Receiving N-Level results is a major milestone for your child—and a nerve-wracking one for parents. As you sit down to look at that result slip, the mix of acronyms (PFP, DPP, ELMAB3, JIE) can be overwhelming.
This guide simplifies the education pathways available to your child in 2025/2026 and clears up the biggest source of confusion: the difference between their N-Level Score (ELMAB3) and the ITE Aggregate Score.
Part 1: The Two Different Scores
The most confusing part of N-Level results is that your child has two different scores that apply to completely different pathways. Using the wrong one can lead to miscalculating their chances.
1. The ELMAB3 Score (5 Subjects)
- Stands for: English, Math, And Best 3 other subjects.[1][2][3][4][5][6]
- Used for:
- How it works: It sums up the grades of these 5 subjects. The lower the score, the better. (e.g., A Grade 1 is 1 point).
2. The ITE Aggregate Score (4 Subjects)
- Stands for: Best 4 N-Level subjects.
- Used for: General Admission to ITE (Nitec & 3-Year Higher Nitec courses) under the JIE ‘N’ exercise.[9][12][13][14][15][16][17]
- How it works: It sums up the grades of your child’s best 4 subjects.[2][3]
- Why it matters: If your child misses the cutoff for PFP or DPP, this is the score that determines which Nitec course they can get into. A student might have a high ELMAB3 (because of a weak 5th subject) but a very good ITE Aggregate (because their top 4 subjects are strong).
Part 2: The 4 Key Pathways
Based on the results, here are the main doors open to your child.
Option A: The “Through-Train” to Poly (PFP)
- For whom: The top tier of N(A) students.
- Requirement: Raw ELMAB3 ≤ 12 points.[1][2][3][6][14][15] (Also requires Grade 3 or better in English & Math).[3][7][18]
- What it is: A one-year foundation course at a Polytechnic.[2][3][14][15] If they pass, they move directly into their Diploma year 1, skipping O-Levels.
- ⚠️ IMPORTANT UPDATE FOR 2026 INTAKE:
Starting with this intake (results released Dec 2025), the PFP is now Cluster-Based. Your child will apply to a broad “Cluster” (e.g., Science, Design & Engineering, or Humanities/Business) rather than a specific diploma.[4][5][7][11] They will choose their specific specialization after their foundation year.
Option B: The “Hands-On” Route to Poly (DPP)
- For whom: Students who want a practical route but aim for Poly eventually.
- Requirement: Raw ELMAB3 ≤ 19 points.[2][3][8][14][15][18] (Specific grade requirements apply for Math and English).
- What it is: A 2-year Higher Nitec course at ITE.[3][8][9][14][15]
- The Perk: If they achieve the required GPA (usually 2.5 to 3.0) during this course, they are guaranteed a place in a mapped Polytechnic diploma.[8][9] It is often considered a “safer” route than Sec 5 for students who prefer hands-on learning over exams.
Option C: The O-Level Route (Secondary 5)
- For whom: Students who are academically inclined and want to keep Junior College (JC) as an option.[15]
- Requirement: ELMAB3 ≤ 19 points.[2][3][8][14][15][18]
- What it is: One more year in secondary school to prepare for the O-Levels.
- Consideration: This is a high-stakes year. The jump in difficulty from N-Levels to O-Levels is significant, particularly in English and Math. It suits students who are late bloomers and are willing to study very hard for one more year.
Option D: The Vocational Route (Nitec / 3-Year Higher Nitec)
- For whom: Students who learn best by doing and want to enter a specific trade or skill immediately.
- Requirement: Based on the ITE Aggregate Score (Best 4 subjects).
- What it is: Your child enters ITE to pursue a Nitec or the new 3-Year Higher Nitec certification.[2][3][9][14][15][16][17]
- The Path Forward: Doing well here allows them to progress to Higher Nitec (Year 2) or Polytechnic later.[8][13] It is not a “dead end”—many successful polytechnic graduates started here.
