8 Study Tips for Primary School Exams

Admin — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 06:15:35 GMT

You’ve finished your homework, gone through your notes and paid attention in class. What else can you do to give yourself the best chance of doing well in your exams?

PSLE Maths 2026: What the New Exam Format Really Means for Your Child

Admin — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 15:49:11 GMT

If you've heard that the PSLE Mathematics exam is changing in 2026, you're not alone in wondering what the new PSLE Maths 2026 format means for your child's preparation.

5 Ways to Nurture Your Child’s Love for Reading and Improve Writing and Comprehension Skills

Admin — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

A love for reading gives children far more than an enjoyable way to spend their free time. Regular reading introduces them to new ideas, strengthens their vocabulary and gives them models of how thoughts can be organised and expressed. These skills can support clearer writing and more confident comprehension as they progress through school.

Navigating the Big Shift: From GEP to High Ability

Admin — Tue, 04 Aug 2026 10:09:34 GMT

If you have been keeping an eye on the local education landscape, you have likely heard the big news:
the traditional Gifted Education Programme (GEP) is undergoing its most significant evolution in 40 years.

As educators who walk alongside your children daily, we know that any major policy shift can bring about a
mix of excitement and anxiety.

To help you make sense of it all, we have broken down exactly what is changing, what selected students can
expect from 2027 onwards, and how you can support your child through this new landscape.

1. The Revamped Selection Process:
Goodbye High-Stakes Drilling

For decades, the GEP relied on a two-stage examination in Primary 3 (Screening and Selection).

Starting with the Primary 3 cohort participating in the Identification Exercise on 26 August 2026,
the Ministry of Education (MOE) is changing the game:

A Single-Stage Aptitude Exercise: The old two-stage testing system has been scrapped. Students will
now sit for a single, streamlined assessment.
Focus on Raw Aptitude over Content: While the test will cover topics aligned with the Primary 3 syllabi
for English and Mathematics, questions tested will also be of higher difficulty than what the students have
been exposed to in school in order to identify those with academic strengths.
Holistic School-Based Tracking: The written test is no longer the sole gatekeeper. Primary schools will
heavily factor in teacher observations and students’ school work.
Multiple Entry Points: This is the best part! Under the old system, if a child missed the P3 window, the
door was firmly shut. Now, children who demonstrate academic strengths and talents later in their school
years can be nominated by their schools at the end of any semester across Primary 4 and Primary 5.

2. Life in School from 2027: No More School Transfers

Previously, the top 1% of the cohort had to transfer to one of only nine designated GEP primary schools.
From 2027, this practice ends. Students will remain in their original primary schools.

School-based Provisions

Every primary school in Singapore will scale up its own school-based enrichment provisions (like E2K
Mathematics or Creative Writing programmes) during regular school hours to stretch students with academic strengths and talents. Currently, only 7% of students are able to benefit from these programmes. However,
from 2027, it will be expanded to 10% of the cohort.

Centre-based Advanced Modules

For students who need an even greater intellectual challenge, MOE is setting up 15 regional host centres
across the island (in areas like Yishun, Punggol, Jurong West and Tengah).

Selected students will travel to these nearby hubs once a week for specialised, two-hour after-school modules
in English, Mathematics or Science. Interdisciplinary modules will also be offered during the school holidays. Approximately 2% of the cohort will be eligible for these centre-based advanced modules, almost double the
current GEP cohort.

Important Note: These modules are completely unlinked from the national curriculum. They are taught by specially trained MOE HQ teachers and are designed to cultivate curiosity and critical thinking - not to provide
an edge or shortcuts for the PSLE.

3. What This Means for High-Ability Learners Moving Forward

This structural shift signals a much more inclusive ecosystem for academic talent in Singapore.

Old GEP Model	New Refreshed Approach
All-Round Excellence: Students had to score exceptionally well across both English and Mathematics to qualify.	Subject-Specific Strengths: A student who is academically talented in Mathematics but average in English can now be stretched solely in the Mathematics module.
Exclusive & Centralised: Only the top 1% of the cohort went through the GEP programme, with all students in the GEP stream nation-wide studying the same curriculum.	Broadened Access: There will be expanded support to about 10% of the cohort through a mix of school-based and centre-based classes.
Single-entry Point: Getting into GEP was highly competitive, with a high-stakes single gateway at Primary 3 that might have created immense pressure for many students.	Porous Pathways: The new approach focuses on the act of continuous nurturing and provides multiple opportunities, even after the P3 Selection Test, for students to benefit from the after-school programmes.

By separating advanced learning from examination preparation, the pressure cooker is dialled down. Your child gets to experience the joy of learning alongside like-minded peers without losing their primary school friends and familiar environments.

How Parents Can Support High-Ability Children

While the new identification process is important, parents should remember that a test is only one snapshot of a child’s development.

Here are some ways in which parents can support and nurture your high-ability child at home.

Encourage curiosity rather than performance

Children who ask thoughtful questions often benefit more from opportunities to explore than from simply memorising facts. Encourage them to investigate topics that genuinely interest them, whether in science, history, literature or technology.

Value challenge over perfection

High-ability children sometimes avoid difficult tasks because they are used to succeeding easily. Praise effort, resilience and problem solving instead of focusing only on results.

Read widely

Expose children to books beyond the school syllabus. Fiction, biographies, current affairs and popular science books all help broaden knowledge and develop critical thinking.

