PSLE Score Calculator & Cut-Off Points for Secondary Schools 2026

TuitionLah Team·6 June 2026·14 min read

Understanding the PSLE AL Scoring System

The PSLE Achievement Level (AL) scoring system, introduced in 2021, replaced the old T-score system. Instead of ranking students against each other, the AL system grades each student against fixed standards. This means your child's score depends on their own performance, not on how other students perform.

> TL;DR: The PSLE AL score ranges from 4 (best) to 32. Each subject is graded AL1-AL8. Top schools like RI and HCI typically require total scores of 4-7. Use the scoring guide below to estimate your child's AL for each subject, then add them up to find which secondary schools they qualify for. School selection strategy matters — always include 2-3 "safe" choices.

How AL Grades Work

Each subject is scored on a scale of AL1 to AL8:

AL1: 90% and above — Outstanding mastery
AL2: 85% to 89% — Very strong performance
AL3: 80% to 84% — Strong performance
AL4: 75% to 79% — Above average
AL5: 65% to 74% — Average to above average
AL6: 45% to 64% — Below average
AL7: 20% to 44% — Weak performance
AL8: Below 20% — Very weak performance

Calculating Your Total PSLE Score

Your total PSLE score is simply the sum of your four subject ALs:

Total Score = English AL + Maths AL + Science AL + Mother Tongue AL

Best possible score: 4 (AL1 + AL1 + AL1 + AL1)
Worst possible score: 32 (AL8 + AL8 + AL8 + AL8)
Lower is better — this is the opposite of the old T-score system

Score Estimation Examples

Strong student aiming for top schools:

English: 92% = AL1
Maths: 88% = AL2
Science: 91% = AL1
Chinese: 82% = AL3
Total: 7 (competitive for top-tier schools)

Average student:

English: 76% = AL4
Maths: 70% = AL5
Science: 68% = AL5
Chinese: 65% = AL5
Total: 19 (qualifies for many good neighbourhood schools)

Student with mixed strengths:

English: 87% = AL2
Maths: 92% = AL1
Science: 78% = AL4
Chinese: 55% = AL6
Total: 13 (mid-tier schools, strong in STEM)

Secondary School Cut-Off Points 2026

Cut-off points (COPs) change every year based on demand and cohort performance. The following ranges are based on 2024 and 2025 posting data and serve as a guide. Always check the latest MOE posting results.

Top-Tier Schools (COP 4-8)

These are the most competitive schools in Singapore. Students typically need near-perfect scores across all subjects.

Raffles Institution (RI): 4-5
Hwa Chong Institution (HCI): 4-6
Nanyang Girls' High School: 5-6
Raffles Girls' School (RGS): 4-5
National Junior College (Integrated Programme): 5-7
Methodist Girls' School (IP): 6-7
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) IP: 5-7
St Joseph's Institution (IP): 6-8
Dunman High School (IP): 6-8
River Valley High School (IP): 6-8

Upper-Mid Tier Schools (COP 8-12)

Strong academic schools with good CCA programmes and outcomes.

CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School: 7-9
Cedar Girls' Secondary School: 8-10
Nan Hua High School: 8-10
Catholic High School: 7-9
Tao Nan School (Secondary): 8-10
Pei Hwa Secondary School: 9-11
Chung Cheng High School (Main): 9-11
Anglican High School: 8-10
Maris Stella High School: 9-11
CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh): 9-12

Mid-Tier Schools (COP 12-18)

Solid schools with a good balance of academics and holistic development.

Zhonghua Secondary School: 12-14
Yuying Secondary School: 12-15
Bowen Secondary School: 14-16
Fairfield Methodist Secondary: 12-14
Geylang Methodist Secondary: 14-16
Kranji Secondary School: 15-18
Pasir Ris Secondary School: 14-17
Queenstown Secondary School: 14-16

Neighbourhood Schools (COP 18-26)

Good schools that accept a wider range of scores. Many have strong niche programmes.

Bukit Merah Secondary: 18-22
Compassvale Secondary: 18-22
Orchid Park Secondary: 19-23
Punggol Secondary: 18-22
Sengkang Secondary: 19-23
Hougang Secondary: 20-24

School Selection Strategy

The 6-Choice System

During Secondary 1 posting, students rank 6 school choices. Strategy matters significantly.

Recommended approach: 1. Choice 1-2: Dream schools (reach — your child's score is at or near the COP) 2. Choice 3-4: Realistic matches (comfortable — score is 2-3 points better than COP) 3. Choice 5-6: Safety schools (guaranteed — score is 5+ points better than COP)

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: All 6 choices are "reach" schools. If your child scores 8 and all choices have COPs of 4-7, they may not get any of their choices and be posted to a school they did not choose.

