70RP vs 90RP — What the New A-Level University Admission Score Means for IP Students

TL;DR
Three H2s + General Paper will decide \(\approx 86 % (60 / 70)\) of your admission score from 2026;
Project Work becomes pass / fail; a fourth content subject only helps if it raises your total.
For IP students aiming at Engineering, Computing or Physics, that magnifies the weight of H2. Mathematics and H2 Physics — strategic tuition and WA timing matter more than ever.

1 Snapshot — old 90RP vs new 70RP

2 How the 70RP is calculated

Each H2 grade is still worth 20 rank points and H1 General Paper is worth 10.

Let \(H_1, H_2, H_3\) be the three best H2 grades (after conversion to rank points) and \(GP\) the GP rank points.

The University Admission Score (UAS) becomes the simple sum

\[ \text{UAS}_{70}=H_1 + H_2 + H_3 + GP. \tag{1} \]

If a candidate presents a fourth content subject (H2 or H1), its rank points \(H_4\) are added only if

\[ H_4 > \min(H_1,H_2,H_3) , \]

replacing the lowest of the three.

Otherwise Equation (1) stands.

Project Work now appears only on the certificate as Pass / Fail, so its previous \(\text{PW} = 10\) in the 90RP formula is removed.

3 Why IP Maths & Physics students must recalibrate

3.1 Harder to get A-grade

Under the 90RP scheme an A in H2 Maths contributed \(22 \%\) of the cap score; in 70RP it jumps to 28.6 %.

Missing one content A is now harder to offset with strong GP or PW performance.

3.2 Subject-combination strategy

• STEM hopefuls should anchor three H2s that the admissions algorithm always counts:
  H2 Maths, H2 Physics and a companion (H2 Chem or H2 Further Maths).
  A fourth H1 (e.g. Economics) becomes a buffer rather than a staple.
• Hybrid combinations such as Maths-Physics-Econs retain breadth, but the Math and Physics tuition clocks must adjust — each slip directly cuts UAS.

3.3 Integrated Programme pacing

IP schools already teach H2 concepts in Year 4.

Tuition calendars should now front-load Term 1 WA drills on calculus (Maths) and uncertainty spreadsheets (Physics), because those two H2s command \(\approx 60 \%\) of the new score.

4 Tuition & WA timing hacks

1. Map every WA to UAS weight. A Term 1 H2 Math 20-mark quiz now forecasts \(\tfrac{20}{70}=29\%\) of final leverage — treat it like a mini-UAS.
2. Upgrade PW prep to pass/fail mode. Swap 12-page reports for concise spreadsheet dashboards; aim to clear PW early and refocus on H2s.
3. Use LINEST for Physics labs. A 4 % gradient error can translate into a full grade step; the 70RP leaves less headroom to absorb that loss.

See our Measurement & Uncertainty guide.

5 Worked examples

5.1 Old vs new tally for a Math-Physics student

The same slip from A→B in H2 Chem hurts more:
\(\Delta_{\text{UAS}} = 2.5\) under 70RP vs 2.5 under 90RP,
but the percentage hit is \( \tfrac{2.5}{70}=3.6\%\) vs \( \tfrac{2.5}{90}=2.8\%\).

5.2 Fourth subject rescue

A strategically chosen lighter H1 can therefore still hedge a heavy H2 risk.

If the student adds H2 Further Mathematics and scores an A (20 RP), it replaces the 17.5 RP in H2 Chemistry, boosting UAS_{70} to

\[ 20 + 20 + 20 + 8.75 = 68.75 \text{RP}. \]

Only a higher-scoring fourth subject can hedge a weaker H2; a 10 RP H1 is insufficient.

6 FAQ

Does every JC adopt 70RP in 2026?
Yes. The first affected cohort is currently in Sec 4 (IPY4); they will sit the new scheme as JC2 in 2028.

Is Project Work now unimportant?
It still must be passed for an A-Level cert. Failing PW nullifies the UAS entirely.

Will university course COPs fall by exactly 20 points?
Likely proportional adjustments, but MOE says universities will publish indicative grade profiles after observing 2028 data.

7 Further reading

• Release of 2024 Singapore-Cambridge GCE A-Level Examination Results on 21 February 2025
• A-Level scoring to change from 2026 to reduce emphasis on grades, give students room to pursue passions
• New L1R4 system for JC entry