Table Of Contents
- Understanding PSLE Scores and AL System
- What Are Cut-Off Points and How Do They Work
- Factors Affecting Secondary School Admission
- 2024 Cut-Off Point Tables
- Integrated Programme (IP) Schools
- Specialized Schools and Their Requirements
- Direct School Admission (DSA)
- Understanding School Affiliation Benefits
- Tips for Choosing the Right Secondary School
- Conclusion
Finding the right secondary school for your child is one of the most important decisions parents in Singapore face. With the PSLE results released, understanding the latest secondary school cut-off points becomes crucial in making informed choices about your child’s educational journey.
The 2024 intake cut-off points reflect the minimum PSLE Achievement Level (AL) scores required for admission into various secondary schools across Singapore. These scores serve as a practical guide for parents and students to identify schools that match both academic achievements and aspirations.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about secondary school cut-off points for 2024 intake. From understanding how the AL scoring system works to comparing cut-off points across all schools and streams, this resource will help you navigate the secondary school selection process with confidence.
Singapore Secondary School Cut-Off Points Guide
Essential information for making informed school choices
Understanding PSLE AL Scoring System
PSLE scores now use Achievement Levels (AL):
- Each subject receives AL 1-8 (1 is best)
- Total score range: 4 (best) to 32 (lowest)
- Lower aggregate scores = more school options
AL Score Bands
School Cut-Off Points by Category
| School Name | Cut-Off Point | Region |
|---|---|---|
| Raffles Institution | 4-6 | North |
| Hwa Chong Institution | 4-6 | West |
| Nanyang Girls’ High School | 4-6 | West |
| Dunman High School | 7 | East |
| National Junior College | 7 | Central |
| Victoria School | 8 | East |
| Cedar Girls’ Secondary School | 8 | Central |
| Methodist Girls’ School | 8 | West |
Partial list shown. Lower scores indicate better performance.
Factors Affecting School Admission
1. Citizenship Status
Singapore Citizens have priority, followed by PRs and International Students.
2. School Choice Order
Higher preference given to students who placed the school higher on their list.
3. School Affiliation
2-point advantage for affiliated primary school students (applicable to 20% of places).
4. Direct School Admission
Students with special talents can secure places before PSLE results.
Direct School Admission (DSA) Overview
Recognized Talents
- Sports and games
- Visual and performing arts
- Leadership qualities
- Specific academic areas
- STEM-related achievements
Minimum PSLE Requirements
Strategic School Selection Tips
Balanced Choices
Include 1-2 “reach” schools, 2-3 matching schools, and 1-2 “safety” schools in your 6 choices.
Beyond Academics
Consider school culture, CCAs, and specialized programmes that match your child’s interests and talents.
Practical Factors
Consider travel distance, school timing, and financial aspects when making your decision.
Understanding PSLE Scores and AL System
Since 2021, Singapore has implemented the Achievement Level (AL) scoring system for the PSLE, replacing the previous T-score system. Under this system, students receive AL scores ranging from 1 to 8 for each subject, with 1 being the best possible score.
The PSLE AL score is the sum of the AL scores for all four subjects (English, Mother Tongue, Mathematics, and Science), resulting in a score range from 4 (best) to 32 (lowest). Lower scores indicate better performance, which means students with lower aggregate scores have more secondary school options.
Here’s how the AL bands correspond to marks:
| Achievement Level (AL) | Mark Range |
|---|---|
| 1 | ≥ 90 |
| 2 | 85-89 |
| 3 | 80-84 |
| 4 | 75-79 |
| 5 | 65-74 |
| 6 | 45-64 |
| 7 | 20-44 |
| 8 | < 20 |
This scoring system is designed to reduce the over-emphasis on academic scores and to recognize that students who perform within the same band have essentially demonstrated the same level of achievement.
What Are Cut-Off Points and How Do They Work
Cut-off points (COPs) represent the PSLE score of the last student admitted to a particular secondary school and course during the previous year’s Secondary 1 posting exercise. These points serve as a reference for the minimum score likely needed to secure a place in a specific school for the current year.
