Your O-Level Score Explained: How to Calculate Your L1R5
- 6 min read
For many Secondary 4 and 5 students, the O-Level journey unfolds across several months. Oral examinations usually begin in July, followed by the main written papers from mid-October through to mid-November. Once the papers are over, there is a waiting period before results are released the following January. That is when terms like L1R5 and L1R4 start to matter, as they shape post‑secondary pathways and school choices. But how are these scores calculated, which subjects count, and how do you interpret the final number you receive?
Decoding the Aggregate Scores
Every subject you take contributes to a final score, but only six will count towards your L1R5.
What is L1R5?: The L1R5 Formula
L1R5 is the calculation used for admission into junior colleges (JCs), and it boils down to selecting your best six subjects based on a specific formula.
The “L1” refers to one compulsory language subject, usually English, although Higher Mother Tongue can replace it if the score is better. The “R5” stands for five relevant subjects, which follow certain subject groupings.
To calculate the L1R5 score, take the raw grades (on a scale where A1 is 1 point and F9 is 9 points) for:
- 1 language subject (L1), and
- 5 relevant subjects (R5).
Add those six values together, and the lower the total, the better the result.
The Components of R5
The five relevant subjects (R5) are not randomly selected, and they must meet these criteria:
- At least one subject from Maths or Science: This includes Elementary or Additional Mathematics, as well as subjects like Physics, Chemistry, Biology, or Combined Science.
- At least one subject from the Humanities: Acceptable humanities include subjects such as Geography, History, Social Studies, Literature, or higher-level programmes like Higher Art or Higher Music. Special programmes like the Malay or Chinese Special Programme and Bahasa Indonesia also qualify.
- Three additional best-scoring subjects: These are chosen based on your remaining subject grades, with a few restrictions.
Determining the Gross Aggregate Score
Your L1R5 score is a simple sum of numbers assigned to your grades. That means, to calculate your gross aggregate, you add the numerical values of your selected L1 and R5 subjects.
For instance, a student who scores:
- English (A1) → 1
- Higher Chinese (B3) → 3
- E Math (A1) → 1
- Pure Physics (A2) → 2
- Geography (A2) → 2
- Literature (B3) → 3
would get: 1 + 3 + 1 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 12 points.
This number, before any further deductions, is your raw or “gross” L1R5 score.
Deducting Bonus Points
Bonus points can further reduce your L1R5 score, but only up to a maximum of 4. These deductions are awarded based on specific achievements or criteria:
- CCA performance: A1 or A2 earns a 2-point deduction, and grades between B3 and C6 earn a 1-point deduction.
- Higher Mother Tongue (HMTL): A grade of C6 or better allows for a 2-point deduction.
- Affiliation bonus: If you list an affiliated JC as your first or second choice, you may deduct 2 points.
- Special Language Programmes: A grade of C6 or better in Chinese Special Programme (CSP), Malay Special Programme (MSP), or Bahasa Indonesia earns another 2-point deduction.
However, do note that students who qualify across multiple categories will still only receive a total of 4 bonus points at most. These bonus reductions are then subtracted from the gross score to calculate the final L1R5. That means the minimum score you can end up with, after bonus points are applied, is L1R5 2.
Calculating Your Tertiary Admission Score
But here’s the thing. Not every student is aiming for entry into a Junior College. Some may be eyeing a Polytechnic diploma, while others are considering Millennia Institute. Each path uses a different scoring system to assess eligibility, so it’s not always solely about the L1R5 score.
Junior College (JC) – L1R5 Requirements
For students planning to enter a Junior College, admission is currently based on the L1R5 scoring system. While individual JCs differ in competitiveness and cut-off points, all applicants must first meet a common set of entry conditions under the Joint Admissions Exercise.
- L1R5 aggregate of 20 or below: Your gross L1R5 score, after subject selection but before any school-specific cut-offs, must not exceed 20 to be considered for JC placement.
- Minimum subject grade requirements: You must obtain at least a C6 for English, a D7 for one Mathematics subject, and a D7 for Mother Tongue to qualify.
Millenia Institute (MI) – L1R4 Requirements
Millennia Institute is another option, especially for students who prefer a three‑year pre‑university programme after their O-Levels. Admission is assessed using the L1R4 score, which follows a similar structure to L1R5 but places emphasis on one less subject.
- L1R4 aggregate of 20 or below: The score is calculated using one language subject and four relevant subjects. Your gross L1R4 total must not exceed 20 to be eligible for MI admission.
- Same minimum subject passes as JC: Applicants must meet the baseline requirements of at least C6 for English, D7 for one Mathematics subject, and D7 for Mother Tongue.
Polytechnic – ELR2B2 Requirements
Not all post-O-Level pathways involve JC or MI. For students planning to pursue a diploma, polytechnic admission is based on a scoring system called ELR2B2. It aggregates six subjects, grouped as follows:
- EL (English Language)
- R2 (2 Relevant Subjects): These are tied to the polytechnic course you’re applying for. For example, if you’re applying for a Science course, the relevant subjects might include Pure Biology and Mathematics.
- B2 (2 Best Other Subjects): Your next two highest-scoring subjects that haven’t already been used in EL or R2.
The lower your ELR2B2 score, the stronger your application. Here’s what you need to know:
- Net ELR2B2 aggregate score of 26 or less is the general entry benchmark for most diploma courses.
- Up to 2 bonus points can be deducted based on your CCA grade (A1/A2 = 2 points, B3–C6 = 1 point).
Each course has its own subject prerequisites, so do check the relevant polytechnic website to ensure your subject combination meets the criteria. And as with JC and MI, eligibility doesn’t guarantee placement. Plus, cut-off points vary yearly depending on demand.
Weighing Your Options After the O-Levels
Once your L1R5 or ELR2B2 score is in hand, it becomes the deciding factor for what doors open next, and which ones might stay closed. These aggregate scores don’t just determine if you’re eligible for a JC, MI, or Polytechnic diploma course; they influence your chances of getting into your preferred school or programme under the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE).
Looking ahead, do note that the MOE will revise admission criteria from the 2028 JAE. JC entry will move to an L1R4 framework with a gross score of 16 or less, while MI will align its requirements using the same subject structure, with bonus points capped more tightly. Until then, students should plan based on current benchmarks and course demands.
At TLS Tutorials, we help Secondary School students work towards the results that open doors. Through focused O-Level Physics tuition, targeted Sec 4 Math tuition, and structured support at our Math and Science tuition centre, students build the consistency and exam readiness needed to qualify for their preferred schools and pathways.