How to Do Well in the PSLE Chinese Composition Exam

As parents and students gear up for the PSLE journey, understanding how each subject shapes the final score has become even more crucial, particularly with the introduction of the new Achievement Levels (ALs) scoring system.

1. Why the Chinese Composition Matters in the New AL System

With the new AL system in place, each subject is graded from AL1 (highest) to AL8 (lowest), and your child’s final PSLE score is the total of the ALs across all four subjects. This means every subject counts equally, including Mother Tongue.

The Chinese PSLE Exam is made up of several components:

• Paper 1: Composition Writing (40 marks)
• Paper 2: Language Use and Comprehension (90 marks)
• Paper 3: Oral Communication (50 marks) & Listening Comprehension (20 marks)

Although Paper 1 makes up only 20% of the overall score, it often becomes the crucial tiebreaker at the top-scoring levels. Many students secure full or near-full marks for Listening Comprehension and Oral, while Paper 2 results are usually closely packed. As a result, Paper 1, which focuses on Composition, becomes the key factor that separates an AL1 or AL2 from an AL3 or AL4.

For students aiming for top secondary schools, a strong performance in Paper 1 is essential. A Chinese composition class and dedicated PSLE Chinese exam preparation can give your child the advantage to achieve their best.

2. Types of PSLE Chinese Composition Questions & Scoring

In Standard Chinese Paper 1, students choose between two options:

• Option 1: Picture Composition (看图作文)
• Option 2: Topic-based Composition (命题作文)

The Higher Chinese Paper 1 follows the same format but presents students with more abstract and demanding prompts, testing their depth of understanding and creative thinking.

Scoring Breakdown (out of 40 marks):

• Content (内容): 20 marks – Storyline, relevance to the pictures or topic, and creative development of ideas.
• Expression (表达): 20 marks – Accurate use of vocabulary, effective phrases and idioms (好词佳句), strong sentence structure, and vivid emotional descriptions (心理描述).

Through targeted Chinese composition classes, students can strengthen both content and expression to maximise their marks.

A. Picture Composition (看图作文)

Students are presented with a sequence of six pictures and must build a narrative based on the events depicted.

Sample Past-Year Picture Composition Topics:

• 2024: Rehearsing an incident of falling and injury, with classmates showing concern.
• 2023: A distracted mother is talking on the phone while her stroller rolls downhill.
• 2022: A boy using his phone bumps into a pedestrian’s handbag and helps retrieve the fallen items.
• 2021: Students on a bus to the zoo, with a monkey snatching one of their bags.
• 2020: Students assisting an elderly person who had fallen at the bus stop.

Pros: The clear structure and visual cues help students organise their storylines effectively. These prompts guide students to develop a coherent narrative without feeling overwhelmed.

Cons: Students may fall into the trap of writing too simply, limiting creativity. Basic vocabulary and underuse of descriptive language, especially adjectives and emotional expressions, can prevent higher scores.

B. Topic-Based Composition (命题作文)

In this option, students receive a theme or phrase and must create a story based on the given topic.

Sample Past-Year Topic-Based Prompts:

• 2024: 《这件事让我明白了答应别人的事必须做到》
• 2023: 《这件事让我感谢我的朋友》
• 2022: 《这件事让我明白了耐心的重要》
• 2021: 《一份我最珍惜的礼物》
• 2020: 《这样做是自私的》

Pros: This format offers greater freedom for creativity and allows for deeper reflection. Well-written pieces can leave a strong impression on examiners. To succeed, students must stay on topic, ensure the story’s beginning and ending connect clearly, and avoid overly long conclusions. Maintaining logical flow and coherence throughout is crucial.

Cons: It demands a strong vocabulary, confidence in developing ideas, and a level of maturity in writing that can be challenging without practice.

​​Through consistent practice and sharpening of composition writing techniques, students can learn to express complex ideas with clarity and flair, improving their readiness for both formats in the PSLE Chinese exam.

