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<h5>Singapore students are spending too much time with obsolete study methods and struggling to earn competitive scores.</h5>
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Traditionally, Singaporean parents provide their children with stacks of assessment books packed with practice questions and expect them to learn math through brute force &#8212; a painful process, especially when a student struggles with fundamental concepts.
A rising number of primary 5/6 students are studying tirelessly, up to 10 hours a day, to prepare for the critical PSLE, P5 and P6 exams. Despite their efforts, many are finding that their scores are disappointing and don’t reflect the time and energy spent preparing for these tests.
Conventional practice books typically provide a superficial answer key, depriving a student of exposure to underlying principles and problem solving techniques &#8212; and rendering them unable to solve similar questions presented in a slightly different context.
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<h5>Thousands of students are using YoungRocket’s new step-by-step math tutorial videos to get ahead of the competition.</h5>
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<a href="https://youngrocket.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">YoungRocket.com</a>, a video-based online open-course platform, launched in early 2020 and was quickly recognized by thousands of Singapore students for addressing fundamental problems when preparing for their exams. Their platform focuses on building skills and strengthening fundamentals, while other study programs tend to rely on rote repetition and neglect problem-solving skills.
<a href="https://youngrocket.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">YoungRocket</a> users are mastering math skills and acing their exams with a fraction of the time and effort spent by their peers.
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<h5>YoungRocket has already screened over 10,000 real exam questions so you don’t have to.</h5>
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YoungRocket spent over a year working with math education professionals to screen over 10,000 historical questions from real PSLE and school exams, and identify over 700 essential, “must-know” questions to master. Students are then able to quickly graspkey concepts and skills without having to work through thousands of problems on their own.
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<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-87952 size-full" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/Article-image-1.png" alt="" width="2516" height="1246" />
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<h5>They provide detailed video explanations for every question, with over 20 hours of material available on demand.</h5>
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YoungRocket has produced their own detailed video walkthroughs explaining the problem-solving process behind the solutions &#8212; an approach which helps students build a strong mathematics foundation, and be able to understand and solve any problem on the test with confidence.
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<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-87953 size-full" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/Article-image-2.png" alt="" width="2450" height="1360" />
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<h5>PSLE, P6 &amp; P5, MOE aligned.</h5>
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While the YoungRocket platform began by focusing on PSLE exam preparation, they have expanded their content to include P5 and P6 study materials for those students who want to continue their preparation.
YoungRocket aims to provide a progressively expanding library of best-in-class study materials for Singaporean students as they progress through the education system. All of YoungRocket’s programs are fully aligned with the Ministry of Education’s syllabus and curriculum guidelines.
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<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="wp-image-87954 size-full aligncenter" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/Article-image-3.png" alt="" width="2506" height="1318" />
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<h5>Encouraging effective study habits &#8212; stuck on a question? Bookmark it and come back later.</h5>
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Many students tend to get frustrated and may give up when they encounter an unusual or challenging problem. This can lead to gaps in knowledge and critical skills, and is a major cause of lower test scores. YoungRocket’s bookmark feature is designed to combat this negative study habit – when a student feels stuck on a problem, they can simply bookmark it and come back for another attempt later on.
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<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-87955 size-full" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/Article-image-4.png" alt="" width="1944" height="806" />
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<h5>Study anywhere, on any device. .</h5>
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YoungRocket’s platform is fully functional and optimized for mobile and tablet devices. Students who prefer to study with a tablet, or who might want to get in some extra preparation on the go, will find it exceptionally easy to use, regardless of device or location.
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<h5>It costs less than the price of a single assessment book.</h5>
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Aside from the quality of the content and the platform’s useful study features, perhaps one of the most attractive aspects of YoungRocket’s program is its unbeatable price. At its current promotional price of SG$38.8, you get 8 months of unlimited access to the full catalog of PSLE, P5, and P6 video tutorials for less than the cost of a single practice assessment book!
That’s a low price to pay to get ahead of the competition.
Learn more about the program or sign up for your classes today at <a href="https://youngrocket.com">youngrocket.com</a>
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Conquer PSLE Math with YoungRocket’s Unique Step-by-Step Video Courses

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Change is in the air with Covid-19, and like everything else, preparing for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) in 2020 will look different from previous years. 
Some parents in our KSP community have confessed that they are “very worried” about this year’s PSLE cohort, and fear that their children are “badly affected” and falling behind due to home-based learning. 
In such times, it’s natural to feel heightened anxiety about your child’s readiness for the PSLE. However, it’s important that you don’t let your anxiety overwhelm you, or affect your child’s morale. The coronavirus situation is evolving, and there may be new developments that are beyond your control. Let go of what you can’t change, identify what your child can work on, and focus on that.
Below, we highlight some ways to support your child for PSLE 2020.
<h4>Stay Informed</h4>
Singapore’s Ministry of Education <a href="https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/press-releases/mid-year-holidays-brought-forward-as-schools-adjust-academic-calendar-institutes-of-higher-learning-to-extend-home-based-learning">announced in April 2020</a> that they would be removing “Common Last Topics” from national exams, which includes the PSLE. These are the topics that would typically be taught last by all schools, closer to the end of the academic year. (For official details and updates, refer to the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board <a href="https://www.seab.gov.sg/home/examinations/psle/psle-formats-examined-in-2020">website</a>.)
