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Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students who have sat for GCE O-Level examination subjects in the preceding year (and those who sat for GCE O-Level Mother Tongue within the past two years) may use the following grade conversion table for computation of their ELMAB3 aggregates:
O-Level Grade 9 will not be considered for computation of the ELMAB3 aggregate. If a student has taken the same subject at both the
GCE N- and GCE O-Level examinations, only the better grade will be computed towards
his / her ELMAB3 aggregate to determine PFP eligibility.
Students are also advised that eligibility to apply for the PFP does not guarantee admission. Admission is subject to the availability of vacancies, and in open competition with other eligible applicants based on merit.
1 For the list of polytechnic diploma courses in Group 1 and Group 2, please refer to https://pfp.polytechnic.edu.sg/PFP/pfp_courses.html
(Information updated as of November 2024)
Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the questions to read the answers.
General Questions about the PFP
ANS: The GCE O-Level examination continues to be the key school-leaving
national examination for students completing 10 to 11 years of general education. Students who have
completed their GCE O-Level examinations may be eligible to progress on to a variety of different
post-secondary options. The GCE O-Level examination therefore provides greater flexibility of choice for students.
The PFP, on the other hand, is a competitive one-year programme that is offered as an alternative to the Secondary 5 year. The PFP offers a practice-oriented curriculum taught by polytechnic lecturers to better prepare polytechnic-bound Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students for entry into the relevant polytechnic diploma courses.
The PFP, on the other hand, is a competitive one-year programme that is offered as an alternative to the Secondary 5 year. The PFP offers a practice-oriented curriculum taught by polytechnic lecturers to better prepare polytechnic-bound Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students for entry into the relevant polytechnic diploma courses.
ANS: All five polytechnics offer the PFP. More than 80%
of polytechnic diploma courses are offered under the PFP. For the full list
of available courses, please refer to https://pfp.polytechnic.edu.sg/PFP/pfp_courses.html.
ANS: Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students should first
think about whether they are suited for, and would like to pursue applied learning
in the form of a polytechnic education. Students are then advised to identify and
select courses based on their interests, aptitudes, and future career plans.
Students are also encouraged to contact the polytechnics to obtain more
information on the courses offered, and to discuss their options with their
teachers, parents, and seniors.
Alternatively, students should also consider other viable pathways available to them, such as the Secondary 5 route, or available programmes in the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), including the Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP).
Alternatively, students should also consider other viable pathways available to them, such as the Secondary 5 route, or available programmes in the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), including the Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP).
ANS: Each polytechnic offers scholarships to deserving students
entering the PFP. For more information, please refer to the websites of the respective
polytechnics.
ANS: More information is provided on the MOE website.
ANS: Starting from the Academic Year 2028 intake, the PFP will be expanded to allow students taking (i) all G3 subjects, (ii) a mix of G2 and G3 subjects and (iii) all G2 subjects to access the PFP, where G3 grades will be mapped to the G2 equivalent.
Eligibility
ANS: Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students
who have sat for their GCE N-Level examinations as a school candidate in the preceding year, and have met both of the following requirements are eligible to apply:
a. Obtained an ELMAB3 aggregate not exceeding 12 points at the GCE N-Level examination, prior to deducting any CCA bonus points; and
b. Met the following subject-specific requirements1.
a. Obtained an ELMAB3 aggregate not exceeding 12 points at the GCE N-Level examination, prior to deducting any CCA bonus points; and
b. Met the following subject-specific requirements1.
| For Courses featured in Group 1 | Minimum Required Grades |
| English Language Syllabus A | 3 |
| Mathematics (Syllabus A / Additional) | 3 |
|
One of the following relevant subjects: - Science (Physics, Chemistry) - Science (Physics, Biology) - Science (Chemistry, Biology) - Food and Nutrition / Nutrition and Food Science - Design and Technology |
3 |
| Any two other subjects excluding CCA | 4 |
| For Courses featured in Group 2 | Minimum Required Grades |
| English Language Syllabus A | 2 |
| Mathematics (Syllabus A / Additional) | 3 |
|
One of the following relevant subjects: - Principles of Accounts - Literature in English - History - Humanities (Social Studies, Geography) - Humanities (Social Studies, History) - Humanities (Social Studies, Literature in English) - Geography - Art |
3 |
| Any two other subjects excluding CCA | 4 |
Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students who have sat for GCE O-Level examination subjects in the preceding year (and those who sat for GCE O-Level Mother Tongue within the past two years) may use the following grade conversion table for computation of their ELMAB3 aggregates:
| GCE O-Level Grade | Converted Grade |
| A1 - B3 | 1 |
| B4 - C6 | 2 |
| D7 | 3 |
| E8 | 4 |
Students are also advised that eligibility to apply for the PFP does not guarantee admission. Admission is subject to the availability of vacancies, and in open competition with other eligible applicants based on merit.
