---
title: "Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB): Complete Parent Guide"
description: "Full SBB replaces streaming with flexible subject levels. Understand G1, G2, G3, mixed form classes, and how SEC replaces O/N-Levels."
author: "Min Hui"
author_url: "https://ancourage.academy/authors/min-hui"
published_at: 2026-02-05
modified_at: 2026-05-03
category: "research"
tags: ["Secondary", "Full SBB", "Singapore", "O-Level", "Parents", "MOE", "Education"]
canonical: "https://ancourage.academy/articles/full-subject-based-banding-guide-singapore"
source: "https://ancourage.academy/articles/full-subject-based-banding-guide-singapore"
language: "en-SG"
word_count: 1686
reading_time: "PT9M"
cover_image: "https://ancourage.academy/academic-pic/P1460625.JPG"
reviewed_by: "Gabriel"
---

# Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB): Complete Parent Guide

Full SBB replaces streaming with flexible subject levels. Understand G1, G2, G3, mixed form classes, and how SEC replaces O/N-Levels.

**Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB) allows students to take subjects at [G1](https://ancourage.academy/glossary#g1), [G2](https://ancourage.academy/glossary#g2), or [G3](https://ancourage.academy/glossary#g3) levels based on individual strengths, replacing the previous rigid Express, Normal Academic, and Normal Technical streaming system.** From 2024, all Secondary 1 students are placed in mixed form classes and take subjects at different difficulty levels. The [SEC examination](https://ancourage.academy/glossary#sec) is being introduced under Full SBB, and terms like O-Levels and N-Levels may still be used during the transition. This guide is from [Ancourage Academy](https://ancourage.academy/academy), whose tutors support students across all G1/G2/G3 subject combinations under Full SBB.

As an educator who has guided families through this transition at Ancourage Academy, I understand the confusion many parents feel. This guide explains everything you need to know about Full SBB and how it affects your child's secondary school journey.

## What Is Full Subject-Based Banding?

**Full SBB is a system where students take different subjects at different difficulty levels based on their individual strengths, rather than being locked into a single academic stream.** A student strong in English but weaker in Mathematics might take English at G3 and Mathematics at G2.

According to [MOE's Full SBB microsite](https://www.moe.gov.sg/psle-fsbb/full-subject-based-banding/main), this approach recognises that students have different strengths across subjects and allows them to be stretched in areas where they excel while receiving support where needed.

Key principles of Full SBB:

-   **Flexibility:** Subject levels can change as students progress
-   **Personalisation:** Each student's timetable reflects their individual strengths
-   **Mixed learning:** Students from different posting groups learn together
-   **Reduced labelling:** No more "Express" or "Normal Academic" stream labels

**Ancourage Academy's [secondary programmes](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary) support students at every G-level under Full SBB, with targeted instruction in [small groups of 3–6](https://ancourage.academy/faq#class-sizes) — [book a free trial class (usually $18)](https://ancourage.academy/trial-class) for a diagnostic assessment of your child's subject strengths.**

## Understanding G1, G2, and G3 Levels

**[G1](https://ancourage.academy/glossary#g1), [G2](https://ancourage.academy/glossary#g2), and [G3](https://ancourage.academy/glossary#g3) represent increasing levels of academic demand, mapped from the previous N(T), N(A), and Express standards respectively.** These are not streams but subject-level classifications. For a detailed comparison of what G2 and G3 mean in practice, see the [G2 vs G3 subject levels guide](https://ancourage.academy/articles/g2-vs-g3-subject-levels-full-sbb-guide).

| Level | Previous Equivalent | Academic Demand |
| --- | --- | --- |
| G1 | Normal Technical (N(T)) | Foundation level with practical focus |
| G2 | Normal Academic (N(A)) | Intermediate level |
| G3 | Express | Most academically demanding |

A student's initial subject levels are determined by their [PSLE](https://ancourage.academy/glossary#psle) Achievement Level (AL) scores, but these are not permanent. Schools regularly review student performance and can offer the opportunity to take subjects at higher levels if they demonstrate consistent readiness and strong results.

At Ancourage Academy, we provide tuition at all three G-levels: [G3 English](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary/s1/english), [G2 English](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary/s1/english-g2), and [G1 English](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary/s1/english-g1) — along with our [Sec 1–4 Mathematics tuition](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary/mathematics), [Science](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary/s1/science), and [Chinese](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary/s1/chinese) at every G-level.

