Generally, to apply for a Singapore high school through the O-Level examination, students need to score at least C6 in English and have a total score below 15 in the comprehensive exam. The O-Level exam in Singapore is conducted entirely in English and is relatively challenging. It is advisable for students to participate in O-Level exam preparatory classes.

O-Level Exam Grading in Singapore

The O-Level exam in Singapore is graded on a 9-point scale, including A1, A2, B3, B4, C5, C6, D7, D8, and E9. A1 is the highest score (1 point), and E9 is the lowest score (9 points). Overall, a lower total score is preferred. Students applying to government high schools in Singapore should aim for a C6 or below in English and a total score of 15 or below to have the chance of admission to a Singapore Junior College, leading to entry into a government university after two years of study.

Difficulty of the Singapore O-Level Exam

The Singapore O-Level exam is held once a year and is comparable in difficulty to domestic middle school exams. While Chinese-educated students may have an advantage in Chinese language proficiency, the exam is conducted entirely in English. Therefore, it is crucial for students to focus on English language studies, increasing their chances of successfully passing the exam. It is recommended for international students to participate in preparatory classes in Singapore well in advance of the exam.