Secondary school students who took the N-level examinations collected their results on Thursday.

Of the 12,419 students from the Normal (Academic) course who took the exams, 99.5 per cent of them passed at least one subject. Of the cohort, 72.8 per cent obtained an aggregate score of not more than 19 points, qualifying them to go on to Secondary 5, where they can take their O-level exams at the end of the year.

Of the 5,510 students from the Normal (Technical) course, 98 per cent passed at least one subject.

The overall results for N(A) and N(T) students were similar to last year's.

N (A) students who have performed well may be eligible for two programmes that will prepare them for direct entry into a polytechnic without having to take O-level exams. The Polytechnic Foundation Programme, which is open to N (A) students with an aggregate score of not more than 11 points, involves taking a year-long course that can give students entry to a polytechnic.

More information is available at www.polytechnic.edu.sg/pfp

N (A) students with an aggregate score of not more than 19 points can apply for the Direct Entry Scheme to Polytechnic programme. This involves a Higher Nitec curriculum at the ITE that can allow students to go straight to the first or second year of a related course in a polytechnic if they achieve the required grades.

Eligible students can submit their application via www.ite. edu.sg/wps/portal/intake.