SINGAPORE — Students taking the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) can continue to sit their exams even if they are in quarantine, as long as results from both a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and an antigen rapid test come back negative.

A Ministry of Education (MOE) circular to parents of Primary 6 students stated that it will take 24 hours to process the PCR test and the earliest a student can sit for an exam is two days after being notified of the quarantine order.

“If there is a paper scheduled for the next day after the quarantine order is received, your child will not be able to sit for it. However, your child can apply for special consideration through the school,” the circular read.

“If your child misses one paper while on quarantine order, they can still sit for the remaining papers if their PCR test is negative and the self-swab antigen rapid test before each exam paper are negative,” MOE added.

The ministry also said that special consideration will be applied to papers that students have missed.

The circular was in line with a press release issued by MOE and Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board last Sunday.

WHAT ARE THE REQUIRED STEPS?

1. Once a student has been placed on quarantine order, parents should inform his/her status to the school and his/her plans to sit for the exam paper by 12pm that day

2. Wait at home for the entry PCR test. This will be done at the student’s home by Ministry of Health-appointed swab providers

3. Antigen rapid test kits will also be provided by the end of next day

4. Wait 24 hours for the PCR test to be processed

5. While waiting for the PCR test results, conduct antigen rapid tests. This should be done at 6pm every day before each paper

6. If the PCR test result comes back negative, which students or parents can find out from online portal HealthHub, they should still take an antigen rapid test that evening

7. Write the name of the student and the date on the antigen rapid test kit with a marker

8. Take a photo of the negative result of the antigen rapid test

9. On the day of the paper, the students need to show their negative PCR test and a photograph of the previous evening’s antigen rapid test result to sit for the exam

10. Continue doing rapid tests the day before their remaining papers

11. Students are encouraged to go to school on their own by either taking a private transport or walking. Parents under quarantine may be able to accompany their child if they satisfy the same testing requirements

MOE also cautioned parents and their children to not rush down to a clinic to take the PCR tests, but to wait at home instead.