Full Subject Based Banding (FSBB)

Purpose and Implementation of Full SBB

Full SBB is part of MOE’s ongoing efforts to nurture the joy of learning and develop multiple pathways to cater to the different strengths and interests of our students.

With Full SBB in secondary schools, students will have greater flexibility to study more subjects at different levels that suit their interests, aptitude and learning needs. There will no longer be separate Express, N(A), and N(T) streams, and students will be in mixed form classes where they can interact with peers of different strengths and interests.

Every child will continue to have access to opportunities, throughout their education journey, to develop their unique talents and fulfil their potential in life.

Removal of Express, Normal(Academic) [N(A)] and Normal(Technical) [N(T)] streams

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 existing 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 today's 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.

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. Beyond the start of Secondary One, students may also offer these subjects at a more demanding level based on their performance in secondary school.

From Secondary Two, 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 Secondary One.

Offering subjects at a less demanding level

At the start of Secondary One, students will generally start with subjects at a subject level based on their overall PSLE Score, or at a more demanding level based on their performance in individual PSLE subjects. In some instances, students may have flexibility to offer some subjects at a less demanding level from Secondary One. Students who face exceptional difficulties coping with their Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) will have the option to offer G1 or G2 MTL based on a set of MOE-stipulated criteria.

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 the school.

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.

For more information on Full SBB, you may visit https://www.moe.gov.sg/psle-fsbb/full-subject-based-banding/secondary-school-experience ↗ (opens in new tab)

For more information of the implementation of Full SBB in Peicai Secondary School, you may write to Mr Edwin Kwek, the Full SBB Coordinator for Peicai Secondary School at kwek_swee_hee_edwin@moe.edu.sg ↗ (opens in new tab)