JC cut-off points & subject requirements (Raffles Institution)

This entry applies to Secondary 4 Joint Admissions Entry (JAE) students from MOE-registered schools. It outlines the academic requirements for students aiming to enter Raffles Institution (RI).

The Raffles Institution crest.

General admissions

Raffles Institution L1R5 (2020)

The table shows the net aggregate GCE O-level cut-off points of students admitted in AY2019. This should be used as a reference for the cut-off points for AY2020.

Arts Stream Science Stream
Course Code 28A 28S
L1R5 Cut-off Points 6 5

Academic units

Raffles Institution requires students to fulfil at least 10 Academic Units.

Subject Level
H1 H2 H3
Academic Units 1 2 1
No. of compulsory subjects 3 (General Paper, Project Work & Mother Tongue) 3 (min.) -

Students who scored a minimum D7 grade for Higher Mother Tongue will be automatically accredited 1 Academic Unit for Mother Tongue without having to take the subject.

Case Study 1

The Academic Unit make-up of a 4 H2 Science stream student in RI.

H2 Biology H2 Chemistry H2 Econs H2 Maths H1 GP H1 PW H1 MT Total
Academic Units 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 11 Academic Units

Case Study 2

The Academic Unit make-up of a 3 H2, 1 H1 Arts Stream student in RI.

H2 History H2 Econs H2 Literature H1 Maths H1 GP H1 PW H1 MT Total
Academic Units 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 10 Academic Units

Subject requirements

H2 Main Subjects

The table shows the minimum grade needed to qualify for the following H2 subjects.

Physics Chemistry Biology Maths Further Maths
O level Grade B3 B3 B3 B3 A1
Subject(s) Physics Chemistry Biology A Maths E Maths & A Maths

There are no minimum grade qualifications for the following H2 subjects.

  • Economics
  • History
  • Geography
  • Literature

Students who do not meet the minimum grade requirements may take a placement test to qualify for the H2 subject.

H2 Language Electives

RI offers the following languages as H2 subjects under the Language Elective Programme (LEP). The table shows the minimum grade needed to qualify for each language elective.

English Language & Linguistics (LEP) Malay Language & Literature (LEP) French, German, Japanese, Spanish
O level Grade A A2 B3 or B4 B3 B3
Subject(s) English Language Malay Higher Malay Malay Literature French, German, Japanese, Spanish
Special cases - - Students who scored a B4 in Higher Malay will be considered if they scored a B3 in Malay Literature -

H2 KI, Music & Art

Students are required to sit for a placement test and/or audition if they are interested to take on the following subjects.

  • Knowledge & Inquiry (KI)
  • Music. RI offers the Music Elective Programme (MEP) for students interested in studying music at the pre-university level. Students can take the subject at the H2 or H3 level.
  • Art (requires a portfolio)

These subjects require the following minimum grades.

KI Music (MEP) Art
O level Grade A1 Grade 5 Grade 6 -
Subject(s) Any 6 subjects in O Levels

(including English Language)

Practical (ABRSM) Music Theory -

H3 Subjects

For students interested in taking H3 level subjects in Year 6, they must have scored good overall academic results in Year 5 to be considered.

Special programmes & scholarships

The following programmes and scholarships are offered to Singaporean Citizens admitted into Raffles Institution. Students have to meet the following prerequisites to qualify.

Humanities Scholarship & Programme (HSP) Regional Studies Programme (RSP) Music Elective Programme (MEP)
O level Grade B3 B3 Pass
Subject(s) English Language Malay Special Programme or Bahasa Indonesia Music
Additional Requirements Good CCA record Candidates have to be non-Malay students Pass written placement test
Good conduct record Pass practical audition

Humanities Scholarship & Programme (HSP)

RI offers the HSP to students who have a deep interest in studying humanities at the pre-university level.

The HSP is also offered at Anglo-Chinese JC, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), Eunoia JC, Hwa Chong Institution, National JC, Temasek JC, Victoria JC.

Regional Studies Programme (RSP)

RI offers the RSP to non-Malay students who have the interest to engage in the region. RSP students must study the following upon successful applications:

  • H2 History
  • Advanced Conversational Malay (30 hours) or Bahasa Indonesia

The RSP is also offered at Victoria Junior College and Anglo-Chinese School (Independent). More information regarding the programme’s scholarship subsidy can be found on the MOE website.

External links