Q: What does 70RP vs 90RP: What the New A-Level University Admission Score Means for IP Students cover? A: From AY2026 admissions the maximum University Admission Score (UAS) used by universities falls from 90 to 70 points.
TL;DR Three H2s + General Paper will decide ≈86%(60/70) of your admission score from AY2026 admissions; 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
Feature
Current cohort (max 90RP)
AY2026 admissions onward (max 70 UAS)
Content subjects counted
Best 4 (at least 1 H1)
Best 3 H2 (fourth only if beneficial)
General Paper
10 pts
10 pts (unchanged)
Project Work
10 pts
Pass / fail, no points
Max score
\(3 \times 20 + 10 + 10 + 10 = 90\)
\(3 \times 20 + 10 = 70\)
Weight of each H2 A
\( \tfrac{20}{90}=22.2\%\)
\( \tfrac{20}{70}\approx28.6\%\)
Implementation year
JC1 2006 cohort
AY2026 admissions (first affected: A-Levels 2025)
2 How the 70RP is calculated
Each H2 grade is still worth 20 rank points and H1 General Paper is worth 10.
Let H1,H2,H3 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
UAS70=H1+H2+H3+GP.(1)
If a candidate presents a fourth content subject (H2 or H1), its rank points H4 are added only if
H4>min(H1,H2,H3),
replacing the lowest of the three.
Otherwise Equation (1) stands.
Project Work now appears only on the certificate as Pass / Fail, so its previous 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 ≈60% of the new score.
4 Tuition & WA timing hacks
Map every WA to UAS weight. A Term 1 H2 Math 20-mark quiz now forecasts 7020=29% of final leverage - treat it like a mini-UAS.
Upgrade PW prep to pass/fail mode. Swap 12-page reports for concise spreadsheet dashboards; aim to clear PW early and refocus on H2s.
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.
The same slip from A→B in H2 Chem hurts more: ΔUAS=2.5 under 70RP vs 2.5 under 90RP, but the percentage hit is 702.5=3.6% vs 902.5=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=68.75RP.
Only a higher-scoring fourth subject can hedge a weaker H2; a 10 RP H1 is insufficient.
6 FAQ
When does the 70-point UAS apply? From AY2026 admissions onwards. The first affected cohort is those sitting A-Levels in 2025 (i.e. JC1 in 2024).
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.
