The 2024 PSLE Science paper followed familiar patterns—but as always, standing out required more than just recalling facts. While the overall difficulty level was moderate and within expectations for most students and parents, the ability to distinguish oneself as an AL1 student came down to precise communication and the ability to apply concepts across a range of familiar and slightly unfamiliar contexts.
Key themes like Heat Energy, Changes in State, Reproduction in Plants, Electricity, Energy, Forces, and Food Webs once again featured prominently—especially in Booklet B, where these topics were tested in higher mark-weightage questions. As we’ve seen in recent years, the ability to earn full marks isn’t just about knowing what happens—it’s about explaining why and how clearly, using the right scientific vocabulary and logical flow.
Whether it was Forces questions that asked students to reason why an object didn’t move in a straight line, or Electricity questions that required multi-step explanations of how circuits work and affect outcomes, the 2024 paper reinforced a crucial message: real success in Science depends on clarity of thought, structure in writing, and the confidence to apply knowledge beyond memorised templates.
Exam Structure and Focus Areas:
The PSLE Science exam typically comprises two papers:
Paper 1 (56 marks):
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs) that evaluate recall and understanding of scientific facts and concepts. Overall, the 2024 Booklet A paper does not present any notably challenging questions save for one (which we’ll cover in the next section), and students with strong understanding of their science concepts should navigate it without much difficulty. In order to achieve an AL1 or 2 for science, students should aim to score well in this segment of the paper.
Paper 2 (44 marks):
Structured and open-ended questions that require detailed explanations, data interpretation, and application of scientific knowledge. Booklet B has consistently been a challenging section for many students taking the Science paper. Even those with a solid grasp of science textbook concepts may find it difficult to express their thoughts clearly in writing, or fail to utilise the correct keywords and phrases. Booklet B, which consists of 12 to 13 questions, usually includes one or two that require a deeper understanding of scientific principles. These questions assess students’ ability to analyse real-world situations and apply their process skills to link them with their existing knowledge of science concepts. Students who can effectively do this are more likely to achieve AL1 or 2.
Overall Review of the 2024 PSLE Science Paper
Historically, topics such as Heat Energy, Changes in States/Water Cycle, Reproduction in Plants, Electricity, Energy, Forces and Food Web have a higher probability of being tested and tend to appear in question sets with higher mark weightage. Keeping with this trend, 2024’s science paper also featured these crucial topics in Booklet B.
The difficulty level of this paper can be described as moderate, with questions that are within students’ (and parents’) expectations. With the general population of students being able to tackle these questions, the crux then lies in students being able to distinguish themselves as AL1 students by communicating their ideas accurately and thoroughly in order to minimise loss of marks.
2024 PSLE Paper 1 Question 25
Forces questions at the primary level require students to compare the forces acting on an object and predict how the object might move. This may come across as a unique question to students as they are rarely asked about why an object did not move in a straight line.
Below is an example of a question in a similar vein that is more within our students’ expectations:
ACS Primary School, 2024 Preliminary Examination Q27
Regardless, students who have internalised their forces concepts well will recall that when a force is applied to an object, the object will move in the same direction as the force. Hence, if the train is not moving in a straight line (moving left and right, for instance), the applied force must have been in different directions. This question further highlights the importance of not relying on rote memorisation as students study for the exams.
2024 PSLE Paper 1 Question 38
Electrical circuit questions require students to examine the setup and explain its operation. These types of questions demand detailed descriptions of the circuit and how it operates in a loop, and students may lose marks when certain key phrases, which teachers specifically look for, are left out of their answers.
At Think Teach Academy, we provide our students with writing techniques to effectively handle these questions. In particular, for topics like electricity, we teach a structured 4‑step writing technique to help students craft their responses, ensuring they earn consistent and full marks.
Let’s apply the 4‑step writing technique to Q38(a):
- Situation
- Open/closed circuit
- Flow of electric current
- Outcome
(1. Situation) When Mariam closed the switch,
(2. Open/closed circuit) it formed a closed circuit
(3. Flow of electric current) and electric current flowed through the circuit,
(4. Outcome) magnetising the fixed iron cylinder. The like poles of the electromagnet and the magnet were facing each other, causing the magnet and plastic captain to be repelled upwards.
(2. Open/closed circuit) The magnet, which is a conductor of electricity, will no longer be in contact with metal contact B and form an open circuit.
(3. Flow of electric current) Electric current will stop flowing through the wires
(4. Outcome) and the fixed iron cylinder will no longer be magnetised. The magnet attached to the plastic captain will no longer be repelled and fall back to its original position, causing the process to repeat and for the captain to move up and down.
As the circuit is opened and closed repeatedly, the complexity of the answer students must provide increases, along with the likelihood of omitting important details. By using a writing technique, students can better organise their thoughts and write clear, comprehensive answers that help them secure full marks.
In Conclusion
The 2024 PSLE Science paper made one thing clear: high performers weren’t just the ones who memorised facts—they were the ones who could connect, apply, and communicate science effectively.
To achieve AL1 or AL2, students needed to go beyond drilling question types. They needed exposure to real-world applications, strong general knowledge, and writing techniques that helped them translate their thoughts into clear, keyword-rich answers—especially in Booklet B.
At Think Teach Academy, we provide our students with real-world science insights after each lesson to deepen their understanding, showing how the scientific principles learned in class are reflected in everyday life. This approach helps students move beyond focusing only on familiar question types and discourages rote memorisation. With a strong foundation in general knowledge and armed with writing techniques to help them communicate their ideas more effectively, students at Think Teach Academy are better equipped to tackle unconventional questions.
Our goal for every student in Science education at Think Teach Academy is to develop critical thinking skills from an early age, setting the stage for them to become forward-thinking and inquisitive individuals. By being Thinkers of Tomorrow, our students will have the tools to conquer the PSLE and every challenge that presents itself in the future.
If you’d like your child to gain this edge, register your interest here.
Alternatively, if you would like to read our reviews of the 2024 PSLE English and Math paper:
