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Tips to Help You
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 Tips that will help you 

Useful tips for your polytechnic application.

  • Be Prudent
    Decide on the order of courses wisely. Assess the popularity of your first choice course and weigh your chances. For example, indicating a course with a COP of 18 as first choice followed by a course with a COP of 12 will most likely be a waste of your second choice.
     
  • Be Eligible
    You must meet the minimum entry requirements of the desired courses in order to apply.
     
  • Be Realistic
    Posting is by merit, so keep in mind your results and the COP for your desired courses when making your selection.
     
  • Be Thorough
    Indicate ALL your choices, even if you are very confident that you will be accepted into your first choice. Include some courses for which your results clearly qualify.
     

Understand how the admissions process works

Three MAC factors influence your chances of securing a place in that dream course. MAC stands for Minimum entry requirements, Aggregate computation and Cut-off point.

  • Minimum Entry Requirements (MERs)
  What it is : The basic grades needed for specific subjects to qualify for the desired course. Different courses have different MERs, so note which group your desired course comes under.

Why should I care : This is the first stage in the weeding-out process. If you don’t meet the MERs, you can’t apply for the course. 
 
  • Aggregate computation
What it is : An aggregate score calculated as follows :

ELR2B2^ = English language (EL) + 2 relevant subjects (R2)* + 2 other best subjects (B2)

* Including Mathematics (Elementary/Additional)

^ An A1-A2 grade for CCA will allow for two points to be deducted from the overall raw ELR2B2 aggregate, while one point is deducted for those with a B3-C6 grade.

 
Why should I care : This is the second stage in the weeding-out process. As there is a limit to the intake for each course, all applicants who make it through the MERs stage will go on to be ranked based on their aggregate score. The lower your aggregate score, the better your chances of securing a place in your desired course.
 
  • Cut-Off Point (COP)
What it is : The highest aggregate of the applicant who fills the last vacancy of the course. This changes yearly depending on the number of applicants and the number of vacancies available for the particular course. Please refer to the course COPs based on previous admissions exercise.

Why should I care : The COP gives you a good idea of how keen the competition was for the course in the previous year. The lower the COP, the more competitive the course. It helps to know this so you can minimize the risk of applying for a course that is way out of your league.
 
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