All students generally progress to next year of learning, guided by a common academic requirement that applies at the end of Sec 2 & Sec 3.

Academic Requirement

•       Pass in EL and 2 subjects OR

•       Pass in at least *half the total number of examinable subjects offered

Students progressing to the next year of learning have opportunities to calibrate curricular load.  

• Students who have met academic requirements and have done well could consider offering subjects at more demanding level (MDL) at the end of Sec 2. 

  • MDL subjects will be offered if a student obtains at least 75% overall in the subject and is recommended by the subject teacher

• Students who have not met academic requirements are to offer 

• fewer subjects and/or 

• elective subjects at less demanding level (LDL) and/or

• compulsory subjects at LDL

The calibration of the academic demand needs to be balanced with impact on post-secondary education options.

All students will offer at least 5 examinable subjects at the upper secondary level which they will register and take at the Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examination at the end of Sec 4.

* round down if odd number of subject offered, subject to a floor of 3.

How are the subject options derived?

Subject Options are reviewed regularly and the options made available are based on the following factors

• Subject requirements at post-secondary institutions such as junior colleges, polytechnic and ITE

• Strengths and aptitudes of our students.

• Availability of physical resources such as workshops, laboratories, computer laboratories, art studios, etc.

• Subject-specific requirement, for instance, a cap of 20 students per class for D&T.

Procedure for allocation of subject options

The Sec 3 Subject Option Exercise will be conducted after the End-of-Year Examination, on 20 – 21 Oct 2026.

Allocation of subject options will be conducted based on the following considerations:

• Merits, based on their overall percentage for relevant subjects and not just the end of year examination results.

• Subject-specific criteria, for instance to offer Pure Geography, a student needs to achieve a minimum of 65% in G3 Geography and 60% in G3 English Language.

• Students’ choice of subject options, in order of preference.

A subject combination may not be offered if 

• the minimum number of students to start a class is not met. In general, the minimum number is 10.

Appeal for Subject Options

• After the release of the outcome of the subject option exercise on 3 Nov 2026, students may submit an appeal from 4 - 5 Nov 2026. 

• Students can collect the appeal form from the General Office and submit it by 5 p.m. on 5 Nov 2026.

• The outcome of the appeal, which is considered final, will be released on 12 Nov 2026.

Subject Combination

Question: What is the minimum number of students to start a class for a subject?

Answer:    In general, a class will be opened if a minimum of 10 eligible students opted for the combination.

Question: Can a student change their subject combination in the middle of Sec 3?

Answer:   Any request for changes to subject combination will NOT be considered before the end of Secondary 3 as students need time to adapt to and cope with the learning of the given subject combination at the upper secondary level.

Question:   Can my child still choose a subject combination with Pure Sciences if he did not meet the subject criteria?

Answer:    Your child can still opt for the subject combination but his/her choice will only be considered on a case-by-case basis after those who met the criteria.

Question:   If my child is unsuccessful in getting the first choice subject option, will it affect the chance of getting the second choice subject option?

Answer:      Subject option allocation is based on merit and hence it will not affect the chance of getting the second choice option if the child is unsuccessful with the first choice subject option.

Question:    My child is weak in some of the subjects. Will this affect the chance of getting the preferred choice of subject options?

Answer:     The subject option exercise is based primarily on merit, which is the overall performance across all subjects as well as subject-specific criteria for some subjects. These considerations provide an indication on the child’s readiness to cope with the rigour of the learning at the upper secondary levels.

Question:   If my child scores 69% for G3 Science, would his/her appeal for Pure Science be considered?

Answer:        Appeals are meant for changing to a particular subject which your child is eligible for and not offering a particular subject where the criteria is not met. Offer for a particular subject will be given to a student who has met the criteria and has indicated his/her preference for it.

Question:    My child is interested in doing Triple Science and Additional Math. What should we do to get this subject combination?

Answer:       Our school does not offer a Triple Pure Science with Additional Mathematics combination. This is considering post-secondary institutions, including junior colleges and Millennia Institute (JC/MI), polytechnics, and universities, do not require such a combination for admission. In addition, due to the contrasting subject requirement, JC/MI students are unable to offer a Triple Science combination for the A-Levels. The subject combinations that we offer provide a good balance of breadth and depth across different subjects and prepare our students for a wide range of post-secondary pathways. They also allow students time and space to consolidate their learning and engage in areas of interest such as CCAs and Student-Initiated Learning activities.

Educational & Career Guidance

Question:    Does my child need to pass English Language to go to junior colleges? Answer:          Yes, a minimum of C6 for G3 EL is required for admission to JCs.

