A Parents’ Guide to Understanding Full SBB (G1, G2, G3)

A Parents’ Guide to Understanding Full SBB (G1, G2, G3)

From 2024, secondary school in Singapore no longer sorts students into Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) streams. Instead, all Sec 1 students — including those living in Punggol, Sengkang, Pasir Ris and nearby estates — enter secondary school under Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB). Students will study each subject at one of three subject levels: G1, G2 or G3. “G” stands for General, and the three levels are mapped from the old standards:

  • G3 ≈ old Express
  • G2 ≈ old Normal (Academic)
  • G1 ≈ old Normal (Technical) (moe.gov.sg)

This change gives your child more flexibility — they can take some subjects at a more demanding level, some at a less demanding level, and they can adjust this later. It also means parents must understand how Posting Groups (PG1, PG2, PG3) and Subject Levels (G1, G2, G3) work together, or it will look confusing. MOE’s main explainer is here: Secondary school experience under Full SBB. (moe.gov.sg)

This guide breaks Full SBB down into parent language, shows how a child can move up, and explains what it means for tuition and school choices in 2026–2027.

1. Why Did MOE Remove Streaming?

MOE’s goal is to let students learn at the right pace for each subject, not be fixed to one stream for 4–5 years. Under the old system, a student who was strong in Math but weaker in English had to stay in NA, even if they could handle Express Math. Under Full SBB, this same child can take Mathematics at G3 and English at G2, right from Sec 1. This is confirmed in MOE’s FAQ on Posting Groups: https://www.moe.gov.sg/microsites/psle-fsbb/full-subject-based-banding/faq.html. (moe.gov.sg)

For parents, this means: your child is not “stuck” in one band. The level for each subject can be reviewed.

2. Posting Groups vs Subject Levels (PG1, PG2, PG3 ≠ G1, G2, G3)

This is the part that confuses most parents.

  1. Posting Groups (PG1, PG2, PG3)
  • Used only for Sec 1 admission to a school
  • Based on PSLE Achievement Levels (AL)
  • Roughly mirrors old NT (PG1), NA (PG2), Express (PG3) cut-offs
  • Once your child is in school, the class is mixed — students from different Posting Groups in the same form class
    Source: What are Posting Groups — MOE. (moe.gov.sg)
  1. Subject Levels (G1, G2, G3)
  • Applied subject by subject (English, Mother Tongue, Math, Science, Humanities)
  • G1 = least demanding, G3 = most demanding
  • A student in PG2 can still take some subjects at G3
  • A student in PG3 can take a subject at G2 or G1 if they need support
    Sources: (moe.gov.sg)

So the simple way to remember this is:

PG = how you got into the school. G-level = how you study each subject once you are in the school.

3. What Do G1, G2 and G3 Actually Mean?

MOE and many schools describe the three levels like this:

  • G1: mapped from Normal (Technical) — more time, more scaffolding, more basic application
  • G2: mapped from Normal (Academic) — full content, moderate pace
  • G3: mapped from Express — full content, faster pace, pre-O-Level preparation (kiasuparents.com)

This mapping is also clearly shown on community and school pages such as:

Important: even though G3 ≈ Express, there is no Express class anymore — only subjects at G3. Your child could be G3 for English, G2 for Science, G3 for Math, and G2 for Humanities, all in the same year. That’s the whole point of Full SBB. (moe.gov.sg)

4. How Does My Child Start Sec 1 in 2026?

Here is the usual flow for the 2026 Sec 1 cohort:

  1. Take PSLE in 2025 under the AL scoring system.
  2. Get posted to a secondary school in 2026 under a Posting Group (1, 2 or 3).
  3. School tells you which subjects your child will start at G1/G2/G3. MOE gives a guideline table — for example, if your child scores AL 5 or better in a Standard subject, they can often start that subject at a more demanding level. This is stated in MOE’s “Offering subjects at a more demanding level” section: https://www.moe.gov.sg/microsites/psle-fsbb/full-subject-based-banding/secondary-school-experience.html. (moe.gov.sg)
  4. Students sit in mixed form classes for about one-third of curriculum time (CCE, PE, Music, Art, D&T, FCE). (moe.gov.sg)
  5. For English, Mother Tongue, Math, Science and selected Humanities, your child will move to groupings according to G1/G2/G3.

So right from Term 1 Sec 1, it is normal to see your child going to different rooms for different subjects.

