Starting from the 2024 Secondary 1 cohort, the Normal (Technical), Normal (Academic) and Express streams will be removed. Under Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB), students will instead be posted to secondary schools through Posting Groups 1, 2 and 3 respectively. As they progress through secondary school, they will have greater flexibility to offer subjects at different subject levels.
Removal of Express, Normal(Academic) [N(A)] and Normal(Technical) [N(T)] streams
The Express, N(A) and N(T) streams will be removed.
MOE will post students to secondary school through three Posting Groups – Posting Groups 1, 2, and 3. The PSLE score ranges for the three Posting Groups will be mapped from the previous N(T), N(A) and Express streams respectively. Posting Groups will only be used for the purposes of admitting students into secondary school and to guide the initial subject levels students can offer at the start of Secondary One.
Throughout their secondary school education, students can take subjects at three subject levels, known as G1, G2, G3 (G stands for General), mapped from the previous N(T), N(A) and Express standards respectively. Students will have the flexibility to adjust their subject levels at appropriate junctures, based on their strengths, interests and learning needs. Students will subsequently access programmes and post-secondary pathways based on their various subjects and subject level combinations.
| PSLE Score | Posting Group(s) | Indicative level for most subjects at start of Secondary 1 |
|---|---|---|
| 4 - 20 | 3 | G3 |
| 21 - 22 | 2 or 3 | G2 or G3 |
| 23 - 24 | 2 | G2 |
| 25 | 1 or 2 | G1 or G2 |
| 26 - 30 (with AL7 or better in EL and MA) |
1 | G1 |
Mixed form classes
Once students enter secondary school, they will be grouped into mixed form classes comprising students from different Posting Groups and will have opportunities to interact and learn with peers of different backgrounds, strengths, and interests.
Offering subjects at a more demanding level
At the start of Secondary One
Eligible students can offer English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics and Science at a more demanding level based on their PSLE Achievement Level (AL) for each of these subjects.
| Eligibility criteria to offer English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics and/or Science at a more demanding level | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Indicative Level of Most Subjects at Start of S1 | PSLE Standard grade | PSLE Foundation grade | Option to offer subject at |
| G2 | AL 5 or better | - | G3 |
| G1 | AL 5 or better | - | G2 / G3 |
| AL 6 | AL A | G2 | |
Beyond the start of Secondary One
From Secondary 2 (S2), students will also be able to offer Humanities subjects (Geography, History, and Literature in English) at a more demanding level. The criteria for taking Humanities at a more demanding level will be based on students' aptitude for and interest in these subjects at S1.
| Eligibility criteria | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Humanities subject level at S1 | Humanities subjects | School-based assessment | Option to offer Humanities at a more demanding level from S2: |
| G2 |
|
Aptitude and interest for specific subject | G3 Geography, History and/or Literature in English (i.e., can offer one or more Humanities subjects at a more demanding level) |
| G1 |
|
Aptitude in English Language and G1 Humanities | G2 Geography, History and/or Literature in English (i.e., can offer one or more Humanities subjects at a more demanding level) |
Offering subjects at a less demanding level
At the start of Secondary One
For students who offered English, Mathematics and/or Science at Foundation level at PSLE, but are otherwise eligible to take most of their subjects at G3 when entering secondary school, they may choose to take these subjects at a less demanding level (i.e., G2), in consultation with their secondary schools.
Students who face exceptional difficulties coping with their Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) will have the option to offer G1 or G2 MTL. At the start of Secondary One, students can offer MTL at a less demanding level based on the following criteria:
| Indicative Level of Most Subjects at Start of S1 | PSLE Grade (Standard MTL) | PSLE Grade (Foundation Mother Tongue Language) | Option to offer MTL at |
|---|---|---|---|
| G3 | AL 6 | AL A | G2 |
| AL 7-8 | AL B-C | G1 or G2 | |
| G2 | AL 7-8 | AL B-C | G1 |
Beyond the start of Secondary One
Students may offer subjects at a less demanding level, based on their performance and schools’ holistic assessment, to calibrate their academic load.
Schools will also have the discretion to allow students with difficulties coping with MTL to offer MTL at a less demanding level, based on holistic considerations.
Students who offer subjects at a less demanding level may subsequently offer the subjects at a more demanding level as they gain greater competence and confidence in the subjects.
The increased flexibility empowers students to take greater ownership of their learning according to their subject-specific strengths and interests.
Subjects at lower secondary
Common Curriculum subjects
In their mixed form classes, students will spend around one-third of their curriculum time taking a set of six common curriculum subjects:
These subjects give students more opportunities to interact and learn with classmates of different strengths and interests.
Teachers will adopt a range of teaching approaches to meet the different learning needs and pace of their students in the same form class.