It’s important to understand that cut-off points can fluctuate from year to year based on several factors:
- The overall performance of the PSLE cohort
- The number of applicants for each school
- The number of available places in each school
- Changes in school popularity or reputation
When applying for secondary schools, students list up to 6 school choices in order of preference. During the posting process, students with better PSLE scores are allocated first. If two students with the same score apply for the last spot in a school, tie-breakers are applied in this order: citizenship, choice order, computerized balloting.
Factors Affecting Secondary School Admission
While PSLE scores are the primary determinant for secondary school admission, several other factors play important roles in the selection process:
1. Citizenship Status
Singapore Citizens are given priority in school admissions, followed by Permanent Residents, and then International Students. This prioritization can significantly impact admission chances, especially for popular schools with limited vacancies.
2. School Choice Order
The order in which schools are listed on the application form matters. If two students with identical PSLE scores are competing for the last spot in a school, the student who placed that school higher on their preference list will be given priority.
3. School Affiliation
Students from affiliated primary schools may receive a 2-point advantage when applying to the affiliated secondary school. However, this only applies to 20% of the available places in the school, known as Phase 2A of the admission process.
4. Direct School Admission (DSA)
Students with special talents in sports, arts, or other non-academic areas can secure a place in a secondary school before the release of PSLE results through the DSA scheme. This pathway values talents beyond academic achievements.
Understanding these factors can help parents and students make more strategic decisions when selecting secondary schools, potentially increasing the chances of securing a place in a preferred institution.
2024 Cut-Off Point Tables
Below are the cut-off points for secondary schools in Singapore, organized by course types. These figures represent the PSLE AL scores of the last student admitted to each school for the 2024 intake. Remember that lower numbers indicate higher cut-off points.
Express Course Schools
| School Name | Cut-Off Point (2024) | Location Region |
|---|---|---|
| Raffles Institution | 4-6 | North |
| Hwa Chong Institution | 4-6 | West |
| Nanyang Girls’ High School | 4-6 | West |
| National Junior College | 7 | Central |
| Dunman High School | 7 | East |
| Victoria School | 8 | East |
| Cedar Girls’ Secondary School | 8 | Central |
| CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School | 8 | North |
| Methodist Girls’ School | 8 | West |
| Catholic High School | 8 | Central |
| Anderson Secondary School | 9 | North |
| St. Joseph’s Institution | 9 | Central |
| Temasek Secondary School | 9 | East |
| Chung Cheng High School (Main) | 9 | East |
| Nan Hua High School | 9 | West |
| Fairfield Methodist School | 9 | Central |
| St. Andrew’s Secondary School | 10 | East |
| Commonwealth Secondary School | 10 | West |
| Anglican High School | 10 | East |
| CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh) | 10 | Central |
| Tanjong Katong Girls’ School | 10 | East |
Note: This table shows a selection of Express course schools. The complete list includes many more schools with cut-off points ranging from 4 to 22.
Normal (Academic) Course Schools
| School Name | Cut-Off Point (2024) | Location Region |
|---|---|---|
| Xinmin Secondary School | 21 | North-East |
| Edgefield Secondary School | 21 | North-East |
| Riverside Secondary School | 22 | North |
| Bukit Batok Secondary School | 22 | West |
| Pasir Ris Secondary School | 22 | East |
| Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School | 22 | East |
| Bedok South Secondary School | 23 | East |
| Beatty Secondary School | 23 | North |
| Yishun Secondary School | 23 | North |
| Woodgrove Secondary School | 23 | North |
Normal (Technical) Course Schools
| School Name | Cut-Off Point (2024) | Location Region |
|---|---|---|
| Queensway Secondary School | 25 | West |
| Bartley Secondary School | 25 | Central |
| Clementi Town Secondary School | 26 | West |
| Jurongville Secondary School | 26 | West |
| Northlight School | 26-30 | North |
| Assumption Pathway School | 26-30 | West |
| Spectra Secondary School | 26-30 | North-East |
| Crest Secondary School | 26-30 | South |
The tables above provide a snapshot of cut-off points across different streams. When planning school choices, consider these points alongside other factors like school culture, CCAs offered, and proximity to home.