3. How to Score High in Each Composition Type

For Picture Composition:

• Apply the 5W1H method (谁、什么、在哪里、何时、为什么、怎么样) to create a solid narrative structure that answers the fundamental questions of the story.
• Use accurate metaphors and select vocabulary that is relevant to the events depicted in the pictures, enhancing both clarity and flair.
• Avoid filler dialogue written solely to boost word count, as this often weakens the narrative flow.
• Enrich the story with detailed character descriptions, including emotional (心理描写) and action-based (动作描写) elements, alongside sensory details that engage the reader.
• Craft a smooth, cohesive storyline rather than describing each picture individually. The goal is to tell a complete and natural story.
• Always ensure that the content stays aligned with the theme and the sequence of images provided.
• Pay close attention to the final picture, as a strong ending is critical to wrapping up the story meaningfully.
• Incorporate a moral or lesson learnt to reinforce the theme and leave a lasting impression on the examiner.

Practice Tip: Work on past PSLE picture sequences and experiment with rewriting them from a fresh perspective, perhaps with an unexpected twist, to develop greater versatility in composition writing.

For Topic-Based Composition:

• Prioritise understanding of the topic and ensure every part of the composition remains relevant to it.
• Use idioms and proverbs thoughtfully, choosing those that reflect common values such as honesty or perseverance, to deepen the narrative impact.
• Prepare a bank of three to five adaptable real-life stories that can suit multiple themes, making exam preparation more efficient.
• Focus on evoking emotional depth and crafting reflections that feel genuine and meaningful, elevating the story’s resonance.
• Steer clear of overused cliches and strive to make the story personal and distinctive.

Practice Tip: Take a familiar theme like “我帮助了别人” and challenge yourself to write two entirely different stories, one set in a school environment and the other at home, to build narrative flexibility.

Through consistent practice and expert feedback from a Chinese composition class, students can sharpen their storytelling skills, expand their language proficiency, and master the art of compelling character descriptions. These abilities together form the foundation for success in Topic-Based Composition.

4. Extra Exam Tips for PSLE Chinese Paper 1

• Plan Before You Write

  Set aside 10 to 15 minutes at the start to map out your storyline. Use mind maps or quick bullet points to sketch out the sequence of events. A clear and well-thought-out plot often forms the backbone of a strong composition.

• Always Leave Time to Check

  Reserve the final 5 to 10 minutes to review your work. Look out for awkward word choices, sentence flow, and character errors. These final adjustments can make a noticeable difference to your score.

• Aim for Originality

  Examiners read hundreds of scripts, many of which follow similar patterns. Bringing in personal insights, authentic emotions, and original twists can help your composition stand out.

• Use 好词佳句 Thoughtfully

  Avoid inserting memorised phrases for the sake of it. While idiomatic expressions and elegant wording can enrich your writing, they must suit the context naturally. Misuse of 好词佳句 can lead to a deduction in marks. Focus on understanding the meaning and application of these expressions through deliberate practice.

• Practise Purposefully

  Complete your practice compositions within the actual exam time frame of 50 minutes. Afterwards, mark your own work against the scoring rubric or seek feedback from your teachers. Focus on improving one area at a time, such as content depth, expression, or sentence variation. This step-by-step approach builds lasting skills.

• Manage Your Time Wisely

  Do not get stuck perfecting the opening paragraph. While a strong introduction is helpful, the priority is to complete a full, coherent, and well-rounded story. A balanced composition is always more effective than an incomplete one.

By combining these exam strategies with regular practice in a Chinese composition class, students can sharpen their writing abilities and approach Paper 1 with greater confidence.

Final Thoughts

The PSLE Chinese Composition may feel overwhelming at first, but it is also where your child has the opportunity to shine through creativity and meaningful writing. With the new AL system raising the stakes, every mark can make a real difference. Encourage your child to read widely, reflect deeply, and above all, write regularly with genuine passion and thoughtfulness.

Hua Language Centre offers a wide range of Chinese composition classes tailored to various needs, from PSLE Chinese exam preparation to enrichment classes in Chinese.

Get in touch with us today to explore how our programmes can support language development.