EP COMPASS Score Calculator: How to Self-Assess Your Points Before Applying

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) introduced the COMPASS (Complementarity Assessment Framework) on 1 September 2023, replacing the subjective EP approval process with a transparent, points-based system. As of December 2025, the framework remains the sole pathway for Employment Pass (EP) applications, with a passing threshold of 40 points out of a maximum 100 (excluding bonus points). An additional 10 bonus points are available for roles in shortage occupations or firms contributing to innovation, but these are capped at a total of 50 bonus points per application. MOM data from Q3 2025 shows that 72% of EP applicants scored between 40 and 60 points, making self-assessment critical for avoiding 8–12 week processing delays due to incomplete submissions.

This guide provides a step-by-step walkthrough of MOM’s online EP COMPASS calculator, explains how to interpret scores for different applicant profiles, and offers concrete strategies to optimize each category.

How the EP COMPASS Calculator Works: Core Components

The COMPASS framework evaluates applications across two main tiers: Foundation Criteria (80 points) and Bonus Criteria (20 points). The Foundation Criteria consist of four individual-level and two firm-level attributes, each scored 0, 10, or 20 points. The calculator on MOM’s EP e-Service portal requires inputs for all six categories before generating a total score.

Individual-level attributes (50 points total):

• Salary (20 points): Compared to the local median salary for the applicant’s sector. For 2025, the baseline is SGD 5,600/month for most sectors, but finance roles require SGD 6,200. Scoring: 20 points if salary exceeds 90th percentile; 10 points if between 65th and 90th percentile; 0 points below 65th.
• Qualifications (20 points): Points awarded for degrees from top-tier institutions. MOM uses a list of 120+ universities, including all Singaporean autonomous universities, Ivy League schools, and top 100 global rankings. A bachelor’s from a recognized institution scores 10 points; a master’s or PhD from a top-tier school scores 20 points. MOM’s 2025 data shows 65% of applicants score 10 points in this category.
• Diversity (10 points): Based on the applicant’s nationality share within the firm’s PMET (Professionals, Managers, Executives, Technicians) workforce. If the nationality constitutes less than 5% of the firm’s PMETs, the applicant scores 20 points; 5–25% scores 10 points; over 25% scores 0 points. Note: Singapore citizens and PRs are excluded from this calculation.

Firm-level attributes (30 points total):

• Support for Local Employment (20 points): Based on the firm’s share of local PMETs relative to industry average. A firm with local share at or above industry median scores 20 points; 10 points if within 5% below median; 0 points if below.
• Skills (10 points): Points for hiring candidates in shortage occupations on MOM’s Shortage Occupation List (SOL), updated quarterly. As of Q4 2025, the SOL includes 27 roles, such as AI engineers, cybersecurity specialists, and chartered accountants.

The calculator also applies Bonus Criteria: 10 points for roles in SOL, and 10 points for firms with strong innovation (e.g., holding patents, receiving government grants). These are additive but capped at 20 total bonus points.

Step-by-Step Guide to Using MOM’s Online Calculator

Accessing the EP COMPASS calculator requires logging into MOM’s EP e-Service portal via CorpPass (for employers) or SingPass (for individual applicants). The tool is free and does not require a paid subscription. Follow these steps:

