2027 JAE, polytechnics

Poly admission 2027: ELR2B2 calculator, course cut-offs and JAE dates

Reviewed by Theon Teo, Founder · Dates checked against MOE on 7 November 2026 · How we check facts

Short answer

To apply to a polytechnic diploma in the 2027 JAE, your child needs a net ELR2B2 of 26 or better (28 on ELR2B2-C for Nursing) and the course's minimum entry requirements. The 2026 O-Level results are due on 13 to 15 January 2027 (tentative), and JAE posting results at 9am on 2 February 2027 (tentative).

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Key dates

2027 JAE dates for polytechnics (MOE, tentative where marked)
When	What happens
13 to 15 Jan 2027 (tentative)	2026 O-Level results. Poly EAE offers are confirmed if the student meets the requirements.
From 4pm on results day	JAE application opens, for about six days, closing at 4.30pm on the last day.
2 Feb 2027, 9am (tentative)	JAE posting results. MOE adds the 2027 ranges to CourseFinder.
2 to 5 Feb 2027 (tentative)	Appeals to polytechnics, from 9am on 2 February to 4pm on 5 February.

Sources: MOE, Joint Admissions Exercise, 2027 dates (updated 14 September 2026), MOE, Poly EAE eligibility criteria (updated 7 May 2026), MOE, National examinations dates.

Work out the ELR2B2, then see which courses it met last year

Pick the course's aggregate type, then enter the five grades and the CCA bonus. The calculator lists the courses of that type whose 2026 cut-off the net score met.

ELR2B2 calculator, 2027 JAE

For students who sat the O-Level in 2026. Indicative only: the course list compares the net score with the 2026 JAE, and the 2027 cut-offs will differ.

1. The course’s aggregate type

ELR2B2-C: R1 is Mathematics or Additional Mathematics. R2 from sciences and applied subjects such as Computing, Electronics, Design and Technology or Nutrition and Food Science. Most science, engineering, ICT and health courses, and Nursing.

2. O-Level grades

EL English Language

R1 Relevant subject 1

R2 Relevant subject 2

B1 Best other subject

B2 Second-best other subject

Use each subject once. A Mother Tongue and its Higher Mother Tongue cannot both count.

3. CCA bonus

Polytechnic (optional)

Enter all five grades to see the ELR2B2.

How ELR2B2 is worked out

Each course also has minimum entry requirements, such as a grade in English or Maths, listed in MOE's course list and CourseFinder. Meeting 26 does not cover those.

EL: English Language.
R1 and R2: two relevant subjects for the course's aggregate type, A, B, C or D.
B1 and B2: the best two other subjects.
Each O-Level grade counts its number, A1 = 1 to F9 = 9. CCA bonus points, 2 for Excellent and 1 for Good, come off to give the net score.

Sources: MOE, JAE: polytechnics (updated 14 September 2026), MOE, Courses offered in 2027 JAE (PDF), with 2026 JAE ranges.

If your child has a Poly EAE offer

A conditional Early Admissions Exercise offer is confirmed if the student gets a net ELR2B2 of 26 or better (28 for Nursing) and meets the course's minimum entry requirements. Students with a confirmed offer cannot take part in the JAE.

Source: MOE, Poly EAE eligibility criteria (updated 7 May 2026).

Choosing poly courses

Start from the field, then compare the same course at different polytechnics. Cut-offs for similar courses can differ by several points.
Common entry programmes let a student choose a diploma after the first semester or year, which helps an undecided student.
Spread the choices across courses whose 2026 cut-off was the same as the score or weaker.

What changes from 2028

Students who sit the SEC in 2027 apply in the 2028 Post-Secondary Admissions Exercise, where the polytechnic limit drops to a net ELR2B2 of 22 (24 for Nursing). For a Sec 4 student in 2027, that makes English and Maths at G3 worth working on now. SEC home tuition costs about S$35 to S$45 an hour with a part-time tutor.

Source: MOE, 2028 PSE: junior colleges and Millennia Institute.

Starting poly, or sitting the SEC in 2027?

If your child is starting a diploma and wants help with a Maths or engineering module, tell us the module and we check whether we have a suitable tutor. If a younger child sits the SEC in 2027, where the poly limit is 22, we send 3 to 12 SEC tutor profiles with their rates within 16 hours.

Tell us what your child needs

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We use your number only to send your shortlist on WhatsApp, and you choose the tutor. Privacy

Add level, subjects, budget (optional)

Optional, helps us match faster. We can also ask you on WhatsApp.

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Budget per hour

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Common questions

What ELR2B2 do I need for poly in 2027?

A net ELR2B2 of 26 or better, or 28 on ELR2B2-C for Nursing, plus the course's minimum entry requirements. Each course's actual cut-off is often much lower.

Is the poly limit 22 or 26?

Both are right for different students. 26 applies to the final O-Level cohort in the 2027 JAE. 22 applies to SEC students from the 2028 Post-Secondary Admissions Exercise.

When will the 2027 poly cut-off points be known?

MOE adds the 2027 ranges to CourseFinder on posting results day, due on 2 February 2027 (tentative).

Which aggregate type does a course use?

MOE's course list gives each course's type. Most science, engineering, ICT and health courses use ELR2B2-C, business courses B, media and humanities courses mostly A and design courses mostly D.