The Ministry of Education (MOE) announced on 6 March 2025 that Junior College (JC) admission criteria will change from the current L1R5 system to a new L1R4 system starting with the 2028 Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE).
Implementation Date: 2028 JAE
Affects students taking O-Levels in 2027
New Requirement: L1R4 ≤ 16 points
5 subjects instead of 6 (one fewer subject!)
Goal: Free up time for 21st Century Competencies
More focus on holistic development beyond academics
This guide explains everything you need to know about the L1R5 to L1R4 transition, who it affects, and how it benefits students. Based on MOE's official announcement. ✨
📅 Evolution of JC Admission Criteria (1989-2028)
L1R5 ≤ 20 Introduced
Original 6-subject requirement established. Students needed First Language + 5 relevant subjects with aggregate score ≤ 20.
2023
Performance Improvement Era
Remarkable 30 percentage point increase in A-Level pass rates as education quality improved across Singapore.
Across the schools that do not offer the Integrated Programme today, the proportion of O-Level candidates who offered eight or more subjects has increased from approximately 15% in 1997 to nearly 30% in 2023.
L1R4 ≤ 16 Implemented
New 5-subject requirement (one fewer subject). Bonus points cap reduced to 3 (except LEP students: 5). Focus shifts to holistic development and 21st Century Competencies.
🔍 Understanding Current L1R5 Requirements
Under the current L1R5 aggregate score computation, students must include the following subjects:
First Language (L1)
Choose ONE:
Relevant Subjects (R5)
Total of 5 subjects with specific requirements:
Must comprise two Math/Science subjects and one Humanities subject, OR two Humanities subjects and one Math/Science subject.
- • Elementary Mathematics
- • Additional Mathematics
- • Physics, Chemistry, Biology
- • Combined Science
- • History, Geography
- • Literature in English
- • Combined Humanities
- • Social Studies
Any two subjects with the best grades (can be from any group, excluding subjects already counted in Part 1).
🆕 New L1R4 Requirements (2028 Onwards)
Under the new L1R4 system (2028 JAE onwards), students will include:
First Language (L1)
Choose ONE:
Relevant Subjects (R4)
Total of 4 subjects with structured requirements:
- • History, Geography
- • Literature in English
- • Combined Humanities
- • Social Studies
- • Elementary Mathematics
- • Additional Mathematics
- • Physics, Chemistry, Biology
- • Combined Science
Choose your best-scoring subject from any of the three groups above. This is your strategic choice!
Your absolute best grade from any remaining subject (excluding subjects already counted in L1, R1, R2, R3).
📊 L1R5 vs L1R4: Complete Comparison
| Component | Subject | [Current] L1R5 (Until 2027) | [New] L1R4 (From 2028) |
|---|---|---|---|
| L1 | English or Higher Mother Tongue Language | ||
| R1 | Any 1 best-scoring subject from Humanities | ||
| R2 | Any 1 best-scoring subject from Mathematics or Science | ||
| R3 | Any 1 best-scoring subject from Humanities, Mathematics or Science | ||
| R4 | Any 1 best-scoring subject | ||
| R5 | Any 1 best-scoring subject | — | |
| Qualifying Threshold for JC Eligibility | 20 | 16 4 points lower | |
Good News for Students!
MOE has confirmed that the proportion of students eligible for JC admission is expected to remain similar. This change is about reducing academic load, NOT making it harder to enter JC! 🎉
Why This Change Benefits Students: The Real Impact
This isn't just about reducing one subject—it's about freeing up time for holistic development and giving students space to develop 21st Century Competencies (21CC) beyond academics.
The Context: Why Now?
Since L1R5 was introduced in 1989, Singapore's education landscape has evolved dramatically:
- 📈A-Level pass rates improved 30% (65% in 1990 → 95% in 2023)
- 📚Students offering 8+ subjects doubled (15% in 1997 → 30% in 2023)
- ⏰Academic pressure increased as students took more subjects than required to stay competitive
The L1R4 change recognizes that students no longer need to take 6 subjects to demonstrate JC readiness. Five well-chosen subjects—while maintaining balance across Math/Science and Humanities—are sufficient.
Strategic Subject Selection
Under L1R4, students can focus on their strongest subjects instead of spreading effort across 6 subjects. This means:
- Deeper mastery of chosen subjects rather than surface-level coverage of more subjects
- Better grades in the subjects that count, leading to potentially lower (more competitive) aggregate scores
- More strategic planning — students can align subject choices with future A-Level subject combinations
Bonus Points Optimization: LEP Students Gain an Edge
While standard bonus points are capped at 3 points, students in the Language Elective Programme (Chinese, Malay, Tamil LEP) can receive up to 5 bonus points.
💡 Strategic Advantage Example:
An LEP student with raw L1R4 of 18 can reduce their aggregate to 13 (18 - 5 bonus = 13), giving them a significant competitive advantage in the JAE. This is especially valuable for highly competitive JCs.
Note: The exact breakdown of how the 5 LEP bonus points are allocated (CCA, affiliation, LEP) has not been detailed by MOE yet. Check MOE's official page for updates.
The Real Benefit: Time for What Truly Matters
By reducing academic load by one subject, students gain significant time for:
- 🤖21st Century Competencies: Coding, robotics, design thinking, entrepreneurship
- 🎨Deep CCA involvement: Leadership roles, competitions, portfolios for university applications
- 🧘Mental wellness: Reduced stress, better work-life balance, family time
- 🔬Passion projects: Research, community service, internships that build real-world skills
This aligns with MOE's broader vision of holistic education where academic excellence is balanced with character development, creativity, and real-world readiness.
