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No. 01 · After PSLE · Parent walkthrough

Secondary school posting.

No. 02 · Quick answer

Singapore secondary school posting works on the AL score from PSLE: each subject is graded AL1 to AL8, summed across four subjects to AL4 (best) through AL30. Families submit a list of up to 6 schools in preference order. MOE runs the posting algorithm in late December, around three weeks after PSLE results. Appeals open for two weeks after.

Reviewed by the Geniebook curriculum teamSource: MOE Schools

No. 03 · The posting timeline

  1. Late November

    PSLE results released

    Each subject graded on AL1 to AL8. Total AL score is the sum of four subjects.

  2. Within 1 week of results

    Submit the choice list

    Up to 6 secondary schools in order of preference. The order matters, the algorithm tries choice 1 first.

  3. Late December

    Posting results

    MOE announces postings on the MOE Schools website. Letters arrive at primary schools.

  4. Within 2 weeks of posting

    Appeal window (optional)

    Appeals go directly to the receiving secondary school, with documented circumstances.

  5. January

    Sec 1 starts

    Orientation, then a light academic week. Higher Mother Tongue begins for selected students.

Source: Ministry of Education Singapore, MOE Schools posting cycle.

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No. 04 · Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions

How does Singapore secondary school posting work?
After PSLE results, every student gets an Achievement Level (AL) score from 4 (highest) to 30 (lowest). Families submit a school choice list of up to 6 secondary schools. The Ministry of Education (MOE) then runs the posting algorithm: students are placed into the first school on their list where they meet the cut-off, in order of AL score, with computer balloting for ties.
What is the AL score for PSLE?
Each PSLE subject is graded on Achievement Levels AL1 (highest) to AL8. The four subject grades are summed to a total score: AL4 (best, all AL1s) to AL30 (lowest). The AL score is what secondary schools use as the cut-off for entry. Lower number is better.
How many schools can my child list?
Up to 6 secondary schools, in order of preference. The order matters: the algorithm tries to place the student into choice 1 first, then choice 2 if not, and so on. List schools the family genuinely wants, do not pad with schools the student does not want to attend.
When does the posting happen?
Posting results are released by MOE in late December, usually around three weeks after PSLE results. The exact date varies by year. Posting is announced through the MOE Schools website and through the student's primary school.
Can we appeal the posting?
Yes, MOE runs an appeal window of around two weeks after posting. Appeals are made directly to the secondary school the family wants to transfer into, and the receiving school decides. Strong appeals usually involve documented circumstances (relocation, medical, sibling at the school).
What should my child do between posting and Sec 1?
Most families take the first two weeks fully off. Then, in January, a light reset: read English fiction, brush up Math (algebra basics, the move from arithmetic), and start Higher Mother Tongue if applicable. Avoid heavy tuition, the Sec 1 syllabus is designed to start fresh for everyone.
How does GenieOne help in the Sec 1 transition?
GenieOne covers Math, Science, English and Mother Tongue from Primary 1 through Junior College 2, so the same tutor cast follows the student into Sec 1. Mr Xavier Yue (Math, P3 to S2) is a useful tutor through the transition. Free to try at genie1.ai.