PSLE Tips
September 13, 2024

3 Essential Tips to Ace Primary School Listening Comprehension (PSLE Paper 3)

Ms Rachel

Curriculum Lead

For some students, Listening Comprehension can be a breeze, while for others, it can be a challenge due to distractions or unfamiliar words. With the right preparation, this section can become a significant boost to your child’s overall grade. Here are three key strategies to help your child make the most of the PSLE Listening Comprehension and aim for the coveted AL1.

1. Be early and read the questions in advance

One of the most important steps in excelling at Listening Comprehension is being mentally prepared before the recording even begins. Your child has a few precious minutes to review the questions before the listening starts, which is a perfect opportunity to focus on what to listen for. This head start will help them anticipate the kind of information they’ll need to extract from the recordings—whether it's specific facts, instructions, or opinions.

Additionally, staying alert and focused during the exam is crucial. Encourage your child to actively listen for key details like people, places, times, and instructions, as missing even a small piece of information could cost them. Common pitfalls include zoning out during long or monotonous recordings, so they must make an effort to remain attentive throughout.

Quick Tips:

  • Ensure your child arrives early to settle in.
  • Encourage them to scan the questions to set their mind on what to listen for.
  • Remind them to stay focused throughout the 35-minute exam.

2. Build a Strong Vocabulary Foundation

A solid vocabulary is the backbone of success in Listening Comprehension. The more words your child is familiar with, the easier it will be for them to understand the recordings without pausing to decipher unfamiliar terms. Misunderstanding even a single word can disrupt their comprehension of an entire passage, so it’s important to continuously work on vocabulary building.

While there’s no shortcut to improving vocabulary, reading widely is one of the most effective methods. Encourage your child to read a variety of materials, from news articles to books, and have them note down new words they encounter. Understanding the context in which words are used can greatly enhance their listening and comprehension skills.

Quick Tips:

  • Encourage reading a range of materials, especially news articles and books.
  • Ask teachers for book recommendations to suit your child’s level.

3. Active Listening and Note-Taking for Better Retention

Listening Comprehension is about more than just hearing words; it's about retaining and processing key information. During the exam, encourage your child to take notes during the first reading of each recording. While they don’t need to write down everything, jotting down critical points such as names, places, and important instructions can be a lifesaver when the recording plays for the second time.

After the recordings, it's equally important for your child to review their answers and double-check their choices. Exam stress can sometimes cause students to make simple mistakes, such as shading the wrong answer. A quick review at the end can help prevent these errors.

Quick Tips:

  • Practice quick note-taking to capture key information during recordings.
  • Have your child review answers at the end of the exam to avoid careless mistakes.

By focusing on these three main strategies—staying prepared, building vocabulary, and practicing active listening—your child can approach the PSLE Listening Comprehension section with confidence and maximize their chances of scoring well.

Good news! You can now prepare your child for listening comprehension on www.playwrite.sg! Here are the steps: 

Step 1 : Click on Comprehension on the Practice Tab

Step 2 : Click on Listening Comprehension

Step 3 : Play the recording and answer the question

Step 4 : View explanation and the text passage for reference

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