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Singapore Education, Explained

Four explainers tracing the journey from Primary 6 to university, plus two guides for choosing a secondary school

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PSLE, Explained age 12
The AL scoring system (4–32, lower is better), mark bands, posting groups, what counts as a good score, Foundation subjects — and the two kinds of secondary track the score unlocks.
Secondary & the SEC age 13–16
Full Subject-Based Banding (G1/G2/G3), subject bundles, the SEC exam that replaces O- and N-Levels from 2027, per-level grading with points, and every pathway out: JC, MI, Poly, PFP, ITE.
The IB Route age 13–18
The other final exam: 6 subjects + TOK/EE/CAS, scored out of 45 (higher is better), which schools offer it, how it compares with A-Levels, and the two ways in.
JC & the A-Levels age 17–18
H1/H2/H3 subjects, the standard load, the new 70-point University Admission Score, and what grades the university courses actually demand.
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Choosing a secondary school

Use the focused shortlist for a quick comparison, or browse the complete tier guide for the wider school landscape.

Most Selective Schools Top 15 + map
A focused guide to the most selective secondary schools, including 2026 cut-off points, programmes and locations.
Complete School Tier Guide 139 schools
Browse mainstream and specialised secondary schools grouped by cut-off point, programme, location and admission type.
The journey: PSLE → SEC track or IP → A-Levels / IB / Poly · ITE → University / work
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Sources: MOE, SEAB, IBO, university IGP pages and press coverage — details for the first SEC cohort (2027) and its 2028 admissions are still being finalised by MOE. Compiled July 2026.

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