Secondary School Cut Off Point 2026: PSLE Guide for Parents

A secondary school cut off point (COP) is the PSLE Score of the last student posted to a school or programme in the previous Secondary 1 (S1) Posting Exercise. For the 2026 intake, the published ranges are based on the 2025 PSLE cohort and the 2026 S1 Posting Exercise. Parents often check the secondary school COP after receiving their child’s PSLE Score to see how different Singapore secondary schools compare with their score. But a previous year’s COP is only a historical reference — it is not a guaranteed admission score for the next intake. Here’s how to read the figures, understand Posting Groups and use COP data when making school choices.

TL;DR: Secondary School Cut Off Point at a Glance

A secondary school cut off point is the PSLE Score of the last student posted to a school in the previous S1 Posting Exercise. It gives parents a historical reference for school choices, but it does not guarantee admission. Students can list up to six secondary school choices during the posting exercise.

What Is a Secondary School Cut Off Point?

The secondary school cut off point is the PSLE Score of the last student admitted to a particular school and course through the previous S1 Posting Exercise. MOE presents this information as part of each school’s PSLE score range, showing both the first and last student posted. The score of the last student is the COP.

For parents, the number is useful because it gives a rough historical picture of the PSLE scores associated with admission to a school. A child whose score is close to a previous COP can use that figure as a reference when considering school choices.

How Is the COP Determined?

The COP is not decided as a fixed entry requirement before students apply. It emerges from the actual S1 Posting Exercise.

Several factors affect the final figure, including:

• PSLE results of that year’s cohort
• The number of students choosing the school
• The order in which students place their school choices
• Available vacancies
• The scores of students who apply

MOE explains that the published PSLE score ranges are based on the previous year’s P6 cohort, its PSLE scores and school-choice patterns. The actual COP for the current cohort is only known after S1 posting has ended.

So, a school with a COP of 12 one year could have a different COP in the next posting exercise.

Is COP a Fixed Admission Requirement?

No. A previous year’s COP is not a guaranteed score for the next intake.

For example, if a school had a PG3 COP of 12 for one S1 Posting Exercise, that does not mean every student scoring 12 or better will automatically get a place the following year. The new cohort may have different PSLE results, and students may make different school choices.

That is why parents should treat the historical COP as a reference point rather than a fixed school admission score.

Secondary School Cut Off Points 2026

For the 2026 Secondary 1 intake, the available COP data comes from the 2025 PSLE cohort and the 2026 S1 Posting Exercise. MOE’s SchoolFinder presents school-specific PSLE score ranges, while current secondary-school databases compile these figures by Posting Group and programme.

Here are selected examples that show how the ranges can differ between schools and programmes:

The figures above illustrate an important point: not every secondary school has PG1, PG2 and PG3 entries. IP schools, for example, have their own admission figures, while other schools may post students across different Posting Groups. Some schools also have affiliated ranges that differ from non-affiliated ranges.

Note: COP figures are historical reference points. They can change from one S1 Posting Exercise to another, depending on the cohort’s PSLE results and school-choice patterns. MOE advises parents to use the published ranges as a reference rather than a guarantee.

How PSLE Score and Posting Groups Affect Secondary School Choices

Under Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB), students are posted to secondary schools through Posting Groups 1, 2 and 3. The PSLE Score is used to determine the Posting Group for Secondary 1 admission.

A PSLE Score of 4 to 20 places a student in PG3. Students scoring 21 or 22 can be posted to either PG2 or PG3. A score of 23 or 24 corresponds to PG2, while a score of 25 gives the PG1 or PG2 option. Scores from 26 to 30 correspond to PG1.

The Posting Group affects the subject level at which a student begins secondary school. Full SBB also gives students opportunities to take individual subjects at different levels according to their strengths and eligibility, rather than treating the PSLE Score as the only measure of their subject placement.

For parents comparing a secondary school cut off point, the practical question is not simply “Is my child’s score below this number?” Check the relevant Posting Group, the school’s previous PSLE score range, the programme offered and, where applicable, the affiliated range.

What PSLE Score Is PG3?

A PSLE Score of 4–20 corresponds to PG3. Students scoring 21 or 22 may also have the option of PG3, depending on the applicable posting arrangement.

What PSLE Score Is PG2?