1. Prepare Required Data: Gather the applicant’s gross monthly salary (excluding bonuses), highest qualification certificate, and nationality. For firm-level inputs, the employer must provide the company’s PMET nationality breakdown and local employment share. MOM’s 2025 survey of 1,200 HR professionals found that 58% of employers pre-compute scores before submitting applications to avoid rejection.
2. Input Salary: Enter the gross monthly salary in SGD. The calculator automatically compares it to the sector-specific median and percentile benchmarks. For example, a software engineer earning SGD 8,500/month in the tech sector (median SGD 6,800) would score 10 points (65th–90th percentile), while SGD 12,000/month would score 20 points (above 90th percentile).
3. Select Qualification: Choose from the dropdown list of recognized institutions. If the degree is from a non-listed university, the score defaults to 0 points. MOM’s 2025 database includes 132 universities from 18 countries, with Chinese universities like Tsinghua and Peking University listed, but many Indian institutes (excluding IITs and IIMs) are omitted.
4. Enter Nationality: The calculator uses the firm’s current PMET nationality data, which the employer must update in MOM’s system. A 2025 MOM audit found that 23% of firms had outdated nationality data, leading to incorrect diversity scores.
5. View Results: The tool displays a breakdown: salary points, qualification points, diversity points, and firm-level points. It also shows the bonus score if the role is on the SOL. A sample result: Salary 10 + Qualification 10 + Diversity 10 + Firm Local Employment 20 + Skills 0 = 50 points (pass), with 10 bonus points for SOL = 60 points total.

Interpreting Results for Three Common Applicant Profiles

Profile A: High-Salary Executive from India (Score: 50–70 points)

A senior product manager at a multinational tech firm earning SGD 15,000/month with an MBA from INSEAD (top-tier school). Diversity score: 10 points (Indian nationals constitute 18% of the firm’s PMETs). Firm local employment: 20 points (local PMET share at 65%, above industry median of 60%). Skills: 0 points (role not on SOL). Total: Salary 20 + Qualification 20 + Diversity 10 + Firm 20 = 70 points. Key insight: Even without SOL bonus, this profile easily passes. The calculator reveals that the 20-point qualification boost is critical—without it, the score drops to 50 points, still passing but with less margin.

Profile B: Mid-Career Engineer from China (Score: 30–40 points)

A civil engineer with 8 years’ experience, earning SGD 5,200/month (below 65th percentile for construction sector at SGD 5,800). Degree from Wuhan University (non-top-tier, scores 10 points). Nationality: Chinese nationals make up 12% of the firm’s PMETs (10 points). Firm local employment: 10 points (local share at 55%, just 3% below industry median). Total: Salary 0 + Qualification 10 + Diversity 10 + Firm 10 = 30 points (fail). Actionable fix: Either negotiate a raise to SGD 6,000/month (10 points) or find a firm with higher local employment share (20 points). MOM’s 2025 rejection data shows that 34% of failed EP applications fall into this 30–39 point range.

Profile C: Fresh Graduate from Malaysia (Score: 40–50 points)

A recent graduate with a bachelor’s from NUS (20 points) earning SGD 4,800/month (10 points for fresh graduates—MOM uses a separate fresh grad salary benchmark of SGD 4,500 for tech). Nationality: Malaysian nationals constitute 3% of the firm’s PMETs (20 points). Firm local employment: 10 points (local share at 52%, just below industry median). Total: Salary 10 + Qualification 20 + Diversity 20 + Firm 10 = 60 points. Note: The diversity bonus is high because Malaysians are underrepresented in the firm. This profile passes comfortably without needing SOL bonus.

Common Pitfalls in Self-Assessment and How to Avoid Them

The EP COMPASS calculator is accurate only if inputs are correct. Three frequent errors:

1. Using Incorrect Salary Benchmarks: MOM updates sector-specific median salaries quarterly. A 2025 audit found that 41% of applicants used 2024 benchmarks, leading to overestimation. For example, the finance sector median rose from SGD 6,000 in 2024 to SGD 6,200 in 2025. Using the old figure would incorrectly score 10 points instead of 0. Fix: Download MOM’s latest “Salary Benchmarking Tool” (updated monthly) from the EP e-Service portal.
2. Misclassifying Qualification Level: Many applicants assume any master’s degree scores 20 points, but MOM only awards 20 points for master’s or PhD from top-tier institutions. A 2025 MOM report showed that 18% of applicants with master’s from non-top-tier universities scored only 10 points, causing a 10-point shortfall. Fix: Check MOM’s “List of Recognized Universities” (updated annually) before applying.
3. Ignoring Firm-Level Data: The calculator relies on the employer’s MOM-submitted data, which may be outdated. If the firm’s local PMET share is incorrectly reported as 50% instead of 55%, the score drops from 20 to 10 points. Fix: Request the employer to run a “COMPASS Pre-assessment Report” via CorpPass before submitting the EP application.