Quick Summary Table
| Pathway | Score Used | Cut-off (Raw) | Duration | End Goal |
| PFP | ELMAB3 (5 Subj) | ≤ 12 | 1 Yr (Foundation) + 3 Yrs (Dip) | Polytechnic Diploma |
| DPP | ELMAB3 (5 Subj) | ≤ 19 | 2 Yrs (Higher Nitec) | Poly Diploma (Guaranteed*) |
| Sec 5 | ELMAB3 (5 Subj) | ≤ 19 | 1 Year | O-Level Certificate |
| ITE | Best 4 Subjects | Varies | 2-3 Years | Nitec / Higher Nitec |
*Guaranteed subject to meeting minimum GPA requirements.
Advice for Parents
- Look beyond the “Prestige”: Sec 5 often feels like the “default” choice, but it has the highest risk. If your child struggles with exam stress, PFP or DPP might actually be a faster and more secure way to a Diploma than struggling through O-Levels.
- Check the “Cluster” Changes: If your child qualifies for PFP, discuss their broad interests. Since they can no longer pick a specific “Diploma in Marketing” immediately, ask them if they are interested in the Business Cluster as a whole.
- Celebrate the Result: Regardless of the score, your child has completed a major exam. Celebrate that effort before diving into the application process.
Calculation of ITE Aggregate Point
This calculation is critical for parents to understand because it applies only when your child is applying for Nitec or 3-Year Higher Nitec courses (under the JIE ‘N’ exercise).
It uses a “favorable” conversion system that rewards N(A) students for taking the harder N(A) syllabus compared to N(T).
The Conversion Table
First, here is the conversion logic you need to apply to each N(A) subject grade before adding them up.
| Your Child’s N(A) Grade | Converted ITE Points |
| Grade 1 or 2 | 1 Point (Excellent) |
| Grade 3 | 2 Points (Very Good) |
| Grade 4 | 3 Points (Good) |
| Grade 5 | 4 Points (Pass) |
| Grade U | 5 Points |
Example Calculation
Let’s look at a student profile, “Jun Wei,” to see the difference.
Jun Wei’s N(A) Results Slip:
- English: Grade 4
- Math: Grade 4
- Science: Grade 3
- Humanities: Grade 3
- D&T: Grade 2
- CCA: Excellent (2 Bonus Points)
Calculation 1: The “Poly/Sec 5” Score (ELMAB3)
(Used for PFP, DPP, and Sec 5 Promotion)
For this score, we use the raw numbers on the result slip.
- English: 4
- Math: 4
- Best 3 Subjects: Science (3) + Humanities (3) + D&T (2)
- Total: 4 + 4 + 3 + 3 + 2 = 16 Points
Verdict: Jun Wei qualifies for Sec 5 (cutoff is 19), but his score of 16 is “average” for this pathway.
Calculation 2: The “ITE Admission” Score (ITE Aggregate)
(Used for Nitec & 3-Year Higher Nitec Courses)
For this score, we take his Best 4 subjects and convert them using the table above.
Step 1: Pick Best 4 Subjects
- D&T (Grade 2)
- Science (Grade 3)
- Humanities (Grade 3)
- English (Grade 4) or Math (4)
Step 2: Convert Grades to ITE Points
- D&T (Grade 2): Converts to ➝ 1 Point
- Science (Grade 3): Converts to ➝ 2 Points
- Humanities (Grade 3): Converts to ➝ 2 Points
- English (Grade 4): Converts to ➝ 3 Points
Step 3: Sum and Deduct Bonus
- Raw Score: 1 + 2 + 2 + 3 = 8 Points
- Deduct CCA Bonus: 8 – 2 = 6 Points
Final ITE Score: 6 Points
The “Aha!” Moment for Parents
Notice the massive difference?
- Sec 5 Score: 16 Points (Average)
- ITE Score: 6 Points (Excellent)
Because Jun Wei’s Grade 2 in D&T was converted to a 1, and his Grade 3s were converted to 2s, his standing in the ITE application system is significantly boosted.
A score of 6 points is extremely competitive and would likely qualify him for very popular Nitec courses (like Aerospace Technology, Information Technology, or Applied Food Science), which might otherwise seem out of reach if you were only looking at his raw N-Level score.
Sources