Must-Read for Parents: A Comprehensive Guide to Secondary School Selection Be...

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Must-Read for Parents: A Comprehensive Guide to Secondary School Selection Before the 2024 PSLE Results

The eagerly anticipated 2024 PSLE results will be released tomorrow (20 November 2024)! All of us at Kangaroo.Study are cheering for you and looking forward to your great results. Once the results are released, the next crucial step for parents and students is the selection of secondary school choices.

1. Key Dates and Process for Secondary School Posting

Timeline:

• Starting from November 20, 11:00 AM: Students will collect their PSLE results, S1 Option Form (school choice form), and eligibility letter (indicating qualification for specific programs such as Higher Mother Tongue Languages).
• Starting from November 20, 11:30 AM: Online school choice submissions open via the S1-IS system, which remains available 24/7.
• By November 26, 3:00 PM: Deadline for parents to submit their child’s school choices. Note: If the child has a CO through DSA, they don’t need to participate in school selection. They will receive an admission notice when the results are announced. If the child rejected a CO from a school but later wants to apply after receiving their PSLE results, they can still apply if their score meets the school’s requirements.
  

• Mid-December (Provisional: December 18–20): Release of secondary school posting results. Parents and students can check results via:
  

I. SMS: If a mobile number was provided during the application process, results will be sent via SMS.

II. MOE S1 Posting Website: Access results using the student’s Birth Certificate number/FIN and S1 PIN.

III. Primary School: Contact the school for the posting results.

2. Principles and Process of School Posting

During the PSLE school selection, students can choose up to six secondary schools. The posting process is based on transparency and fairness, adhering strictly to PSLE scores and selection rules.

Admission Process：

Stage 1: Priority Based on AL Scores

· Schools prioritize students with better AL (Achievement Level) scores, irrespective of their school choice order.

· Higher-scoring students are more likely to secure their preferred school, as demonstrated below:

Example:
School B's historical cut-off point is AL6.

· Student A scores AL5 and lists School B as their 6th choice.

· Student B scores AL6 and lists School B as their 1st choice.

· Outcome: Student A is admitted due to a higher score, regardless of priority order.

Recommendations:

· Students with strong scores should focus on selecting schools that align with their goals without overthinking choice order.

· Students with lower scores should prioritize schools closer to their cut-off points and carefully arrange their choices for better chances.

Cut-Off Point (COP)：
The COP is the PSLE score of the last student admitted to a school in a given year. While COPs serve as a key reference, they fluctuate yearly due to factors such as applicant numbers, overall student performance, and school capacity.

For Lower-Scoring Students：

The COP is especially crucial for these students to select schools strategically. Always include a few “safety” choices—schools with COPs slightly below the student’s score—to secure admission.

Stage 2: Tie-Breaker Criteria for Students with Equal Scores
When students with the same AL scores compete for a spot, the following criteria apply:

· Citizenship: Singapore Citizens > Permanent Residents > International Students.

· Choice Order: Priority is given to students who ranked the school higher.

· Computerised Balloting: Applied only when all preceding criteria are identical.

· Higher Mother Tongue Languages
The score for Higher Chinese Language (HCL) only matters when applying to Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools. It does not affect admission to non-SAP schools. When students with the same score compete for a spot in the same SAP school, those with HCL results will be given priority. The higher the HCL grade (Distinction, Merit, or Pass), the greater the advantage.

Stage 3: Placement for Students Without Offers
If the child doesn't get into any of their preferred schools, the system will automatically assign them to another school with available spots based on their score and home address. Therefore, the MOE previously advised parents to update their child's registered address by the end of October to increase their chances of getting into certain schools.

3. Reference Cut-Off Points, Comparisons, and Streaming System
· Cut-Off Points Reference

Below is a reference for the cut-off points (COP) of 16 IP (Integrated Programme) schools in 2023 and 2022, along with changes:

· D = Distinction, M = Merit, P = Pass

· For example, "7M" refers to the PSLE total score of the last admitted student combined with their Higher Chinese Language grade.

The highlighted sections in yellow indicate schools where the COP changed between 2022 and 2023. From the chart, it can be observed that schools like Raffles Institution (RI) and Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) maintained relatively stable COPs, whereas COPs for other IP schools saw both increases and decreases.

· Subject-Based Banding (SBB)

Starting in 2024, all secondary schools will fully implement Subject-Based Banding (SBB). Under this system, students will choose subject levels based on their PSLE scores. These levels are categorized into G1, G2, and G3, corresponding to the former Normal (Technical) [N(T)], Normal (Academic) [N(A)], and Express tracks, respectively. This means students will no longer be placed into fixed streams but can flexibly adjust their subject levels and classes based on their performance in individual subjects.

Example:

· A student assigned to the G2 level can initially select G2 or G3 subjects.

· For instance, they may opt for G2-level Mathematics and English but choose G3-level Science.

As the student progresses:

· If they find Science particularly challenging, they may move down to G2 for that subject.

· Conversely, if they excel in English, they may move up to G1 for English.

SBB enables students to adjust their learning levels flexibly, tailoring their academic paths to their interests and progress.

4. Tips and Strategies for School Selection

Factors to Consider:

· Choosing a School

Choose schools based on the child's interests and strengths
Each school offers different specialized courses and extracurricular activities (CCAs). For instance, choosing a school that provides rich extracurricular activities and targeted academic programs will help the child develop comprehensively.

· Understand the school culture

It is recommended to visit the school's website, attend open days, or take campus tours to see if the child likes the school and if the learning environment is a good fit.

