Thinking of applying to Anglo-Chinese School Primary (ACS) for the 2026 Primary 1 intake?
As a 2025 applicant, it’s essential to analyze trends from recent years to gauge your chances and refine your strategy. ACS is a prestigious boys’ school with varying balloting risks depending on distance and citizenship status.
This guide breaks down the latest admission ratios, highlights balloting patterns from 2022 to 2024, and offers actionable tips to optimize your application based on proximity and phase of entry.
📊 Overview Table
| Year | Phase 1 | 2A(1) | 2A(2) | 2B | 2C | 2C(S) | Total Vacancies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59 | 103 | 27 | 26 | 25 | 0 | 240 |
| 2022 | 62 | 95 | – | 28 | 55 | 0 | 240 |
| 2023 | 56 | 106 | – | 26 | 53 | 0 | 240 |
| 2024 | 73 | 80 | – | 29 | 59 | 0 | 240 |
📝 Note: Phase 2A(1) and 2A(2) were merged from 2022 onwards into a single Phase 2A.
🔍 Phase-by-Phase Analysis
📌 Phase 1 – Sibling Priority
| Year | Applicants | Places Taken |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59 | 59 |
| 2022 | 62 | 62 |
| 2023 | 56 | 56 |
| 2024 | 73 | 73 |
Insights:
- Typically takes ~23%–30% of the total intake.
- 2024 saw a noticeable jump (likely due to relocation incentive before 2030 shift).
- No balloting occurred; all eligible siblings admitted.
🏫 Phase 2A – Alumni, Affiliates, Staff
| Year | Applicants | Places Taken | Balloting |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 103 + 27 | 103 + 27 | No |
| 2022 | 95 | 95 | No |
| 2023 | 106 | 106 | No |
| 2024 | 80 | 80 | No |
Insights:
- Strong alumni demand every year, but lower in 2024.
- No balloting in 2A across all four years.
- Phase 2A typically accounts for ~40%–50% of total enrollment.
🤝 Phase 2B – Volunteers, Church, Clan Associations
| Year | Vacancies | Applicants | Oversubscribed? | Balloting Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 26 | 44 | ✅ Yes | SC < 1km |
| 2022 | 28 | 55 | ✅ Yes | SC < 1km |
| 2023 | 26 | 51 | ✅ Yes | SC < 1km |
| 2024 | 29 | 34 | ✅ Yes | SC < 1km |
Insights:
- Balloting every year, consistently for SCs <1km.
- 2024 demand slightly softened (only 34 applied), but still required ballot.
- Very limited availability (~26–29 slots), tight odds despite eligibility.
📍 Phase 2C – Open to All Singapore Citizens & PRs
| Year | Vacancies | Applicants | Oversubscribed? | Balloting Requirement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 25 | 40 | ✅ Yes | SC < 1km |
| 2022 | 55 | 69 | ✅ Yes | SC < 1km |
| 2023 | 53 | 68 | ✅ Yes | SC < 1km |
| 2024 | 59 | 74 | ✅ Yes | SC > 2km |
Insights:
- All 4 years oversubscribed.
- Balloting required even for SCs living >2km in 2024.
- That makes 2024 the toughest Phase 2C year yet for ACS(P).
- In 2025, odds are expected to worsen, unless demand unexpectedly dips.
🚫 Phase 2C(S) – Supplementary Balloting
| Year | Vacancy | Applicants | Occurred? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 0 | 0 | ❌ No |
| 2022 | 0 | 0 | ❌ No |
| 2023 | 0 | – | ❌ No |
| 2024 | 0 | 0 | ❌ No |
Insights:
- No excess seats available for 2C(S) in any year.
- All slots filled earlier; 2C(S) is not a viable route at ACS(P).
📌 Overall Vacancy Allocation Summary
| Year | Phase 1 | 2A | 2B | 2C | 2C(S) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 59 | 130 | 26 | 25 | 0 | 240 |
| 2022 | 62 | 95 | 28 | 55 | 0 | 240 |
| 2023 | 56 | 106 | 26 | 53 | 0 | 240 |
| 2024 | 73 | 80 | 29 | 59 | 0 | 241 |
Observation:
- Around 60–73 places go to Phase 1.
- Phase 2A consistently uses up the next ~40% of slots.
- This leaves just 20–25% of places for Phases 2B & 2C.
🔮 2025 Outlook
| Phase | Odds Summary |
|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Very safe if sibling is enrolled. Intake expected ~60–75. |
| 2A | Safe for alumni/affiliates. No balloting in the past 4 years. |
| 2B | High risk. Balloting for SC <1km expected to continue. |
| 2C | Very high risk. 2024 had SC >2km balloting. Odds poor unless living very near. |
| 2C(S) | Not available. No surplus in any recent year. |
🧠 Final Takeaways
- ACS (Primary) remains highly competitive across all open phases.
- Phase 1 and 2A are the only relatively secure routes.
- Balloting has become tighter, especially in 2024, with rising demand.
- In 2025, expect continued balloting for SCs <1km in both 2B and 2C — possibly worse than 2024.