Q My son will be receiving his O-level results today. Can I know how posting is done for those applying to the junior colleges and polytechnics? How many choices are students allowed? What happens if a student does not get any of his choices?
A To enter a junior college (JC), a student's L1R5 score - based on O-level results for English and five relevant subjects - must not exceed 20 points. To enter a polytechnic, a student needs a total score - based on the O-level results for English, two relevant and two best subjects - which does not exceed 26 points.
But if more high-performing students apply for a certain course, with a certain planned intake, the cut-off point is likely to be lower.
Applicants are posted to a course according to their net aggregate scores, which take into account the various bonus points for which the applicants are eligible.
Applicants with better net aggregate scores (except those applying for nursing courses at Nanyang and Ngee Ann Polytechnic) will be considered for admission first, subject to the availability of vacancies. If there are no vacancies, then the applicant will be considered for his next choice of course.
Where there are two or more applicants with the same net aggregate score vying for the last place in a course, then Singapore citizens will be given priority, followed by Singapore permanent residents, then international students.
If there is still a tie, say between two Singapore citizens, the one with the better gross aggregate score will be posted to the course first. If there is still a tie between two citizens with the same gross aggregate scores, posting to the course will be determined by a computerised ballot.
Those who apply for the nursing courses as their first choice will be given priority consideration as long as they meet the minimum entry requirement for the course, which includes a minimum D7 for English and C6 for Mathematics and another science subject.
If your son is unsuccessful in getting a place in any of his registered choices, he will be posted to an institution as follows:
- To a JC course with vacancies, if he has indicated a JC course as his first choice. This is subject to his meeting the net L1R5 aggregate of the lowest ranked students who were admitted to the JC course.
- To a Millennia Institute (MI) course with vacancies, if he had chosen an MI course as his first choice.
- To a polytechnic course with vacancies, if he had indicated a poly course as his first choice. This is subject to his meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course.
- Those who had indicated a Higher Nitec course as their first choice will be given a place in a higher Nitec course with vacancies. Again, he or she must meet the course's minimum entry requirement.
If an applicant changes his mind, he may apply for a transfer to another course or institution only after the release of the posting results.
They will be evaluated on a case- by-case basis by the institution they have approached, and a place may be granted only when compelling reasons are presented and vacancies are available.
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