In Singapore, Primary 1 (P1) and Primary 2 (P2) students don’t sit for formal examinations, a shift that has left many parents wondering: How do I know if my child is doing okay in school?
The short answer is: it depends on your expectations, your child’s learning style and natural ability, and how much effort is being put in. While it can be unsettling not to see a percentage or grade on a report card, there are still many ways to gauge your child’s progress meaningfully.
There is feedback – just not in the form of exams
Although formal exams have been removed, assessment still happens, just in a more holistic, low-stress way. Schools now use bite-sized check-ins, classroom activities, quizzes, and teacher observations to understand how well a student is grasping the material.
According to MOE, the move is designed to reduce unnecessary stress while helping students build confidence and foundational skills. Teachers closely track learning progress and will inform parents if a child is falling behind. In other words, no news is often good news.
Daily work, not test scores, tells the real story
One of the best indicators of whether your child is doing well is the quality of their daily work, how they’re approaching homework, whether they can explain what they’ve learned, and how they handle challenges.
Some children are naturally quick learners and can score near-perfect marks with little revision. If such a child suddenly hands in work full of careless mistakes, it could be a sign of disengagement rather than difficulty. On the other hand, if your child finds a subject like Chinese particularly hard and manages to score 35/45 through sheer determination and focus; that’s a win worth celebrating.
Set clear, personalised expectations
Every child is different, so comparing siblings or classmates can lead to unnecessary pressure. A better approach is to set expectations based on your own child’s strengths and personality and to involve them in the conversation.
Some families find it helpful to agree on realistic benchmarks (e.g., 90% for school work, 80% for enrichment activities), especially if their child has shown they can meet those goals with minimal stress. But it’s important to give children space to grow and learn from mistakes. Expecting full marks all the time can backfire, especially in the early years when kids are still discovering how they learn best.
Your attitude shapes your child’s experience
Children are incredibly sensitive to their parents’ emotions. If you’re overly anxious about grades or overly critical when results fall short, that stress can trickle down to your child, even if you don’t say anything outright.
Instead of fixating on numbers, focus on effort, progress, and resilience. Praise your child when they try hard, especially in subjects that don’t come easily to them. Encourage a growth mindset, the idea that intelligence and ability can be developed through perseverance and learning from mistakes.
Don’t be afraid to check in with the teacher
If you’re unsure whether your child is coping well or falling behind, reach out. Teachers are more than willing to share insights and feedback. You can message them, call the school, or arrange a meeting. There’s no need to wait for Parent-Teacher Meetings to ask questions or raise concerns.
Teachers are trained to support your child’s development across academic, emotional, and social areas. If there’s a serious concern, they won’t wait – they’ll reach out to you.
The Big Picture: It’s a Long Game
P1 and P2 are not about producing perfect scores or getting ahead of the curve. These early years are for building confidence, developing routines, and discovering a love for learning. What matters most is not whether your child can ace a test at seven — but whether they’re learning how to stay curious, bounce back from mistakes, and keep moving forward.
Or as one experienced parent put it:
“PSLE is a marathon. If you worry about every test now, you’ll burn out soon, and so will your child.”
Let them grow. Let them learn. And remember, you’re learning how to parent through this phase too.
