Changes to Scoring System for GCE A level Students

GCE A level Students would still study the following subjects:

1. General Paper (GP): Involves essay writing, comprehension and knowledge of current affairs in English
2. Four content-based subjects based on students’ choice which may comprise of 3 x H2 and 1 x H1 or 4 x H2 subjects.
3. Project Work: Requires students to work together in a group to complete a project

The changes in the scoring system from 2026 (which affects student starting JC 1 in 2025 or sitting for A level in 2025)
• University Admission Score (UAS) would be computed based on General Paper (maximum of 10 points) and 3 x H2 subjects (maximum of 20 points for each H2)
• Project work would only be graded pass or fail
• Result of H1 subject (maximum of 10 points) would only be included and rebased to 70 points if it improves the UAS
• Results of mother tongue language/MTL (maximum of 10 points) would only be included and rebased to 70 points if it improves the UAS

Scenario 1: GCE A level Students read 3 x H2 Subjects,1 x H1 Subject and GP

Student attains grade ABC for 3 x H2 subjects and B for GP
For H1 Math, student scores A.
For MTL/Chinese, student scores C.

UAS (Score) = 62.81 points out of maximum 70 points

Option A (UAS Score): 3 H2 subjects + GP (Total 70 points)
– H2 Subject 1 (A): 20 RP
– H2 Subject 2 (B): 17.5 RP
– H2 Subject 3 (C): 15 RP
– GP (B): 8.75 RP
– Total: 20 + 17.5 + 15 + 8.75 = 61.25 RP

Option B (UAS): 3 H2 subjects + GP + H1 Math (Total 80 points, rebased to 70)
– H2 Subject 1 (A): 20 RP
– H2 Subject 2 (B): 17.5 RP
– H2 Subject 3 (C): 15 RP
– GP (B): 8.75 RP
– H1 Math (A): 10 RP
– Total: 20 + 17.5 + 15 + 8.75 + 10 = 71.25 RP
– Rebased: (71.25/80) × 70 ≈ 62.81 RP (improvement)

Scenario C: 3 H2 subjects + GP + MTL/Chinese + H1 Math (Total 90 points, rebased to 70)

– H2 Subject 1 (A): 20 RP
– H2 Subject 2 (B): 17.5 RP
– H2 Subject 3 (C): 15 RP
– GP (B): 8.75 RP
– MTL/Chinese (C): 7.5 RP
– H1 Math (A): 10 RP
– Total: 20 + 17.5 + 15 + 8.75 + 7.5 + 10 = 78.75 RP
– Rebased: (78.75/90) × 70 ≈ 61.38 RP (marginal improvement)

To improve the UAS, grade attained for H1 subject must be better than the average grade/score of 3 x H2 subjects and GP. In this example, including the grade of the mother tongue language for computation would not improve the UAS.

In scenario 2, the UAS is computed based on the result of H1 Math being “B”, i.e. better than the worst performing grade for the H2 subject but it did not improve the UAS.

Scenario 2: GCE A level Students read 3 x H2 Subjects,1 x H1 Subject and GP

Student attains grade ABC for 3 x H2 subjects and B for GP
For H1 Math, student scores B.
For MTL/Chinese, student scores C.

UAS (Score) = 61.25 points out of maximum 70 points

Option A (UAS Score): 3 H2 subjects + GP (Total 70 points)
– H2 Subject 1 (A): 20 RP
– H2 Subject 2 (B): 17.5 RP
– H2 Subject 3 (C): 15 RP
– GP (B): 8.75 RP
– Total: 20 + 17.5 + 15 + 8.75 = 61.25 RP

Option B (UAS): 3 H2 subjects + GP + H1 Math (Total 80 points, rebased to 70)
– H2 Subject 1 (A): 20 RP
– H2 Subject 2 (B): 17.5 RP
– H2 Subject 3 (C): 15 RP
– GP (B): 8.75 RP
– H1 Math (B): 8.75 RP
– Total: 20 + 17.5 + 15 + 8.75 + 8.75 = 70 RP
– Rebased: (70/80) × 70 = 61.25 RP (no improvement)

Scenario C: 3 H2 subjects + GP + MTL/Chinese + H1 Math (Total 90 points, rebased to 70)
– H2 Subject 1 (A): 20 RP
– H2 Subject 2 (B): 17.5 RP
– H2 Subject 3 (C): 15 RP
– GP (B): 8.75 RP
– MTL/Chinese (C): 7.5 RP
– H1 Math (B): 8.75 RP
– Total: 20 + 17.5 + 15 + 8.75 + 7.5 + 8.75 = 77.5 RP
– Rebased: (77.5/90) × 70 = 60.42 RP (no improvement)

Scenario 3: GCE A level Students read 4 x H2 Subjects and GP

GCE A level Student attains grade ABCD for 4 x H2 subjects and B for GP

UAS Score = 61.25 points out of maximum 70 points

Grades and RP values:
– H2 Subject 1 (A): 20 RP
– H2 Subject 2 (B): 17.5 RP
– H2 Subject 3 (C): 15 RP
– H2 Subject 4 (D): 12.5 RP
– GP (B): 8.75 RP

Selecting the 3 best performing H2 subjects:
– H2 Subject 1 (A): 20 RP
– H2 Subject 2 (B): 17.5 RP
– H2 Subject 3 (C): 15 RP

Calculating the total score:
– Total: 20 + 17.5 + 15 + 8.75 = 61.25 RP

The option of sitting for 4 x H2 subjects is a good option if the student happens to perform poorly for one of the subjects during examination.

Based on the new scoring system, it is critical that student performs well for General Paper and 3 x H2 subjects (H2 physics, H2 Chemistry, H2 Biology, H2 Economics, H2 Mathematics). GCE A level students can augment their learning in school with customised tuition sessions.

References
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/fourth-content-based-a-level-subject-to-be-dropped-from-university-admission-score
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/moe-change-level-score-2026-2116231

More information about RP / Rank Points
RP stands for Rank Points. In the context of Singapore’s GCE A-Level scoring system, Rank Points are used to calculate a student’s overall performance and rank for university admission.
Rank Points are assigned to each subject grade, allowing for a standardized comparison across different subjects and students. The RP system helps universities and institutions to compare applicants from different schools and backgrounds.

Summary of the Rank Point system: