Secondary School Ranking 2023: PSLE AL Cut-Offs & Top Schools

The secondary school ranking 2023 compares Singapore secondary schools mainly through their PSLE Achievement Level (AL) cut-off scores for the 2023 intake. In simple terms, schools with lower AL cut-offs were more competitive for that intake.

One detail can be confusing: the 2023 intake refers to students entering Secondary 1 in 2023, based on the 2022 PSLE cohort. So, this ranking should not be read as a ranking of the 2023 PSLE results themselves.

The PSLE AL score is central to the comparison because the cut-off point shows the score of the last student admitted, while Secondary 1 posting, programme type and factors such as Higher Chinese can also matter for certain schools.

TL;DR: Secondary School Ranking 2023 at a Glance

The secondary school ranking 2023 compares Singapore secondary schools mainly by their PSLE Achievement Level (AL) cut-offs for the 2023 intake. Raffles Girls’ School, Raffles Institution and Methodist Girls’ School recorded an AL 6 cut-off, while Nanyang Girls’ High School, Hwa Chong Institution, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School, ACS Independent and National Junior College were around AL 7. Schools such as Catholic High School and Dunman High School recorded AL 8 cut-offs. The ranking is based on admission cut-off data and is not an official MOE league table measuring overall school quality. The 2023 intake refers to the 2022 PSLE cohort.

Top 10 Secondary School Ranking 2023

The 2023 ranking puts the most competitive Singapore secondary schools at the top based on their PSLE AL cut-off points. A lower AL generally indicates a more competitive entry point. The ranking below follows the 2023 intake data and ranking method published by Salary.sg, which also considers the lowest AL accepted and the previous year’s position when schools share the same cut-off.

These schools stand out in the top secondary schools Singapore 2023 search landscape because their cut-offs were among the lowest recorded for the intake. Raffles Girls’ School, Raffles Institution and Methodist Girls’ School all had an AL 6 cut-off. Nanyang Girls’ High, Hwa Chong, CHIJ St. Nicholas, ACS Independent and National Junior College followed at AL 7, with HCL grades affecting the notation for the relevant SAP schools. 

But there’s a small detail worth knowing before comparing the secondary school ranking by AL score. The number beside a school isn’t simply a measure of its academic quality. It reflects how competitive its entry point was for that particular intake. A school with an AL 8 cut-off, for example, shouldn’t automatically be viewed as “worse” than every school with AL 7. Programme type, school culture, affiliation and the student’s own interests still matter. 

What Does the 2023 Secondary School Ranking Mean?

The 2023 secondary school ranking refers to the schools that were compared using their admission cut-off scores for students entering Secondary 1 in 2023. The 2023 intake came from the 2022 PSLE cohort, so it should not be confused with the PSLE results released in 2023.

2023 Intake vs 2023 PSLE Results

During Secondary 1 posting, students use their PSLE scores and school choices to compete for places in secondary schools. The cut-off point reflects the PSLE score of the last student admitted to a school for that posting exercise. So, if you’re checking the secondary school ranking 2023, you’re looking at admission data linked to the 2023 intake, not a ranking created from the 2023 PSLE results. This distinction matters because school cut-offs can change from one cohort to another.

How Were Secondary Schools Ranked in 2023?

Secondary schools in Singapore were ranked by comparing their PSLE Achievement Level (AL) cut-offs, with lower AL scores indicating a more competitive school admission score for that intake. The AL cut-off or cut-off point (COP) refers to the score of the last student admitted through the Secondary 1 posting exercise.
For the 2023 ranking, schools were ordered mainly by their PSLE cut-off scores. A lower cut-off placed a school higher because it showed that students needed a stronger PSLE AL score to gain admission. For example, an AL 6 cut-off was more competitive than an AL 10 cut-off.
But what happens when schools have the same AL cut-off? The ranking method used additional information to separate them, including the lowest AL score accepted and the school’s previous ranking where applicable. This gives readers a clearer order instead of leaving several schools tied at the same position.

What Do AL 6, 7D, 7M and 7P Mean?

If you have been comparing PSLE AL 6 and PSLE AL 7 schools, the letters beside some scores can look confusing at first. Here’s the simple breakdown:

The D, M and P refer to grades for Higher Chinese Language (HCL). They are particularly relevant when looking at SAP secondary schools, where Higher Chinese results can affect posting priority in certain situations. For students with the same PSLE AL score competing for a school, HCL performance can be used as a tie-breaker under the relevant posting rules. 

So, 7D meaning is simply AL 7 plus Distinction in Higher Chinese, while 7M means AL 7 plus Merit and 7P means AL 7 plus Pass. The letter doesn’t change the student’s PSLE AL score itself; it adds useful information about HCL performance. 

Secondary Schools by 2023 AL Cut-Off

Looking at the secondary school AL cut off 2023 makes it easier to see how competitive different schools were for the 2023 intake. The lowest cut-offs were concentrated among Singapore’s most sought-after schools, while higher AL cut-offs covered a broader group of schools.

AL 6 Schools

The schools with AL 6 included Raffles Girls’ School (RGS), Raffles Institution (RI) and Methodist Girls’ School (MGS). Their cut-offs placed them at the most competitive end of the 2023 school admission range.

AL 7 Schools

Schools with an AL 7 cut-off included Nanyang Girls’ High School, Hwa Chong Institution, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and National Junior College. Some SAP schools also use HCL grades alongside the AL score in their posting considerations.

AL 8 and Above

The schools with AL 8 included Catholic High School and Dunman High School, among others. Beyond AL 8, the number of schools with different cut-offs becomes much broader, giving students more options to consider based on their PSLE score, programme preferences and school choices.

IP, SAP, IB and Affiliation: What Should Parents Know?

The secondary school ranking 2023 gives a useful view of school competitiveness, but the programme attached to a school can matter just as much when comparing options for Secondary 1 admission.

Integrated Programme (IP)

The Integrated Programme Singapore offers a six-year secondary-to-pre-university route, allowing students to progress without taking the GCE O-Level examination at the usual point. Several highly ranked IP schools Singapore are represented near the top of the 2023 list.

Special Assistance Plan (SAP)

SAP schools Singapore offer programmes with a strong emphasis on Chinese language and culture. Higher Chinese (HCL) can also matter during posting when students have the same PSLE score and are applying to relevant schools.

International Baccalaureate (IB)

The International Baccalaureate is an internationally recognised curriculum. Schools offering IB can be worth considering if a student prefers this style of learning and assessment.

School Affiliation

For affiliated secondary schools, affiliation with a primary school can affect Secondary 1 posting considerations under MOE rules. So, when comparing the school affiliation and cut-off point, parents should check the current admission requirements rather than relying only on an old ranking.

Does a Lower Cut-Off Mean a Better Secondary School?

Not necessarily. A lower cut-off point usually shows that a school was more competitive or in higher demand for that particular intake. It does not, by itself, tell you which school is the best fit for every student.
For secondary school selection, parents may want to look beyond the PSLE score and compare school culture, CCAs, school programmes, IP, IB or O-Level pathways, SAP and HCL requirements, school affiliation, location and daily transport time. A student who enjoys a particular CCA or learning environment may be happier at a school that sits lower in the ranking.
So, use the secondary school ranking 2023 as a reference point rather than a final verdict. A lower COP can tell you about admission competitiveness, but good secondary school choices should also match the student’s interests, strengths and preferred learning pathway.

FAQs About Secondary School Ranking 2023

What was the top secondary school in Singapore in 2023?

Based on the cited 2023 ranking methodology, Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary) was placed first with a PSLE AL cut-off of 6. Raffles Institution and Methodist Girls’ School (Secondary) also recorded an AL 6 cut-off.

What is the secondary school ranking 2023 based on?

The ranking is primarily based on PSLE AL cut-off scores for students entering Secondary 1 in 2023. A lower cut-off generally indicates stronger admission competitiveness for that intake.

What does AL 6 mean for secondary school admission?

AL 6 is a PSLE Score of 6, calculated from the student’s four standard PSLE subjects. A school with an AL 6 cut-off was highly competitive for that particular Secondary 1 posting exercise.

What do 7D and 7M mean in PSLE school rankings?

In the ranking notation, 7D refers to AL 7 with Distinction in Higher Chinese Language, while 7M refers to AL 7 with Merit. These HCL grades can matter for posting to relevant SAP schools.

Is the 2023 secondary school ranking an official MOE ranking?

No. It should not be presented as an official MOE league table ranking schools by overall quality. It is a third-party comparison based mainly on school cut-off data.

Are 2023 secondary school rankings still useful?

Yes, as a historical reference for understanding school competitiveness in the 2023 intake. However, COPs can change between cohorts, so parents making a current school choice should check the latest available admission information.

Final Thoughts on the Secondary School Ranking 2023

The secondary school ranking 2023 offers a useful historical snapshot of how competitive Singapore secondary schools were for that intake. PSLE AL scores and school COPs give parents a helpful starting point, but they don’t tell the whole story. Programme options, affiliation, school culture, CCAs, location and the student’s interests also deserve a look. And if you’re using these figures for a current Secondary 1 decision, check the latest COP and admission information, since school cut-offs can change from one cohort to another.