Check a PSLE dictionary against SEAB’s current approved list, matching the printed title, edition and publisher or the electronic dictionary’s exact model. A different title from the same publisher is not automatically approved. Punggol parents should verify the actual item their child will bring.
Approved dictionaries are permitted for Mother Tongue Language and Higher Mother Tongue Language Paper 1 composition under the PSLE rules. Printed dictionaries must be free of annotations and checked and stamped by the school; electronic dictionaries also require the school’s pre-examination check.
Start early enough to resolve an uncertain edition, markings or a faulty electronic device. This guide explains how to find the official list, check an older dictionary and prepare the item without assuming that buying a new model is always necessary.
CHAPTER 1 OF 5
Open the official list
SEAB’s PSLE dictionary FAQ links the approved list. Use that route rather than a retailer’s claim or an old screenshot.
Check the examination year shown in the document. The list checked for this guide is headed for the 2026 examinations and includes printed and electronic dictionaries.
Save the current document and identify the section for the child’s language. Do not treat a Chinese model entry as evidence that a different language device is approved.
CHAPTER 2 OF 5
Match the actual title or model
For a printed dictionary, compare the title, edition, publisher and ISBN where listed. Look inside the book for publication details rather than rely only on the cover.
For an electronic dictionary, record the full model identifier. A similar casing or a familiar brand does not establish that the device matches an approved entry.
SEAB’s same-publisher FAQ confirms that the dictionary must be listed. If there is a mismatch, ask the school to check before purchasing or packing it.
CHAPTER 3 OF 5
Check older dictionaries carefully
The list contains previously approved dictionaries and explains the circumstances under which they can continue to be used. Read those notes before replacing a hand-me-down.
Check its physical condition, missing pages and any markings as well as its title. Approval of an edition is not the same as readiness of the family’s particular copy.
If the book or device cannot be identified confidently, send the school the relevant publication or model details. Let the verification decide the next step.
CHAPTER 4 OF 5
Complete the school’s check
Read the dictionary section of the current PSLE candidate rules and follow the school’s checking timetable.
Inspect a printed copy for written notes, stickers and highlighted text. Ask the school how to handle an annotated copy rather than try to hide a marking.
For an electronic dictionary, test its power supply and silent operation. Follow the examination restrictions on accessories and storage, and keep the device familiar to the child.
CHAPTER 5 OF 5
Practise using it without overusing it
Let the child practise finding a few relevant entries with the approved item. The useful question is whether lookup is efficient enough to support writing without interrupting every sentence.
Ask the teacher when dictionary use helps and when the child should continue drafting. An approved dictionary is a tool, not a replacement for understanding the composition task.
Our PSLE calculator guide covers the other common device check. Keep the dictionary’s approval, school check and practical readiness as three separate checks.
Information checked on 11 October 2026. Follow the current official and school instructions for your child’s individual arrangements.