Here’s what parents should know:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">The Common Last Topics for PSLE Mathematics, which will not be examined in 2020: Speed, Volume, Pie Charts, Solid Figures, and Nets.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">The Common Last Topic for PSLE Science and PSLE Foundation Science, which will not be examined in 2020: Interactions within the Environment. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">The Common Last Topics for PSLE Foundation Mathematics, which will not be examined in 2020: Volume, Geometry, and Pie Charts.</li>
</ul>
However, there won’t be assessment changes for “skill-based” subjects such as English and the Mother Tongue languages. For these subjects, the disruption to curriculum time will be taken into consideration during marking and grading, to ensure that students are fairly assessed.
With this information, you can already draw up a revision plan for your child. As any experienced PSLE parent would advise you, it’s best to start early—right now, if possible. 
<h4>Decide What To Revise</h4>
Currently, your child likely has all of his or her schoolwork at home, so it’s a good time to go over what’s been done, to see what mistakes have been made, and where the problem areas might be. Independent learners can do this on their own, but struggling or reluctant learners may need your support. 
You can use The Learning Lab’s guide to <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/avoid-these-15-mistakes-during-the-psle/">15 common PSLE mistakes</a> as reference, to check if your child’s mistakes fall into the listed categories. (In particular, look out for—and note down—any mistakes that occur more than once.) The guide also includes tips for dealing with errors and bad habits.
Next, if your child has already completed all holiday assignments, decide with your child whether to work on:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Reviewing past mistakes: If your child has made a mistake on a question, it’s good for him or her to try the question again, rather than just reading the solution. If your child has scored poorly on any home-learning work, you can ask your child’s teacher to reassign the exercise or test, so that your child can attempt the questions again on a blank slate. This will also alert your child’s teacher as to whether the instruction and subsequent correction has been effective.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Reading textbooks, guidebooks, and notes: If possible, stick to a single source as your “spine” material e.g. the notes provided by the school, and supplement only where truly necessary, to avoid confusion or overloading your child. To demonstrate that they have understood concepts, children should be able to explain these concepts in their own words, and provide examples where relevant. They can quiz themselves orally, or this can be done by you or a tutor. </li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Topical exercises: These are useful if your child needs more practice in a certain topic.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Exam papers: These are important for your child to get familiar with the exam format, as well as hone time management skills. One tip (for stronger students) is to use the allocated marks to gauge the length of the answer, as well as the time that should be spent on the question, e.g. one minute on a one-mark question. Don’t forget to leave out the topics that will not be tested, to save time and effort.</li>
</ul>
As for how much time to allocate to revision per day, you can read about how parents <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/p6-revision-timetables-parents-share-their-kids-study-routines/">have done it in the past</a>. However, you would be the best person to help your child create a plan that is both realistic and sustainable. Note that for struggling learners, even 15 minutes of seatwork could be a challenge—read our guide to find out how to <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/success-in-the-psle-helping-weak-students-to-improve/">encourage and support weaker students</a>.<a href="https://www.thelearninglab.com.sg/info/psle-preparation/?utm_source=partnerships_tll_20tlllgpslepush__editorialbanner__ksp"><img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="aligncenter wp-image-86561 size-full" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u170058/TLL_pslemay2020_kiasuparents.gif" alt="" width="336" height="280" /></a>
<h4> </h4>
<h4>Spend 15 Minutes A Day On Oral Exam Preparation</h4>
This is something that can be easily done at home. First, take turns to read aloud to one another, and these are the 5 “Ps” that you can look out for:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Pitch: Is there variation in pitch, to lend interest to the story?</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Pace: Is the pace appropriate? Does it make for pleasant listening?</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Pauses: Is your child rushing through the story or pausing at appropriate points, such as during commas and full-stops, and between paragraph changes?</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Power: Can your child be heard? Is the volume appropriate for the emotion being conveyed?</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;">Pronunciation: Unsure of how a word is pronounced? Check the dictionary promptly! This includes word stress as well.</li>
</ul>
Second, engage your children in conversation throughout the day, or during mealtimes. Whether you’re talking about daily life or current affairs, teach your children to back up their opinions with reasons and examples. At the same time, let them know that it’s OK to say “I’m not sure about this,” or “I haven’t read much about this topic, so I don’t have an opinion on this issue.” (In such instances, get them to formulate questions to find out more.) Make efforts to ask your children open-ended questions, which will challenge them to think harder. You’re not merely preparing your children for an oral exam—having good conversational and thinking skills will serve them well in the future.
<h4>Make The Most Of E-Lessons</h4>
It’s unlikely that we’ve seen the last of home-based learning for the year, and in any case, some parents have found ways to maximise the learning opportunities online. One suggestion is to approach your children’s schoolteachers for extra online help if they need to catch up during or after the holidays. You can check with your child’s class if other kids are keen, and signal this interest to the teacher. If the teacher is agreeable, get each participant to submit a list of the questions that they need to ask, so that the teacher can structure the lesson accordingly.
