What to Do if Your Child Is Not Ready for PSLE

The Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is a major milestone in every Singaporean child’s education journey. But what if your child is just months or even weeks away from the exam and still struggling?

If you’re feeling anxious, you’re not alone. Many parents face this situation, and the good news is there are still steps you can take to help your child feel more confident and prepared. At Curious Mindz, we’ve helped many Primary 6 students overcome this exact challenge with structured, personalised strategies.

Stay Calm and Reassess the Situation

Your child will pick up on your emotions. If you appear stressed or panicked, they’re likely to feel the same.
Take a moment to:

• Review their latest test papers and identify the specific areas of struggle.
  
• Note whether the challenge is content-related, time management or exam anxiety.
  

Focus on Key Subjects and Topics

With limited time left, it’s better to prioritise than to try to cover everything.

• Concentrate on high-weightage topics
  
• Strengthen “sure-score” areas to secure marks
  
• Use past-year papers to get familiar with common question formats

At Curious Mindz, our tutors guide students to zoom in on the most impactful topics so revision time is used wisely.

Create a Realistic Study Plan

Don’t try to cram an unrealistic amount of work into each day, it can backfire.

• Break revision into manageable chunks of 30 – 40 minutes
  
• Alternate between different subjects to keep sessions fresh
  
• Include time for review, not just new learning

Our online tuition lessons are planned to match each student’s pace, so learning feels structured yet achievable.

Address Exam Skills, Not Just Knowledge

Sometimes, your child may know the content but lose marks due to poor exam techniques.
Work on:

• Time management during papers
  
• Understanding question requirements before answering
  
• Checking work for careless mistakes

Through structured drills and detailed paper reviews, Curious Mindz ensures students improve not just knowledge but exam performance.

Manage Stress and Build Confidence

A calm mind is more productive. Support your child emotionally by:

• Allowing short breaks and light exercise between study sessions
  
• Encouraging positive self-talk
  
• Avoiding comparison with other students

We also work closely with parents to share feedback and tips for motivating children without adding extra pressure.

Consider Extra Support

If you feel you’ve reached your limit as a parent-tutor, additional help can make a big difference.

• Small group tuition for targeted learning
  
• One-to-one coaching for weaker subjects
  
• Online revision workshops for flexible learning

Curious Mindz offers all of these options, designed to be engaging, personalised and results-focused.

Keep Perspective

Remember: PSLE is important, but it doesn’t define your child’s worth or future.
Whatever the outcome, there are multiple educational pathways in Singapore that cater to different learning styles and strengths.

❤️ Final Thoughts

If your child is not ready for PSLE, the best thing you can do is to focus on steady progress, not perfection. Every mark gained now can make a difference and your support, encouragement and belief in them will go a long way in boosting their confidence.

At Curious Mindz, we believe that with the right strategy, guidance and mindset, no child is truly “too late” to improve. Register for our September 2025 Curious Camp today to help your child take the final sprint towards PSLE.

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