Subjects Offered at G1, G2 and G3
English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics, Science, and Humanities subjects will be offered at G1, G2 and G3.
Students will be grouped in different classes based on their subject level for each subject.
The following curriculum policy changes will also be implemented from the 2024 Secondary One cohort:
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) – replacement of MTL ‘B’ with G1 or G2 MTL |
Students who face exceptional difficulties coping with learning MTL will have the option to offer G1 or G2 MTL. With the greater flexibility afforded by the MTL offerings at G1, G2, and G3, MTL ‘B’ will be discontinued in secondary schools starting from the Secondary 1 cohort in 2024. |
| Social Studies Normal (Technical) [SS(NT)] – replacement of SS(NT) with G1 Humanities |
Students will be able to offer G1 Humanities as a non-examinable subject at the lower secondary levels, in lieu of the current SS(NT). At lower secondary, G1 Humanities will comprise Social Studies and Humanities Exposure Modules (HEM) in Geography, History, and Literature in English to give students the opportunity to gain exposure to the different Humanities disciplines. Students offering G2 and G3 Humanities at lower secondary will continue with the existing offerings of Geography, History and Literature in English. |
| Computer Applications (CPA) – discontinued with teaching of digital competencies incorporated into other subjects and programmes |
Lower secondary CPA, which is currently only available for students taking the N(T) stream, will be discontinued. Teaching of digital competencies will be incorporated into other subjects/programmes for all lower secondary students. |
Subjects at upper secondary
Compulsory subjects
The compulsory subjects at upper secondary are:
- English Language
- Mother Tongue Languages1
- Humanities2
- Mathematics
- Science3
1 Eligible students may offer HMTL instead of MTL.
2 Upper secondary G1 Humanities will comprise Social Studies and one Humanities Exposure Module (HEM) in Geography, History or Literature in English. G2/3 Humanities will comprise Social Studies and choice of one elective in Geography, History or Literature in English or Literature in Mother Tongue Languages (offered at G3 only).
3 Students offering mainly G1 subjects at upper secondary must offer at least one of the following subjects – Computing or Science.
Elective subjects
Students have the flexibility to take elective subjects, such as Additional Mathematics, Art, and Design & Technology, at subject levels suited to their interests and strengths. Schools will consider their students’ learning progress and developmental needs when helping them determine their subject choices.
The following curriculum policy changes will also be implemented from the 2026 Secondary Three cohort:
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Social Studies Normal (Technical) [SS(NT)] – replacement of SS(NT) with G1 Humanities |
Students will be able to offer G1 Humanities as a non-examinable subject at the upper secondary levels, in lieu of the current SS(NT). At upper secondary, G1 Humanities will comprise Social Studies and one Humanities Exposure Modules (HEM), in either Geography, History or Literature in English, of student’s choice. Students offering G2 and G3 Humanities at upper secondary will continue to offer Social Studies and a Humanities Elective of their choice, for example in Geography, History or Literature in English. In addition, upper secondary students who are interested, can also continue to opt for another G2 or G3 Humanities as a full Humanities subject (i.e., Full Geography, full History, full Literature in English). |
| Computer Applications (CPA) – renamed as G1 Computing |
Upper secondary CPA, which is currently only available for students taking the N(T) stream, renamed as G1 Computing. Students offering predominantly G1 subjects at upper secondary must offer at least one of the following subjects – Computing and/or Science. G1, G2 and G3 Computing will be offered as an elective subject to upper secondary students to allow more students to further develop their interest and competencies in computer education. |
Other programmes – Applied Learning Modules (ApLM)
ApLM are elective modules in applied areas, conducted by the Polytechnics, ITE and private vendors. Starting from the 2023 Secondary Two to Secondary Five cohorts, all students will be allowed to particate in these modules and each student is allowed to participate in up to 3 ApLM throughout their secondary education.
ApLM replaces Applied Elective Modules (AEM) by the Polytechnics for students taking the Express and N(A) streams, and the Elective Modules (EM) by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and private vendors for students taking the N(A) and N(T) streams.
Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examinations
From 2027, graduating students will sit for the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examinations, at their respective subject levels (i.e. G1, G2, G3). There will be no change to the examination format, and the SEC examinations will continue to be jointly examined and awarded by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board, MOE, and the Cambridge International Education.
Correspondingly, the SEC examination timetable will be consolidated into a single sitting to allow students to better pace their learning throughout the year. Under the SEC examination timetable, the written examinations for English Language and Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) will be conducted in September, while the written examinations for the rest of the subjects will be conducted from October to November, similar to the current O-Level examination timetable. There will also only be one written examination sitting for all MTL subject levels (i.e. G1, G2, G3 MTL and G3 Higher MTL).
