A guide to the new subject-based banding system for secondary school

In secondary school, there will no longer be Express, Normal Academic, and normal technical streams. Instead, from 2024 onwards, Secondary 1 will be placed in a brand new subject-based branding system (Full SBB).

With the new subject-based branding system, all students will be placed in subject classes - G1, G2 and G3 - according to their level of achievement. Depending on the student's PSLE performance, they will be offered subjects at different levels. Think of G1 as the Normal Technical level, G2 as the Normal Academic level and G3 as the Express Stream level. However, this is not a fixed level - if your child does well in certain subjects, they can take them at a higher level in the next school year.

Below shows a range of PSLE scores and their posting groups.

This new branding system allows your child to take subjects based on their strengths and weaknesses. Unlike the old streaming system where there were restrictions, your child can take subjects at a more challenging level if they perform well (and vice versa).

From 2024, schools and classes will have a better mix of students from different posting groups. This will give students more opportunities to connect with peers from different backgrounds, strengths and interests.

Subjects

Students entering Secondary 1 who face exceptional difficulties coping with Mother Tongue Language learning will have the option to take Mother Tongue Language at the less demanding G1 or G2 levels. In addition, students who have taken English, Mathematics and/or Science at the basic level in PSLE, but are otherwise eligible to take most of their subjects at G3 when they enter secondary school, may take English, Mathematics and/or Science at the less demanding G2 level in consultation with their secondary schools.

From 2026, students will also have the flexibility to customize their learning when they reach upper secondary levels, where they can choose to take elective subjects, such as Additional Mathematics, Art, and Design & Technology, at more or less demanding levels.

Computing

Computer Applications (CPA), which is only offered to students in the Normal Technical stream in lower secondary will be abolished from 2024 and replaced with G1 in 2026.

By then, schools will offer G1 Computing as an elective for the Secondary 3 cohort. Schools will also introduce G2 Computing as a new elective for upper secondary students, while schools currently offering O-Level Computing will continue to offer G3 Computing.

Humanities

Social Studies for the N(T) stream will also no longer be offered starting from the 2024 Secondary 1 cohort onwards, according to MOE.

It will be replaced by G1 Humanities, a subject that is also non-examinable.

At the lower secondary level, G1 Humanities will include social studies and the Humanities Exposure Modules of Geography, History, and Literature in English.

On the other hand, G1 Humanities at the upper secondary level will comprise Social Studies and one of three exposure modules of the student's choice.

Lower secondary students who have been offered G2 and G3 Humanities will continue with existing subjects of Geography, History, and Literature in English.

At the upper secondary level, students will continue with Social Studies and a Humanities Elective - Geography, History or Literature in English - of their choice.

They may also choose to take an additional G2 or G3 Humanities subject - full Geography, full History, full Literature in English.

Secondary Education Certificate (SEC)

In Secondary 4, the entire cohort will take a standard national exam, replacing the current O and N level exams. At the end of secondary school, students will receive a common certificate, the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC), which reflects their different subject combinations and levels. Students will take their subject papers based on their level - G1 to G3. Those who want to spend a fifth year in secondary school to take subjects at a more demanding level will continue to be able to do so.

Adapted from:

1. https://sapgrp.com/a-guide-to-the-changes-to-psle-o-level-and-n-level-examinations-all-you-need-to-know/
2. https://mothership.sg/2023/03/full-sbb-posting-groups-announcement/
3. https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/teachers-students-adapt-to-full-subject-based-banding-say-it-caters-to-diverse-interests-and-strengths

Have questions? Contact EduZ Tuition today.