In secondary schools, students will no longer be graded using Achievement Levels or ALs like they were in primary school.

Instead, they may receive grades such as A1 and A2 — familiar to all Singapore parents who have taken the O-Levels. Other grading systems include letter grades, numbers, or the Grade Point Average (GPA) system, where each subject grade is converted into points and averaged to reflect a student’s overall academic standing.

Below, you'll find a breakdown of the assessment bands used in mainstream secondary schools, along with a summary of what we know about assessment and promotion criteria at various Integrated Programme (IP) schools.

What is the grading system and promotion criteria for Singapore’s secondary schools?

If your child is in a mainstream secondary school, this will be the likely grading system:

Students will have a mix of weighted assessments (e.g. projects) and exams, and a score below 50% is considered a failing grade. While the criteria for progressing to the next level may vary between schools, a pass in English is usually required. Students should be informed about assessment and promotion requirements early in the school year.

For all weighted assessments, students will be briefed beforehand on what to prepare, and where relevant, they will be given performance rubrics that will outline how they will be graded. Rubrics are clear checklists or scoring guides that help students understand what teachers are looking for, and how to do well.

Is the grading system for Integrated Programme schools different from mainstream schools?

Singapore’s Integrated Programme (IP) schools offer six-year programmes leading up to either the A-Levels or the International Baccalaureate diploma. Each IP school has its own scoring system and promotion criteria:

The above information is gathered from publicly available sources. If you need more specific details, we recommend reaching out to the schools directly.

Will there be a new O-level system for Singapore students?

Yes there will be a new exam system for secondary school students.

From 2027, Secondary 4 students will take the new Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) exams. The SEC will replace the existing O-Level and N-Level certifications. These exams will include different papers for each subject level (G1/G2/G3). Students will receive a certificate that reflects the subjects and subject levels that they’ve taken.

There aren’t many details available about the SEC just yet, but secondary schools are expected to update students and parents as more information is released.

What happens if a student performs poorly in secondary school?

When a student struggles academically, schools will typically arrange remedial lessons to provide extra support. For matters that require a parent’s attention, teachers will reach out either during parent-teacher meetings or through their preferred mode of communication.

After the year-end exams, schools will carry out a “promotion exercise” to determine which students can advance to the next level. For those who have failed to meet promotion criteria, there will be discussions to assess the student’s circumstances, as well as their learning disposition and behaviour in school. Exceptions may be made for students who have a positive attitude, as well as those who have narrowly missed the promotion criteria.

Students who need to be retained may either repeat the year at the same subject level, or they can advance while taking subjects at a less demanding level. However, if they continue to struggle, they can only remain in secondary school as long as they are still within the permissible age range.

The key thing to note is that progression decisions are never solely based on grades — they take into account the student’s attitude, effort, and potential to improve.

Want to talk to other parents about secondary school life? Join the conversation on the KiasuParents forum!