PDF or printed Maths assessment book: which is better?
A printable PDF suits a family that has a printer and wants the book today, one chapter at a time, with clean copies for a younger child later. A printed book suits a family with no printer, or a child who works best from a bound book. Count paper and ink before you compare prices.
Reviewed by Theon Teo, Founder · Updated
Books and prices last checked November 2026.
How do a PDF and a printed book compare?
Neither is better for every family. This table sets the two side by side, using the TSS books as the PDF and the printed books we checked for our other guides as the printed side.
| Printable PDF (TSS books) | Printed book | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | S$15 for one book, S$25 for a set of two. You pay for paper and ink on top. | The single-level printed books we checked were about S$14 to S$17 when checked in November 2026. Nothing more to pay. |
| How fast you get it | Your order page opens as soon as the payment goes through. | A trip to a bookshop, or a wait for delivery. |
| Printing | You print it. One chapter at a time, or the whole book. | None. |
| A wrong answer | Print the page again and redo it clean. | The page is already written on. |
| A younger child | You may print it again for the children in your own family. | Only if the first child wrote the answers elsewhere. |
| Carrying it | A few sheets for today's chapter. | The whole book. |
| No printer at home | Read it on a tablet, or pay a print shop. | No problem. |
What does it cost to print a PDF book at home?
It depends on your printer, so we give no dollar figure. What we can say is how much paper it takes. The TSS books run from 251 to 483 A4 pages. Printed on both sides, a 360-page book uses 180 sheets.
Three ways to keep the cost down. Print on both sides. Print in black and white if the colour is not needed for the chapter. Print one chapter at a time, so you never print pages your child does not reach.
The table further down this page shows the page count and the sheets needed for each TSS book.
Can I print one chapter at a time?
Yes. After you buy a TSS book, your order page lets you download the whole book in one file or one chapter at a time. Each chapter file has its notes, its practice questions and its answers, so it is ready to print and mark.
Printing by chapter also keeps the pile small. A child faces one chapter, not a thick book.
Can a younger brother or sister use the same PDF?
Yes, within your own family. The shop terms say you may print and use what you buy for the children in your own family. Each file can be downloaded up to 10 times, so save it when you download it.
The terms do not allow sharing the files outside your family. That means no class, no tuition group, no group chat and no resale. Some files show the email address used for the order at the foot of each page.
The books are for the 2027 school year. Before you reuse one some years later, check the chapter list against the younger child's school scheme of work.
When is a printed book the better choice?
- You have no printer, or printing a few hundred pages at home is not practical.
- Your child works better from a bound book than from loose sheets.
- You want a type of book that TSS does not publish, such as a problem sums book or the Ten-Year Series.
- You want to buy the book as a gift, or flip through it in a bookshop first.
The Singapore Syllabus does not post printed copies of its books. If print matters most to you, a printed book from a bookshop is the right buy.
When is a PDF the better choice?
- You want to start today.
- You want clean pages for a redo, or for a second child in your family.
- Your child is put off by a thick book and does better with one chapter in hand.
- You want to read the first pages before paying. Every TSS book has a free sample.
How many sheets of paper does each TSS book need?
Each TSS book is a printable PDF with notes, practice questions and worked answers for every chapter, and a practice exam at the end. S$15 each, S$25 for a set of two. See all of them on the Maths assessment books page.
Questions parents ask
Is a PDF assessment book cheaper than a printed one?
The TSS PDF books are S$15 each. The single-level printed books we checked were about S$14 to S$17 when checked in November 2026. A PDF also needs paper and ink, so the total depends on your printer.
Can I use a PDF assessment book on a tablet?
Yes. Each TSS book is an A4 PDF in full colour. You can print it at home or read it on a tablet.
Can I print the book more than once?
Yes, for the children in your own family. The shop terms do not allow sharing the files with a class, a tuition group or anyone outside your family.
Does TSS sell printed copies?
No. The TSS Maths books are PDFs only. We do not post printed copies.
How soon do I get a PDF book after paying?
Your order page opens as soon as the payment goes through, with a download button for each book. We also email you the link to that page.
More guides to Maths assessment books
- Best PSLE Maths assessment booksWhich type of book a Primary 3 to 6 child needs, and when to use it
- Best secondary Maths assessment booksTopical books, the Ten-Year Series and prelim papers for Sec 1 to 4 and A-Maths
- How to choose a Maths assessment bookA short checklist, and how many books to use at once
- All TSS Maths assessment booksTen books, Primary 3 to Secondary 4
- Free school test papersReal papers set by schools, with answers
Books from other publishers are named for information. We are not linked to them. The TSS books are our own practice material, not issued by MOE or any school. If you find a mistake on this page, tell us and we will fix it.