The O-Level ends in 2026. From 2027, Sec 4 students sit the SEC, and every subject is taken at G1, G2 or G3. Here is what that means for your child's Maths and Science, from MOE and SEAB's own pages.
Each answer links to the page it comes from. Checked 12 November 2026.
From 2027, the national exams at the end of Sec 4, including the O-Level, are combined into one exam: the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC). Sec 4 students in 2027 are the first to sit it.
Each subject is taken at a level: G1, G2 or G3. Your child gets one certificate that lists every subject at the level they took it.
No. SEAB says: "There is no change in the overall standards of examinations under the SEC." The certificate is still recognised locally and internationally.
G3 is graded A1 to 9, the same grades as the O-Level. G2 is graded 1 to 6, and G1 is graded A to E.
Yes, if their PSLE results allow it. In MOE's words: "At the start of Secondary 1, students may be offered English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics and Science at a more demanding level based on their PSLE performance in each of these subjects."
So a child posted through Posting Group 2 can still start Sec 1 with G3 Maths or G3 Science. The school confirms which subjects are offered.
There is no national score. MOE gives schools guidelines, and the school looks at your child's "performance, interests and readiness". In MOE's words, "Schools have the discretion to make the final decision."
So the part your child controls is their results and how ready they are for G3 work. That is what we work on with G2 students: bringing their Maths and Science up to G3 standard, so they are ready if the school offers the move. We can't promise the school's decision.
JC uses an L1R4 score from five subjects, and it must be 16 or lower (20 or lower for Millennia Institute). "All subjects used in aggregate score computation for JC and MI admissions must be taken at G3."
One of the five must be a G3 Maths or Science subject, and your child needs at least a D7 in G3 Mathematics or G3 Additional Mathematics. Bonus points can take off at most 3.
From 2028, one admissions exercise (the PSE) replaces the JAE, and the first SEC cohort gets results in January 2028.
Source: MOE: JC and MI admission (PSE) · MOE press release, 3 Mar 2026
Polytechnic uses an ELR2B2 score, which must be 22 or lower (24 for the Diploma in Nursing). English and three of the subjects use G3 grades; one subject can be taken at G2.
Each course also has its own minimum entry requirements, listed on CourseFinder. MOE says the details for 2028 admission come out from mid-2027.
Yes, for students who qualify. MOE lists two ways in: "3 or more G3 Passes, and not qualify for JC, MI or polytechnic diploma course", or "2 or fewer G3 Passes" with a qualifying score computed at G2.
Source: MOE: Explore pathways (PSE)
In G3 Physics and G3 Chemistry, the practical is Paper 3: 1 hour 50 minutes and 20% of the grade. For Combined Physics and Combined Chemistry, which are sat as one G3 Science exam, the practical is Paper 5: 1 hour 30 minutes and 15% of the grade.
The practicals are held before the written papers, which run from October to November.
Source: SEAB: G3 syllabuses 2027 · SEAB: Secondary Education Certificate
"Students in the IP do not need to take the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) in Secondary 4." Their school sets the pace and the depth.
Going the other way, "Students on the SEC track who perform well can apply to transfer to the IP at Secondary 3."
Source: MOE: Integrated Programme
Results days, school holidays and the first SEC papers. Dates marked tentative are as MOE and SEAB give them.
Orbis lessons run every week, school holidays included.
24–25 Nov 2026 (tentative)
PSLE results. Sec 1 school choices open the same day at 11.30am.
SEAB: important dates18 Dec 2026 (tentative)
Sec 1 posting results.
MOE: Sec 1 posting4 Jan 2027
School starts. Term 1 runs to 12 Mar.
MOE: school terms and holidays 202713–15 Jan 2027 (tentative)
The last O-Level results.
SEAB: important dates13–21 Mar 2027
March school holidays.
MOE: school terms and holidays 202729 May – 27 Jun 2027
June school holidays.
MOE: school terms and holidays 20274–12 Sep 2027
September school holidays.
MOE: school terms and holidays 2027September 2027
The first SEC English and Mother Tongue written papers.
SEAB: Secondary Education CertificateOctober to November 2027
The first SEC written papers for Maths and Science, with the Science practicals before them. SEAB has not published the exact dates yet.
SEAB: Secondary Education CertificateJanuary 2028
The first SEC results, then the new admissions exercise (PSE) for JC, poly and ITE.
MOE press release, 3 Mar 2026Book a trial lesson: one real 90-minute class, free if you don't continue. That evening you get Ming Jun's note on how your child did and what he'd work on first.