Question:    Will offering Combined Science affect the chance of my child going to junior college?

Answer:          It will not affect your child’s chance of going to junior college as admission is solely based on L1R4 aggregate score. However do note that different JCs may have slightly different subject pre-requisites for choice of subjects.

Question:    My child is keen on pursuing a Life Science-related course in the polytechnic. Is Biology a requirement?

Answer:    It is not a requirement to study Biology to pursue Life Science-related courses in the polytechnics. Any science subject will do.

Question: Can CCA points be used for admission to JC?

Answer:       CCA may be used as bonus point for admission to JC only if they are eligible for JC admission, i.e. attaining L1R4 ≤ 16.

Question: What is the criteria to progress to Year 5?

Answer:          Students will need to have ELMAB3 of 19 points or better, graded at G2.

Question: My child is interested in doing Medicine. What are the subjects to take?

Answer:       The requirements for Medicine in both NUS and NTU are H2 Chemistry and either H2 Biology or H2 Physics at the GCE A-Levels. G3 Science subjects at Upper Secondary would prepare him/her for those subjects at JC/MI. Each JC or MI may have different requirements for students to offer H2 Science subjects and you may refer to their specific websites for more information.

Question: Which would you recommend, ITE or Year 5?

Answer:         It would depend on your child's interest and aspirations. We recommend you to approach our ECG Counsellor who will be able to discuss this further with you and your child.

Question: What if my child is taking 4 G2 subjects? What are his/her offers?

Answer:         With 4 G2 subjects, your child can qualify for ITE Year 1 where an accelerated path is possible if academic requirements are met in Year 1, Sem 1. To expand your child’s options to ITE Year 2 or PFP, he/she must offer at least 5 G2 subjects (inclusive of English Language and Mathematics).

Question: How many G2/3 subjects are required for PFP?

Answer:        To be eligible for PFP, your child must offer at least 5 G2 subjects or 4 G3 + 1 G2 subjects.

Question: I would like to find out more about Year 5.

Answer:      Year 5 is not compulsory, especially if your child qualifies for a course in ITE/Polytechnic/JC after Year 4. In Year 5, your child either repeats the subject level he has taken in Year 4 or he/she offers mainly G3 subjects. With at least 4 G3 subjects offered in Year 5, your child will be eligible for Poly Year 1, PFP or ITE Year 1 or 2.

Question: What is the criteria and subjects to offer for admission to JC?

Answer:        The raw L1R4 (English Language & Relevant 4 subjects – especially Math, Science & Humanities) offered at G3 must be 16 points and below.

Question:    What are the recommended subjects to offer to take up nursing course after secondary school?

Answer:        Focusing on science and math subjects is highly recommended as it provides a significant advantage. Additionally, English proficiency would be beneficial.

Question:       For entry into JC, does taking Pure Science or Combined Science stand a greater chance?

Answer:          Admission to JC is solely based on L1R4 aggregate score. As such, offering Pure or Combined Science would not affect students’ chances of admission.

Question: Does it mean that a Group 2 student can only apply for PFP at the end of Secondary 4 if they offer at least two Group 3 subjects? If not, he/she must progress to Secondary 5 and can only become eligible for PFP, provided they are taking all Group 3 subjects?

Answer:          For application to PFP, 4-year Poly Diploma course, students would need to have been offered at least 5 G2 grades. Students can have the options of ITE Year 1 Entry, ITE Year 2 Entry, PFP and 5th year by taking at least 5 G2 Grades. If students wish to continue to Secondary 5 and take all G3 subjects for Poly Year 1 admissions and JC admissions, the criteria will be to have ELMAB3 to be 19 points or better with ELMAB3 subjects to be minimally a pass.

Subjects at More/Less Demanding Level

Question: Can my child drop from G3 MTL to G2 MTL or from G2 MTL to G1 MTL?

Answer:          We encourage students to continue with MTL at the highest possible level for as long as he/she is able to cope with it. Should your child wish to switch to MTL at less demanding levels, we will discuss with you and him/her on the impact on his/her post-Secondary options.

Question:     Can my child who scored an overall of 75% in Semester 1 for some G2 subjects be offered G3 for these subjects?

Answer:         Subjects at a more demanding level will generally be offered based on the year’s in Secondary 2 of at least 75%, i.e. combined results for WA1, WA2, WA3 and End- of-Year Examination.

Question:   Can my child offer a G3 subject if he/she gets 73-74% for the overall of a particular G2 subject?

Answer:         Based on MOE’s criteria, to offer a subject at a more demanding level, the performance of the subject offered at the current level must be at least 75%. Students who are close to the criteria may request to be considered on a case-by- case basis.