1 For the list of polytechnic diploma courses in Group 1 and Group 2, please refer to https://pfp.polytechnic.edu.sg/PFP/pfp_courses.html
ANS: No. Secondary 4 Normal (Technical) students will
continue to benefit from other available progression pathways such as the two- or
three-year Nitec courses, or the three- or four-year Higher Nitec courses at ITE that provide a strong skills-based foundation in
preparation for employment.
ANS: No. These students should use their GCE O-Level results
to apply directly to polytechnic diploma courses at the Year 1 level via the Joint Admission
Exercise (JAE) or Direct Admissions Exercise (DAE) in January 2025.
However, with the rollout of Full Subject-based Banding, starting from the Academic Year 2028 intake, the PFP will be expanded to allow students taking (i) all G3 subjects, (ii) a mix of G2 and G3 subjects and (iii) all G2 subjects to access the PFP, where G3 grades will be mapped to the G2 equivalent.
However, with the rollout of Full Subject-based Banding, starting from the Academic Year 2028 intake, the PFP will be expanded to allow students taking (i) all G3 subjects, (ii) a mix of G2 and G3 subjects and (iii) all G2 subjects to access the PFP, where G3 grades will be mapped to the G2 equivalent.
ANS: No. The PFP is designed to provide one year of
foundational learning to prepare well-performing Secondary 4 Normal
(Academic) students for entry into polytechnic diploma courses, in lieu of Secondary 5.
Secondary 4 Express and Secondary 5 students who do not qualify for
entry to the polytechnics can explore other options, such as retaking
their GCE O-Level examinations, applying for admission to a relevant
ITE course, etc. Apart from preparing them for a career relevant to their training,
students may also use their ITE certification to apply for admission to polytechnic
if they subsequently meet the eligibility requirements.
ANS: The PFP is designed primarily for eligible Secondary 4 Normal
(Academic) students from MOE secondary schools. However, well-performing
students from Pathlight School, Prison School, and the Singapore Sports
School who meet the eligibility criteria may apply for the PFP to
continue with their education journey in our polytechnics.
Application Process
ANS: The PFP admissions exercise will commence in January each year following the release of the GCE O-Level examination results. Eligible Secondary 4 Normal
(Academic) students will receive a copy of 'Form P' which includes:
i. Students' computed raw ELMAB3 aggregate scores (excluding CCA points);
ii. The list of PFP courses that students are eligible to apply for; and
iii. A unique PIN code, which students should use to create their application accounts on the PFP Portal at https://pfp.polytechnic.edu.sg/PFP/pfp_application.html.
All Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students who intend to apply for the PFP should report for Secondary 5 in January each year, even if they have met the PFP eligibility criteria based on their GCE N-Level results received in December the year before. Eligible students will subsequently be able to submit their applications for the PFP upon release of the GCE O-Level results. If their applications are successful, they will be required to attend classes up till the last Friday of January. The polytechnics will contact PFP-bound students regarding enrolment and matriculation in February / March.
i. Students' computed raw ELMAB3 aggregate scores (excluding CCA points);
ii. The list of PFP courses that students are eligible to apply for; and
iii. A unique PIN code, which students should use to create their application accounts on the PFP Portal at https://pfp.polytechnic.edu.sg/PFP/pfp_application.html.
All Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students who intend to apply for the PFP should report for Secondary 5 in January each year, even if they have met the PFP eligibility criteria based on their GCE N-Level results received in December the year before. Eligible students will subsequently be able to submit their applications for the PFP upon release of the GCE O-Level results. If their applications are successful, they will be required to attend classes up till the last Friday of January. The polytechnics will contact PFP-bound students regarding enrolment and matriculation in February / March.
ANS: Eligible Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students
are allowed to submit up to five PFP course choices in their application.
