How IPPT Is Scored: Points, Stations and the Rules That Catch People Out
IPPT is scored out of 100 points across three stations, and you pass at 51. That is the whole system in one sentence. The parts that trip people up are the two rules underneath it, which this page covers properly.
The three stations
| Station | Duration | Maximum points |
|---|---|---|
| Push-ups | 1 minute | 25 |
| Sit-ups | 1 minute | 25 |
| 2.4km run | — | 50 |
| Total | 100 |
Push-ups and sit-ups are each conducted in one minute. The static stations are attempted first, then the 2.4km run.
Notice the weighting. The run alone is worth as much as both static stations combined. People who train only push-ups and sit-ups are competing for half the available points.
How points are worked out
Each station is scored against your age group, not a single national standard. There are fourteen age groups, and servicewomen are scored on completely separate tables at every station.
So the question “how many push-ups do I need” has no single answer. For a serviceman aged 25 to 27, 24 push-ups is 15 points. The same 24 reps at 58 to 60 is worth considerably more. Our guide to IPPT age groups shows exactly how much that difference is worth — it is larger than most people expect.
The two rules that catch people out
1. You need at least 1 point at every station
A zero anywhere is an automatic fail, whatever your total. You could score 25 on sit-ups and max the run for 50 points — 75 points, Silver territory — and still fail outright if you scored zero on push-ups.
This is the rule most calculators get wrong, including ours until recently. It is worth knowing that your total alone does not tell you whether you passed.
2. Points get more expensive as you climb
The scoring tables are not linear. For a serviceman aged 25 to 27 on push-ups:
| Reps | Score | Cost of the next 5 points |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | 1 | — |
| 19 | 10 | 5 reps |
| 24 | 15 | 14 reps |
| 38 | 20 | 20 reps |
| 58 | 25 | — |
The practical consequence: if a station is already strong, more work there is poor value. If a station is weak, it is the cheapest place to find points anywhere on the test. Most people train what they are already good at, which is exactly backwards.
Award bands
| Award | Total points | Incentive |
|---|---|---|
| Gold | 85 – 100 | $500 |
| Gold (Commando / Guards / Divers) | 90 – 100 | $500 |
| Silver | 75 – 84 | $300 |
| Pass with Incentive | 61 – 74 | $200 |
| Pass | 51 – 60 | — |
| Fail | Below 51 | NS FIT |
Commandos, Divers and Guards need 90 points for Gold rather than 85.
On the money: if you improve to a higher award on a later attempt, you receive the incremental difference, not the full amount again. Pass with Incentive then Silver means $200, then a further $100. Gold is capped at one award per IPPT window. NSFs and Regulars receive their award with their monthly salaries rather than through the PayNow option available to NSmen.
Working out your own score
The IPPT calculator takes your reps and timing, scores them against your age group and gender, and tells you the exact 2.4km timing you need for the next award. It uses the verified 1 April 2015 tables and applies the zero-station rule.
If you prefer to read the numbers yourself, everything is published: the complete score tables, plus station guides for push-ups, sit-ups and the 2.4km run. Servicewomen should use the female calculator.
Not passing is not a disaster either — our NS FIT guide covers what actually happens next, and several of the things people fear about it are not true.
Frequently asked questions
How is IPPT scored?
Out of 100 points across three stations: push-ups (25), sit-ups (25) and the 2.4km run (50). Each station is scored against your age group and gender. You pass on 51 points with at least 1 point at every station.
What is the passing score for IPPT?
51 points, with a minimum of 1 point at each station. 61 is Pass with Incentive, 75 is Silver and 85 is Gold — 90 for Commandos, Divers and Guards.
Can I fail IPPT with more than 51 points?
Yes. A zero at any station is an automatic fail regardless of your total. 75 points with a zero on push-ups is still a fail.
Which station is worth the most?
The 2.4km run, at 50 points. It is worth as much as the push-up and sit-up stations combined.
How long are the push-up and sit-up stations?
One minute each.
Why does my friend get a different score for the same reps?
Because scoring is calibrated to age group and gender. Identical reps and timings are worth different points in different age bands.
How much is the IPPT incentive?
$500 for Gold, $300 for Silver and $200 for Pass with Incentive. Improving to a higher award on a later attempt pays the incremental difference rather than the full amount again.
Which station should I train first?
Whichever one you are worst at. The scoring tables are steepest at the bottom, so the first points in a weak station cost far fewer reps than the last points in a strong one.
Sources
Station durations and the 25/25/50 point split are from MINDEF’s announcement of the IPPT format. Award bands and incentive amounts are from MINDEF’s published answers on ask.gov.sg. Rep and timing figures come from the scoring tables the SAF implemented on 1 April 2015, checked against the official IPPT calculator on the NS Portal. Independent site, no connection to MINDEF, the SAF or CMPB — see our disclaimer.