PSLE Cut-Off Points Explained: How Secondary 1 Posting Works

MOE defines the COP on its S1 Posting page: "The cut-off point (COP) is the PSLE score of the last student posted to a school through the respective Posting Groups after the S1 Posting process has concluded." This guide explains how that number comes about, how to read past cut-off points and how to order your six choices, using only what MOE publishes.

What is a PSLE cut-off point?

A school does not set its cut-off point. It is the result of posting. Students are posted in order of PSLE Score, and when a school's places in a Posting Group are filled, the score of the last student admitted becomes that school's COP for the year.

A school can have a different COP for each Posting Group it admits. For SAP schools, the COP also shows the Higher Chinese grade of the last student posted, if they took it.

How is the PSLE Score worked out?

Each of the four subjects gets an Achievement Level (AL) from 1 to 8, and the PSLE Score is the sum of the four ALs, from 4 to 32. A lower score is better.

For posting, Foundation grades A, B and C count as AL6, AL7 and AL8. Try different combinations in our PSLE score calculator. Maths is one of the four ALs, and its paper format is set out on our Primary 6 Maths tuition page.

How does Secondary 1 posting work?

MOE posts students based on three things: their PSLE results within their Posting Group, the order of their school choices, and the vacancies in those schools. Students with better PSLE Scores get priority for vacancies in the schools they chose.

A child eligible for two Posting Groups chooses one before submitting school choices, and it applies to all six choices (MOE Posting Groups). What G1, G2 and G3 mean is in our G1, G2 and G3 guide.

What are the tie-breakers?

When two or more students with the same PSLE Score compete for the last places in a school, MOE applies these tie-breakers in order:

MOE gives an example. Two students with the same score and citizenship compete for the last place in a school. One listed it as first choice and the other as second choice. The first-choice student is posted there.

Two more rules apply only in some cases:

• SAP schools. A student with a Pass, Merit or Distinction in Higher Chinese and a PSLE Score of 14 or better has a posting advantage. Among students with the same score, those with better Higher Chinese grades get priority, before the tie-breakers. Our guide to SAP schools explains who qualifies.
• Affiliated schools. A student from an affiliated primary school gets priority only if the affiliated secondary school is the first choice and any extra criteria are met. Admission still depends on the PSLE Score and vacancies, and at least 20% of places in each Posting Group go to students without affiliation priority. At dual-track schools, affiliation applies only to the SEC, not the IP.

How should you use past cut-off points?

SchoolFinder shows each school's PSLE score range from the previous year. MOE gives three cautions on its PSLE score ranges page:

• The ranges are only a reference, because they come from the previous cohort's scores and choices.
• Cut-off points move: "Fluctuations of +/- 1 are typical but +/- 2 or 3 could be possible."
• Meeting a cut-off point does not guarantee admission, as tie-breakers may apply.

We do not reprint cut-off tables here, because last year's figures change and MOE keeps the official ones. Look up each school in MOE's SchoolFinder, which also lists its programmes, subjects and CCAs.

MOE also suggests thinking about your child's place within a school. If their score only just meets the COP, most students there will have better scores.

How should you order your 6 choices?

MOE's shortlisting advice comes down to four points:

At dual-track schools, the IP and the SEC are separate choices. Listing only the IP means your child is not considered for that school's SEC, and the reverse.

A student who cannot be placed in any chosen school is posted to a school with remaining vacancies, based on their official registered address, after everyone who listed choices has been posted. Due to limited vacancies, it might not be close to home. If your address has changed, MOE asks you to tell the primary school by the end of October.

What are the key dates?

The dates are from MOE's S1 Posting page. Step-by-step help for results day is in our PSLE results guide. The new pace in Sec 1 is where many students first need support, and we arrange Sec 1 maths tuition at G1, G2 and G3.