Integrated Programme (IP) Schools
Integrated Programme (IP) schools offer a direct path to A-Levels or IB without requiring students to sit for the O-Level examinations. These schools typically have more stringent entry requirements due to their unique curriculum structure and high demand.
| IP School | Cut-Off Point (2024) | Partner JC/End Point |
|---|---|---|
| Raffles Institution | 4-6 | Raffles Institution (JC) |
| Hwa Chong Institution | 4-6 | Hwa Chong Institution (College) |
| Nanyang Girls’ High School | 4-6 | Hwa Chong Institution (College) |
| National Junior College | 7 | National Junior College |
| Dunman High School | 7 | Dunman High School |
| Victoria School | 8 | Victoria Junior College |
| Cedar Girls’ Secondary School | 8 | Victoria Junior College |
| CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School | 8 | Eunoia Junior College |
| Catholic High School | 8 | Eunoia Junior College |
| Singapore Chinese Girls’ School | 8 | Eunoia Junior College |
| Methodist Girls’ School | 8 | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) |
| Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) | 7-8 | Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) – IB |
IP schools are ideal for students who are academically strong and confident in their ability to handle a rigorous curriculum without the intermediate milestone of O-Levels. When considering IP schools, parents should evaluate whether their child would benefit from the continuous six-year programme or prefer the more structured approach of the O-Level track.
Specialized Schools and Their Requirements
Beyond mainstream secondary schools, Singapore offers several specialized institutions catering to students with specific interests and talents. These schools often have unique admission criteria that may differ from the standard PSLE cut-off points system.
School of the Arts (SOTA)
SOTA offers a six-year programme leading to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma or Career-related Programme. Admission involves both academic merit and talent-based assessment in various art forms:
- Dance
- Music
- Theatre
- Visual Arts
- Literary Arts
- Film
Typical PSLE score range: 9-14 (though talented students with scores outside this range may be considered based on artistic merit)
NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
NUS High School offers a specialized curriculum focusing on mathematics and science, leading to an NUS High School Diploma. Admission is based on:
- PSLE results (typically 6-8 AL score)
- Selection tests in Mathematics and Science
- Interview performance
School of Science and Technology (SST)
SST offers a distinctive applied learning programme with emphasis on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). Admission criteria include:
- PSLE results (typical cut-off around 9-11)
- Aptitude tests
- Interview performance
Sports School
The Singapore Sports School caters to student-athletes who excel in sports and wish to pursue both academic and sporting excellence. Admission involves:
- PSLE results (more flexible, typically 11-20 depending on sporting achievements)
- Sports trials and selections
- Interview performance
These specialized schools provide unique pathways for students with specific talents and interests, offering curricula that may be better aligned with their strengths and aspirations compared to mainstream schools.
Direct School Admission (DSA)
The Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme offers students an alternative pathway to enter secondary schools based on their talents and achievements beyond academic performance. This scheme allows students to secure a place in a secondary school before sitting for the PSLE.
Key Features of DSA
DSA recognizes a diverse range of talents including:
- Sports and games (e.g., basketball, swimming, table tennis)
- Visual and performing arts (e.g., dance, music, drama)
- Leadership qualities and community service
- Specific academic areas (e.g., mathematics, science, languages)
- STEM-related achievements
DSA Application Timeline
The typical DSA application process follows this timeline:
- May: DSA application opens
- May-June: Submission of applications
- June-August: Selection process (auditions, trials, interviews)
- August-September: Offers made to successful candidates
- October: Acceptance of offers
- November: Release of PSLE results and confirmation of DSA placements
PSLE Requirements for DSA
While DSA offers admission based on talents, students must still meet the minimum PSLE requirements for their offered course:
- For Express course: PSLE score of 22 or better
- For Normal (Academic) course: PSLE score of 25 or better
- For Normal (Technical) course: PSLE score of 30 or better
The DSA scheme is particularly valuable for students with strong non-academic talents who may not score at the very top in PSLE but can still gain admission to competitive schools through their other strengths. This supports Singapore’s emphasis on recognizing and developing diverse forms of intelligence and ability.
Understanding School Affiliation Benefits
School affiliation offers certain advantages during the Secondary 1 posting process for students from affiliated primary schools. Understanding these benefits can help parents make more strategic educational planning decisions.
