Full Subject–Based Banding (full SBB)
Find out about Full Subject-based Banding, and how students can offer subjects at a More or Less Demanding Level.
Full Subject-Based Banding (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, we are moving towards a secondary school education where students learn each subject at the level that best caters to their overall strengths, interests and learning needs.
What this means is that:
There will no longer be separate Express, N(A), and N(T) courses, and our Secondary One students will be placed in mixed form classes where they can interact with peers of different strengths and interests.
All students will learn a set of common curriculum subjects together in their lower secondary form classes. The common curriculum subjects includes Character and Citizenship Education, Art, Design & Technology, Food & Consumer Education, Music and Physical Education.
Under Full SBB, Subject-Based Banding (SBB) will be expanded beyond the four PSLE subjects, to allow eligible students to offer Humanities subjects at a more demanding level from Secondary 2.
For more information on Full SBB, please click here (opens in new tab)to access the MOE Full SBB microsite.
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
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.
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:
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.
New Grading Scheme for Examinable Common Curriculum Subjects
With effect from 2025, a new grading scheme will be implemented for examinable common curriculum subjects at lower secondary level. These subjects are Art, Design & Technology (D&T), and Food & Consumer Education (FCE).
Under this new system, student performance will be assessed using a four-level grading scale:
This grading scheme will provide clearer feedback on students’ progress and skills. This grading system will take effect beginning with Weighted Assessment (WA) 1 in 2025.
How This Will Appear on Students’ Result Slip
The new grading system will be reflected in students’ result slip under the “Grade” column. Instead of traditional letter grades or numerical scores, students’ performance in Art, D&T, and FCE will be categorised as PF, CP, DV, or BG, as shown in the example below:
A New School of Thought: Full SBB | What does it mean for me?
From 2024, the Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) streams will be phased out. Watch this video for a summary of Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB), and what this means for students, parents and teachers.
A New School of Thought: Full SBB | Mixed form classes and common curriculum lessons
With Full Subject-Based Banding, students can interact with a diverse group of friends and appreciate the strengths of different classmates. Learn more from teachers on how this system promotes inclusivity and understanding between friends.