Competition for places in science courses at Raffles Institution (RI) and Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) remains high, with both schools reporting some of their lowest cut-off points in recent years for the 2026 Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE).
Competitive Cut-Off Points
RI and HCI both had net cut-off points of three for their science streams and five for the arts track in the 2026 JAE. These scores are calculated after deducting bonus points earned through co-curricular activity (CCA) participation or passing higher mother tongue.
HCI’s cut-off point of three for science was last seen in 2015, while RI maintained its entry score of three from 2025, a level not observed since 2016.
Overall, entry requirements across junior colleges (JCs) decreased by approximately one point in 2026, with scores ranging from three to 19.
Factors Influencing Admission
The cut-off point represents the score of the last student admitted to a JC during the annual exercise for O-level graduates. Admission is based on a student’s L1R5 – their first language and five relevant subjects – with a maximum score of 20 required for entry.
The L1R5 raw score is the sum of a student’s O-level grades. The net score, used for posting to JCs, can be reduced by up to four bonus points for CCA involvement, passing higher mother tongue, or school affiliation.
RI and HCI offer the Integrated Programme, allowing students to bypass O levels and take A levels after six years.
RI and HCI did not respond to requests for comment on their cut-off scores or admission numbers for the JAE intake.
National Posting Results
Approximately 17,800 candidates were posted to a post-secondary institution in the 2026 JAE, according to the Ministry of Education (MOE). Around 40% of these students were posted to a JC or Millennia Institute, a centralized institute offering a three-year A-level programme.
MOE stated that this proportion has remained consistent in recent years. While JC cut-off points have been largely similar over time, admission is influenced by factors such as cohort performance and student preferences.
“When students who perform better choose the more popular institutions and courses, the cut-off points of these courses could shift from that in previous years,” MOE said.
Student Perspectives
Valerie Tea, a JC1 student at HCI, chose the school for its China Studies in Chinese programme. She noted that many peers with raw L1R5 scores of six and net scores of four were not admitted, potentially due to a lack of higher mother tongue qualifications.
Caleb Ho, an RI JC2 student, attained a net score of two, with A1s in all subjects except a C6 in higher mother tongue, and an additional two points deducted for CCA. He believes the increasingly competitive scores could widen the gap between students from top schools and others, particularly those lacking access to higher mother tongue resources.
Ethel Wee, also a JC2 student at RI, observed that the profile of students entering each JC has remained relatively stable despite falling cut-off points, with top students still securing admission to RI and HCI.
Broader Trends
Dr. Jason Tan, an associate professor at the National Institute of Education, suggested the dip in cut-off points reflects the demand for spots in top JCs, even as polytechnic diplomas gain recognition from employers and more students choose vocational pathways.
MOE emphasized the availability of multiple pathways and opportunities at the post-secondary level to cater to students’ diverse strengths and interests.
Rayne Goh, a JC1 student at Anderson Serangoon Junior College, expressed surprise at the lowering of JC cut-off points, anticipating a greater shift towards polytechnics. She expressed concern about potential disappointment for students who might have qualified for a school in previous years.
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