How can P5 Students Excel in SA2?

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How can P5 Students Excel in SA2?

SA2 is more than just another school examination — for Primary 5 students, it’s a chance to consolidate what they’ve learned over the year, sharpen their thinking skills, and prepare for the greater academic challenges of Primary 6. This exam covers a wide scope of topics and requires both mastery of concepts and the ability to apply them under exam conditions. Excelling in SA2 is not just about studying harder, but also studying smarter — with a clear plan, the right techniques, and a healthy mindset.

  

Why is SA2 important?

Predict PSLE Level

We have analysed SA2 and PSLE papers, specifically Paper 2 due to its higher difficulty.

Have a look at the comparison below:

There is an overlap of the topics, Fractions & Ratio & Percentage, and Geometry being the most difficult in both SA2 and PSLE Papers. This means SA2 performance often serves as a reliable early indicator of how a student might fare in Primary 6. Treating SA2 as a “trial run” for PSLE not only builds familiarity with these high-weightage topics but also helps identify areas that need sustained attention over the next academic year. In other words, doing well in SA2 is a strong step towards doing well in PSLE.

   

What are some challenges of SA2?

(1) First Comprehensive Assessment

P5 SA2 will be the first comprehensive assessment which includes Fractions, Ratio and Percentage, the 3 major abstract relationships and 8 major word problem types. The 8 major word problems are: average problem, page number problem, chicken-rabbit problem, excess and shortage problem, sum and difference problem, period problem, difference problem, and efficiency problem. Have a look at some comparisons of questions below:

Before SA2:

This question only involves Fractions and the comparison of different fractions.

In SA2:

It combines both Fractions and Percentage into 1 question, testing student’s knowledge of both topics.

Before SA2:

This question tests if students are able to remember and apply the formula of average that was learnt.

  

In SA2:

Students will not only have to be familiar with the formula but also apply their understanding of average in different situations. The method of solving this is taking from excess and filling the shortage.

In SA2:

This is a more complicated word problem that some students may be seeing for the first time, which has the characteristic of a transformed Chicken and Rabbit Problem: 2 total quantities + 2 individual quantities, and one method of solving involves making a hypothesis.

To solve these word problems, it is important to analyse the characteristics of the problem, summarise the solution methods, and then use “Features + Methods” to quickly solve similar or modified problems.

  

(2) Increased Complexity

Previously, angle calculations involved identifying angle relationships based on regular geometric shapes, with problems being straightforward and direct.

  

However, SA2 mostly assesses dynamic folding problems, as shown below:

   

From statically finding angles to dynamic folding problems, we can observe an increasing trend towards assessing knowledge points with greater flexibility, aiming to cultivate children’s logical thinking abilities.

  

Apart from the above, there is also a transition from singular to multiple pattern recognition. The SA2 exam begins to assess how various shapes can be dissected and separated to identify patterns, often combined with special sequences, emphasising children’s ability to think flexibly. Have a look at this question:

Pattern recognition problems are difficult for two main reasons: First, you need to break the question into parts to spot the pattern; Second, you need to connect it with sequences you’ve learned before.

How can P5 students be better prepared?

Here are four tips for P5 students to excel in SA2:

  

(1) Master Core Concepts

It is important that students build a strong foundation and are able to keep up, given the high difficulty of SA2. As mentioned, the more difficult questions that will be tested are on the 3 major abstract relationships and 8 major word problem types. Therefore, it is important that students know the methods of solving them in order to score well. Kangaroo Study has numerous YouTube videos that help explain these types of questions to students. Here is the link to the playlist for P5 questions:

Click to check the playlist for P5 questions

We suggest first trying the questions by yourself. If you are unable to solve it, then you can have a look at the explanation.

   

(2) Review and Correct Mistakes

With SA2 becoming more challenging, students will inevitably face new and tougher questions. This makes it essential for them to actively review their mistakes, identify the gaps in their understanding, and work on closing those gaps before the exam. Here are some examples:

This student only managed to get part (a) correct. The pattern was not interpreted clearly, leading to an incorrect answer in (b), and confusion in (c). Hence, this student will need to practise more on pattern-finding.

  

We can observe that the number of circles follow square numbers, 1x1, 2x2, 3x3,… and so on. While the number of squares follows an arithmetic sequence. So to find the total number of circles and squares, we need to find these separately and add them together.

   

This student faces a lack of knowledge and exposure to solve this transformed Excess and Shortage problem.

When you have identified your own mistakes, make sure you will not repeat them again. Through corrections, you will be able to find what went wrong. Redo wrong questions until you can solve them correctly without hints. This ensures that you will always be improving on your understanding.

(3) Practise with Timed Exercises and Past Year Papers

   

Practice makes progress. Attempting exercises under timed conditions improves speed, accuracy, and time management. First, start with topical revision and check your understanding on each topic. Once you have completed all topics,  we recommend practising past year papers from the 9 GEP schools, as they tend to have higher difficulty. Give 2024 papers a try first, as they are likely to be more similar to 2025.

   

Have a look at this fraction question from 2023 Rosyth SA2:

   And this question from 2024 Rosyth SA2:
   

They both involve a similar method of drawing models to solve the fraction problem.

   

Another tip is if you encounter difficult questions that you are unable to solve, skip it first and return to it after you have attempted all questions. Remember to leave around 20 minutes at the end to check through all questions.

  

(4) Seek Clarification Early

   

Don’t wait until the final week to ask questions. If you’re stuck on a topic, approach your teacher early on. This prevents small doubts from snowballing into bigger problems during the exam. You may also scan the WhatsApp QR code below to join our Study Group for P5 students. Feel free to ask questions anytime, parents and teachers will try their best to help.

  

Do you require additional help?

   

If you need additional help with the preparation for SA2, we have a P5 Semester 2 class that will start from 29th August. It will run every Friday, 6.30pm to 8.30pm.

   

With approximately two months remaining until SA2, we will conduct in-depth analysis by practising key and challenging question types for SA2 during this period.

   

Class Syllabus

   

Our syllabus has a comprehensive coverage of the challenging points in SA2. Lesson 2 will focus on studying three major abstract relationships in the SA2 exam, ensuring a solid foundation in key concepts. Lessons 1, 3, 4, and 7 will cover the eight major application problems. In addition, based on analysis of exam conditions, we also include expanded sections on angle calculations, pattern recognition, and geometric area to ensure mastery of all tested content.

   

  

We also incorporate structured review practices into our teaching methodology to help students develop effective revision habits.

   

  

The P5 Semester 2 Class will be taught by Teacher Pamelyn.

Graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences from Nanyang Technological University, Teacher Pamelyn brings both strong subject expertise and a passion for teaching to every lesson. She currently teaches P5 students in preparation for PSLE.

   

Growing up in Singapore, Teacher Pamelyn is vastly familiar with the curriculum and education system. She has taken PSLE herself and is familiar with the whole process. Her first-hand experience enables her to anticipate common challenges students may face.

   

Her teaching style emphasises on two-way communication which helps students gain confidence, think critically and develop a genuine love for learning.

   

Entrance Test

If you are interested in signing up for the class, an entrance test has to be taken first. This is not just an entrance test but also an assessment of essential knowledge for P5 SA2. After the test, there will be free explanations by teachers.

   

Test and Class Location: #02-12, Grantral Mall, 601 MacPherson Road, 368242

   

You can scan the QR code below to contact Teacher Pamelyn for registration or further inquiries.