Students are strongly encouraged to consider their course choices carefully
together with their parents and teachers and make decisions according to their
interests and aptitudes. As admission to PFP courses may be highly competitive,
there is no guarantee that students will be offered a place in a course within their
five choices. Students may then be offered a place in another PFP course with
remaining vacancies.
ANS: Being eligible to apply for the PFP does
not guarantee placement into a PFP course. As PFP application results are
only released in late January, it is important for Secondary 4 Normal (Academic)
students to continue with Secondary 5 and not miss the first month of the
Secondary 5 curriculum, which prepares students for the GCE O-Level examination.
ANS: No. All PFP-bound students will be
required to attend classes up till the last Friday of January.
ANS: Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students who accept
a PFP offer and eventually enrol in the PFP will not be required to
pay school fees for January.
ANS: Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students who meet
the PFP eligibility criteria and intend to apply for the PFP should consult
their schools directly on the textbooks and materials they need to purchase.
ANS: Before applying for the PFP and/or the DPP, students are encouraged to consider carefully their interests and strengths, as well as the courses offered under both programmes.
For more information on the PFP and DPP, as well as the courses offered, students may refer to the PFP website (https://pfp.polytechnic.edu.sg/PFP/index.html) or the DPP website (https://www.ite.edu.sg/admissions/full-time-courses/higher-nitec/direct-entry-scheme-to-polytechnic-programme). One option for Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students who are interested in both the PFP and DPP is to first progress to Secondary 5 and then apply for both the PFP and DPP upon release of the GCE O-Level examination results in January.
For more information on the PFP and DPP, as well as the courses offered, students may refer to the PFP website (https://pfp.polytechnic.edu.sg/PFP/index.html) or the DPP website (https://www.ite.edu.sg/admissions/full-time-courses/higher-nitec/direct-entry-scheme-to-polytechnic-programme). One option for Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students who are interested in both the PFP and DPP is to first progress to Secondary 5 and then apply for both the PFP and DPP upon release of the GCE O-Level examination results in January.
ANS: Yes. However, if the student is offered a place in both the PFP and DPP, he/she may only accept one course offer. Students who accept both offers will have both offers voided.
If the student has already accepted his/her DPP offer, his/her secondary school will contact him/her if he/she is eligible for PFP and collect the PFP eligibility form (Form P), after the release of the GCE O-Level results. If the student decides to apply for and accepts his/her PFP offer in January, he/she will need to apply for withdrawal from the DPP course. Applicant can apply for refund of his/her DPP enrolment fees, subject to ITE’s approval.
If the student has already accepted his/her DPP offer, his/her secondary school will contact him/her if he/she is eligible for PFP and collect the PFP eligibility form (Form P), after the release of the GCE O-Level results. If the student decides to apply for and accepts his/her PFP offer in January, he/she will need to apply for withdrawal from the DPP course. Applicant can apply for refund of his/her DPP enrolment fees, subject to ITE’s approval.
ANS: Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students
who have been offered a place in the PFP may submit an appeal for a change
of course through the PFP portal upon
the release of the PFP posting results. Alternatively, they may reject
their PFP offers and continue with Secondary 5/DPP.
Students who have submitted their appeals through the PFP portal will be able to check their results on the same portal. Students who are successful in their appeal will have up to three working days to accept or reject their new PFP offer, following which the offer will be voided. The original PFP offer will be voided, regardless of whether the student accepts the new PFP offer. If the appeal is unsuccessful, he / she has the option of accepting the original PFP offer or rejecting the offer and continuing with Secondary 5/DPP.
Students who have submitted their appeals through the PFP portal will be able to check their results on the same portal. Students who are successful in their appeal will have up to three working days to accept or reject their new PFP offer, following which the offer will be voided. The original PFP offer will be voided, regardless of whether the student accepts the new PFP offer. If the appeal is unsuccessful, he / she has the option of accepting the original PFP offer or rejecting the offer and continuing with Secondary 5/DPP.
ANS: Admissions to PFP courses are highly competitive and based on merit. Students may speak to the course counsellors at the respective polytechnics during the PFP application and acceptance period in January to learn more about the various PFP courses. Students can also choose not to accept PFP offers that were not among their choices. These students can instead continue with Secondary 5, which allows them the option of re-applying for polytechnic admission for a course of their choice upon completion of their GCE O-Level examinations.
Calculation of Aggregate Scores
ANS: Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students are only eligible for the PFP if their raw
ELMAB3 aggregates (excluding CCA Bonus Points) are less than or equal to 12 points.
