LEAPS 2.0 Explained: How CCA Earns Bonus Points in Secondary School (2026)

CCA stands for co-curricular activity, and in secondary school it counts towards admission to the next stage. This explainer sets out how LEAPS 2.0 works, what each domain recognises and what it means for your child, using MOE's own framework document.

What is LEAPS 2.0?

LEAPS stands for Leadership, Enrichment, Achievement, Participation and Service. MOE introduced the first CCA grading scheme, LEAPS, in 2003, and LEAPS 2.0 in secondary schools in 2014. In a March 2026 reply in Parliament, MOE said LEAPS 2.0 was "a deliberate step to focus more on quality over quantity and to reduce the excessive competition to 'chase' down to the last point".

MOE groups CCAs into four kinds: clubs and societies, physical sports, uniformed groups, and visual and performing arts. A CCA is compulsory for all secondary school students.

The four domains

Each domain has five levels. The table shows what each domain recognises, with examples from MOE's framework.

Some details matter more than they look:

• Staying in one CCA counts. The top Participation level needs years in the same CCA, not several CCAs.
• Service starts with 6 hours a year. MOE says every secondary student contributes at least 6 hours per school year to the community. Time spent planning, serving and reflecting on a VIA project counts.
• Representation must be endorsed. Activities your child joins privately count only when the school endorses them, and mass events with no selection do not count.

How the levels become bonus points

Excellent needs at least Level 3 in all four domains, with Level 4 or higher in at least one.

Good needs at least Level 1 in all four domains and one of these:

• at least Level 2 in three domains, or
• at least Level 2 in one domain and at least Level 3 in another, or
• at least Level 4 in one domain.

MOE's framework says the result is worked out at the end of the graduating year and the bonus points can be used for admission to JCs, polytechnics and ITE.

How much do CCA bonus points matter from 2028?

From the 2028 Post-Secondary Admissions Exercise, JC and Millennia Institute admission uses L1R4, and bonus points are subtracted from the gross aggregate. MOE allows a maximum of 3 bonus points from a combination of types, such as co-curricular attainment, affiliation and Higher Mother Tongue, plus 2 more for a language elective programme. In MOE's own worked example, a student with 2 points for an Excellent CCA grade and 2 points for English and Higher Mother Tongue gets 3 bonus points, not 4.

With an L1R4 limit of 16 for JC, one or two points can decide a borderline place. Our L1R4 guide and L1R5 and L1R4 calculator show the effect.

What does this mean for parents?

• Pick a CCA your child will stay in. Participation rewards years in the same CCA, so a good fit in Secondary 1 matters more than the most competitive option.
• Do not chase every level. Good needs Level 1 in all four domains plus one stronger domain, not top results everywhere.
• Keep the grades in view. Bonus points help at the margin, but the L1R4 aggregate still comes from grades. If a subject is slipping, our guide to when to start tuition can help you decide.

For direct admission to secondary school through talents, including CCA talents, see our DSA guide.