Secondary School Cut-Off Points in Singapore: PSLE Scores by School
Secondary school cut-off point in Singapore give parents a useful starting point when comparing schools after the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). A school’s cut-off point (COP) reflects the PSLE score of the last student posted to that school through a particular admission pathway in the previous Secondary 1 Posting Exercise. For the 2026 intake, the relevant results came from the 2025 PSLE cohort. Below, you’ll find an explanation of PSLE score ranges, Posting Groups, affiliation rules and practical ways to shortlist schools without relying on cut-off points alone.
TL;DR — Secondary School Cut-Off Points at a Glance
- A secondary school cut-off point is the score of the last student posted to a school through a particular admission pathway.
- The 2026 intake figures relate to the 2025 PSLE cohort.
- COPs vary by school, Posting Group and affiliation status where applicable.
- Lower PSLE AL scores generally reflect stronger examination performance.
- Previous-year COPs are a guide, not a promise of admission.
What Is a Secondary School Cut-Off Point (COP)?
A secondary school cut-off point is the PSLE score of the last student admitted to a school through a particular Posting Group or eligible admission pathway during the previous Secondary 1 Posting Exercise. It gives families a reference for comparing Singapore secondary school cut-off point and estimating how competitive a school may be.
PSLE results use Achievement Levels (ALs). Students receive an AL for each of their four subjects, and the four scores are added to produce a total PSLE score. A lower total is generally stronger. For example, a school with a COP of 10 was more competitive by score than a school with a COP of 18 in the same admission category.
But COPs can move from year to year. Students’ school preferences, PSLE results and the number of places available all affect posting outcomes. A score that was sufficient last year may not secure a place in the next intake.
Secondary School Cut-Off Point by School (2026 Intake)
For the 2026 Secondary 1 intake, published school COP information reflects the 2025 PSLE cohort’s posting results. The score ranges vary across Integrated Programme (IP) schools and Posting Groups 1, 2 and 3. Some schools also have separate figures for affiliated and non-affiliated students.
The figures below offer selected examples to show how a school-wise COP table is read. They are not a complete list of all Singapore secondary schools; verify every school’s entry against the published results before using a table for admission planning.
| Secondary school | IP COP | PG3 COP | PG2 COP | PG1 COP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hwa Chong Institution | 6 | — | — | — |
| Nanyang Girls’ High School | 6 | Check applicable pathway | — | — |
| Catholic High School (Secondary) | Check IP pathway | 8M / 12 affiliated | — | — |
| Cedar Girls’ Secondary School | Check IP pathway | 9 | — | — |
| Nan Hua High School | — | 10M | — | — |
| Bukit Panjang Government High School | — | 11 | 22 | 26 |
| Swiss Cottage Secondary School | — | 11 | 22 | 26 |
| Anderson Secondary School | — | 11 | 23 | 28 |
| Yusof Ishak Secondary School | — | 15 | 22 | 27 |
| Compassvale Secondary School | — | 18 | 24 | 27 |
| Woodlands Secondary School | — | 22 | 25 | 28 |
COP examples are for reference and should be checked against the relevant school’s official admission information. “M” may appear alongside a score for schools or pathways with a Higher Chinese Language-related admission condition. A dash means the entry is not shown as an applicable score in this table; it should not be read as a score of zero.
For affiliated schools, a table may show separate scores for eligible students from an affiliated primary school and for non-affiliated students. Read the labels carefully before comparing figures. The same school can have different admission conditions for different groups of applicants.
A complete school-by-school table should include all participating schools, the relevant IP or Posting Group scores, affiliation details and the intake year. Do not combine figures from different posting years in one column without clearly labelling them.
How to Read PSLE Scores and Posting Groups
Understanding PSLE AL Scores
The PSLE covers English Language, Mathematics, Science and Mother Tongue Language. Each subject receives an Achievement Level, and the four AL scores are added together. The total score ranges from 4 to 32, with a lower total indicating stronger overall PSLE performance.
When checking a secondary school COP, compare your child’s total score with the figure for the correct school and admission pathway. A match with last year’s COP is useful information, but it does not guarantee a place.
Posting Group 1, Posting Group 2 and Posting Group 3
Posting Groups are part of Singapore’s Secondary 1 posting system. They also relate to students’ starting subject levels under Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB), which gives students more flexibility to take subjects at different levels based on their strengths.
Don’t treat Posting Groups as a ranking of school quality. Look at the school’s subject offerings, programmes and student support as well. Older Express and Normal stream labels may still appear in older resources, but current school-choice information should be read in the context of Full SBB.
Affiliated vs Non-Affiliated Secondary School Cut-Off Point
Some secondary schools have affiliated primary schools. Students who meet the relevant conditions may receive an admission advantage, so the COP for eligible affiliated students can differ from the score for non-affiliated applicants. The rules are school-specific.
| Factor | Affiliated pathway | Non-affiliated pathway |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | Must meet the school’s affiliation conditions | General admission rules apply |
| COP | May have a separate score | Applicable non-affiliated score |
| Conditions | Check school-specific requirements | Check the relevant posting rules |
| Admission | Not guaranteed | Not guaranteed |
Parents should confirm that their child qualifies for affiliation benefits before using an affiliated COP to estimate admission chances. Comparing the wrong categories can give a misleading picture of how competitive a school may be.
How to Choose a Secondary School Based on Your PSLE Score
Start with the previous COPs, then look beyond them. Compare your child’s score with schools across different COP ranges and think about which environments would suit their interests, learning needs and strengths.
School location matters, too. A long daily journey can affect a student’s routine, while subject offerings, Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), school culture and distinctive programmes can shape the secondary school experience. Open houses are useful for getting a feel for a school’s atmosphere.
Students can submit six secondary school choices. Official posting advice recommends including at least two or three schools whose previous-year COPs are less stringent than the student’s PSLE score. This can improve the chance of receiving a place at one of the chosen schools, but it does not guarantee an outcome.
Rank the six choices according to genuine preference and review school-specific admission conditions before submission. A school’s popularity is only one part of the decision.
Why Do Secondary School Cut-Off Point Change Every Year?
Secondary school COPs depend on each cohort’s PSLE results, students’ school choices and the places available. When preferences or posting outcomes change, a school’s final COP may move by a few points.
Historical COPs can show how a school’s score has shifted over time, but they cannot predict the next intake with certainty. Check the year attached to every figure and avoid using an older table as if it were the latest result.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I check the latest secondary school cut-off point in Singapore?
Use the Ministry of Education’s official school information and Secondary 1 posting announcements. Check the school, intake year, Posting Group and any affiliation conditions that apply.
Does meeting a school’s COP guarantee admission?
No. COPs reflect a previous posting exercise. Current results depend on the cohort, school preferences, available places and the relevant posting rules.
Are affiliated secondary school COPs different?
They can be. Some schools have separate COPs for eligible affiliated and non-affiliated students. Check the specific school’s eligibility requirements.
What is the difference between Posting Groups 1, 2 and 3?
Posting Groups are used in Secondary 1 posting and relate to students’ subject levels under Full Subject-Based Banding. They are not a measure of a school’s overall quality.
When are new secondary school COPs released?
The latest COPs become clear after the PSLE results and Secondary 1 Posting Exercise for that cohort. Until the new posting results are available, families should use the latest completed intake as a reference.
Conclusion
Secondary school cut-off point help families compare PSLE score ranges and prepare school choices, but they tell only part of the story. Check the correct intake year, confirm affiliation conditions and consider each school’s programmes, culture and location before ranking your six choices.