After determining students' eligibility for the PFP based on their raw ELMAB3 aggregates, CCA bonus points are taken into consideration for posting to a PFP course, which is carried out by merit in open competition against other applicants. CCA bonus points for the PFP are computed as follows:
CCA attainment Excellent: 2 bonus points
CCA attainment Good: 1 bonus point
Example:
After determining students' eligibility for the PFP based on their raw ELMAB3 aggregates, CCA bonus points are taken into consideration for posting to a PFP course, which is carried out by merit in open competition against other applicants. CCA bonus points for the PFP are computed as follows:
CCA attainment Excellent: 2 bonus points
CCA attainment Good: 1 bonus point
Example:
| Subjects | Grades |
| English | 2 |
| Mathematics | 2 |
| Science | 2 |
| Humanities (Social Studies, Geography) | 2 |
| Mother Tongue Language | 2 |
| CCA | Excellent |
Raw ELMAB3 = 10
Net ELMAB3 = 10 - 2 (CCA bonus points) = 8
Net ELMAB3 = 10 - 2 (CCA bonus points) = 8
ANS: No. The computation of ELMAB3 aggregate
will only include the results from the GCE N-Level or GCE O-Level examinations
in the academic year that immediately precedes the students' applications.
The only exception is for Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students who have sat
for their GCE O-Level Mother Tongue Language (MTL) examinations in the immediate
preceding year i.e. during their Secondary 3 Normal (Academic) year.
These students are allowed to use the better of their GCE N-Level or GCE O-Level
MTL results (including their O-Level MTL results in Secondary 3 in the preceding year)
in the computation of their ELMAB3 aggregates.
ANS: Secondary 4 Normal (Academic) students with special educational needs are advised to consult the polytechnics' Special Educational Needs (SEN) Support Offices to discuss the range of PFP courses available, requirements for each course, and support available for students with SEN, before submitting their PFP application. More details on the SEN Support Offices can be found on the websites of the respective polytechnics.
Post Application and Acceptance
ANS: Students who have enrolled in a PFP course are strongly encouraged to complete the PFP course that they are enrolled in, and are not allowed to transfer to a different polytechnic once they have accepted their PFP offer.
ANS: Students are strongly encouraged to continue to their pre-selected polytechnic diplomas after completing the PFP. Students are therefore advised to carefully consider their PFP course choices at the point of application and acceptance. Requests for transfers will only be considered on a case-by-case basis, and the polytechnics’ rules regarding course transfers apply to all students, including PFP students. Students should contact the individual polytechnics for more information.
ANS: Students who discontinue or fail the PFP may apply
for admission to ITE's Nitec or 3-year Higher Nitec programmes via the Joint Intake Exercise 'N'. Students who wish to pursue their GCE O-Level examinations may register as private candidates, or approach their secondary schools for re-admission in January the following year, subject to availability of vacancies.
Students are not allowed to repeat the PFP. They are encouraged to remain committed to the PFP, and progress to their pre-selected polytechnic diploma courses upon successful completion of the PFP by passing all PFP modules.
Students are not allowed to repeat the PFP. They are encouraged to remain committed to the PFP, and progress to their pre-selected polytechnic diploma courses upon successful completion of the PFP by passing all PFP modules.
ANS: There are PFP Bursary schemes disbursed
by the polytechnics that help students cope with the cost of polytechnic
education. Please contact the polytechnics for more information.
Progression after Completion of the PFP
ANS: The assessment structure for the PFP foundational year comprises a mix of coursework assignments, projects, class tests and/or end-of-semester examinations to ensure that students will be able to cope with the rigour of the diploma course. Upon passing all their PFP modules, students will progress to the first year of their pre-selected polytechnic diploma courses.
ANS: All polytechnic diploma graduates, including PFP students, may apply to local universities upon completion of their polytechnic diploma courses. Applicants will be assessed based on their polytechnic academic results, as well as any other academic and non-academic achievements presented for admission. Interviews and aptitude tests may also be administered. Diploma graduates with PFP qualifications will not be disadvantaged even though they do not have GCE O-Level qualifications.
ANS: The PFP is not a work-ready qualification on its own. Upon successful completion of the PFP, students are expected to matriculate into their pre-selected polytechnic diploma courses to obtain a diploma qualification.