Bukit Timah Tutor Secondary Mathematics

WhatsApp Us Here

What is Full SBB Mathematics (G1/G2/G3)

Full SBB Mathematics (G1/G2/G3): Parent Guide for 2025

Last updated: 10 September 2025 (Singapore).

This article explains how Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB) affects Secondary Mathematics—what G1/G2/G3 mean, how Posting Groups work, what exams students will sit (including the shift to the SEC), and how to choose/adjust the right Math level over time. All key claims link to official sources for easy verification.

Short Story on “Mum, what’s G1, G2, G3?” — A Story to Understand Full SBB Mathematics (2025)

Scene:
A Bukit Timah kitchen on a Wednesday evening. Mei, a Secondary 2 student, dumps her bag on the table. Her mum, Ashley, is making tea.

“Mum, everyone keeps talking about G1, G2, G3. Are these… grades?”

Ashley smiles. “Not grades—subject levels. Let’s figure this out properly.”

She opens the MOE page on her phone and reads aloud: From the 2024 Sec 1 cohort, the old Express/NA/NT streams are removed. Students take each subject—like Math—at G1, G2 or G3, and they’re posted to secondary schools via Posting Groups 1–3. Over time, they can offer different subjects at different levels. She slides the phone to Mei.
Reference: Secondary school experience under Full SBB. (Ministry of Education)

1) Figuring out the “levels” in Math

“So G1/G2/G3 is like choosing the right weight at the gym,” Ashley says. “Heavy enough to grow, not so heavy you get injured.”

They scroll the MOE explainer together. It confirms that Posting Groups are just the starting point—students can adjust levels later based on progress and wellbeing, with guidance from their school.
Reference: Secondary school experience under Full SBB. (Ministry of Education)

2) “Wait—what exam will I sit?”

Mei frowns. “If there are no streams, do we still take O-Levels?”

Ashley opens another tab and reads the MOE infosheet: through 2026, students still sit GCE O-/N-Levels. From the 2027 graduating cohort, they’ll take the SEC (Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate), with papers aligned to G1/G2/G3. There are also timetable updates and notes on Poly Year 1 admission criteria.
References: MOE infosheet: SEC timetable & Polytechnic Year 1 criteria and MOE COS 2024 page. (Ministry of Education)

Mei exhales. “Okay—so my seniors might still be doing O-Levels, but the younger batches will do SEC.”

3) What Math actually looks like in upper sec

“Math splits into two syllabuses at upper sec,” Ashley says, opening the official PDFs:

  • Mathematics (4052) — broad numeracy for everyone: Number & Algebra, Geometry & Measurement, Statistics & Probability, plus assessed processes like reasoning and application.
    See: SEAB Mathematics 4052 (PDF). (SEAB)
  • Additional Mathematics (4049) — deeper algebra, functions, trigonometry and introductory calculus for students who want more mathematical rigour and a smoother bridge to pre-university math.
    See: SEAB Additional Mathematics 4049 (PDF). (SEAB)

Ashley adds: “And every year, SEAB posts the cohort-specific list so we’re sure we’re looking at the right codes for the right year.”
Check: O-Level syllabuses examined for school candidates (2025). (SEAB)

4) Turning rules into a plan (their kitchen-table checklist)

(a) Start from the school’s recommendation, then review each term.
“Your school chose initial levels to match your readiness,” Ashley says. “But Full SBB lets you adjust—if Math feels consistently too light or too heavy, we talk to your teachers.”
MOE on flexibility & Posting Groups: Full SBB overview pages. (Ministry of Education)

(b) Match level to what’s actually tested.
They skim the 4052/4049 PDFs. “See how paper formats, calculator rules, accuracy, and content are spelled out?” Ashley says. “If you’re eyeing A-Math, you’ll want solid algebra & functions now.”
Syllabuses: 4052 PDF · 4049 PDF. (SEAB)

(c) Think ahead (JC/Poly/IB).
“Pathways matter,” Ashley says. “If you’re leaning towards H2 Math in JC or a math-heavy diploma/degree, G3 Math and A-Math usually make sense—if your weekly load is sustainable.”
Timeline context: MOE infosheet (SEC & Poly Y1 criteria). (Ministry of Education)

(d) Re-evaluate after every reporting cycle.
“If your results and wellbeing suggest a change, Full SBB expects schools to consider adjustments at appropriate junctures,” Ashley reminds her.
MOE on adjustments: Secondary school experience under Full SBB. (Ministry of Education)

5) A mother–daughter walk-through (how they’d decide)

Step 1 — Reality check.
They look at Mei’s recent tests: factorisation, quadratics, graphs. Where are the errors—conceptual or careless?