🎯 The Bottom Line
L1R4 isn't about making JC admission harder—it's about making students' lives better. Fewer subjects means better focus, deeper learning, and more time to develop into well-rounded individuals ready for the challenges of the 21st century. 💪
🧭 How to Build Your L1R4 Score (2028 Onwards)
Choose L1 (First Language)
Select R4 (4 Relevant Subjects)
⚠️ Critical Requirement: Subject Balance
Your 4 relevant subjects MUST span across:
Mathematics/Science Group
At least 1 subject (e.g., E-Math, A-Math, Physics, Chemistry, Biology)
Humanities Group
At least 1 subject (e.g., History, Geography, Literature, Social Studies)
Calculate Aggregate Score
Add up the grades from all 5 subjects (L1 + R4).
L1R4 Score = (L1 grade) + (R4 subject 1) + (R4 subject 2) + (R4 subject 3) + (R4 subject 4)
Target: ≤ 16 points (raw score) for JC eligibility
Apply Bonus Points
Deduct bonus points from your raw L1R4 score (max 3 points, or 5 for LEP students):
- 🏆CCA: Up to 2 points max
- 🏫Affiliation: Varies by JC
- 🌐LEP Students: Up to 5 points total (special allocation for Language Elective Programme)
Final Score Example: Raw L1R4 = 18, CCA bonus = 2, Affiliation = 1 → Final Score = 15 (18 - 2 - 1 = 15) ✅ JC Eligible!
Final Score ≤ 16? You're JC Eligible!
Proceed to Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) to select your JC choices
📈 What Changes, What Stays?
CHANGES
- 📉
Subjects Required
6 → 5 subjects (-1 subject)
- 📊
Score Threshold
20 → 16 points (-4 points)
- 🎁
Bonus Points Cap
4 → 3 points (-1 point, except LEP: 5)
NO CHANGE
- ✅
Subject Balance Requirement
Still need 3 subjects from Math/Science AND Humanities
- ✅
Proportion of JC-Eligible Students
Expected to remain similar (MOE official statement)
- ✅
A-Level Curriculum & Graduation Requirements
No changes to JC curriculum or graduation criteria
👥 Who Benefits? Three Student Scenarios
The Focused Student
Current (L1R5)
Takes 8 subjects, feels stressed and time-stretched across too many areas
Impact (L1R4)
Can drop 1-2 non-essential subjects, focus on strengths
Benefit
More time for 21CC development (robotics, coding, CCAs). Better work-life balance.
The LEP Scholar
Current (L1R5)
4 bonus points cap (same as all students)
Impact (L1R4)
New 5-point cap for Language Elective Programme students
Benefit
Stronger competitive edge in highly competitive JCs. LEP commitment pays off with higher bonus allocation.
The Balanced Achiever
Current (L1R5)
Meets L1R5 ≤ 20 comfortably with balanced subject portfolio
Impact (L1R4)
Must meet stricter L1R4 ≤ 16, but with one fewer subject
⚖️ Benefit
Same JC eligibility, but reduced subject pressure. Can maintain balance with less academic load.
⏰ Who Is Affected? Transition Timeline
Quick FAQ
❓I'm taking O-Levels in 2025 or 2026. Does this affect me?
No. You will use the current L1R5 ≤ 20 criteria. The L1R4 system starts with the 2028 JAE (for students taking O-Levels in 2027).
❓My child is currently in Primary 5 (2025). Will they be affected?
Yes. Primary 5 students in 2025 will take O-Levels in 2031, well after the 2028 implementation. They will use L1R4.
❓Can students still take 8+ subjects if they want to?
Likely yes, but only 5 subjects (L1 + R4) will count toward JC admission. MOE's announcement says students "may offer one fewer subject," implying it's a choice, not a restriction. However, official confirmation is pending—check MOE's official page for updates.
❓Will Polytechnic admissions change too?
Not mentioned in this announcement. The press release focuses on JC admissions only. Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) and Direct Polytechnic Admissions (DPA) criteria are separate and have not been announced to change.
Stay Updated
For the latest details on subject categorization (Math/Science vs Humanities), exact bonus point breakdown, and transition arrangements, visit MOE's Official Announcement
🔧 Plan Ahead with SGSchoolKaki Tools
Coming Soon: L1R4 Calculator
Our O-Level calculator will be updated in 2028 to support the new L1R4 criteria. In the meantime, explore our current tools:
💙 Final Thoughts from SGSchoolKaki
Hey Parents & Students! 👋
This change is a positive step forward for Singapore's education system. It recognizes that less can be more—fewer subjects doesn't mean lower standards, it means smarter learning. ✨
Students will have more time and energy to dive deep into subjects they're passionate about, develop 21st Century Competencies, and grow as well-rounded individuals. This is the future of education! 💪
For current Secondary 3 students (2025):
- 📚You're not affected by L1R4 (you'll use L1R5 ≤ 20)
- 🎯Focus on your current O-Level subjects and CCA involvement
- 💡Use our Secondary School Rankings to understand current JC COPs
For younger students (Pri 5 and below in 2025):
- 🌱You'll benefit from L1R4 when you reach O-Levels
- ⚽Invest time now in CCAs, passion projects, and holistic development—these will matter more than ever!
- 🔬Explore 21st Century Competencies: coding, design thinking, robotics, entrepreneurship
The future is bright! 🎓✨
P.S. Bookmark this page and share it with friends! We'll update it as MOE releases more details closer to 2028. 💙
Embrace the Change, Trust the Process!
L1R4 represents a new chapter in Singapore's education journey—one that prioritizes holistic growth alongside academic excellence. 💙
We hope this guide helps you understand the changes with clarity and confidence. Stay curious, stay resilient, and remember— your potential is limitless! 🚀