If you are a parent of a Primary 6 child, you have probably been hearing a new vocabulary: Posting Groups, G1, G2, G3, Full SBB, SEC. It can feel as though the secondary school system was redesigned while you were busy with PSLE revision, and in a sense it was. The old Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) streams have given way to something more flexible. This guide explains what G1, G2 and G3 actually mean, how they connect to your child’s PSLE score, and what the change means for the years ahead.

What Are G1, G2 and G3 in Singapore?

G1, G2 and G3 are the three subject levels in Singapore secondary schools under Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB). They replace the old Normal (Technical), Normal (Academic) and Express streams, but they apply subject by subject rather than to the whole child. G3 is the most demanding level, G2 is the middle level, and G1 is the most foundational.

The crucial point is the phrase “subject by subject.” A child is no longer labelled with a single stream for four years. Instead, each subject can be taken at the level that suits that child’s strength in that subject.

From Streams to Subject Levels: What Changed?

For decades, a child’s PSLE result placed them in one of three streams, and that label applied to every subject they took. A student who was strong in Mathematics but weaker in English would study both at the same level, because that was the level of their stream. Full SBB changes this.

Feature	Old streaming system	Full Subject-Based Banding
How students are grouped	One stream for all subjects	Each subject taken at G1, G2 or G3
Classes	Separate stream classes	Mixed form classes, with level-based classes for subjects
Entry	PSLE score placed students in Express, N(A) or N(T)	PSLE score places students in Posting Group 1, 2 or 3
Flexibility	Limited; changing streams was a big step	Subject levels can differ and can be reviewed
National exam	O-Level or N-Level	One Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) from 2027

The change began with the Secondary 1 cohort in 2024, and the standards of the subjects themselves were not lowered or rewritten. The old stream standards were simply mapped across to the new levels.

What Do G1, G2 and G3 Mean?

Level	Maps from the standard of	What it means in practice
G1	Normal (Technical)	The most foundational level, with a strong emphasis on practical, applied learning and building core understanding
G2	Normal (Academic)	The middle level, with a balance of concepts and application
G3	Express (O-Level standard)	The most demanding level, covering content in greater depth and at a faster pace

It helps to hold on to one idea: G1, G2 and G3 describe how a particular subject is being studied, not how capable or clever a child is overall. A student can take English at G3 and Mathematics at G2, or the other way round. Neither combination says anything fixed about the child.

Posting Groups Versus Subject Levels: What’s the Difference?

This is where many parents get tangled, because the two systems use the same numbers.

• Posting Groups (PG1, PG2, PG3) describe how your child enters secondary school, based on their PSLE score. They decide the subject levels your child starts with.
• Subject levels (G1, G2, G3) describe the level at which each individual subject is taught and examined.

PSLE score	Posting Group	Typical starting level
4 to 20	PG3	G3
21 to 22	PG2 or PG3 (family chooses)	G2 or G3
23 to 24	PG2	G2
25	PG1 or PG2 (family chooses)	G1 or G2
26 to 30	PG1	G1

For a closer look at how scores translate into school choices, see our guide to secondary school cut-off points for 2026.

The Posting Group is a starting point, not a ceiling

The important reassurance for parents is that a Posting Group guides the starting levels without capping what a child can achieve. A student posted through PG2 who scored well in a particular subject at PSLE can take that subject at a more demanding level from Secondary 1. For example, a PG2 student who scored AL5 or better in a subject at PSLE can generally offer it at G3. MOE sets the specific criteria, so confirm the current rules with your child’s school.

What Is the Same for Every Student?

Full SBB was designed to reduce the sense of separation between students, so a good deal of school life is shared.

• Mixed form classes. Students from different Posting Groups are placed in the same form class, so they spend time together rather than being separated by stream.
• Common curriculum subjects. Students spend roughly one-third of their curriculum time together on subjects such as Physical Education, Art, Music and Character and Citizenship Education, before splitting into level-based classes for their G1, G2 and G3 subjects.
• CCAs and school life. Co-curricular activities, assemblies and school events bring everyone together. If you are weighing activities, our guide to choosing the right CCA in Singapore is a good starting point.

Subjects offered at multiple levels include English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics, Science and the Humanities subjects (Geography, History and Literature). Students move between classrooms for these subjects according to the level they take.

Can Subject Levels Change?

Yes, and this is one of the most valuable features of the system. Subject levels are not permanent labels. A child who grows more confident in a subject can move to a more demanding level when they are ready, and schools review this through the year in consultation with students and parents. A child who finds the pace of a subject overwhelming can talk to their teachers about the most suitable level.

A few practical cautions apply:

1. Move when ready, not when pressured. A level that is too demanding can erode confidence, so decisions should rest on the child’s performance and teacher advice.
2. Understand the school’s process. Schools differ in how and when they review levels, so ask about timing and criteria.
3. Consider the long game. Because a student’s subject levels shape later options, talk to the school about how current levels connect to the child’s longer-term goals.

The New SEC Exam From 2027

Full SBB has an exam counterpart. From 2027, the O-Level, N(A)-Level and N(T)-Level are replaced by a single Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC). The first Full SBB cohort, who started Secondary 1 in 2024, will be the first to sit it.