Step 2 — Choose the load.
Mei lists CCA, commute, and the heavy subjects this term. “G3 Math + A-Math is doable if I stop leaving algebra to the weekend,” she says.

Step 3 — Confirm the specs.
They pin the 4052 and 4049 PDFs to a family folder, highlighting Scheme of Assessment, Use of Calculators, and content lists. “No surprises later,” says Ashley.
Docs: 4052 · 4049. (SEAB)

Step 4 — Talk to school.
They draft two questions for the Math teacher:

  1. “If Mei sustains current results, could she move up/down a subject level next term?”
  2. “Would you recommend adding A-Math in Sec 3 given her algebra profile?”

Step 5 — Make a small promise.
Mei agrees to two 45-minute algebra sessions each week for six weeks and one 30-minute mixed-topic review. “Let’s earn the harder level,” she says.

6) A picture in Mei’s head (how G-levels feel)

Ashley draws three boxes:

  • G1 — firm basics, steady pace.
  • G2 — deeper stretch, more multi-step problems.
  • G3 — the “athlete’s track” for the subject; more abstraction and application.

“It’s okay to hold G2 in one subject and G3 in another,” Ashley says. “Full SBB is designed for mix-and-match.” Mei nods, relieved.
MOE on mixing subject levels: Secondary school experience under Full SBB. (Ministry of Education)

7) Fast FAQs they answer for themselves

  • “Is G3 just ‘Express’ renamed?”
    Not quite. Posting Groups map historically, but subject levels can be mixed and adjusted—that flexibility didn’t exist the same way under old streaming. (Ministry of Education)
  • “Where do we verify the right codes each year?”
    On SEAB’s cohort page (e.g., 2025 shows Mathematics 4052 and Additional Mathematics 4049 for school candidates).
    Check: 2025 O-Level syllabuses examined. (SEAB)
  • “When does SEC start?”
    2027 graduating cohort. Cohorts through 2026 still take O-/N-Levels; then SEC aligns papers to G levels.
    Read: MOE infosheet (SEC & Poly Y1 criteria). (Ministry of Education)

8) How the evening ends

Mei closes the tabs and grins. “So I’m not locked into a track. I can grow into the right Math level.”

“Exactly,” Ashley says, stacking the mugs. “We’ll use the official pages, watch your readiness and wellbeing, and adjust at the right time. That’s what Full SBB is for.”

They pin three bookmarks to the home screen so they won’t forget:

Paste this straight into WordPress. If you want, I can also turn it into a short comic-style explainer for parents and students.

1) What are G1, G2 and G3 for Mathematics?

From the 2024 Sec 1 cohort, secondary subjects—including Mathematics—are taken at one of three subject levels: G1, G2, G3 (“G” = General). Students can take different subjects at different levels and will attend classes timetabled by subject level (e.g., Math at G3, another subject at G2). See MOE’s explanation of the secondary school experience under Full SBB.
Read more: MOE — Secondary school experience under Full SBB. (Ministry of Education)

Posting Groups (1–3)

Old Express/Normal streams were removed. Students now enter secondary school via Posting Groups 1–3, which guide initial subject levels; subject levels can change later based on progress and wellbeing.
Read more: MOE — Curriculum for secondary schools (Full SBB & Posting Groups). (Ministry of Education)

2) What exam will my child sit?

For a visual overview of mixed form classes, Posting Groups, the SEC exam, and post-secondary pathways under Full SBB, see MOE’s official infographic.
View: MOE — Secondary School Experience & Post-Secondary Pathways under Full SBB (PDF). (Ministry of Education)

3) Can students change Math subject level later?

Yes. MOE states that students “will have the flexibility to adjust their subject levels at appropriate junctures, based on their strengths, interests and learning needs.” Schools guide these decisions holistically, considering progress and overall load.
Read more: MOE — Secondary school experience under Full SBB. (Ministry of Education)

Note: Some schools (e.g., Integrated Programme schools) have specialised structures; selected aspects of Full SBB (like subject-level flexibility) may still apply where feasible.
Read more: MOE — Curriculum for secondary schools (schools with specialised curricula). (Ministry of Education)

4) How do G-levels relate to E-Math and A-Math?

