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I am writing to highlight a concern some parents have regarding the PSLE Chinese and English oral examinations, which have, at least for the past few years, split the national Primary 6 cohort into two groups. This year, as in previous years, each group took different oral topics, on Aug 13 and 14. For instance, the English oral topic on Aug 13 focused on outdoor activities, while the topic on Aug 14 revolved around appreciation of the elderly and pupils’ responsibilities towards senior citizens. The Chinese oral examination on Aug 13 centred on reading, while the Aug 14 topic focused on healthy diets. Given the varied nature of these topics, many parents are concerned about the fairness of the examinations. At 12, pupils have limited life experiences, making it challenging for some to articulate appropriate responses to topics like appreciating senior citizens. It is also notable that topics such as outdoor activities and healthy diets are extensively covered in assessment books and school materials, making pupils more familiar with these subjects. With the introduction of the new achievement level scoring system, which is supposedly based on raw scores, I believe many parents would like to ask the Ministry of Education how it ensures there is no unfair advantage for pupils taking different topics on different days. Specifically, will there be moderation within the oral examination itself? Does the ministry examine the distribution of scores for each day’s topics, and if the distribution differs significantly, will it apply moderation to ensure fairness between the two groups? The PSLE must remain a fair assessment for all pupils, regardless of which day they take their oral exams.