Mistake 2: Ignoring location. A 90-minute daily commute affects your child's wellbeing, CCA participation, and study time. Prioritise schools within 30-45 minutes of home.

Mistake 3: Chasing prestige over fit. A school with a COP of 6 is not automatically "better" than one with a COP of 10. Consider the school's culture, CCA offerings, special programmes (e.g., Music Elective, Art Elective, STEM), and whether your child will thrive there.

Mistake 4: Forgetting about Subject-Based Banding (SBB). Under Full SBB, your child may take different subjects at G1, G2, or G3 levels. A school that offers strong support for mixed-level students may be more valuable than a "top" school where your child struggles in every subject.

Direct School Admission (DSA)

DSA allows students to secure a secondary school place before PSLE results, based on talent in specific areas:

Sports (e.g., swimming, track and field, badminton)
Performing Arts (e.g., Chinese Orchestra, band, choir)
STEM (e.g., robotics, coding, science research)
Languages (e.g., debate, creative writing)
Leadership (e.g., uniformed groups, student council)

DSA applications typically open in May and close in June. If your child has a strong talent, DSA can be a valuable alternative pathway, especially to IP schools.

How Tuition Can Improve PSLE Scores

The difference between AL3 and AL1 in a single subject is often just 6-10 marks. Targeted tuition in weaker subjects can shift your child's total score by 2-4 points — enough to open up significantly better school options.

High-impact tuition strategies for PSLE:

1. Focus on the weakest subject. Improving from AL5 to AL3 in one subject (a realistic goal with dedicated tutoring) saves 2 points on the total score.

2. Start early. PSLE preparation should ideally begin in P5, not P6. The P5 syllabus forms the foundation for P6 content.

3. Practice with past-year papers. Tutors who use actual PSLE papers and school prelim papers help students understand the question format and marking scheme.

4. Target specific topics. Data analysis from platforms like Geniebook and Koobits shows that certain topics consistently cause students to lose marks. Targeted revision on these topics yields the highest score improvements.

Cost of PSLE Preparation Tuition

Group tuition centre (weekly, 1 subject): $200-$400/month
1-to-1 home tutor via TuitionLah (weekly, 1 subject): $240-$480/month
Online tuition platform (multiple subjects): $50-$200/month
Intensive PSLE bootcamp (school holidays): $300-$800 per programme

For most families, a combination of an online platform for daily practice and a 1-to-1 tutor for the weakest subject provides the best return on investment.

Timeline: PSLE to Secondary School Posting

January-September (P6): PSLE preparation — focus on weak subjects, practise past-year papers
September-October: PSLE written examinations
Late November: PSLE results released
Late November: Secondary school choice submission (6 choices)
Late December: Secondary 1 posting results released
Late December-January: Appeals window (if needed)
January: Secondary 1 registration and orientation

Sources and References

Ministry of Education (MOE) Singapore — PSLE scoring system and secondary school posting information
MOE SchoolFinder (schoolfinder.moe.gov.sg) — Official school profiles and COP data
Straits Times (2025) — "PSLE results and secondary school posting: What parents need to know"
KiasuParents Forum — Aggregated parent-reported COP data from 2024-2025 posting exercises

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is the PSLE score calculated in 2026?

The PSLE uses the Achievement Level (AL) scoring system. Each subject is graded AL1 to AL8, with AL1 being the highest. Your total PSLE score is the sum of all four subject ALs, ranging from 4 (best possible) to 32. For example, a student scoring AL1 for English, AL2 for Maths, AL1 for Science, and AL3 for Mother Tongue would have a total score of 7.

What PSLE score do I need for the top secondary schools?

The most competitive secondary schools like Raffles Institution, Hwa Chong Institution, and Nanyang Girls' High typically have cut-off points of 4-7 for their most popular courses. Mid-tier popular schools like CHIJ St Nicholas and Cedar Girls have cut-offs around 7-11. Most neighbourhood schools accept scores of 15-25. These are indicative ranges based on previous years and may shift annually.

Can I appeal if my child does not meet the cut-off point?

Yes. MOE allows appeals during the Secondary 1 posting exercise. If your child's PSLE score is within 2 points of the school's cut-off point, you can submit a direct appeal to the school. Schools may also consider non-academic factors such as CCA achievements, leadership roles, or DSA (Direct School Admission) for students with specific talents.

What is the difference between Express, NA, and NT streams?

Since 2024, MOE has replaced the Express, Normal Academic (NA), and Normal Technical (NT) streams with Full Subject-Based Banding (FSBB). Under FSBB, students are placed in mixed-form classes and take subjects at different levels (G1, G2, G3) based on their aptitude. G3 is the most demanding (equivalent to old Express), G2 is moderate (equivalent to NA), and G1 is foundational (equivalent to NT).