Are you confused by the O-Level Singapore grading system with all its changes through the years? Keep reading as we catch you up to speed, including how the O-Level points will be calculated from 2028 onwards.
L1R4, L1R5, cut-off points, DSA – there are so many things to take note of if your kid is taking the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O-Level) examinations. And come 2028, those who want to enrol in junior college (JC) will have changes to note of. But before we dive into that, what is the current O-Level grading system and points system like? If you’re not caught up with what the kids are going through today, we’re here to catch you up to speed as well as touch on the O-Level changes that will be coming up in 2028!
GCE O-Level Singapore subjects
When I was in secondary school almost 15 years ago (how time flies!), the subjects to consider were very straightforward. But now, it’s important to consider getting your kid “future-ready” and exploring options that they might be interested in. Did you know that Computing and Electronics are O-Level subjects offered in Singapore? I didn’t know that until recently – the students of today are learning some pretty advanced stuff at an earlier age.
There’s a whole list of SEAB-approved subjects you can check out, although not all are offered by schools – make sure you do your research beforehand!
Private O-Level examinations in Singapore
School isn’t for everyone, especially if your child is interested in a subject that’s not necessarily ‘mainstream’. If that’s the case, consider opting for the private route. There’s nothing wrong with becoming a private candidate, as they receive the same certificate as those who sit for the O-Level Singapore exams in public schools. Not only do private candidates have a wider range of subjects to choose from, but they’ll also have more control over their education and how they learn. That being said, they may miss out on core school experiences – this is a decision that needs to be made after much consideration. There are also requirements before you can apply as a private candidate; make sure to look through them before coming to a decision.
O-Level Singapore results
O-Level results day is always a stressful time, no matter where you are on your educational journey. The O-Level Singapore results day for the 2025 cohort will most likely be in January 2026, just like the 2024 cohort, who received their results on 10 January 2025. As a parent, it’s the best time to show your support and be there for them regardless of how they fare.
But if you’re confused on how the ‘O’ Level grading system works currently, here’s a quick breakdown: an A1 grade equates to one point, A2 two points, B3 three points, and so on, all the way to F9. The fewer points they have, the better – they can also reduce their points using their CCA grade and Higher Mother Tongue Language grade, and if they are applying to an affiliate school. A maximum of four points can be deducted from their total score.
As for what this total score is, it is calculated in three ways.
L1R5: For students applying for Junior College
The L1R5 combines your First Language (L1) grade (usually English or Higher Mother Tongue) with the grades of your five best-performing relevant subjects (R5). Specifically, R5 includes three relevant subjects, including at least two from Math/Science and one from Humanities, or vice versa.
L1R4: For students applying to Millenia Institute
The L1R4 combines one language subject (L1) and the best four relevant subjects (R4).
ELR2B2: For students applying to polytechnic
The ELR2B2 calculates an aggregate score by summing the grades in English Language (EL), two relevant subjects (R2), and two other best subjects (B2).
Singapore JC cut off points
Here’s how you calculate the L1R5 required when applying to Junior Colleges: The L1 refers to your first language subject, which can be English or your Higher Mother Tongue Language. The R5 refers to the five best-scoring relevant subjects, where three of the relevant subjects must comprise two Mathematics/Science subjects and one Humanities subject, or vice versa. Also, if you use Higher Mother Tongue as your L1, you cannot use your normal Mother Tongue grade in your R5. For Millenia Institue, they use the L1R4 – it’s the same but with one less relevant subject to include. That’s a lot to take in, so take your time understanding it!
List of JC cut off points 2025
Singapore polytechnic cut off points
Polytechnics use the ELR2B2 system, which combines English Language (EL), two relevant subjects (R2), and two other best subjects (B2). The relevant subjects here are based on the specific Poly course the student is aiming for. Each course in each Poly has its own cut off point: here are the cut off points for Ngee Ann Polytechinc, Republic Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic, and Singapore Polytechnic.
Changes to O-Level points calculation in Singapore from 2028
For the cohort of 2028, the calculation for points to enter a JC will be changed from L1R5 to L1R4, meaning one less relevant subject will be calculated in the aggregate score. Students can also opt to take fewer subjects – hooray! This was changed in the hopes of reducing academic stress and pressure on students by focusing less on grades and instead on a more holistic education. However, this also means the cut off points for JC will be lowered, making it more competitive to enrol into the school of your choice.
Now that you know how it all works, help your child make the best choice for them!
