As the academic year draws to a close, Singapore students eagerly anticipate the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Secondary School Posting Exercise (Sec 1).
This crucial event determines which secondary school students will attend. For both students and parents, the posting exercise can be a nerve-wracking experience.
However, you can navigate this process smoothly with the right information and preparation.
In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about the MOE S1 Posting Exercise in 2023.
What is the MOE Secondary 1 Posting Exercise?
The MOE S1 Posting Exercise is a system used by the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Singapore to allocate secondary school places to Primary 6 students.
This exercise takes place after the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results are released. The primary goal is to ensure that every student has the opportunity to attend a secondary school that suits their academic performance and preferences.
Here are the key components of the S1 Posting Exercise:
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible, a student must:
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- have completed Primary 6 in a mainstream public school
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- be a Singapore citizen or permanent resident
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- taken the PSLE
Submit School Choices
Students and their parents have the chance to choose up to 6 schools, ordered according to preference. These schools can include government and government-aided schools, as well as autonomous, independent and SAP schools.
Allocation Process
The allocation process is based on students’ PSLE scores, with a focus on ensuring that students are placed in secondary schools that align with their academic abilities and preferences.
Each school has its PSLE score cutoff, and students are allocated to their highest-ranked school that has vacancies.
Learn more about the new PSLE scoring system.
That said, if two or more students obtain the same score, priority will be given based on their citizenship status in the following order:
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- Singapore citizens
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- Permanent Residents (PR)
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- International students
Tie-breaker
Tie-breakers are used only if there is more than one student with the same PSLE score vying for the last available place in a school. The order of tie-breakers that will come into effect is as follows:
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- Citizenship
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- Choice order of schools
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- Computerised balloting
However, if multiple students with the same citizenship status and PSLE score apply for the same SAP school, those with better Higher Chinese Language (HCL) grades will be allocated a place ahead of other students. This applies before the tie-breakers.
Posting Results
MOE typically releases the posting results in late December, and students can check their posting results online. This information includes the school they have been allocated to and instructions on the next steps.
Tips for Preparing for the MOE S1 Posting Exercise
Understand Your Options
Research the secondary schools your children are interested in and pay special attention to these areas:
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- academic programs
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- co-curricular activities
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- school culture
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- location
This is a useful framework for you and your child to narrow down the numerous options available when listing preferences on the form.
Check out the best secondary schools in Singapore.
Consult Teachers and Counsellors
Seek guidance and discuss the secondary school options with your child’s primary school teachers and counsellors.
They can provide valuable insights and recommendations based on your child’s academic performance and interests.
Set Realistic Expectations
Of course, everyone hopes to be admitted into the school of their top choice!
That said, it’s essential to be realistic about your child’s PSLE score and consider a range of secondary schools that they would be happy to attend.
Review the PSLE Score Cutoffs
Take note of the PSLE score cutoffs for the schools you have listed and ensure it is well within the range of your child’s PSLE results.
Additionally, this information can help you gauge their chances of getting into a specific school.
Get better insight on cutoff points with our handy guide.
Rank Your Choices Carefully
List your preferred schools in order of priority. Bear in mind to rank them based on your child’s genuine interest and expectations! Ensure you have researched thoroughly and do not rely purely on social media postings or hearsay.
What Happens After the Posting Results Are Released?
Once the MOE releases the posting results, below are the next steps you should follow:
Check Your Posting Results
You can check the posting results:
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- by logging in to the MOE website
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- by short message service (SMS) through a local mobile number
The information will include the secondary schools your child has been posted to.
Acceptance of Posting
If you are happy with the posted school, follow the provided instructions to accept the posting. This usually involves submitting necessary documents to the school.
Appeal Process
If you are not satisfied with your allocated school, you can consider the appeal process. MOE typically provides a window for appeals, during which you can submit your appeal and reasons for reconsideration.
Preparing for Secondary School
Once your child’s posting is confirmed, refer to the posted schools’ websites to prepare your child for the transition.
Look for information such as reporting details, booklist, orientation programs, uniforms, school policies and expectations.
If the students are unable to report to their posted secondary school on the first day due to valid reasons, they should inform their posted secondary school directly for confirmation.
Stay Informed
Keep an eye on updates from MOE regarding school opening dates, uniform distribution, and any other important information.
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