5. Can My Child Move Up?

Yes. This is one of the biggest benefits of Full SBB.

  • If your child is doing well at G2 English, teachers can recommend moving to G3 English.
  • If your child finds G3 Math too heavy, the school can let them take G2 Math so they can cope overall.
  • From Sec 2, students can also start to offer Humanities at a more demanding level (e.g. G2 → G3 Geography) if they show aptitude. (moe.gov.sg)

This is clearly spelt out in MOE and in many schools’ FSBB pages, like Orchid Park Sec: https://www.orchidparksec.moe.edu.sg/orchidian-engagement/fsbb/. (orchidparksec.moe.edu.sg)

For parents in Punggol, this is where small-group tuition makes a real difference. A tutor who teaches Sec 1–4 under Full SBB can tell you early: “Your child is ready for G3 English,” or “Your child should stay G2 for Math this year and move up next year.” Our own pages already do this explanation for Punggol parents:

Or contact us for our latest tutorials here

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6. What About National Exams — Will My Child Still Sit for O-Levels?

For the 2024 Sec 1 cohort (and thus the 2027 graduating cohort), MOE and SEAB have said that the O- and N-Level exams will be replaced by a single, common national examination and certification — commonly referred to as the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) — that records the subject level taken (G1, G2 or G3). Until that rolls in fully, students will continue to take GCE O- and N-Level exams up to 2026. This is set out here:

What this means for parents:

  • Your child will still graduate with a nationally recognised certificate
  • The certificate will show subject level — G1, G2 or G3 — for each subject taken
  • Doing one subject at G1 does not cancel out all the G3 subjects; each is counted on its own
  • Stronger subjects can therefore still open doors to post-secondary courses, even if a child needed support in another subject

7. Three Typical Parent Scenarios

Scenario A: “My child is strong in Math but average in English.”

This child may be PG2 but can start Math at G3 and English at G2. With coaching, the English can be pushed to G3 in Sec 2. This is a very common pattern and one that Punggol tuition centres see often. Sources confirming mixed levels: (moe.gov.sg)

Scenario B: “My child is PG3 but has weak Mother Tongue.”

MOE allows students who struggle with MTL to take it at a less demanding level (G1 or G2) even if most of their other subjects are at G3. This was introduced together with the discontinuation of MTL ‘B’ from the 2024 Sec 1 cohort. (moe.gov.sg)

Scenario C: “My child started at G1 for most subjects — can they still go ITE/Poly/JC routes?”

Yes, but the pathway may be longer and will depend on the combination of subjects and levels they eventually offer. Remember: Full SBB is about slower in some subjects, faster in others. Schools also have school-based criteria to let students attempt a higher level later if they show readiness. See MOE FAQ here: https://www.moe.gov.sg/microsites/psle-fsbb/full-subject-based-banding/faq.html. (moe.gov.sg)

8. What This Means for Tuition (Punggol Context)

Because your Sec 1–2 child could be doing different levels for different subjects, tuition should no longer be “one big Sec 1 class”. It should look like this instead:

  • English (G2/G3) — focus on comprehension, summary, situational/discursive writing
  • Mathematics (G2/G3) — follow the new lower-sec syllabus, with topics sequenced to the school
  • Science (G1/G2/G3) — especially if the school starts combined science early
  • Humanities (from Sec 2) — if the school offers a more demanding level for motivated students

This is the model we use in small groups near Punggol MRT:

Parents like this setup because it matches what the school is actually doing.

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9. Key Things for Parents to Remember

  1. Full SBB removes labels, not standards. G3 work is still G3 work — it is as rigorous as the old Express. G1/G2 are not “lesser” — they are paced. (moe.gov.sg)
  2. Posting Group ≠ Subject Level. PG only decides entry; G-level decides classroom work. (moe.gov.sg)
  3. Movement is allowed. If your child improves, they can go up. If they are overwhelmed, they can come down. (moe.gov.sg)
  4. Common exam is coming. By 2027, the 2024 Sec 1 cohort will see a common national exam that reflects G1/G2/G3. (orchidparksec.moe.edu.sg)
  5. Location matters. Consistent attendance at a nearby centre (e.g. Punggol MRT) beats an excellent but far-away class.
  6. Ask the school. Schools have discretion to let students offer a subject at a more demanding level — check with the Year Head or ST/Learning. (presbyterian.moe.edu.sg)

10. Helpful Official and Parent-Friendly Links

Closing for Parents

Full SBB is not there to make school harder — it is there to make school fairer. It recognises that a child can be strong in languages but slower in Math, or very quick in Math but not ready for G3 Literature. When you understand that G1/G2/G3 are just subject difficulty levels, and that movement is allowed, the system becomes less scary.

