You may have heard the term “rank points” and wondered what it means in Singapore.

Rank Points (RP) — also known as the University Admission Score (UAS) — refers to the scoring system used by A-Level students when applying to universities in Singapore.

To make things clearer, let’s walk through some common questions that parents and students ask:

• What subjects do A-Level students take?
• What are JC rank points?
• How are rank points calculated?
• What is the maximum number of rank points?
• How to check local university eligibility?

What subjects do A-Level students take?

The A-Level curriculum focuses on three key areas: Subject Disciplines, Knowledge Skills, and Life Skills. Here’s what you should know about each area:

Subject Disciplines

To prepare for the A-Levels, students will take subjects from the following domains. Please note that different schools will have different subject offerings:

• Languages
  • Mother Tongue Languages
  • Foreign Languages
• Humanities and the Arts
  • Art
  • China Studies in English
  • Economics
  • English Language and Linguistics
  • Geography
  • History
  • Literature in English
  • Management of Business
  • Mother Tongue Language & Literature
  • Music
  • Theatre Studies and Drama
• Mathematics and Sciences
  • Biology
  • Chemistry
  • Computing
  • Mathematics
  • Physics
  • Principles of Accounting

Knowledge Skills

Knowledge skills sharpen the ability to think critically, process information, and communicate effectively. These are taught through subjects such as:

• General Paper (GP): For GP, students write essays and tackle comprehension questions on current affairs and issues of global and local importance.
• Project Work (PW): Candidates are assigned project groups — each group works on a project to address a real-world problem or tap into an opportunity.
• Knowledge and Inquiry (KI): A less-common subject, not offered by every school. To do this well, one should have a deep curiosity for learning and independent research skills.

Life Skills

These are skills that help students become responsible adults and citizens:

• Character and Citizenship Education (CCE), which includes:
  • Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs)
  • Values in Action (VIA): Contributing to the community.
  • Student Leadership Development programmes
• Physical Education (PE)

What are rank points?

“Rank points” refer to the grading system for A-level students.

In junior college, students will minimally take three subjects at a level known as H2. Each H2 subject is worth a maximum of 20 rank points for local university admission, if you score an A.

Students will also take a fourth subject at either the H2 level, or a less demanding level known as H1. An H1 subject is worth a maximum of 10 rank points if you score an A.

Regardless of their stream, students will have to take a contrasting subject. This means that Science students should take a Humanities or Arts subject, while Arts students should take a Maths or Science subject.

Apart from the above, students will take the General Paper, the Mother Tongue Language (MTL), and Project Work. Like H1 subjects, the General Paper and MTL are worth a maximum of 10 rank points. Project Work is graded on a Pass/Fail basis.

How are rank points calculated? What is the new JC rank points system?

From 2026, the A-Level scoring system will be capped at a maximum of 70 rank points. (Previously, the score was capped at 90 points.)

Under the new system, a student’s A-Level score will typically be based on their three best H2 subjects and the General Paper. H1 and MTL subjects will only be included if they help boost the student’s score.

From what we understand: H1 and the MTL are not direct replacements for GP or any H2 subject. Instead, they are included in the A-Level score computation if doing so ultimately improves the student’s A-Level score, i.e. their total rank points. If these are included, the score would have been ”rebased” to the 70-point scale. 

Here’s how exam percentage scores translate to A-Level grades and rank points for university admission:

How to check admission requirements for local universities?

First, let’s look at the available university options within Singapore:

• National University of Singapore (NUS) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU): A comprehensive selection of courses across disciplines
• Singapore Management University (SMU): Business, Economics, Law, Social Sciences, Accountancy, Info Systems, Integrative Studies
• Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD): Design, Architecture, Engineering, Tech (CS & AI)
• Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT): Engineering, Food/Chemical/BioTech, IT, Business/Communication/Design, Health & Social Sciences
• Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS): Humanities, Business, Human Development, Law (Criminal & Family), Science & Tech
• University of the Arts Singapore (UAS): Arts-focused (Therapy, Management, Leadership, Pedagogy, Fine Arts, Media Arts, Performing Arts)

To check university eligibility, it’s best to look at the Indicative Grade Profiles (IGPs) that local universities publish each year. These profiles show the grades of students admitted in previous intakes, but the format varies — some universities present them in terms of letter grades, while others use rank points:

• NUS
• NTU
• SMU
• SUTD
• SIT
• SUSS

For convenience, you can also use a rank point calculator that shows which university courses you may be eligible for. Just make sure that it reflects the new 70 point system from 2026.

Want to chat with other parents about JC-related topics? Browse the Tertiary Education section in the KiasuParents forum!