Singapore Grade Converter
Convert Between O-Level, A-Level, University CAP, Polytechnic & International Systems
🇸🇬 Interactive Grade Converter
Convert O-Level grades to points and international equivalents
📚 Understanding Singapore Grading Systems
📖 O-Level (GCE O)
Grades: A1 (75-100%) to F9 (below 20%)
Points: A1=1, A2=2, B3=3... F9=9 (lower is better)
Used for: Secondary school certification, JC/Poly admission
🎓 A-Level (GCE A)
System: Rank Points (RP), max 90 points
Grades: A, B, C, D, E, S, U per subject
Used for: University admission to local universities
🏛️ University CAP
Scale: 0.0 to 5.0 (NUS/NTU/SMU)
Grades: A+/A/A-/B+/B/B-/C+/C/D+/D/F
Calculation: Credit-weighted average of modules
🏫 Polytechnic GPA
Scale: 0.0 to 4.0 (SP/NP/TP/NYP/RP)
Grades: A/B+/B/C+/C/D/F
Used for: University admission, employment
Singapore Education Pathway:
- Primary School: PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination) → Secondary School
- Secondary School: O-Levels → Junior College (JC) or Polytechnic
- Junior College: A-Levels → University (NUS/NTU/SMU/SUTD/SIT/SUSS)
- Polytechnic: Diploma (3 years) → University or Employment
- University: Bachelor's Degree (3-4 years) with CAP grading
📊 Complete Grade Conversion Tables
⚠️ Important: These are standard conversion tables. Individual institutions may have specific conversion methodologies. Always verify with the target institution.
O-Level Grade Conversion
A-Level Rank Points to University CAP Expectation
Singapore to International Grade Conversion
💡 Essential Singapore Grading Facts
Critical Information for Students:
📌 L1R5 and L1R4 for O-Levels:
L1R5 (Language 1 + 5 Relevant subjects) is used for JC admission, while L1R4 is for Polytechnic admission. Lower aggregate scores are better. For top JCs, L1R5 of 6-8 is typically required. For popular poly courses, L1R4 of 5-10 is competitive.
📌 A-Level Grade A is NOT Perfect:
Unlike many systems, Singapore A-Level grade 'A' (20 rank points for H2) does not mean perfect score. You can score 70-75% and still get an A. Grade 'A' represents strong mastery. This differs from O-Level where A1 requires 75%+ and A2 requires 70-74%.
📌 University CAP Calculation:
Singapore universities calculate CAP using the formula: CAP = Σ(Grade Point × MCs) ÷ Σ(MCs). Each module's contribution depends on its Module Credits (MCs). A 4-MC module with grade B+ (4.0) contributes 16.0 points. Higher MC modules have greater impact on overall CAP.
📌 Direct School Admission (DSA):
Students with exceptional talents in sports, arts, or leadership can enter JCs, polytechnics, or universities through DSA, bypassing standard grade requirements. However, minimum academic thresholds still apply. DSA offers alternative pathways beyond pure academic grades.
📌 Grade Moderation and Bell Curve:
Singapore national exams use grade moderation to ensure consistent standards across years. While often called "bell curve," it's actually a standards-referenced system. This means your final grade depends on both your absolute performance and relative performance compared to the cohort.
📌 Polytechnic vs JC Pathways:
Both lead to university but differ significantly. JC route (2 years + 3-4 years uni) is more academic and theoretical. Poly route (3 years + 2-3 years uni) is practical with diplomas valued by employers. About 25% of poly graduates continue to university, compared to 90%+ from JC.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How do I convert my O-Level grades to GPA?
O-Levels don't directly convert to GPA since they're subject-specific grades (A1-F9). For international applications, use this rough guide: A1-A2 = 4.0 GPA, B3-B4 = 3.0-3.5 GPA, C5-C6 = 2.5-3.0 GPA. However, most international universities understand O-Level grades directly and don't require conversion. Submit your actual grades.
What's a good L1R5 score for top JCs?
Top JCs like Raffles Institution, Hwa Chong, National JC require L1R5 of 4-7 (raw, before bonus points). With bonus points (CCA, Higher Mother Tongue), net scores of 6-9 are typical. For good JCs like Victoria, Temasek, Anderson, L1R5 of 8-12 is competitive. Remember: lower is better in O-Level scoring.
Can I get into NUS/NTU with polytechnic diploma?
Yes! About 25% of NUS/NTU undergraduates are from polytechnics. You typically need GPA 3.5+ to be competitive for popular courses, and 3.8-4.0 for highly competitive programs like Computer Science, Business, or Engineering at NUS/NTU. Relevant poly diploma to university major helps. Some courses grant module exemptions, shortening degree duration.
How do Singapore grades compare to IB scores?
A-Level 85-90 RP roughly equals IB 42-45 points. A-Level 75-84 RP equals IB 38-41 points. University CAP 4.5-5.0 equals IB 40-45. For O-Levels, straight A1s (6 points for L1R5) is comparable to IB MYP score of 55+/56. IB is generally seen as slightly more holistic with extended essay and CAS requirements.
Do universities abroad recognize Singapore qualifications?
Yes, very well. Singapore O-Levels and A-Levels are Cambridge qualifications recognized globally. UK universities understand them perfectly. US universities recognize them but may require SAT/ACT. Australian universities accept A-Levels for direct entry. NUS, NTU, SMU degrees are internationally recognized and ranked in global top 50-100. Many employers worldwide actively recruit Singapore university graduates.
What CAP do I need for First Class Honours?
Minimum CAP 4.50 out of 5.00 for First Class Honours at NUS, NTU, SMU. Only 10-20% of graduates achieve this. CAP 4.00-4.49 gets Second Class Upper, 3.50-3.99 gets Second Lower, 3.00-3.49 gets Third Class. First Class significantly improves career and graduate school prospects. For scholarships and top employers, CAP 4.5+ is often preferred.
⚠️ Important Disclaimer
Grade conversions provided here are approximations based on standard equivalency tables. These should be used for informational and planning purposes only.
Different institutions may have their own conversion methodologies:
- International universities may evaluate Singapore grades differently
- O-Level and A-Level grade boundaries vary slightly by subject and year
- University CAP calculations may differ by faculty and institution
- Polytechnic GPA grading varies between institutions
- Professional credential evaluation services (WES, ECE) may produce different results
Always submit official transcripts and allow institutions to evaluate your qualifications using their established methods. Contact specific schools or official evaluation services for authoritative conversions.
👨🏫 About the Author
Adam Kumar
Co-Founder @ RevisionTown
Adam is a mathematics education expert with extensive experience across multiple international curricula including IB (International Baccalaureate), AP (Advanced Placement), GCSE, IGCSE, A-Levels, and Asian education systems including Singapore O-Levels, A-Levels, and university CAP systems.
Through RevisionTown, Adam has helped thousands of students across Singapore navigate their educational pathways—from PSLE to O-Levels, A-Levels, polytechnic diplomas, and university degrees. His deep understanding of Singapore's unique education system enables him to provide accurate grade conversions and practical guidance for students pursuing local and international education.
Adam's comprehensive knowledge of how Singapore qualifications are evaluated internationally, combined with expertise across multiple curricula, helps students effectively present their achievements for university admissions, scholarships, and career opportunities both in Singapore and abroad.
📧 Email: info@revisiontown.com
💼 LinkedIn: Connect with Adam