POV: You studied Speed the whole of Primary 5, and now it’s not even in the PSLE 😭
Yeah. We’re not joking.
The 2026 PSLE Math exam is the most significantly changed exam in years — and a lot of P6 students (and their parents) are still studying the old syllabus. That’s a problem.
Here’s the full breakdown of what has changed, what got removed, what’s brand new, and exactly what your child needs to do about it.
Why 2026 Is Different From Every Year Before
The 2026 PSLE cohort is the first batch of students to sit for the exam under the fully revised 2021 MOE Mathematics syllabus. The new curriculum was introduced at Primary 1 in 2021 and has been rolling out grade by grade — 2026 is when it hits P6 and enters the PSLE for the very first time.
That means past year papers from 2024 and earlier don’t fully reflect what’s coming. Some topics that used to appear will no longer be tested. And some topics that never appeared before are now on the paper.
Tuition centres like Mavis Tutorial, Superstar Teacher, and The Learning Lab have all put out their own updates on this. At Knockout Math, we’ve been tracking these changes closely and have already restructured our P6 programme around them. But first — here’s exactly what you need to know.
🔄 Change 1: Paper 1 and Paper 2 Now Carry Equal Marks
Old format: Paper 1 = 40 marks, Paper 2 = 60 marks
New format: Paper 1 = 50 marks, Paper 2 = 50 marks
This is a big deal. Previously, many students (and tutors) treated Paper 1 as the “warm-up” — the easier multiple-choice and short-answer section that you just try not to drop marks on. Paper 2 was where the real marks were.
That approach is now outdated. With both papers carrying equal weight, every mark on Paper 1 is just as important as every mark on Paper 2. A careless mistake on a multiple-choice question costs you exactly as much as a careless mistake in a long-answer problem sum.
What this means for your child: Paper 1 deserves the same preparation intensity as Paper 2. Speed and accuracy on short-answer questions are now critical, not optional.
❌ Change 2: Speed Is Gone From PSLE
Yes, really. Distance-Time-Speed has been removed from the PSLE syllabus and shifted to Secondary 1 instead.
For years, Speed was one of the most-dreaded PSLE Math topics — the one that showed up in complicated problem sums involving multiple journeys, rest stops, and relative speeds. It’s been a staple of PSLE prep at centres like Jimmy Maths, The Math Lab, and countless others.
It is no longer tested at PSLE level.
What this means for your child: Stop spending time drilling Speed word problems for PSLE. That time is better spent on the topics that are tested — including one brand new one (see below). Your child will still learn Speed in Sec 1, so don’t worry, it’s not gone forever.
✨ Change 3: Algebra Is Now in PSLE — For the First Time Ever
This is the biggest addition to the 2026 PSLE.
Simple linear equations are now a Primary 6 topic, and they will be tested in the PSLE. We’re talking equations like solving for x — something that used to be introduced in Secondary 1.
This catches a lot of students off guard because it’s genuinely new territory for primary school. Past year papers have zero algebra questions you can reference. Tuition centres that haven’t updated their P6 curriculum yet are not preparing students for this.
What this means for your child: Algebra needs dedicated practice time starting now. If your child’s tuition centre hasn’t introduced algebra yet, that’s a red flag. At Knockout Math, algebra is woven into our P6 curriculum from the start of the year — not crammed in at the last minute.
📐 Change 4: Pie Charts and Nets Are Now Taught at Primary 4
Pie Charts and Nets (3D shapes) have been moved down to Primary 4 in the new syllabus. This means these topics are still taught — just earlier.
By the time students reach P6, they should already be comfortable with these. The PSLE may still test them, but at a level that assumes foundational understanding has been built in P4.
What this means for your child: If your child is currently in P6, they should have encountered these in P4. If there are gaps, close them — but don’t over-invest time here at the expense of newer topics like algebra.
📊 Change 5: Average and Ratio Are Now Fully P6 Topics
Average and Ratio have been shifted from Primary 5 to Primary 6 under the new syllabus.
