Poly Cut-Off Points 2026: ELR2B2 and Complete COP List

Every January, Secondary 4 and 5 students across Singapore open their O-Level results and ask the same question: which polytechnic course can I get into? 

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Two numbers answer it: 

• Your ELR2B2 net aggregate.
• The cut-off point of the course you want. 

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This guide walks through how ELR2B2 works, sets out the 2026 cut-off points for all five polytechnics, and explains what changes from 2028.

2026 Poly Cut-Off Points for All 5 Polytechnics

The tables below show the 2026 JAE cut-off points for each polytechnic, ranked from most to least competitive. Read them as a guide rather than a guarantee. MOE notes that the previous year's scores serve as a reference only, because each year's actual cut-offs depend on the choices and grades of that year's applicants.

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Explaining the 2026 poly cut-off points

Cut-off points move each year because they follow demand. When more students with strong aggregates pick the same course, the cut-off tightens. When applications spread out, it eases. Cohort size, new course launches, and shifts in industry interest all feed into the picture.

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Two points help you read the numbers sensibly:

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• First, a course that tightened in 2026 may settle again in 2027, so avoid drawing a trend from a single year. 
• Second, if you are sitting your O-Levels this year, you will apply through the 2027 JAE, the 2026 figures show you where the bar sat most recently, not where it will land. Many students aim one or two points below a published cut-off to give themselves room.

What is ELR2B2 and how do you calculate it?

ELR2B2 stands for English Language, 2 Relevant subjects and 2 Best subjects. MOE sets the formula:

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Net ELR2B2 aggregate = English Language (EL) + 2 Relevant Subjects (R1, R2) + 2 Best Subjects (B1, B2) − CCA bonus points

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Five subjects make up the score. Stronger grades carry fewer points, so a lower total puts you in a better position. Before bonus points, the strongest possible aggregate is 5.

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Each diploma course uses one of four aggregate types: ELR2B2-A, ELR2B2-B, ELR2B2-C or ELR2B2-D. The type decides which of your subjects count as the two relevant subjects. An engineering course draws on different subjects from a business course, so check the aggregate type for the course you want before you work out your score.

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Two rules govern Mother Tongue. You cannot use both Higher Mother Tongue and Mother Tongue of the same language in one aggregate; if Higher Chinese fills your B1 slot, Chinese cannot fill B2. "Merit" and "Pass" grades from the Mother Tongue 'B' syllabus also do not count towards the aggregate.

Bonus points for polytechnic admission

CCA is the only bonus that applies to polytechnic admission. MOE subtracts these points from your gross aggregate:

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This is where the two post-secondary pathways differ. Higher Mother Tongue earns bonus points towards junior college admission, but polytechnic admission counts CCA alone.

What changes will be made for polytechnic admission from 2028?

MOE has confirmed changes that take effect from the 2028 Posting Exercise for Secondary School Students. Two matters most:

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• The eligibility ceiling drops. From 2028, your ELR2B2 net aggregate must not exceed 22, down from 26. For the Diploma in Nursing, the ELR2B2-C ceiling moves to 24.
• The way MOE computes your second best subject also changes. English, both relevant subjects and your first best subject (B1) will use the G3 subject grade, while your second best subject (B2) will use the G2 equivalent grade. MOE maps grades across levels as follows:

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Grade 9 at G3 and grades 5 and 6 at G2 cannot go into the aggregate. If you offer two G3 subjects for B1 and B2, MOE uses the better grade for B1 and maps the other to its G2 equivalent for B2. Students in the current Secondary cohorts should revisit MOE CourseFinder in mid-2027, when it updates with course information for 2028 admission.

How to calculate your O-Level score

Work out which subjects count as your relevant subjects under the aggregate type for your chosen course, add English and your two best remaining subjects, then subtract your CCA bonus. If you are still deciding between pathways, our guide to the O-Level grading system explains how each grade converts to points.

Poly or JC, which pathway fits you?

Polytechnic suits students who want hands-on, practice-based learning and a clear route into a specific industry. Junior college suits students who prefer an academic route towards university. Neither closes doors; they simply take different paths.

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The scoring differs too. Polytechnic admission uses ELR2B2, while junior college admission uses L1R5. If you are weighing both, compare the current JC cut-off points against the poly cut-offs above.

FAQ - Singapore Polytechnic Courses Cut-Off Points

What is a good ELR2B2 score for poly? 

It depends on the course. Any net aggregate of 26 or below makes you eligible to apply, but competitive courses admit students well below that. Compare your score against the cut-off of the specific course you want.

Do cut-off points change every year? 

Yes. Cut-offs follow the choices and grades of each year's applicants, so they shift from one JAE to the next.

What is the difference between COP and minimum entry requirements? 

The minimum entry requirements (MER) set the subject grades you must hold to qualify for a course. The cut-off point reflects how competitive that course turned out to be. You need to meet both.

Can I still get in with a higher aggregate?

Possibly. Cut-offs move each year, and listing a realistic mix of choices on your JAE form gives you more ways in.

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