What to Wear for an SEC Science Practical | Covered Shoes and Long Pants

Set out covered shoes and full-length trousers for your SEC Science practical, then check the instructions issued for your sitting. SEAB’s 2026 GCE practical guidance required covered shoes and long pants for safety. A skirt, shorts or sandals should stay out of your practical outfit even if similar clothing is allowed for an ordinary paper.

SEAB confirms that Science practicals continue under the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC), which begins in 2027. Its 2026 GCE handbook and private-candidate FAQ explain the earlier dress requirements. Follow your SEC practical notice and ask your school or SEAB before exam day if your usual school attire or footwear leaves anything unclear.

Choose shoes that cover the foot and trousers that reach the ankles.
Read the practical notice for your own paper and candidate type.
Confirm the reporting venue, shift and any separate practical schedule.
Ask early if an injury or a medical need affects what you can wear.

Choose an outfit for the laboratory

A practical outfit starts with two separate checks. Do the shoes cover the foot? Do the trousers cover the legs down to the ankles? Ordinary enclosed school shoes and full-length trousers make a simple starting point, subject to your practical instructions. If you are considering slip-on footwear that exposes the heel or a pair of open-sided shoes, choose a clearly covered alternative or confirm the pair in advance.

The 2026 GCE rules gave jeans and trousers as examples of long pants and required covered footwear for Science practicals in the private-candidate attire section. The corresponding SEAB FAQ also states that requirement. The point of checking both items is that laboratory instructions address exposure around the feet and lower legs separately.

A student may have a skirt or shorts as part of their normal school clothing and covered shoes already set out. That still leaves the trousers to confirm. Another student may have full-length trousers and sandals. That still leaves the footwear to fix. Check the complete outfit together so you can spot the missing item.

Contents · Next section

Check the instruction for your candidate type

School candidates should read the school’s practical briefing and ask which trousers and shoes the school approves. This matters if your usual uniform includes a skirt or shorts or if the centre is at another school. Confirm any additional instructions about school attire, hair, sleeves or protective equipment with the staff organising your practical.

Private candidates should read SEAB’s instructions and the notice for the practical they are sitting. The 2026 GCE booklet distinguished general exam attire from the practical requirement. Some attire that appeared in the general guidance was unsuitable for the practical. Read the section that applies to the lab rather than relying on a written-paper packing list.

If you have a foot injury, dressing, brace or other need that affects footwear or trousers, contact your school or SEAB ahead of time. Explain the practical issue and ask what to wear and whom to report to. If the issue comes up on the day, notify examination staff as soon as possible and follow their directions.

Contents · Previous section · Next section

Read your practical schedule alongside the attire notice

Check the paper code and practical component before copying the venue and reporting time. The 2026 GCE process used practical schedules with shift and reporting details. For SEC, use the document issued for your own practical and check whether it includes separate reporting and dismissal times.

Imagine a family arranging a lift after a Chemistry practical. The student reads the paper end time as the pickup time, then spots a later dismissal time. The second field matters if the group has a supervised wait. Agree where to meet using the dismissal instructions and plan transport before entering the centre.

Pack the documents and permitted equipment stated for that paper. Keep revision notes and personal devices separate from the items you intend to take into the lab. If the centre has instructions for surrendering or storing devices, follow them when you report.

Contents · Previous section · Next section

Do the last check before leaving home

Look at the outfit as a pair of covered shoes and full-length trousers.
Check the practical notice for school or centre instructions that apply to you.
Read the paper, venue, shift and reporting time from the current schedule.
Carry the documents and equipment specified for that component.

A parent can help by having the student put the full outfit next to the documents the night before. If there is a question about a garment, ask what the practical notice says and which staff member can clarify it. That gives the student time to choose another outfit or receive a clear instruction.

If you reach the venue and realise you have brought the wrong shoes or trousers, find examination staff and explain immediately. Follow their directions about what to do next. Use the reporting instructions and any arranged contact with the school or SEAB for your sitting.

Contents · Previous section · Frequently asked questions

Frequently asked questions

Can I wear jeans to a Science practical?

The 2026 GCE guidance listed jeans as an example of long pants for practicals. For SEC, check your candidate notice and any school-approved attire instructions.

Are covered shoes enough if I wear a skirt?

Plan to wear full-length trousers as well. The GCE practical guidance required both covered shoes and long pants.

Can I wear buckled sandals in the lab?

Choose covered shoes for the practical. The 2026 booklet’s general attire guidance included buckled sandals in some cases, while its practical guidance called for covered shoes.

Does my written-paper attire automatically work for the practical?

Check the practical instructions separately. The lab may have specific requirements that affect what you wear and what you bring.