How Affiliation Works
Students from affiliated primary schools receive a 2-point advantage when applying to their affiliated secondary school. This means their PSLE score is treated as if it were 2 points better than the actual score, but only for the affiliated school.
For example, a student with a PSLE score of 10 from an affiliated primary school would be considered as having a score of 8 when applying to the affiliated secondary school.
Limitations of Affiliation Benefits
It’s important to note that:
- The affiliation advantage applies only to 20% of the available places in the secondary school
- Even with the 2-point advantage, students still compete with others who also have affiliation benefits
- The advantage only applies to the affiliated school, not to any other schools
Notable Affiliated School Pairs
Some prominent affiliated school pairs include:
- Catholic High School (Primary) → Catholic High School (Secondary)
- CHIJ Primary (Toa Payoh) → CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)
- Methodist Girls’ School (Primary) → Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary)
- Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) → Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)
- Nan Hua Primary School → Nan Hua High School
The affiliation benefit should be one consideration among many when planning your child’s educational journey. While it provides an advantage, it’s still important for students to achieve good PSLE results to secure places in competitive affiliated schools.
Tips for Choosing the Right Secondary School
Selecting the right secondary school involves more than just looking at cut-off points. Here are some practical tips to guide parents and students in making this important decision:
1. Consider Your Child’s Strengths and Interests
Different schools excel in different areas. Look for schools with strong programmes that align with your child’s interests and abilities:
- For science enthusiasts: Schools with Applied Science Programmes or STEM ALP (Applied Learning Programmes)
- For arts-inclined students: Schools with strong performing arts CCAs or arts-focused ALPs
- For sports talents: Schools with niche sports programmes or strong sporting traditions
2. Evaluate School Culture and Values
Each school has its unique culture and emphasis. Consider whether the school’s environment will help your child thrive:
- Some schools have a more competitive academic culture
- Others emphasize holistic development and character building
- Some have strong religious affiliations that may align with your family values
3. Consider Practical Factors
Logistical considerations can significantly impact your child’s daily experience:
- Travel distance and convenience (Student care centres near MRTs can be helpful for working parents)
- School start and end times
- Financial considerations (school fees, especially for independent schools)
4. Research Beyond Official Information
Gather insights from various sources to get a more complete picture:
- Attend open houses and school tours
- Speak with current students and parents
- Check Parents’ Choice Awards and other parent reviews
- Visit the school’s social media pages to understand school life
5. Be Strategic with School Choices
When submitting your 6 school choices, consider a balanced approach:
- Include 1-2 “reach” schools (slightly above your child’s score)
- Include 2-3 schools that match your child’s score range
- Include 1-2 “safety” schools (where your child’s score is comfortably above the cut-off)
Remember that cut-off points can change from year to year, so it’s wise to have options across different likelihood categories.
6. Consider Long-Term Educational Pathways
Think about how the secondary school choice fits into your child’s longer educational journey:
- If aiming for JC/university path: Consider schools with strong academic foundations
- If considering polytechnic route: Look at schools with strong applied learning programmes
- For IP schools: Consider whether your child will benefit from a 6-year programme without O-Levels
By considering these factors alongside cut-off points, you can make a more holistic decision that sets your child up for success and happiness during these important formative years.
Conclusion
Navigating the secondary school selection process in Singapore requires careful consideration of numerous factors, with cut-off points being just one piece of the puzzle. The 2024 intake cut-off points provided in this guide serve as a practical reference point, but they should be considered alongside your child’s interests, strengths, learning style, and long-term educational goals.
Remember that the “best” school is not necessarily the one with the lowest cut-off points, but rather the one that provides the most suitable environment for your child to thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. Each child is unique, and finding a school that nurtures their specific talents and supports their growth is paramount.
As you make this important decision, take advantage of school open houses, engage with current students and parents, and consider the practical aspects of school location and transport. Stay flexible in your approach and maintain open communication with your child throughout the process.
At Skoolopedia, we’re committed to supporting parents through every step of their children’s educational journey. From preschool selection to secondary school placement, our resources are designed to help you make informed decisions that set your child up for success.
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