The headline points for parents:

• One certificate, not three. The SEC reflects each subject at the level taken, so a single certificate can show a student’s G1, G2 and G3 subjects side by side.
• Standards stay the same. G1, G2 and G3 papers use the same grading standards as the N(T), N(A) and O-Level papers respectively, and G3 subjects keep the familiar O-Level A1 to 9 grading.
• Syllabus content is not being rewritten. The change is largely structural, in how subjects are grouped and examined, rather than a fundamental revision of what is taught.
• IP students follow a different route. Students in the Integrated Programme skip the national exam at Secondary 4 and proceed to A-Levels or the IB, as before.

What G1, G2 and G3 Mean for Life After Secondary School

Subject levels and SEC grades feed into post-secondary admission to junior colleges, polytechnics and ITE. In broad terms, junior college admission relies on results in subjects taken at the G3 level, since that corresponds to the O-Level standard JCs have always used, while polytechnic and ITE admission have their own criteria that MOE updates to align with the SEC. Because these requirements are being adjusted as the first SEC cohort approaches, always confirm the latest criteria with MOE.

If you want to see how competitive the next stage can be under the current system, our guide to JC cut-off points in Singapore explains how those figures work today.

How Full SBB Affects Your School Choices

When ranking secondary schools, a few additional questions are worth asking now that subject levels matter:

1. How are mixed form classes organised? Ask how the school brings students from different Posting Groups together.
2. How does the school support level changes? Find out when and how it reviews subject levels.
3. What support is offered at each level? Look at remedial help, enrichment and stretch opportunities.
4. How does the school handle subject options in upper secondary? Elective availability can vary between schools.

Our guide to choosing your six secondary schools wisely shows how to turn these questions into a ranked list, and our secondary school rankings and cut-off points guide offers wider context on how schools differ in competitiveness.

Common Misconceptions About G1, G2 and G3

“G3 is the smart class and G1 is the weak class.” Not so. The levels describe the depth and pace of a subject, and a child can take different subjects at different levels. Labelling a child by one level misses the point of the system.

“My child is stuck at the level they start with.” Levels can be reviewed, and children can move to more demanding levels as they grow.

“Express and Normal are just renamed.” Not quite. The old streams applied to the whole child, while the new levels apply subject by subject, and students now share form classes and common subjects.

“G1 and G2 lead nowhere.” Students at every level have clear pathways onwards, and pathways to polytechnics, ITE and other options remain open. The right level is the one that helps a child learn well.

“The SEC is a harder exam.” The SEC is a new certificate, but the grading standards for G1, G2 and G3 match the N(T), N(A) and O-Level standards, and the syllabus content is not being rewritten.

Supporting Your Child Under Full SBB

The healthiest approach is to treat subject levels as a description of how a child is learning right now, not a verdict on their ability. A few ways to support them:

• Focus on progress in each subject, rather than the label.
• Talk with teachers about what the right level looks like for each subject, and how to prepare for a move if your child is ready.
• Offer targeted help where it is needed. If your child needs extra support in a particular subject, our guide to choosing a tuition centre can help you find a fit without overloading their schedule.
• Keep the conversation positive. Children pick up on parental anxiety, and a calm, encouraging tone matters more than any number.

For broader support through this stage, see our parenting guides.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do G1, G2 and G3 mean in Singapore?

They are the three subject levels under Full Subject-Based Banding. G3 is the most demanding level, G2 is the middle level and G1 is the most foundational. They map from the old Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) standards, but apply subject by subject rather than to the whole child.

What is the difference between a Posting Group and a G level?

A Posting Group (PG1, PG2 or PG3) is how a child is posted into secondary school, based on their PSLE score, and it sets their starting subject levels. A G level (G1, G2 or G3) is the level at which an individual subject is taught and examined.

Can my child take some subjects at a higher level than their Posting Group?

Yes, if they performed well in that subject at PSLE. For example, a student posted through PG2 who scored AL5 or better in a subject can generally take it at G3. MOE sets the specific criteria, so confirm them with the school.

Can subject levels change during secondary school?

Yes. Levels are not permanent, and schools review them through the year based on a student’s performance and in consultation with parents and teachers. A child can move to a more demanding level when ready.

What is the SEC exam?

The Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) replaces the O-Level, N(A)-Level and N(T)-Level from 2027. It is a single certificate that shows each subject at the level taken. The first Full SBB cohort, who began Secondary 1 in 2024, will be the first to sit it.

Is G3 the same as Express?

G3 maps from the standard of the former Express course, and G3 subjects keep the familiar O-Level A1 to 9 grading. The difference is that G3 is now a subject level, so a child can take some subjects at G3 and others at G2 or G1.

Final Thoughts

Full Subject-Based Banding replaces a single label with a more flexible picture of a child’s strengths. G1, G2 and G3 describe how each subject is taught, not who a child is, and the Posting Group is only a starting point. Understand how the levels map to your child’s PSLE score, ask schools how they support movement between levels, and keep the conversation at home focused on progress rather than labels.

For more on navigating secondary school, explore our education guides and schools section.

Information in this article reflects MOE’s published framework as of publication. Specific criteria for subject levels, the SEC and post-secondary admission are being refined as the first Full SBB cohort approaches, so always confirm current details with MOE or your child’s school.