Is your child losing marks in comprehension even though they “understand” the passage? This is one of the most frustrating problems for parents. The truth is, most students don’t lose marks because they can’t read — they lose marks because they don’t know how to answer. After working with hundreds of Primary 5 and 6 students, here are the exact mistakes that repeatedly cost marks in PSLE comprehension — and what can be done to fix them.
1. Lifting from the passage – Copying Answers Without Thinking
Many students are taught to “find and copy” from the passage as it is considered a safe way of getting the answer directly from the passage
However in the PSLE, this backfires as students usually end up:
- Copying too much
- Including irrelevant details
- Missing the actual answer
It is important to note that lifting blindly from the passage indicates a lack of comprehension regarding what the question is asking for hence it is common that marks are deducted.
What strong students do differently:
They locate → select → trim the answer, not copy blindly.
2. Not Answering the Question – Incomplete answers
This is more common than most parents realise.
Students presume that the marker will see the same connection as they do between their answer and the question.
Even if they understand the passage, they still lose marks. This is because they do not clearly explain the connection between their answer and the question. This results in an incomplete answer.
Simple fix:
Train students to answer specifically according to the question
3. Weak Inference Skills – Unclear answers
Inference questions are where most marks are lost.
Students often:
- Copy lines from the passage
- Avoid explaining meaning
- Give vague answers
But PSLE markers are looking for:
- Interpretation
- Explanation
- Clear reasoning
This is a skill, not general knowledge — and it must be trained.
4. No Supporting Evidence
For True / False questions which require a reason, some students mistakenly think that writing a reason based on a general understanding of the passage satisfies the PSLE requirements.
Students must prove whether their answers are true or false using specific evidence from the passage. The supporting evidence should be clearly stated as part of the reason for each answer.
5. Poor Vocabulary in Context
Students often panic when they see unfamiliar words.
Instead of using context, they:
- Guess randomly
- Choose meanings that don’t fit the sentence
High-scoring students:
Use surrounding clues to determine meaning logically.
The Real Problem with PSLE comprehension mistakes: It’s Not Understanding — It’s Technique
Most parents focus on:
- Reading more passages
- Doing more practice papers
But without the right techniques, students simply repeat the same mistakes.
How to Improve Your Child’s Comprehension Quickly
To see real improvement, students need:
- Clear answering frameworks
- Exposure to common question types
- Step-by-step strategies (not guesswork)
This is exactly what we focus on in our structured programmes.
Want Your Child to Stop Losing Easy Marks?
If your child is:
- Stuck at average comprehension scores
- Losing marks despite understanding passages
- Struggling with inference questions
Then it’s time to fix the root cause, not just do more practice.
👉 Explore our Primary 5 English Tuition Programme
👉 Explore our Primary 6 English Tuition Programme
👉 Join our Comprehension Skills Workshop (2-Hour Intensive)
Final Takeaway
PSLE comprehension is not about reading harder passages.
It’s about:
- Avoiding common mistakes
- Applying the right answering techniques
- Being precise and strategic
Once students fix these, their scores can improve very quickly.
