjeet
Abstract
In the sixth year of primary schooling students take the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). The examination tests students’ proficiency in the English language, their mother tongue languages (typically Chinese, Malay or Tamil), mathematics and science. Though the purpose of the PSLE is to emplace students in a course of study suited to their learning ability in a secondary school, it is viewed as a high-stakes examination by society at large. In addition to work assigned in school by teachers to prepare for the PSLE mathematics, students wanting to engage in more practice often turn to out-of-school mathematics practice books mainly available in the Popular bookstores in Singapore. Though such books have been available for the last three or more decades there appears to be no apparent study of the opportunity-to-practice these books provide for students.
This exploratory and small-scale study was guided by two research questions. Drawing on a convenience sample of 76 PSLE Mathematics practice books it attempted to document the features of the books and examine how the books supported test-taking preparation and test-taking skills for the PSLE Mathematics.
12 publishers were involved in publishing the 76 books, with Educational Publishing House leading with 34 PSLE Mathematics practice books. Amongst the authors whose credentials were on the books, majority have a university qualification. The books are affordable and user-friendly in terms of size, page count and print as they are comparable to school textbooks that students work with at schools.
The books support both test preparation and test taking skills. Their contents may be classified into three main categories: i) mock PSLE Mathematics practice papers, ii) topical revision and mock PSLE Mathematics practice papers, and iii) specific focus, such as use of bar models for problem solving. The support available for students doing the work in the books comprising fairly detailed solutions to test items, worked examples and notes for quick and easy reference.
Using the SEAB guide for the PSLE Mathematics as a benchmark we found a sample of mock PSLE Mathematics practices to be less comparable to the SEAB guide than the 2020 and 2021 PSLE Mathematics. In the mock PSLE mathematics practices we found that the composition of the test items focussed more on long answer questions than structured answer questions. The assessment objectives of the test items in the mock PSLE practices were skewed towards AO2 and AO3 (more challenging) and some of the items were inappropriate.
Other than practising mock PSLE Mathematics papers, students preparing for the PSLE also need to review their past content knowledge. The Topical revision PSLE practice book examined in the study shows how such books provide a comprehensive resource for PSLE Mathematics preparation in tandem with the school year spanning 36 weeks over 4 terms.
As there were no past studies on such books in Singapore that we could take reference from, this study has contributed in a meaningful way towards knowledge about PSLE Mathematics practice books. However, the study has limitations due to the small convenience sample and as such the findings are not generalizable. We propose further in-depth study of the mathematics test items in such books so as to glean insights on how such books facilitate or hinder preparation for the PSLE Mathematics. It would also be helpful to explore how these books support examination preparation from the perspectives of students and parents.
This exploratory and small-scale study was guided by two research questions. Drawing on a convenience sample of 76 PSLE Mathematics practice books it attempted to document the features of the books and examine how the books supported test-taking preparation and test-taking skills for the PSLE Mathematics.
12 publishers were involved in publishing the 76 books, with Educational Publishing House leading with 34 PSLE Mathematics practice books. Amongst the authors whose credentials were on the books, majority have a university qualification. The books are affordable and user-friendly in terms of size, page count and print as they are comparable to school textbooks that students work with at schools.
The books support both test preparation and test taking skills. Their contents may be classified into three main categories: i) mock PSLE Mathematics practice papers, ii) topical revision and mock PSLE Mathematics practice papers, and iii) specific focus, such as use of bar models for problem solving. The support available for students doing the work in the books comprising fairly detailed solutions to test items, worked examples and notes for quick and easy reference.
Using the SEAB guide for the PSLE Mathematics as a benchmark we found a sample of mock PSLE Mathematics practices to be less comparable to the SEAB guide than the 2020 and 2021 PSLE Mathematics. In the mock PSLE mathematics practices we found that the composition of the test items focussed more on long answer questions than structured answer questions. The assessment objectives of the test items in the mock PSLE practices were skewed towards AO2 and AO3 (more challenging) and some of the items were inappropriate.
Other than practising mock PSLE Mathematics papers, students preparing for the PSLE also need to review their past content knowledge. The Topical revision PSLE practice book examined in the study shows how such books provide a comprehensive resource for PSLE Mathematics preparation in tandem with the school year spanning 36 weeks over 4 terms.
As there were no past studies on such books in Singapore that we could take reference from, this study has contributed in a meaningful way towards knowledge about PSLE Mathematics practice books. However, the study has limitations due to the small convenience sample and as such the findings are not generalizable. We propose further in-depth study of the mathematics test items in such books so as to glean insights on how such books facilitate or hinder preparation for the PSLE Mathematics. It would also be helpful to explore how these books support examination preparation from the perspectives of students and parents.
Date Issued
2023
Call Number
QA135.6 Teo
Date Submitted
2023