This means the P6 year is now more content-heavy than before. Students are learning these topics for the first time in P6 and sitting for the PSLE on them. There’s less time to revisit and consolidate.
What this means for your child: Average and Ratio need to be taken seriously early in P6 — don’t leave them as “revision topics” right before the exam. They’re core PSLE content.
🧠 Change 6: Reasoning Questions Make Up a Bigger Portion of the Paper
This one isn’t a single topic change — it’s a shift in how the whole paper is designed.
The new PSLE Math format has 15% more questions testing reasoning and real-world application compared to the old syllabus. MOE’s stated goal is to move away from rote memorisation and reward students who can think, not just students who have drilled the same question types a hundred times.
In practice, this means students will see more questions where:
- The scenario is unfamiliar (you can’t just pattern-match to a past paper)
- Multiple steps of reasoning are required
- The “right method” isn’t immediately obvious
Centres like Zenith and Ancourage Academy have written about this shift. The reality is that students who have been taught why methods work — not just how to apply them — will have a genuine advantage in 2026.
What this means for your child: If your child’s tuition is mostly drilling past papers and timing exercises, it may not be enough for 2026. Look for a centre that teaches conceptual reasoning, not just exam technique.
⚡ Quick Recap: What Changed for PSLE Math 2026
| Old PSLE | New PSLE 2026 | |
| Paper 1 marks | 40 | 50 |
| Paper 2 marks | 60 | 50 |
| Speed (D-T-S) | ✅ Tested | ❌ Removed |
| Algebra | ❌ Not tested | ✅ New topic |
| Pie Charts & Nets | Taught at P6 | Moved to P4 |
| Average & Ratio | Taught at P5 | Moved to P6 |
| Reasoning focus | Standard | +15% weighting |
🗓️ So What Should Your Child Do Right Now?
If you’re a P6 student:
- Start on algebra now if you haven’t. It’s new, it’s tested, and past papers won’t help you here.
- Stop over-drilling Speed. That time belongs elsewhere.
- Treat Paper 1 with the same seriousness as Paper 2. Every mark counts equally.
- Practice unfamiliar problem types, not just past paper repeats.
If you’re a parent:
- Check that your child’s tuition centre has updated its materials for 2026.
- Ask specifically: “Do you cover the new algebra topic?”and “Have you updated your papers for the new format?”
- Make sure your child isn’t just drilling — conceptual understanding is what the new exam rewards.
How Knockout Math Prepares Students for PSLE 2026
At Knockout Math, our P6 programme has been fully updated around the 2026 syllabus:
- Algebra is taught from the start of P6, with enough time to build real confidence before October
- No Speed in our PSLE prep— we’ve reallocated that time to new content
- Paper 1 and Paper 2 are treated with equal weightin our mock exams and practice sessions
- Reasoning-first approach— we teach students how to think through unfamiliar problems, not just recognise familiar ones
- We also teach Secondary and JC Math— so our tutors already know what comes after PSLE, and they prepare students accordingly
The 2026 PSLE is the first of its kind. Don’t walk in with last year’s preparation.
Find out how Knockout Math can help your child →
FAQs
Q: Will 2025 past year papers still be useful for 2026 PSLE Math? They’re useful for structure and general practice, but they won’t have algebra questions or reflect the new 50/50 paper weightage. Use them selectively and supplement with updated materials.
Q: Is algebra hard for Primary 6 students? With the right introduction, no. Algebra at PSLE level is simple linear equations — it’s new to the syllabus, but it’s manageable with proper teaching. The key is starting early and building the concept clearly, not rushing it.
Q: My child’s tuition centre says “we cover the full syllabus.” Does that mean they’ve updated for 2026? Not necessarily. Ask specifically about algebra and the new paper format. If they’re still handing out past year papers from 2022 as the main practice resource, that’s a sign they haven’t fully caught up.
Q: Does the removal of Speed mean the PSLE is easier? Not really. Speed has been replaced by algebra and a stronger reasoning focus. The exam is different — not easier.