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PSLE English Listening Comprehension (Paper 3) Ultimate Guide for Success

  • Writer: Walter Education
    Walter Education
  • Aug 10
  • 2 min read

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The PSLE English Listening Comprehension Examination (Paper 3) is a crucial component that tests a student’s ability to understand spoken English in various contexts. With 20 marks contributing to 10% of the overall English grade, performing well in this section can make a significant difference in the final score.

Exam Format & Key Details

Objective: The goal is to evaluate students’ ability to comprehend spoken English through multiple-choice questions. Each passage will be played twice, and time is allocated for students to preview the questions before the first reading.


Format:

Weight: 10% of the total score (20 marks) 

Questions: 20 Multiple-Choice

Audio Playback: Each text is read twice

Duration: Approximately 35 minutes


Types of Texts: These may include news reports, public announcements, advertisements, instructions, explanations, dialogues, speeches, and stories. The first seven questions will include visual aids.


Types of Questions:

  • Factual: Direct questions with clear answers.

  • Inferential: Requires interpretation or deduction from the content.

  • Summary: Summarizing the overall meaning from the passage.



Pre - Exam Tips

1. Sharpen Your Listening Skills

  • Practice with past PSLE papers to familiarize yourself with different accents and speech speeds.

  • Listen to English audio materials (news, podcasts, stories) to improve comprehension.



5 Tips During Exam Day

2. Focus on Visual-Based Questions (First 7 Questions)

  • Pay close attention to details in pictures (e.g., actions, objects, expressions).

  • Listen for keywords that match the images


3. Take Notes While Listening

  • Jot down key points (names, numbers, instructions) during the first playback.

  • Use the second playback to confirm answers and fill in missing details.


4. Understand Different Text Types

  • Announcements: Focus on date, time, place, and key instructions.

  • Conversations: Identify the speakers’ opinions, feelings, and main discussion points.

  • Stories: Note the sequence of events, characters, and problem-solution structure.


5. Manage Time Wisely

  • Read the questions before the audio starts to anticipate what to listen for.

  • Avoid overthinking—stick to the most logical answer based on what you heard.


Final Tips from Us

✔ Stay calm and concentrate—distractions can lead to missing key details.

✔ Double-check answers if time permits.

✔ Trust your first instinct unless you’re sure of a correction.


With consistent practice and active listening, students can confidently tackle the PSLE Listening Comprehension paper and secure valuable marks.


Good luck!


Struggling with Paper 3? Get our parent-proven listening tips instantly! ⬇️ [Download]


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