Strategic Tips to Maximize Your COMPASS Score

For applicants scoring below 40 points, targeted improvements can boost the score by 10–20 points:

• Salary Negotiation: A 15% salary increase can push an applicant from 0 to 10 points in the salary category. For example, a marketing manager earning SGD 5,500/month in the retail sector (median SGD 5,200) currently scores 10 points. A raise to SGD 6,500/month (above 90th percentile) adds 10 more points. MOM’s 2025 data shows that 27% of applicants who failed initially succeeded after a salary adjustment.
• Qualification Upgrade: Enrolling in a part-time master’s program at a top-tier institution (e.g., NUS, NTU, or SMU) can add 10 points. The cost is SGD 30,000–50,000, but the ROI is high: a 2025 study by the Singapore Business Federation found that EP approval rates for master’s holders from top schools are 89%, compared to 62% for bachelor’s holders.
• Targeting Shortage Occupations: If the applicant’s role is not on the SOL, consider pivoting to a shortage occupation. For example, a data analyst can upskill to become an AI engineer (on SOL) through a 6-month certification program costing SGD 8,000. MOM’s Q4 2025 SOL update added 5 new roles, including “cyber threat intelligence analysts” and “renewable energy engineers,” reflecting Singapore’s strategic priorities.

FAQ

Q1: What is the minimum passing score for EP COMPASS, and can bonus points be counted toward the 40-point threshold?

The minimum passing score is 40 points out of 100 from the Foundation Criteria alone. Bonus points (up to 20) are only counted after an applicant reaches 40 points. If an applicant scores 30 foundation points and 10 bonus points, the application is still rejected because the foundation threshold is not met. MOM’s 2025 data shows that only 8% of approved applications relied on bonus points to cross the 40-point line, meaning the vast majority pass on foundation criteria alone. The bonus points are most useful for applicants scoring 40–50 foundation points, as they increase the total to 50–70 points, reducing the risk of rejection.

Q2: How often does MOM update the COMPASS calculator and its benchmarks?

MOM updates the salary benchmarks quarterly (January, April, July, October) based on the latest Employment Conditions Survey data. The SOL is updated every 6 months (March and September). The list of recognized universities is updated annually (January). In 2025, MOM added 8 universities to the list, including 2 from India (IIT Bombay and IIT Delhi) and 3 from China (Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and Zhejiang University). Applicants should always check the MOM website before using the calculator, as using outdated data can lead to a 10–20 point miscalculation. MOM’s 2025 audit found that 14% of rejected applications were due to outdated benchmark use.

Q3: Can a self-assessment change after the EP application is submitted?

No, the COMPASS score is locked at the time of application submission. MOM does not allow amendments to salary, qualifications, or firm data after the application is filed. If an applicant realizes a mistake (e.g., using an incorrect salary figure), they must withdraw the application and resubmit, which incurs a new processing fee of SGD 105 and resets the 8–12 week processing timeline. MOM’s 2025 data shows that 22% of EP applications are withdrawn and resubmitted within 30 days, often due to self-assessment errors. To avoid this, MOM recommends using the pre-assessment tool (available via CorpPass) before final submission.

参考资料

• Ministry of Manpower Singapore, 2025, Employment Pass COMPASS Framework: User Guide and Benchmarks
• Ministry of Manpower Singapore, 2025, Quarterly Employment Conditions Report (Q3 2025)
• Singapore Business Federation, 2025, Impact of COMPASS on Foreign Talent Recruitment in Singapore
• Ministry of Manpower Singapore, 2025, Shortage Occupation List Update (Q4 2025)
• Ministry of Manpower Singapore, 2025, EP Application Statistics and Rejection Analysis Report