MOE Math Syllabus Changes 2026: Speed Is Gone — Here's What Changes for PSLE Prep
Speed has been completely removed from Primary 6 Mathematics and the PSLE for the 2026 cohort, not just reduced. This is the clearest explanation of what that means for exam prep, which past-year questions to skip, and where your child's practice time should go instead.
The Educator's Insight
"Many families are still drilling Speed problems from old past-year papers — and wasting precious preparation time on a topic that will not appear in the 2026 PSLE. The sooner you redirect that time to Ratio and Fractions, the better."
Mrs. Heng
Senior Math Educator (MOE Alumna)
Important Update: Speed Is No Longer in PSLE Math
There is one change in the 2026 Primary 6 Mathematics syllabus that every parent needs to understand clearly, because getting it wrong has a direct cost in exam preparation time.
The topic of Speed — including all Distance-Time-Speed problems — has been completely removed from the PSLE Mathematics examination from 2026 onwards.
This is not a reduction in emphasis. It is not "less likely to appear." It is a full removal. Speed now sits in the Secondary 1 curriculum, where it will be picked up after the PSLE.
The 2026 cohort (students sitting the PSLE in October 2026) will not be tested on Speed at all.
Why This Matters More Than Most Parents Realise
The Past-Year Paper Problem
Most families preparing for PSLE use Ten-Year Series (TYS) papers or school past-year papers from previous years. In every Paper 2 from 2012 to 2024, there was at least one multi-step Speed question worth 4 or 5 marks.
If your child is using a 2024 or older paper and practising the Speed questions:
- ▸They are practising a topic that will not appear in their exam.
- ▸The time spent on those questions is better spent on Ratio and Fraction model methods, which are now the primary drivers of Paper 2 difficulty.
Which Past-Year Papers Should You Use?
| Paper Year | Speed Questions | Should You Practise Them? |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 and older | Present | Skip or use as enrichment only |
| 2025 and older school prelims | Likely present | Check with your school |
| 2026 school prelim papers | Should be absent | Verify with your school |
Practical advice: When working through an older TYS paper, tell your child to skip any question involving "km/h", "m/s", or "average speed." These are Speed questions. Move on and use that saved time for ratio or fraction models instead.
What Has Changed in the 2026 P6 Math Syllabus
Topic Fully Removed
| Topic | Change for 2026 |
|---|---|
| Speed (Distance-Time-Speed) | ❌ Completely removed from P6 and PSLE — shifted to Secondary 1 |
Topics That Remain (and Now Carry More Weight)
| Topic | Why It Matters More Now |
|---|---|
| Ratio | Was always the hardest topic — now carries even more Paper 2 weight |
| Fractions | Multi-step fraction model questions are high-value |
| Percentage | Often combined with ratio in Paper 2 |
| Geometry & Area | Continues to appear in challenging forms |
| Patterns (nth term) | Common Paper 1 and Paper 2 opener |
The New Paper 2 Reality
With Speed gone, the marks it previously contributed have not disappeared — they have shifted to questions that test the same level of multi-step reasoning through Ratio and Fraction model methods.
For 2026, expect Paper 2 to feature more of:
- ▸Repeated Identity problems (same total, linking two different ratios)
- ▸Constant Difference problems (before/after or age problems)
- ▸Fraction-within-Ratio problems (Equal Concept)
These are not new to PSLE. They have always been there. But they are now the primary route to the top marks in Paper 2.
👉 Read our full guide to PSLE Ratio & Fraction Model Methods →
Other 2026 Changes Worth Knowing
Assessment Philosophy Shift
MOE's 2026 syllabus direction rewards students who apply concepts, not just recall procedures. For Math, this means:
- ▸Questions increasingly require multi-step reasoning, not single-formula answers.
- ▸Students who understand why a method works will outperform those who memorised what to do.
English Oral Communication
The marks for PSLE English Oral have increased to 40 marks. This signals MOE's broader shift towards communication skills across all subjects.
Parent Action Plan
This Week
- ▸Audit your child's practice papers. Pull out any with Speed questions and mark those questions to skip.
- ▸Reprioritise practice time. If Speed was 20% of Paper 2 practice time, redirect that entirely to Ratio model methods.
- ▸Check school prelim papers. Ask whether your school's 2026 prelim papers have been updated to remove Speed.
Over the Next 8 Weeks
- ▸Master Ratio model methods — Repeated Identity, Constant Difference, Equal Concept.
- ▸Practise multi-step Fraction questions — especially those combining fractions and ratios in the same question.
- ▸Practise explaining solutions aloud — Mathematical communication is increasingly valued.
Explore PSLE Ratio Practice → Read: PSLE Paper 2 Ratio & Fraction Model Methods → Start Your Free Trial →
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Speed completely gone from the 2026 PSLE?
Yes. Speed (Distance-Time-Speed problems) has been fully removed from the Primary 6 Mathematics syllabus and will not appear in the 2026 PSLE. It is now taught in Secondary 1.
Will the 2026 PSLE be harder without Speed?
Not harder overall, but the difficulty is redistributed. The marks that previously came from Speed questions now come from complex Ratio and Fraction model questions. Students strong in Ratio will benefit.
My child's tutor is still teaching Speed. Should I stop?
If your child is sitting the 2026 PSLE, Speed is off-syllabus and should be deprioritised. Redirect that time to Ratio, Fractions, and Geometry.
What is the biggest change for Paper 2 in 2026?
The removal of Speed means Ratio and Fraction model methods are now the dominant source of challenging, high-mark Paper 2 questions. Mastering Repeated Identity, Constant Difference, and Equal Concept model types is the highest-impact preparation action for Paper 2.
Loading comments...
Practice & Tools
Share this article