Secondary School Posting - COP, Tie-Breakers, & more

Choosing a secondary school can feel overwhelming for parents who have just collected their child’s PSLE results, especially with unfamiliar terms, key deadlines, and important decisions to make in a short time.

This guide breaks down everything you need to know — from understanding cut-off points and tie-breakers to knowing when and how to submit your school choices, and where to find reliable information before finalising your list.

What is a Cut-Off Point (COP) and how does it work?

A Cut-Off Point (COP) is the PSLE score of the last student admitted into a school in the previous year, and it serves as a reference for parents choosing secondary schools. Schools publish their PSLE score ranges, which show the highest and lowest scores admitted in the last intake.

These ranges help you gauge the competitiveness of each school. However, COPs can shift from year to year depending on student performance and demand, so meeting last year’s COP does not guarantee placement. Parents are strongly encouraged to include a few “safe choice” schools where the child’s PSLE score is comfortably above the previous COP.

How does the Secondary 1 Posting system work?

The Secondary 1 Posting system works by considering your child’s PSLE score, your choice order, and the vacancies available in each school. The system will always try to place your child into the highest-ranked school on your list for which they qualify. This means the order of your six choices matters — a school listed as Choice 1 is prioritised over the same school listed as Choice 6.

What tie-breakers are used when students have the same PSLE score?

Tie-breakers are used when two or more students with the same PSLE score compete for the final available spot in a school. The tie-breakers are applied in this exact order:

1. Citizenship — Singapore Citizens, then Permanent Residents, then International Students.

2. Choice Order — students who ranked the school higher are placed ahead.

3. Computerised Balloting — random allocation if all other conditions are identical.

For SAP schools, students with Higher Chinese Language (HCL) may receive an additional advantage if all other factors are tied. For affiliated schools, priority is given only if the affiliated secondary school is placed as the first choice.

What key dates should parents pay attention to after receiving PSLE results?

The key dates parents should note include:

• Release of PSLE Results — typically the last week of November.

• Opening of Secondary School Choices Submission — usually begins within an hour after results are released.

• Closing of Submission Window — generally about one week later, in the late afternoon.

• Release of Secondary 1 Posting Results — usually in mid to late December.

These dates determine when you should discuss options with your child, shortlist schools, and finalize your six choices before the portal closes.

How and where do parents submit the Secondary 1 school choices?

Parents submit the Secondary 1 school choices through the online S1 Posting Portal using Singpass.

Only one parent needs to log in to complete the submission. You may rearrange and resubmit choices anytime before the deadline, but once the portal closes, no further changes are allowed. After submission, the system will only consider the final saved version of your choices.

When and how will parents receive the S1 posting results?

Parents receive the S1 posting results via SMS, through the S1 Posting Portal, or from the child’s primary school.

Schools then provide instructions on reporting, booklists, uniforms, device requirements, and orientation schedules. Physical reporting is no longer required; families simply follow the instructions provided by the assigned secondary school.

Where can parents find last year’s Cut-Off Points (COPs)?

You can find last year’s COPs on MOE’s official SchoolFinder website, which lists every secondary school along with its PSLE score range.

Most secondary schools also publish their programmes, CCAs, and sometimes admission trends on their own websites. Parents are encouraged to review multiple sources to understand both academic fit and cultural fit.

What should parents do right now after receiving the PSLE results?

Parents should begin by discussing with their child what they want from their secondary school journey — including programmes, CCAs, environment, and distance. Next, they should shortlist a balanced set of schools: a few aspirational choices, a few realistic choices, and a few safe choices. Finally, parents should submit the six choices early and avoid last-minute technical issues or rushed decisions.