## How PSLE Results Determine Posting Groups

**Your child's PSLE Achievement Level (AL) score determines their initial posting group, which guides the default subject levels for Secondary 1.** However, posting groups are starting points, not fixed categories.

Posting group guidelines based on [PSLE AL score](https://www.moe.gov.sg/secondary/s1-posting/how-to-choose/what-are-posting-groups):

| PSLE AL Score | Posting Group |
| --- | --- |
| 4–20 | Posting Group 3 |
| 21–22 | Posting Group 2 or 3 |
| 23–24 | Posting Group 2 |
| 25 | Posting Group 1 or 2 |
| 26–30 | Posting Group 1 (requires AL 7 or better in both English and Mathematics) |

For students in the overlap ranges (AL 21–22 and AL 25), parents choose the posting group that is more suited to their child's learning pace and abilities. The chosen posting group applies to all school choices — you cannot mix posting groups across different school preferences. Within each posting group, students may take specific subjects at higher levels based on their PSLE subject grades. For example, a Posting Group 2 student who scored AL 1-3 for English may be offered English at G3.

Pupils from an affiliated primary school get a measurable but modest admission priority within their Posting Group — MOE puts the average cut-off advantage at about 7 points in Posting Group 3, 2 in PG2 and 1 in PG1. See our [primary-to-secondary affiliation reference](https://ancourage.academy/resources/secondary-school-affiliation) for which schools are affiliated.

## Mixed Form Classes Explained

**Under Full SBB, your child will be placed in a mixed form class where G1, G2, and G3 students learn together for six Common Curriculum subjects.** This replaces the previous system where students were grouped by stream.

The six Common Curriculum subjects taken in mixed form classes:

1.  Art
2.  Design and Technology
3.  Food and Consumer Education
4.  Music
5.  Physical Education
6.  Character and Citizenship Education

For academic subjects like English, Mathematics, Science, and Mother Tongue, students attend classes grouped by subject level (G1, G2, or G3). This means your child might be in a G3 English class but a G2 Mathematics class with different classmates.

## Subject Level Flexibility

**Your child's subject levels are not fixed for four years — schools can offer students the opportunity to move up or down based on their performance.** This flexibility is exactly what Full SBB was designed to provide.

How subject level changes work:

-   **Moving up:** If your child excels in [G2 English](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary/s1/english-g2) in Sec 1-2, the school may offer [G3 English](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary/s1/english) later
-   **Support pathway:** If a student struggles at G3, they may be offered [G2](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary/s1/mathematics-g2) to build stronger foundations
-   **School decision:** Changes are based on teachers' assessments and school recommendations
-   **Parent consultation:** Schools will discuss level changes with parents

At Ancourage Academy, we help students [strengthen specific subjects](https://ancourage.academy/faq#secondary-necessary) so they can take them at higher G levels when the opportunity arises.

## The New SEC Examination

**Students will sit for the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examination under Full SBB.** During the transition, families may still refer to O-Levels and N-Levels when discussing subject choices, resources, and post-secondary pathways. This is a single national examination with papers at different G levels for each subject. For full details on the SEC timeline and what it means for current students, see the [SEC exam 2027 guide](https://ancourage.academy/articles/sec-exam-2027-singapore-new-national-examination).

Key points about the SEC examination:

-   **One certificate:** All students receive the same SEC certificate
-   **Multiple levels:** Each subject has G1, G2, or G3 papers
-   **Mix and match:** A student might sit for English at G3, Mathematics at G2, and Science at G3
-   **Clear recognition:** The certificate shows the level achieved for each subject

## Post-Secondary Pathways Under Full SBB

**Students' post-secondary options depend on their SEC results and the G levels achieved, with pathways to JC, polytechnic, and ITE remaining available.** The key difference is that requirements are based on subject-level performance rather than stream.

General pathway guidelines:

-   **Junior College:** Requires strong G3 results; current O-Level cohorts use L1R5, while the first PSE (replacing the JAE) uses the announced L1R4 framework
-   **Polytechnic:** Both G2 and G3 results are accepted. Strong G2 students may also qualify for the Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP)
-   **ITE:** G1 results accepted for Higher Nitec courses

MOE has announced updated JC criteria for the first SEC cohort (L1R4, aggregate 16 or below); check the latest [PSE admission criteria](https://www.moe.gov.sg/post-secondary/admissions/pse/jc-and-mi) for full subject requirements and yearly details.

