Everything you need to know about starting JC1
These are indicative cut-off points based on 2025 JAE posting results, and are not actual 2026 cut-off points. Actual cut-off points may vary.
| # | School | Science / IB | Arts | Commerce |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Raffles Institution (JC) | 3 | 5 | — |
| 2 | Hwa Chong Institution (JC) | 4 | 5 | — |
| 3 | Anglo-Chinese (Independent) (JC) | 5 | — | — |
| 4 | Eunoia JC | 5 | 6 | — |
| 5 | Nanyang JC | 5 | 7 | — |
| 6 | St. Joseph's Institution (JC) | 6 | — | — |
| 7 | Victoria JC | 6 | 8 | — |
| 8 | Dunman High (JC) | 7 | 8 | — |
| 9 | National JC | 7 | 8 | — |
| 10 | Temasek JC | 7 | 8 | — |
| 11 | Anglo-Chinese JC | 8 | 9 | — |
| 12 | River Valley High (JC) | 8 | 9 | — |
| 13 | St. Andrew's JC | 9 | 10 | — |
| 14 | Anderson Serangoon JC | 10 | 11 | — |
| 15 | Catholic JC | 12 | 13 | — |
| 16 | Tampines Meridian JC | 12 | 13 | — |
| 17 | Jurong Pioneer JC | 14 | 15 | — |
| 18 | Millennia Institute | 17 | 19 | 19 |
| 19 | Yishun Innova JC | 18 | 19 | — |
Lower scores indicate more competitive entry. Cut-off points are the L1R5 aggregate scores.
Plan your visits to find the right JC for you. Dates are subject to change — check each school's website for confirmation.
| School | Open House Date |
|---|---|
| Victoria Junior College | Saturday, January 10, 2026 |
| Anderson Serangoon Junior College | Tuesday, January 13, 2026 |
| Anglo-Chinese Junior College | Tuesday, January 13, 2026 |
| Raffles Institution JC | Thursday, January 15, 2026 |
| Hwa Chong Institution JC | Friday, January 16, 2026 |
| Millennia Institute | Friday, January 16, 2026 |
| Nanyang Junior College | Saturday, January 17, 2026 |
| National Junior College | Saturday, January 17, 2026 |
| Catholic Junior College | To Be Confirmed |
| Dunman High School JC | To Be Confirmed |
| Eunoia Junior College | To Be Confirmed |
| Jurong Pioneer Junior College | To Be Confirmed |
| River Valley High School JC | To Be Confirmed |
| St Andrew's Junior College | To Be Confirmed |
| Temasek Junior College | To Be Confirmed |
| Tampines Meridian Junior College | Announced after O-Level results |
| Yishun Innova Junior College | Announced after O-Level results |
How to choose the right A Level subjects for university and beyond
Choosing your A Level subject combination is one of the first adult decisions you'll make in JC. It doesn't just affect your timetable for the next two years — it shapes your university options, course eligibility, and even how stressful your JC life will feel.
The goal isn't to pick "the hardest" or "the most prestigious" subjects. The goal is to pick a smart, flexible, and sustainable combination that gives you room to grow, pivot, and succeed.
Think flexibility first. Specialisation can come later.
At 17, it's completely normal not to know exactly what you want to study in university. That's why your subject combination should protect your future options, not narrow them prematurely.
One of the most flexible combinations is PCME (Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Economics) because it satisfies requirements across multiple pathways:
Science subjects often act as gatekeepers to specific degrees. Economics, on the other hand, is a multiplier subject — recognised across faculties and valued for its analytical depth.
Sustained effort beats short bursts of enthusiasm.
JC is not about last-minute mugging. It is a two-year marathon. If you dislike a subject, no amount of discipline will fully compensate for that drain on motivation.
Ask yourself honestly:
Subjects like Economics often resonate with students because they sit at the intersection of real-world relevance, structured analysis, and clear evaluation frameworks.
When you're interested, consistency becomes easier. Consistency is what produces top grades.
Universities look at results first, subject labels second.
In Singapore university admissions, your A Level rank points matter more than how impressive your subjects sound. Choose subjects that align with how you naturally think and learn.
One key advantage of Economics is that it is highly scalable: you don't need O Level Economics to do well, answers follow clear frameworks, and improvement is systematic.
Choose subjects where your effort has the highest return on investment.
A smart combination manages energy, not just difficulty.
Not all subjects are demanding in the same way — some require heavy memorisation, others demand sustained logical thinking, some are content-heavy, others skill-heavy.
A well-balanced subject combination usually includes:
Economics works particularly well as a bridge subject — it combines logical reasoning like Math with essay skills like GP.
JC is tough enough. Your subject combination should support you, not exhaust you.
The best A Level subject combination is one that:
A practical guide for A Level students planning ahead
Starting JC is exciting, but it can also feel confusing — especially with changes to the university admissions system. The new 70 Rank Points (RP) framework and the Indicative Grade Profile (IGP) now play a central role in determining which university courses you can realistically aim for.
Your university score now depends mainly on your strongest subjects.
Maximum possible RP: 70 points (3 × 20 + 10)
Yes. They can save your RP when it matters most.
Many students mistakenly think that H1 contrasting subjects or H1 Mother Tongue are now irrelevant. That is not true.
If one of your H2 subjects didn't go as well as expected, your H1 subjects can be factored into the calculation. The system computes your score using a broader set of subjects, then rebases it back to 70 points.
Because your H1 History (A) is strong, the system factors it into a broader calculation, then rebases the result back to 70 RP — giving you a higher final score than if only your weaker H2 Math was considered.
Only if you can handle the workload without burning out.
Some students consider taking four H2 subjects instead of the standard three. This can be advantageous, but it is not for everyone.