With online learning, it’s best to keep the group small as there are already lags and other distractions to contend with. You may find that lessons shouldn’t stretch beyond an hour, as online interactions can be draining for all involved. Having questions or notes shared on a screen can make it easier for participants to focus. Do observe these sessions, whether they are conducted by your child’s teacher or tutor, so that you can give pointers for improvement. For one-to-one online tutoring, it’s probably more efficient for the tutor to assign work to be completed and submitted before the actual session, so that the online time is spent going over mistakes and reinforcing teaching points. 
<h4>Form A Support Group</h4>
You don’t need to do this alone—all local parents with children in Primary 6 this year are adapting to the changes as well, and many are willing to lend help where they can. Don’t have a parent support group yet? Your child’s class Whatsapp chat is a good place to begin. If you find something that works for your child, take the initiative to share it with others. If you encounter a problem, don’t be afraid to talk to others and seek help. The PSLE is not a competition, and by pooling resources together, everyone wins.
Need someone to talk to about your PSLE 2020 concerns? <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=69&amp;t=92241&amp;start=60000">Join the conversation on our forum</a>!

Help! Covid-19 Is Affecting My Child’s PSLE Prep!

<img onerror="kspReplaceCdn(this)" decoding="async" loading="lazy" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-78798" src="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u133359/107767220_s.jpg" alt="PSLE Countdown" width="848" height="565" srcset="https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u133359/107767220_s.jpg 848w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u133359/107767220_s-320x213.jpg 320w, https://wp.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/files/u133359/107767220_s-800x533.jpg 800w" sizes="(max-width: 848px) 100vw, 848px" />
With about a week left till the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) begin for this year’s Primary 6 students, what are parents most concerned about? Here’s a quick overview of what our KSP community has been discussing.
<h2>The Dreaded Haze</h2>
Topmost on our KSP community’s minds is the current haze situation, as haze levels crossed the “<a href="https://www.haze.gov.sg/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">unhealthy</a>” mark last week. High-quality masks that can protect against dangerous airborne particles (such as the N95 masks) have already <a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/masks-sold-out-across-stores-in-singapore-as-haze-worsens" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">sold out</a> at some Guardian pharmacy outlets, but restocking plans are said to be in place.
Some parents with a stockpile of old masks are wondering if the masks can be used beyond their expiry dates, and sadly, the answer is no. The components of a disposable respirator will <a href="https://safetytownsquare.3mcanada.ca/articles/why-do-disposable-respirators-have-a-defined-shelf-life" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">degrade over time</a>, and it cannot be expected to provide the same level of protection indefinitely.
The local Ministry of Education (MOE) has reminded parents to ensure that children, especially those with respiratory conditions, carry their medications with them at all times. They’ve also <a href="https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/school-closure-haze-moe-air-quality-hazardous-11907922" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">announced</a> that if haze-related school closures should coincide with national examinations such as the PSLE, the affected papers will be rescheduled.
<h2>The Final Push</h2>
In the final days of preparation, many parents are focused on helping their children to allay their anxieties leading up to the exam. For some parents, a readthrough of notes during this period is sufficient, while others may still want their children to redo papers or attempt questions from schools known for their exacting standards, such as Raffles Girls’ Primary School or Nanyang Primary School. 
According to one experienced primary school teacher (and a mother herself), the priority should be on ensuring that children get ample sleep and rest in these crucial days. Read <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/last-minute-psle-prep-tips-primary-school-teacher/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">her post</a> for some last-minute study strategies that she would use with her own children, such as going over sample questions orally to save time. However, do be mindful about not inducing more stress in your child at this point.
<h2>Secondary School Cut-Off Points</h2>
Every year, the MOE distributes booklets to parents and students, containing essential information on the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise in Singapore, including:
<ul>
<li>Procedures and key dates relating to the posting exercise</li>
<li>Different pathways for secondary school students</li>
<li>Sample forms that you will need to fill</li>
<li>Key information on schools, including the range of qualifying PSLE scores for each school in the previous year. </li>
</ul>
The booklet for the 2018 PSLE cohort is still <a href="https://beta.moe.gov.sg/secondary/s1-posting/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">available for download</a> in four languages: English, Chinese, Malay, and Tamil. The updated booklet for the 2019 PSLE cohort will be available in October 2019.
<h2>Results Day</h2>
Some parents are already feeling jittery about <a href="https://www.moe.gov.sg/education/national-examinations/national-exams-timetable#psle" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Results Day</a>, which, for this year, will tentatively be between 21 November and 25 November. No matter what the results may be, remember to celebrate your child, and to praise the effort that he or she has put in! As many have said before, don’t let this exam be a defining moment in your child’s life — there is still a long journey ahead, and it is one that is filled with possibility. Read our articles on <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/psle-results-tears-or-cheers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">dealing with PSLE results</a>, and helping your child to <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/article/surviving-the-big-leap-from-primary-to-secondary-school/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">settle into secondary school</a>.
Need support, or simply want to chat with other parents during the PSLE? Join our discussion group for the 2019 PSLE <a href="https://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?f=69&amp;t=81235&amp;start=4560" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">here</a>!