For families in Punggol, the most practical thing you can do is to keep your child in a small, syllabus-aligned class near Punggol MRT where the tutor already understands Full SBB and can tell you, “Your child is ready to take this subject at a more demanding level.” That way, you can use Full SBB the way it was intended — to let your child learn, stretch, and choose their best pathway in 2026 and beyond.

What is Full SBB for Mathematics?

More:

Scenario D: “My child is very strong in Science but only average in Math and English.”

This child might enter at PG2 and be placed at G3 for Science because they scored AL 4–5 for Science in PSLE, but stay at G2 for Math and English. The school will watch to see if they can cope with the language load in Science (since G3 Science papers still need good English). With sustained results, the child can be offered G3 Math in Sec 2. This is common for kids who love experiments or coding but whose language marks pulled their PSLE AL down. (moe.gov.sg)

Scenario E: “My child is PG3 but cannot handle the speed for Math.”

Even though they qualified for PG3, the school may start Math at G2 first to stabilise the child, especially if the PSLE Math AL was 6 but English and Science were 1–3. Parents sometimes panic at this, but under Full SBB it’s a support move, not a penalty — the student can go up to G3 Math in Sec 2 once they show they can manage algebra and geometry topics at school pace. (moe.gov.sg)

Scenario F: “My child is PG1 but has a ‘spiky’ profile — very good English, weaker Math.”

This profile used to be “stuck” in NT. Now, a PG1 student who got a good AL for English can start English at G2, sometimes even G3 English if the school feels the child can cope with the texts. Math and Science can remain at G1 to protect confidence. This is a good candidate for English tuition in Punggol to help the child hold that higher level. (moe.gov.sg)

Scenario G: “My child wants to take Geography / History at a higher level in Sec 2.”

MOE allows students who show interest and good performance in certain Humanities to offer that subject at a more demanding level from Sec 2, even if their core subjects are mixed. So a student who is G2 for English and Math but writes very well can be offered G3 Geography or G3 History. This is where strong English tuition helps — good writing unlocks a higher Humanities level. (moe.gov.sg)

Scenario H: “My child is sporty / CCA-heavy and the school says to lower one subject.”

Sometimes the school sees that a child is G3 across too many subjects plus has a heavy CCA (NPCC, band, sports). To prevent burnout, the school may suggest taking one subject at G2 — often a Humanities or even MTL — while keeping English and Math at G3. This keeps the overall load healthy and still leaves pathways to JC/Poly open. (moe.gov.sg)

Scenario I: “My child transferred mid-year from overseas.”

For returning Singaporeans or students who did primary overseas, schools may start them at G2 English and G2 Math first — not because they are weak, but because they need to learn local exam formats (summary, visual text, Singapore Math problem sums). After 1–2 terms, the school can push to G3 if classwork shows readiness. Tuition can speed this up. (moe.gov.sg)

Scenario J: “My child is G3 for everything but weak in oral / listening.”

Under Full SBB, this is still okay — the child stays G3 English, but teachers will flag that the speaking/listening strand needs support. Parents can send the child for small-group oral practice (especially useful in Punggol where centres are near MRT) while keeping all main subjects at G3. This avoids a drop in level just because of one skill gap. (moe.gov.sg)

Scenario K: “My child is G2 now but wants a JC route later.”

A student who starts Sec 1 in PG2 and studies most subjects at G2 can, across Sec 1–3, move selected subjects up to G3 — typically English, Math, and one Science or Humanities. By Sec 3, the report card can show enough G3 subjects to qualify for a stronger post-secondary pathway. This is exactly what Full SBB was designed for: later bloomers. (moe.gov.sg)

Scenario L: “My child has Specific Learning Needs.”

Schools can recommend that such a student mix levels deliberately — e.g. G3 Art, G2 English, G1 Math — so the child’s strengths are showcased while providing access support elsewhere. Under old streaming, this would have been much harder to timetable. Now it is routine, and parents can reinforce the stronger subjects through tuition. (moe.gov.sg)