Post-secondary admissions
Students will offer a more diverse combination of subjects at different subject levels by the time they complete secondary school. MOE has thus reviewed the admissions criteria for post-secondary pathways to recognise a wider profile of learners and provide students with more options, while ensuring students have the necessary fundamentals to thrive in their chosen pathway.
Option of a Fifth Year in Secondary School
The option of a fifth year in secondary school will continue to be available for eligible students, after they have sat for the SEC examinations at the end of Secondary 4 , to pace their learning and take subjects at a more demanding level to access more post-secondary pathways.
No Change to Junior College (JC) Admission Criteria
The existing JC admission criteria (i.e. L1R5 gross aggregate score of 20 or better, excluding bonus points) will be retained and computed with G3 subjects, to ensure that students have the sufficient academic foundation to access the A-Level curriculum
Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP)
The Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) is a 1-year programme that presently offers eligible N(A) students a practice-based preparatory pathway to a polytechnic education. MOE will expand the PFP to allow for a wider profile of learners, offering a different combination of subjects at different subject levels, to access the PFP.
Starting from the Academic Year 2024 intake, the PFP will be expanded to allow a wider group of students to benefit from a practice-based preparatory pathway to a polytechnic education, while ensuring that they are able to cope with the curriculum, by:
- Relaxing the grade requirement of two 'Best' subjects in ELMAB3 (English Language, Mathematics, Best 3 subjects), from G2 Grade 3 to Grade 4.
- The ELMAB3 (English Language, Mathematics, Best 3 subjects) aggregate, computed with G2 subjects, will be retained at a gross aggregate score of 12 points of better. The G2 subject requirements for English Language and ‘Relevant’ subjects will also be retained.
Starting from the Academic Year 2026 intake, admissions to the PFP will be restructured to a cluster-based approach. Students in the PFP can enter one of three key broad clusters: (i) Sciences (ii) Design, Engineering & Technology or (iii) Humanities, Art, Media and Business, before posting to a specific diploma course based on their interest and PFP performance. Diploma-specific admission will apply for the Diploma in Nursing, Diploma in Early Childhood Development & Education and Diploma in Tamil Studies with Early Education.
Starting from the Academic Year 2028 intake, the PFP will be expanded to also allow students taking G3 subjects, or a mix of G2 and G3 subjects to access PFP by mapping their G3 grade to the G2 equivalent – thus removing the current stream-based admission which is limited to today’s N(A) students.
Polytechnic Year 1 Admission Criteria
The Polytechnic Year 1 admission criteria will be refined to recognise learning at the different subject levels, in line with the intention of Full SBB. Under the current admission criteria for Polytechnic Year 1, students are required to offer five G3 (i.e. O-Level equivalent) subjects, which are computed into an ELR2B2 (English Language, two relevant [R] and two best [B] subjects) aggregate score. From the 2028 intake, students can offer one [B] subject taken at either G2 or G3 in their aggregate score. The remaining four subjects must continue to be offered at G3 to ensure that students can cope with the academic rigour in the polytechnics.
With this change, all students will be assessed on a common benchmark of four G3 subjects and one G2 subject, instead of five G3 subjects. Students who offer both [B] subjects at G3 will have their [B] subject with a lower grade mapped from G3 to G2 based on an empirically validated grade mapping table (see table below).
| Grade Mapping Table (G3 to G2) | |
|---|---|
| G3 | G2 |
| A1, A2, B3 | 1 |
| B4, C5, C6 | 2 |
| D7 | 3 |
| E8 | 4 |
| 9 | 5 |
| - | 6 |
Changes to Institute of Technical Education (ITE) pathway
ITE is transitioning all its Nitec courses to the enhanced three-year curricular structure leading directly to a Higher Nitec certification. ITE will continue to monitor the outcomes of this implementation, and is on track to complete the transition by Academic Year 2026.
Starting from the Academic Year 2028, the admission requirements for direct entry into Year 2 for all Higher Nitec courses will be set at G2. This means that students taking a combination of G3 and G2 subjects can apply for direct entry into Year 2 of Higher Nitec, as long as their gross ELMAB3 aggregate score is 19 points or better.
Mixed form classes
Once posted into the Full SBB school, students will be grouped into mixed form classes, with each form class comprising students taking different courses. Mixed form classes present more opportunities for students to interact with other students taking different subject combinations, and with different strengths and interests.