A PSLE Score of 23–24 corresponds to PG2, while students scoring 21 or 22 can have the choice between PG2 and PG3. A score of 25 can also provide a PG2 option.

What PSLE Score Is PG1?

A PSLE Score of 26–30 corresponds to PG1. Students with a score of 25 can have the choice between PG1 and PG2.

How to Use the Secondary School Cut Off Point When Choosing Schools

A practical way to use the secondary school cut off point is to compare your child’s PSLE Score with the school’s previous COP, then build a sensible mix of six school choices. The comparison gives you a historical reference — not a prediction of where your child will be posted. MOE recommends considering schools with different COPs and including 2–3 schools where the child’s PSLE Score is better than the school’s previous COP.

For example, a child with a PSLE Score of 12 and a previous COP of 10 is looking at a school where the historical admission range was more competitive. A COP of 12 is closer to the child’s score, while a COP of 14 gives a wider historical margin.

But none of these comparisons guarantees admission. COPs can shift with each cohort.

When making the six school choices, also look at school programmes, subjects, CCAs, location, transport options, school culture and your child’s interests. MOE specifically highlights these factors when parents and students shortlist secondary schools.

Does Meeting the COP Guarantee Secondary School Admission?

No.

A previous secondary school COP is based on an earlier S1 Posting Exercise. The next cohort may have different PSLE results and different school-choice patterns, so the COP can move. MOE states that the actual COP for the current cohort is only determined after the S1 posting process.

If students with the same PSLE Score are competing for the last available place, applicable tie-breaking rules can matter. These include citizenship, school-choice order and, where necessary, computerised balloting. For some SAP school situations, Higher Chinese Language results can also affect posting priority.

IP and Affiliated Secondary School Cut Off Point

Integrated Programme (IP)

The Integrated Programme (IP) is a secondary-to-pre-university pathway offered by selected schools. IP schools can appear separately in secondary school COP information because their admission arrangements and programme structure differ from mainstream Posting Group routes.

Parents checking an IP secondary school cut off point should therefore look at the specific school’s published PSLE Score range and admission information rather than comparing every IP figure directly with a non-IP school.

Affiliated Schools

An affiliated secondary school may show separate PSLE Score ranges for affiliated and non-affiliated students. MOE’s score-range information presents these separately because the admission routes can have different historical ranges.

Parents should check whether their child qualifies for the school’s affiliation route before using an affiliated COP as a reference. The relevant range depends on the applicable admission route.

Frequently Asked Questions About Secondary School COP

What is a secondary school cut off point?

A secondary school cut off point is the PSLE Score of the last student posted to a school or its respective course in the previous S1 Posting Exercise. It is a historical reference based on the previous cohort’s results and school-choice patterns, not a fixed admission requirement.

Is a lower COP better?

A lower historical COP simply means the last student posted to that school or programme had a lower PSLE Score in that posting exercise. It does not measure school quality. Parents should consider programmes, subjects, CCAs, school culture, location and their child’s interests as well.

Does the secondary school COP change every year?

Yes. A secondary school COP can change between posting exercises because each cohort has different PSLE results and students may make different school choices. MOE says the actual COP is determined only after the S1 posting process has taken place.

What happens if my child’s PSLE Score is the same as the COP?

Matching a previous COP does not guarantee a place. If students with the same PSLE Score compete for the last vacancy, applicable tie-breaking rules may be used. These include citizenship, school-choice order and computerised balloting.

Should I choose a school based only on COP?

No. COP is useful for comparing historical posting outcomes, but it is only one part of school selection. Parents should also check school programmes, subjects, CCAs, location, transport, school culture and how well these suit the child’s interests and abilities.

Where can parents check secondary school COP information?

Parents can use MOE SchoolFinder to check secondary school information, including indicative PSLE Score ranges, programmes, subjects, CCAs and location details. MOE recommends using these score ranges as references when considering school choices.

Final Takeaway

The secondary school cut off point gives parents a useful reference after receiving a child’s PSLE Score, but it should not be treated as a guaranteed admission threshold. Compare historical COPs with your child’s score, use all six school choices, and include different levels of score range. For the Secondary 1 decision, school programmes, subjects, CCAs, location, transport, culture and the child’s interests deserve attention alongside the numbers.