Rule of thumb: Take four H2s only if you are confident you can score well in all of them.
The IGP shows what it realistically takes to enter a course.
The IGP is published yearly by NUS, NTU, and SMU. It shows the 10th percentile and 90th percentile RP of admitted students.
If a course shows IGP of 60–68, aim above 60 — not just at it — to have a realistic chance.
The IGP is not a guarantee, but it is a very useful planning benchmark.
Good planning beats last-minute panic.
Subjects like Economics, Mathematics, and Chemistry combine clear frameworks with wide university recognition.
They are not "backup" subjects. They can directly raise your RP.
If your target course shows 60/70, set a goal of at least 63 or higher.
It helps only if it improves your final grades, not if it overwhelms you.
Understanding the 70 RP system and IGP gives you a clearer roadmap for JC and beyond.
Understanding what Economics is really about, why it's so popular, and who it suits best
Economics is one of the most commonly chosen A Level subjects in JC — and not by accident. Many students take it for practical reasons, but most end up enjoying it far more than they expected.
It gives you a strong head start for many university courses.
Economics is highly relevant to a wide range of university degrees, especially:
Many university modules in these fields assume some familiarity with basic economic ideas. Taking Economics at A Levels means you're not starting from zero when you enter university.
These skills transfer directly to General Paper and university assignments, making Economics a subject with long-term academic value.
It turns current affairs into something you can actually explain.
Economics is not a purely abstract subject. It helps you make sense of real-world issues such as:
Instead of memorising facts, you learn frameworks to analyse decisions made by:
If you enjoy reading the news, following global events, or understanding how policies and markets affect everyday life, Economics gives you the tools to think more clearly and critically about them.
With the right approach, scoring well is very achievable.
Economics is popular partly because it is structured and learnable.
Instead, it focuses on:
Many students struggle initially because they try to memorise content without understanding how to answer questions. Once they learn the correct answering techniques, their grades often improve quickly.
With proper guidance, Economics becomes one of the more rewarding A Level subjects to study.
Economics is a strong choice if you want a subject that:
Why H2 Economics is the smarter long-term choice
Once you've decided to take Economics, the next question usually sounds like this:
"Should I take H1 or H2 Economics?"
On paper, H1 looks safer — less content, less pressure.
In reality, H2 Economics is almost always the better decision, especially if you want flexibility, stronger university options, and a subject that actually pays off.
H1 limits options. H2 preserves flexibility.
H2 Economics is recognised and preferred across a wide range of university courses:
For many of these courses, H2 Economics is not an official requirement, but in practice, it gives you a clear admissions advantage.
Gives you room to decide later
Quietly narrows your options earlier than you realise
Difficulty is often a teaching problem, not a subject problem.
Many students avoid H2 Economics because they assume:
H2 Economics is one of the most structured A Level subjects. Success depends far less on raw intelligence and far more on:
With correct guidance from the beginning, H2 Economics is highly manageable — even for students without O Level Economics.
Many students find H2 Economics easier to improve in than Chemistry or Physics, because progress is systematic and predictable.
A well-taught H2 Economics student is a high-scoring student.
When taught properly, students learn how to plan essays quickly, hit evaluation requirements consistently, and score across both essays and case studies.
H2 Economics rewards early structure more than last-minute effort.
Lighter workload does not mean better results.
H1 Economics is commonly chosen by students who want to "play safe". Ironically, it often does the opposite.
More ways to score well
Fewer ways to recover
For many students, H1 ends up being the subject they wish they had taken at H2 — when they realise it would not have been as difficult as expected.
The real question is whether you get the right support early.
The difference between H1 and H2 Economics is not just syllabus size. It is how well the subject is taught and learned.
If you are capable of JC-level work and are willing to learn Economics properly, H2 Economics is almost always the better choice.
The mistake is not choosing H2 Economics.
The mistake is choosing H2 Economics without proper guidance.
Because when H2 Economics is taught properly, it is not a risk — it is an advantage.
A JC1 Student's Guide — Getting to an A through consistency, not cramming
Starting JC can feel overwhelming. New subjects, faster pace, higher expectations. For Economics in particular, many students only realise too late that they have been preparing the wrong way.
Economics is not a memorisation subject.
If you treat it like one, you will most likely end up with a B or C — which is where the majority of students land.
Students who score an A approach Economics differently from the start. Here's how you do the same.
Recognising a concept is not the same as understanding it.
Many students think they understand Economics because the notes look familiar. True understanding means you can use the concept under exam conditions.
Memorising content alone may help you pass, but it rarely gets you an A. Application is what separates top students.
Economics questions feel unpredictable only if you have not practised enough.
A Level Economics does not test how well you memorise notes. It tests whether you can apply concepts across different question styles and contexts.
Students struggle not because questions are "tricky", but because they have seen too few of them.
The more questions you see, the fewer surprises there are in the actual exam.
Content without technique is wasted effort.
Many students know the syllabus but still score poorly because their answers are unstructured or unfocused.
Economics is a skills-based subject. Marks are awarded for clarity, structure, and relevance.
Students often improve dramatically once they learn how answers are actually marked.
This is where most students lose marks.
Evaluation is not optional. It is the skill that separates good answers from excellent ones.
If your essays stop at explanation, your grade will stop at a B.
A Level Economics rewards long-term discipline.
Many students leave serious revision until late JC2, which leads to stress and rushed learning. The strongest students build up steadily over time.
Economics is cumulative. Gaps left early become much harder to fix later.
Scoring an A in A Level Economics is not about being naturally "good at essays" or "talented in writing". It is about approaching the subject correctly from the start.
With the right structure and guidance, Economics can become one of your most reliable and high-scoring subjects.
If you want to start JC Economics the right way, this is where it begins.
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