Two students, same grades—but one gets into their dream university, and the other does not. Why? It often comes down to how those grades are translated into rank points—a system that's not always as cut-and-dried as it seems.
This guide explains how the A Levels grading system works in Singapore, from learning about grade-to-point conversion to calculating your final mark and total score. Whether you are a student or parent, this article will help you learn everything about this grading system.
How Does the JC Grading System Work?
The Singapore Junior College (JC) grading system directly determines your University Admission Score (UAS). A Level subjects are offered at H1 and H2 levels, with H2 subjects covering content in greater depth and carrying a higher rank point (RP) value. Your final UAS is the sum of RPs earned from each subject grade. This standardised system allows students to predict their UAS based on their performance.
A Level Grading System: Rank Points
For GCE A Levels, you will be awarded a grade, from A to U, which are connected to a band of scores and a number of rank points. This applies to both H1 and H2 subjects with slightly different points allocated.
Here's how the typical grading-to-rank point system looks:
Grade | Scores | H1 Rank Points | H2 Rank Points |
|---|---|---|---|
A | 70% and above | 10 | 20 |
B | 60% to 69% | 8.75 | 17.5 |
C | 55% to 59% | 7.5 | 15 |
D | 50% to 54% | 6.25 | 12.5 |
E | 45% to 49% (passing grade) | 5 | 10 |
S | 40% to 44% | 2.5 | 5 |
U | 39% and below | 0 | 0 |
Note that H3 subjects utilise a different grading scale—Distinction, Merit, Pass, and Ungraded—and are not included in the rank point calculations.
How to Calculate Rank Points
Before AY2026
For cohorts applying for university admission before AY2026, the maximum rank points is 90. Your University Admission Score (UAS) is the total of the best 4 content-based subjects, H1 General Paper (GP), H1 Project Work (PW), and H1 Mother Tongue Language (MTL) if required.
Old UAS Calculation (For Cohorts Before AY2026):
Example: UAS Calculation (90-Point System)
Subject Combination | Grades | MTL Grade | Base UAS (w/o MTL) | Final UAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
3H2 + 1H1 + GP + PW | ABBC / A / A | - | 20+17.5+17.5+7.5+10+10=82.5 | 82.5 |
3H2 + 1H1 + GP + PW + (MTL) | AAB / A / A / A | A | 20+20+17.5+10+10+10+10=97.5 | 87.75 |
For students taking four H2 subjects, their weakest H2 grade will be treated as an H1 for UAS calculation. The rank points for that weakest H2 subject are halved.
AY2026/2027
For university admissions in AY2026 and AY2027, or students who took their A-Levels in 2024 or earlier, the computation of rank points is different. Your UAS will be calculated using the old 90-point system and then adjusted to fit the new 70-point scale.
New UAS Calculation (Starting AY2026):
AY2028 Onwards
From AY2028 onwards, the new 70-point system will apply to all applicants, regardless of when they took their A-Levels. Project Work (PW) will be excluded from the score, and the conditional inclusion rules for the 4th subject and H1 MTL will be in effect.
Example: UAS Calculation (70-Point System)
Best 3 H2/GP | 4th Subject (RP) | MTL (RP) | Final UAS | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
AAB / B | 10 | 7.5 | 20+20+17.5+8.75=66.25 | Only 4th Sub included, MTL not included |
ABB / B | 7.5 | 10 | 20+17.5+17.5+8.75=63.75 | Only MTL included, 4th Sub not included |
AAA / A | 8.75 | 8.75 | 20+20+20+10=70 | Neither 4th Subj or MTL included |
BBB / C | 10 | 10 | 17.5+17.5+17.5+7.5=60 | Both 4th Subj & MTL included |
A Level Subject Combinations
A Level subject combinations aren't picked randomly—they are arranged in a pattern that mixes humanities and sciences, guided by the requirements of university admissions and the abilities of each individual student.
Three H2 subjects and one H1 content-based subject are the usual number taken by students, along with obligatory H1 subjects such as GP and PW.
Common combinations include PCME (Physics, Chemistry, Math, Economics) or hybrid combinations like CMLE (Chemistry, Math, Literature, Economics) for Science students. Arts students tend to take combinations like HELM (History, Economics, Literature, Math). There is a little flexibility, but subject availability varies from JC to JC.
And then there's Economics—one of the most commonly chosen JC subjects across both Science and Arts students. It’s a popular subject as it is relevant, applicable, and the foundation for many university admissions courses, ranging from business to public policy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The A Levels grading system in Singapore can be overwhelming, especially for private universities and private candidates. Here are answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Yes. If a private candidate has previously sat for at least one A Level paper before 2026, the legacy rank point system (maximum 90 RP) continues to apply to them. This means their university admission score will be computed on the 90-point scale, not the new 70-point scale introduced for students from 2026 onwards.
Private candidates without a JC background have their rank points calculated using the same system as JC students, based on their H1 and H2 grades. The requirement to pass Project Work does not apply to private candidates.
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