Let children pursue their interests

Some children show exceptional strengths in mathematics, while others may excel in language, coding or scientific inquiry. Supporting these interests can help them develop confidence and motivation.

Keep learning balanced

High ability does not mean children need constant academic acceleration. Time for sports, music, friendships and unstructured play remains essential for healthy social and emotional development.

Looking Ahead

MOE's refreshed approach represents a significant shift in how Singapore nurtures academic talent.

By allowing high-ability learners to remain in their own schools while providing more flexible enrichment opportunities, the new model seeks to develop children's strengths without separating them from their peers. At the same time, more students will benefit from challenging learning experiences than under the previous GEP system.

For parents, the message is reassuring: nurturing curiosity, resilience and a love of learning will matter even more than preparing for a single selection exercise. As opportunities become more accessible across all primary schools, supporting a child's long-term growth may prove far more valuable than focusing solely on gaining entry into a particular programme.

How The Learning Lab Stretches Your Child

Here at TLL, we are always extending students’ learning beyond the classroom and syllabus.

While ourcore curriculum is aligned with the MOE school syllabus, our lessons offer ample opportunities for
students to think critically, apply concepts learnt to real life and extend their knowledge beyond textbooks.

English:

Extending learning to real-life topics

Lessons extend beyond the classroom with our Staying Plugged-in worksheets andmedia studies lessons. These materials cover a range of topics that are curated to not only capture students’ attention but to grow their knowledge of the world around them. From learning about how supermarkets are designed to make us spend more to understanding how art can reduce stress, our students can use this information to supplement their responses for oral examinations or interviews.

Developing critical thinking

Our students are exposed to a carefully curated set of fiction and non-fiction texts that serve as a springboard for discussions. Guided by their teachers, our students learn to tease out information from the texts, draw inferences from clues and weigh multiple perspectives. This sharpens the students’ critical thinking skills and encourages them to evaluate information more critically in today’s content-rich world.

Maths:

Exposure to non-routine problems

We challenge students with uniquely designed novel context problems in their regular practices and examination-focused handouts. These problems give students the opportunity to attempt unfamiliar scenarios independently before teachers guide them to tackle them systematically. Through regular exposure to such problems, students become less reliant on rote memorisation and more confident in handling non-routine problems.

Integrating real-life application tasks

At TLL, we believemaths comes alive when students see its direct connection to the world around them. Beyond traditional practice, students engage in practical, open-ended tasks – such as analysing global penguin populations using picture graphs or evaluating city layouts through area and perimeter concepts. By bridging abstract concepts with tangible real-world scenarios, students develop critical thinking skills and deepen their understanding of concepts.

Science:

Extending learning to real-life topics

Our Staying Plugged-in worksheets and ‘Did you Know’ sections in our handouts introduce thescientific principles behind current events, breakthroughs in scientific research, and how the concepts learnt in different topics are applied in the real world, such as the use of AI in flower pollination to support agriculture. This allows students to understand how science affects the world around them, nurturing their curiosity.

Exposure to application questions

We consistently challenge our students with questions which require them to apply concepts learnt in the classroom to unfamiliar scenarios, boosting their confidence in tackling such questions when they appear in an exam setting. Every term, students also receive a revision booklet for self-practice which culminates in the final revision booklet that focuses on applying the concepts they have learnt throughout the year with application questions for each key concept.

The Learning Lab is now at10 locations to suit your needs.

If you have any questions aboutour programmes, please email us at enquiry@thelearninglab.com.sg or call us at 6733 8711 and we will be happy to assist you.

6 Fun and Enriching Activities for Kids This June Holidays

Admin — Thu, 28 May 2026 03:43:55 GMT

Planning your June holiday activities? Here are 6 fun and educational things to do — from museums and creative workshops to science programmes and indoor play spaces — that are perfect for keeping young minds engaged.

Turning Learning into an Adventure: Inside TLL’s Space-Themed Experience

Admin — Tue, 21 Apr 2026 08:14:39 GMT

When learning feels like an adventure, it tends to stick.

Get Ahead in Primary 5: Tuition That Prepares Your Child for PSLE Success

Admin — Mon, 04 Aug 2025 11:00:00 GMT

As a parent, preparing your child for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) can feel overwhelming especially with rising expectations at every level. While tuition is often the first step, it’s the right tuition that truly makes the difference. One that builds long-term confidence, closes critical gaps, and equips your child to thrive. In this guide, we explore why Primary 5 is such a pivotal year — and how The Learning Lab supports success through targeted tuition and enrichment programmes.

Overcoming the Hidden Risks of Underpreparing for the O-Levels

Admin — Fri, 11 Jul 2025 11:00:00 GMT

The O-Level year is not just another academic checkpoint. It’s a decisive milestone that shapes a student’s post-secondary path. Yet, many students enter Secondary 4 unaware of how quickly small gaps can escalate into larger setbacks. The pressure to perform is real and without strategic support, the risk of underpreparation grows.

June Holidays 2025 at The Learning Lab: Real Learning, Real Adventure

Admin — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 01:30:00 GMT

When the school bell stops ringing, the learning doesn’t have to.

What Sets TLL’s Maths Tuition Apart

Admin — Mon, 19 May 2025 11:00:00 GMT

Mathematics doesn’t have to be intimidating. In fact, when taught right, it can be one of the most enjoyable and empowering subjects for students. At The Learning Lab, we believe maths tuition isn’t just about results — it’s about sparking curiosity, building confidence and making every lesson something to look forward to.

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