Singapore's grading system in schools is differentiated by the existence of many types of institutions with different education foci and systems. The grading systems that are used at Primary, Secondary, and Junior College levels are the most fundamental to the local education system,
Primary schools
Primary schools in Singapore implement a grading system along with an "Achievement Band" until the system disregarded the EM3 stream and concentrated on an "Overall Grade" scheme, which grades students as below. From 2021 onwards, the Primary 6 Cohorts will also be using the Achievement Level system (AL) which will be used for the PSLE: AL1:90 to 100 AL2 :85 to 89 AL3 :80 to 84 AL4: 75 to 79 AL5: 65 to 74 AL6: 45 to 64 AL7: 20 to 44 AL8: 0 to 19
Primary 5 to 6 (Foundation) AL-A [equal to AL-6]: 75+ AL-B [equal to AL-7]: 30-74 AL-C [equal to AL-8]: 29 or less
Secondary schools
Secondary schools are the first institutions in Singapore to have implemented the “Overall Grade” grading system for academic subjects. Since the 2000s, the education system allows more capable Normal (Academic) stream students to participate in the O Levels examination for Mother Tongue and Mathematics (Elementary) a year instead of taking the N Levels equivalents. This has resulted with a quasi-O Levels grading system used for such students, although their N Levels subjects are graded along the Overall Grade grading system, thus in their result slip, some subjects will be graded along the Overall Grade, and some with the O Levels grading system.
Express and Special stream students are graded along the Overall Grade grading system for the first 3 academic years in their secondary schools, and then graded along the O Levels grading system in their final secondary school year (year 4). Normal (Academic) students are graded for first 3 academic years and the N Levels year (year 4), and subsequently graded along the O Levels grading system in their final secondary school year (year 5). Normal (Technical) stream students are graded along the Overall Grade grading system throughout their entire education in secondary schools.
Overall grade
A1: 75% - 100%
A2: 70% - 74%
B3: 65% - 69%
B4: 60% - 64%
C5: 55% - 59%
C6: 50% - 54%
D7: 45% - 49%
E8: 40% - 44%
F9: 0% - 39%
GPA and MSG
In some Secondary Schools, the Grade Point Average (GPA) grading system is used. The GPA is usually calculated by taking the Grade Point of each subject, adding them together, then dividing the total by that number of subjects. The actual subjects counted towards the GPA computation differs between schools. For example, Victoria School gives its students the option to exclude applicable subjects from the GPA computation depending on the subject combination of the student. This GPA value is rounded to two decimal places, giving the student's GPA. A minimum GPA of 3.0 and a pass in English Language and Mathematics will usually be required for promotion
For example, the GPA table for Raffles Girls' School and Raffles Institution (Secondary) is as follows:
For example, the GPA table for Victoria School (Integrated Programme) is as follows:
However, the GPA table may differ from schools to schools and tracks.
However, in other secondary schools like Hwa Chong Institution, St. Joseph's Institution, School of Science and Technology, and Victoria School (Express), a similar grading system called the Mean Subject Grade (MSG) is used. The MSG table is as follows:
The MSG is calculated by adding the points together and dividing the sum by the number of subjects. For example, if a student scored an A1 for math, B4 for English, and C6 for Chemistry, his MSG would be = .
This will be rounded to two decimal places, giving a final MSG of 3.67
N(T)/N(A) levels grades
A: 70% and above
B: 65% to 69%
C: 60% to 64%
D: 50% to 59%
U: Below 49%, considered failed
N Level grading from last year onwards
O levels grades
A1: 75% and above
A2: 70% to 74%
B3: 65% to 69%
B4: 60% to 64%
C5: 55% to 59%
C6: 50% to 54%
D7: 45% to 49%
E8: 40% to 44%
F9: Below 40%
Grades D7, E8 and F9 are considered the failing grades. Students taking Mother Tongue Syllabus B may be awarded a Merit, a Pass, or an Ungraded grade.
Junior college level (GCE A and AO levels) A: 70% or Above B: 60% to 69% C: 55% to 59% D: 50% to 54% E: 45% to 49% (passing grade) S: 40% to 44% (denotes standard is at AO level only), grade N in the British A Levels. U: 39% to 0% (no points are given)