## How to Support Your Child Under Full SBB

**The best way to support your child is to focus on strengthening their individual subjects rather than worrying about overall "stream" performance.** Under Full SBB, targeted improvement in specific subjects can open doors.

1.  **Identify strengths and gaps:** Know which subjects need support and which can be stretched
2.  **Communicate with teachers:** Understand your child's performance in each subject level
3.  **Consider targeted tuition:** Focus on subjects where level-up is possible
4.  **Encourage effort in mixed classes:** Common Curriculum subjects matter for holistic development
5.  **Discuss pathways early:** Help your child understand how subject choices affect future options — our guide on [choosing a secondary school in Singapore](https://ancourage.academy/articles/choosing-secondary-school-singapore) covers key factors

Our [Secondary programmes](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary) at Ancourage Academy support students at every G-level — whether building foundations at [G1](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary/s1/mathematics-g1), strengthening skills at [G2](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary/s1/mathematics-g2), or preparing for the [SEC examination at G3](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary/s3/e-maths).

One parent shared: "Initially I was confused about G1, G2, G3, but after attending the school briefing, I realised Full SBB lets my son excel in English at G3 while getting more support for Mathematics at G2. It's personalised in a way streaming never was."

## Common Questions About Full SBB

### Is Full SBB better than the old streaming system?

Full SBB offers more flexibility and reduces the stigma of being labelled by stream. Students who are strong in some subjects but weaker in others can now be appropriately challenged and supported in each subject individually. However, it requires more self-management as students navigate different class groupings and subject-level combinations throughout their secondary school journey.

### Can my child move from G2 to G3 for a subject?

Yes, subject-level progression is a core feature of Full SBB. Schools regularly assess student readiness and may offer subject-level changes based on consistent performance. If your child performs well in G2 Mathematics over one to two terms, the school may offer G3 Mathematics. Our [Sec 2 Mathematics course](https://ancourage.academy/courses/academy/secondary/s2/mathematics) helps students build the confidence and skills needed for a successful level-up. Work closely with teachers to understand the specific benchmarks and performance criteria your child needs to meet for progression.

### How do I explain Full SBB to my child?

Explain that they will take different subjects at different difficulty levels based on their individual strengths, similar to how adults specialise in different areas. Emphasise that levels can change with effort and improvement, and that their form class will have friends from different subject levels learning together. The [MOE Full SBB page](https://www.moe.gov.sg/psle-fsbb/full-subject-based-banding/main) is an excellent resource for understanding the system.

### Will universities accept the SEC certificate?

MOE has designed the SEC certificate for seamless recognition by local post-secondary institutions, as G3 subjects are examined at the same O-Level standard. The certificate clearly displays the subject levels achieved for each subject, allowing admissions officers to assess qualifications appropriately. For international universities, parents should verify recognition with specific institutions closer to the time, as the first SEC cohort will not graduate until 2027.

**Not sure which G-level your child should aim for? Book a [free trial class (usually $18)](https://ancourage.academy/trial-class) for a diagnostic assessment and personalised advice on subject-level choices, or [WhatsApp us](https://api.whatsapp.com/send/?phone=6588498106&type=phone_number&app_absent=0) with any questions.**

Related: [Choosing Secondary School Singapore](https://ancourage.academy/articles/choosing-secondary-school-singapore) · [PSLE Scoring System Guide](https://ancourage.academy/articles/psle-scoring-system-guide-singapore) · [O-Level Preparation Guide](https://ancourage.academy/articles/o-level-preparation-guide-singapore)

## Sources

- [Full Subject Based Banding (moe.gov.sg)](https://www.moe.gov.sg/psle-fsbb/full-subject-based-banding/main) — Ministry of Education, Singapore
- [What Are Posting Groups (moe.gov.sg)](https://www.moe.gov.sg/secondary/s1-posting/how-to-choose/what-are-posting-groups) — Ministry of Education, Singapore
- [Jae (moe.gov.sg)](https://www.moe.gov.sg/post-secondary/admissions/jae) — Ministry of Education, Singapore
- [S1 Posting (moe.gov.sg)](https://www.moe.gov.sg/secondary/s1-posting) — Ministry of Education, Singapore
- [JC and MI admission criteria from 2028 PSE (moe.gov.sg)](https://www.moe.gov.sg/post-secondary/admissions/pse/jc-and-mi) — Ministry of Education, Singapore