· Focus on posting groups and subject levels

Based on the child's PSLE score, they will be assigned to different posting groups. Below is the relationship between the posting groups and subject levels:

When selecting a school, if the child has two group options, it is advisable to choose only the schools for which they are eligible, to ensure they do not waste their selection opportunities.

· Location and transportation

Considering the child's daily commuting time and transportation methods, the geographical location and convenience of transportation are important factors when selecting a school.

· Consider school type and financial aid

For example, common school types include:

· Autonomous schools, which generally have higher tuition fees but offer richer activities, courses, and resources.

· Some government schools provide scholarships and financial aid to help alleviate tuition costs.

· IP schools (Integrated Programme) eliminate the O-Level exams, but academic competition and various streaming exams within the school can impose significant pressure on students.

· IB schools are more suitable for students who plan to study at British or American schools later.

· Schools that are neither IP nor IB have a more fixed curriculum structure, which helps students establish a solid academic foundation before taking the O-Levels.

· In SAP schools (Special Assistance Plan schools), for example, Hua Zhong, children with a PSLE score of 6 may still be able to enter even without a High Chinese (HCL) grade. However, all students must take and study the Higher Chinese course after admission. These language requirements should also be considered by parents when selecting schools.

2. Layered Application Strategy: Ensuring Balance

Suggestions for distributing the 6 preferences:

· First choice: Aim high

· Second to fourth choice: Leverage strengths or choose safely

· Fifth and sixth choice: Safety net

Example (PSLE score AL10):

First choice: Target school — “Aim High”
Choose the most ideal school for the child, with a score slightly higher than the child’s PSLE score. Although previous years’ cut-off points are an important reference, they do not necessarily determine this year’s results, especially for schools that are less “popular.” For example, a student with AL10 may attempt to apply to a school where the cut-off score from previous years was 9, creating an opportunity to aim for their dream school.

Second choice: Leverage strengths — “Utilize strengths”
The second choice can include schools that align with the child’s strengths. For instance, if the child excels in Higher Chinese (HCL), they could apply to a school specializing in Chinese. Although their application may be lower in the ranking compared to those who chose this school as their first choice, the child may still be admitted based on their performance in the strong subject.

Third and fourth choice: Safe choices — “Play it safe”
These preferences should be schools with cut-off points close to or slightly lower than the child’s PSLE score, ensuring a higher chance of admission. For example, a student with AL10 can apply to schools with a previous cut-off score of 11 or 12. These schools typically match the child’s development potential and actual score.

Fifth and sixth choice: Safety net — “Protection from random allocation”
The last two preferences serve as insurance. Choose schools with cut-off points clearly lower than the child’s score to avoid random allocation if earlier choices do not result in admission. For example, a student with AL10 can choose schools with a cut-off score of 12 or 13 to ensure the outcome remains within a controllable range.

4. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) from Parents1. How should I choose between IP and O-Level courses in a school with lower-tier ranking that offers both?

1. When deciding between IP (Integrated Programme) and O-Level courses in a lower-tier school, parents need to consider the child's academic ability, interests, and future career plans:

· IP (Integrated Programme): Suitable for children who aim to progress directly into high school and are preparing for long-term academic development. It typically emphasizes in-depth academic research and comprehensive skills.

· O-Level courses: Suitable for children who need to pass the O-Level exams before entering university or continuing their education. The exam format is relatively clear, and the results can strongly support entry into the desired university.

If the child has strong self-driven academic abilities and can thrive in a more flexible academic environment, the IP programme may be a good choice. If the child prefers a clear reliance on exam results to progress to higher levels or plans to aim for a better university, O-Level courses might be more suitable.

2. Should an AL9 student choose an IP school or opt for O-Level to aim for a better JC?

For an AL9 student, parents may consider trying to select an IP school, even though they may rank lower in the IP school. This is because the IP programme eliminates the need for the O-Level exams, which may be an attractive option for some students, as it allows them to focus on high school academics earlier without the academic pressure of the O-Level exams. Therefore, for parents in this score range, it is recommended to first try selecting an IP school as a target. If the child is not admitted to the IP school, the second preference can be a better O-Level school, which still provides a pathway to a good Junior College (JC).

3. What strategy should be adopted if the priority is lower for non-citizens?

For non-citizen students, the priority difference primarily affects the school admission process, especially in the selection process for highly competitive schools. For example, at schools like Raffles Institution, the admission process may involve a lottery, where PR (Permanent Resident) students may face greater challenges due to the difference in priority. For instance, if the COP (Cut-Off Point) for Raffles Institution is 6 points, citizens will have priority in the lottery, while PR students with the same score may not qualify for the lottery. However, if a PR student has a better score (e.g., 5 points), it may not be a problem, and they still have a chance of admission. Therefore, non-citizen students should pay attention to each school’s admission mechanism and understand how their non-citizen status might impact their chances of admission, particularly in cases where the score gap is small.

4. How should I fill out the preferences if the results are not ideal?

If the child's performance is not at the desired level, parents can:

· Choose a lower-tier school as a safety net to ensure the child has a stable school placement.

· Choose schools with strong support systems. Some schools offer more academic support for students with slightly lower grades, helping them improve their performance.

· Focus on extracurricular activities: Some schools place value on the child’s extracurricular activities and leadership potential, with grades not being the sole selection criterion. Choosing a school that aligns with the child’s interests and strengths can also help in other areas of development.