Offering subjects at a more demanding level
Subjects at a more demanding level
At the start of Secondary One, all students can offer English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics and Science at a more demanding level based on their PSLE Achievement Level (AL) for each subject. Beyond the start of Secondary One, students may also offer these subjects at a more demanding level based on their performance in secondary school.
| Subjects | Eligibility criteria | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| PSLE subject level | PSLE AL for the specific subject | Option to take the Secondary One subject at: | |
|
Standard | AL 5 or better | Express Level or N(A) Level |
| AL 6 | N(A) Level | ||
| Foundation | AL A | N(A) Level | |
From Secondary Two, students in schools that are implementing Full SBB will also be able to offer Humanities subjects (Geography, History, and Literature in English) at a more demanding level. The criteria for taking Humanities at a more demanding level will be based on students' aptitude for and interest in these subjects at Secondary One.
| Humanities subjects | Eligibility criteria | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Humanities subject level | School-based assessment | Option to take Humanities at a more demanding level from Secondary Two: | |
|
N(A) Level | Aptitude and interest for specific subject | Any of these subject(s) at Express Level |
| Social Studies N(T) | One of these subjects at N(A) Level | ||
Subjects at lower secondary
Common Curriculum subjects
In their mixed form classes, students will take a set of subjects at a common level, amounting to about one-third of curriculum time. This would allow students in mixed form classes to spend curriculum time together in these subjects.
These subjects are:
- Art
- Character and Citizenship Education
- Design and Technology
- Food and Consumer Education
- Music
- Physical Education
Teachers will adopt a range of teaching approaches to meet the different learning needs and pace of their students in the same form class.
Subjects Offered at Express Level, N(A) Level, and N(T) Level
English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics, and Science will be offered at Express Level, N(A) Level, and N(T) Level. The criteria for taking these subjects at a more demanding level from the start of Secondary One is based on students' PSLE AL Score for each subject.
In schools implementing Full SBB, students will also be able to offer Humanities subjects (Geography, History, and Literature in English) at a more demanding level from Secondary Two. The criteria for taking Humanities at a more demanding level will be based on students' aptitude for and interest in these subjects at Secondary One.
Students will be grouped in different classes based on their subject level for each subject.
Subjects at upper secondary
Compulsory subjects
For students taking the Express and N(A) courses
- English Language
- Mother Tongue Languages
- Humanities (with Social Studies)
- Mathematics
- Science
For students taking the N(T) course
- English Language
- Mother Tongue Languages
- Computer Applications and Social Studies
- Mathematics
Other programmes - Applied Learning Modules (ApLM)
ApLM are elective modules in applied areas, conducted by the Polytechnics, ITE and private vendors. Starting from the 2023 Secondary Two to Secondary Five cohorts, all students will be allowed to particate in these modules and each student is allowed to participate in up to 3 ApLM throughout their secondary education.
ApLM replaces Applied Elective Modules (AEM) by the Polytechnics for students taking the Express and N(A) streams, and the Elective Modules (EM) by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and private vendors for students taking the N(A) and N(T) streams.
National examinations
Up to the 2026 graduating cohort, students will continue to take the GCE O- and N-Level examinations.
Post-secondary admissions
Changes to post-secondary admissions will be progressively introduced and fully implemented by the Academic Year 2028 admissions, to better recognise students' different combinations of subjects and subject levels.
Expansion of Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP) from Academic Year 2024
As a first step, the PFP will be expanded to allow a wider group of students to benefit from a practice-based preparatory pathway to a polytechnic education, while ensuring that they are able to cope with the curriculum, by:
- Relaxing the grade requirement of two 'Best' subjects in ELMAB3 (English Language, Mathematics, Best 3 subjects), from N(A)-Level Grade 3 to Grade 4.
- While retaining ELMAB3 (English Language, Mathematics, Best 3 subjects) at a raw aggregate score of 12 points of better (excluding CCA bonus points); and the subject requirements for English Language and 'Relevant' subjects.
Starting from the Academic Year 2026 intake, admissions to the PFP will be restructured to a cluster-based approach. Students in the PFP will enter one of three key broad clusters: (i) Sciences (ii) Design, Engineering & Technology or (iii) Humanities, Art, Media and Business, before posting to a specific diploma course based on their interest and PFP performance.
These changes balances between increasing flexibility and porosity of pathways, while still ensuring that students enter a pathway that they are able to cope with as they progress.
Retirement of N(A) Through-Train programme [N(A) TT] from 2022
From 2022, the N(A) TT provision has been retired. The N(A) TT previously provided students taking the N(A) course the option of bypassing the GCE N-Level to directly take the GCE O-Level, to spread out their learning over three years of upper secondary. With the removal of courses under Full SBB, the N(A) TT will be less relevant.
Students will continue to have access to other pathways, such as the PFP, Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP) or Secondary Five N(A) after their GCE N-Level, to pursue their aspirations and interests.
Changes to Institute of Technical Education (ITE) pathway
ITE is transitioning all its Nitec courses to the enhanced three-year curricular structure leading directly to a Higher Nitec certification. ITE will continue to monitor the outcomes of this implementation, and is on track to complete the transition by Academic Year 2026.