In upper secondary, students typically take O-Level Mathematics (4052) and, where suitable, Additional Mathematics (4049)—or their aligned SEC papers from 2027 onward. These syllabuses define content scope, paper formats, calculator policy and accuracy rules.

  • Mathematics (4052): broad numeracy across Number & Algebra, Geometry & Measurement, Statistics & Probability; reasoning, communication and application are assessed.
    Syllabus: SEAB — Mathematics 4052 (PDF). (SEAB)
  • Additional Mathematics (4049): algebraic depth, functions, trigonometry and introductory calculus; two structured papers; calculators allowed; formulae/notation provided.
    Syllabus: SEAB — Additional Mathematics 4049 (PDF). (SEAB)

To confirm the current year’s syllabuses examined for school candidates, always check SEAB’s cohort page.
Reference: SEAB — O-Level syllabuses examined for school candidates (2025). (SEAB)

5) How do Math choices affect post-secondary options?

Your child’s mix of subjects and levels (e.g., number of G3 subjects) influences options for JC/MI, Polytechnic, or ITE. MOE’s infosheet outlines changes linked to Full SBB, including how the SEC timetable and Polytechnic Y1 admissions are adjusted to recognise G-level combinations.
Read more: MOE — Infosheet: Full SBB-related changes (SEC timetable, Poly Y1 criteria). (Ministry of Education)

For a quick visual on Posting Groups → SEC → Post-secondary pathways, use MOE’s official infographic.
View: MOE — Secondary School Experience & Post-Secondary Pathways under Full SBB (PDF). (Ministry of Education)

6) Parent checklist for picking the right Math level (G1/G2/G3)

  1. Start from the school’s recommendation at admission, then review each semester. MOE explicitly allows adjustments to subject levels at suitable junctures.
    Source: MOE — Secondary school experience under Full SBB. (Ministry of Education)
  2. Match current readiness to the syllabus demands. If aiming for A-Math (4049) in upper sec and later H2 Math in JC, ensure strong algebra/functions in lower sec.
    Syllabuses: SEAB 4052 PDF · SEAB 4049 PDF. (SEAB)
  3. Think ahead to pathways. Check how G-level combinations map onto JC/Poly/ITE entry criteria as the SEC rolls out.
    Source: MOE — Infosheet (SEC timetable, Poly Y1 criteria). (Ministry of Education)
  4. Re-evaluate after each reporting cycle. If Math at the current level consistently strains wellbeing, discuss a level adjustment with the form and subject teachers (MOE anticipates adjustments “at appropriate junctures”).
    Source: MOE — Secondary school experience under Full SBB. (Ministry of Education)

7) FAQs

Is G3 “the old Express”?
Not exactly. G1/G2/G3 are mapped from previous standards but Full SBB lets students mix subject levels and adjust over time—the experience is more flexible than the old streams.
Source: MOE — Secondary school experience under Full SBB. (Ministry of Education)

Will calculators and accuracy rules change under SEC?
For current O-Level syllabuses (still examined through 2026), calculator use, accuracy, and paper structures are defined in the official PDFs. The SEC will align papers to G-levels, but schools will brief families as new SEC specifications are released.
Reference: SEAB 4052 PDF · SEAB 4049 PDF · MOE Infosheet on SEC. (SEAB, Ministry of Education)

Can an IP school run Full SBB?
Some specialised schools (e.g., IP schools) cannot implement Full SBB wholesale, but selected aspects like subject-level flexibility may apply.
Source: MOE — Curriculum for secondary schools (Full SBB & specialised schools). (Ministry of Education)

Where can I see how Posting Groups map to pathways under Full SBB?
MOE’s official infographic shows Posting Groups, mixed form classes, SEC exams, and post-secondary pathways on one page.
View: MOE — Secondary School Experience & Post-Secondary Pathways (PDF). (Ministry of Education)

Official sources (bookmark)

Bottom line

  • G1/G2/G3 let students learn Math at the right level and adjust as they grow.
  • O-/N-Levels continue through 2026; SEC begins for 2027 graduating cohorts, aligning papers to G-levels.
  • Use current syllabuses (4052/4049) to gauge readiness, and MOE’s Full SBB guidance to plan sensible level adjustments over time. (Ministry of Education, SEAB)

Contact us For Small Groups Math Tuition at Bukit Timah

Permutations Perfect – WhatsApp!
SBB Math Tuition Bukit Timah | Subject-Based Banding