Full Subject Based Banding

Find out how Full Subject-Based Banding helps students learn subjects at the right level, in mixed classes that celebrate diverse strengths.

Last updated 6 August 2026

Full Subject-Based Banding (FSBB)

Yio Chu Kang Secondary School is one of the 30+ secondary schools which will implement Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB) from 2023.

Purpose of FSBB

A group of cartoon students studying hard.

Full SBB is part of MOE's ongoing efforts to nurture the joy of learning and develop multiple pathways to cater to the different strengths and interests of our students.

With Full SBB, we are moving towards one secondary education, with many subject bands, to better meet our students' needs. This is part of the broader shift in our education system to recognize the strengths and interests of our children, to help them build their confidence and develop an intrinsic motivation to learn for life. We also hope that our students embrace inclusiveness and thrive in diversity.

Full SBB in Yio Chu Kang Secondary School in 2023

Table caption: Implementation of and criteria for offering Humanities subjects at a more demanding level from Sec 2

ASPECT OF FULL SBB	HOW WILL THIS ASPECT BE IMPLEMENTED?
Offering of Humanities subjects at a more demanding level from Secondary 2	Currently, secondary school students can offer English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics and Science at a more demanding level from the start of Secondary One based on students’ PSLE Achievement Level (AL) for each subject. Beyond the start of Secondary 1, students may also offer these subjects at a more demanding level based on their performance in secondary school. Our school will also provide Secondary 2 students the opportunity to take Geography at a more demanding level, if they meet subject-specific criteria. This is applicable to students who are in the Secondary 2 Normal (Academic) course from 2023, and students who are in the Secondary 2 Normal (Technical) course from 2024. The criteria for taking Geography at a more demanding level will be based on students’ aptitude for and interest in these subjects at Secondary 1. They should also possess a positive attitude towards learning and strong commitment to offer the subject at a more demanding level.

ASPECT OF FULL SBB

HOW WILL THIS ASPECT BE IMPLEMENTED?

Offering of Humanities subjects at a more demanding level from Secondary 2

Currently, secondary school students can offer English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics and Science at a more demanding level from the start of Secondary One based on students’ PSLE Achievement Level (AL) for each subject. Beyond the start of Secondary 1, students may also offer these subjects at a more demanding level based on their performance in secondary school.

Our school will also provide Secondary 2 students the opportunity to take Geography at a more demanding level, if they meet subject-specific criteria. This is applicable to students who are in the Secondary 2 Normal (Academic) course from 2023, and students who are in the Secondary 2 Normal (Technical) course from 2024.

The criteria for taking Geography at a more demanding level will be based on students’ aptitude for and interest in these subjects at Secondary 1. They should also possess a positive attitude towards learning and strong commitment to offer the subject at a more demanding level.

Table caption: Implementation of mixed form classes and curriculum structure under Full Subject-Based Banding.

ASPECT OF FULL SBB	HOW WILL THIS ASPECT BE IMPLEMENTED?
Mixed form classes with the provision of a common curriculum	Our school will implement mixed form classes starting from Secondary 1. The Secondary 1 students will be grouped in mixed form classes, comprising students from different courses of study. Mixed form classes present more opportunities for students to interact with other students taking different subject combinations, and with different strengths and interests. In their mixed form classes, students will take a set of subjects at a common level, amounting to about one-third of curriculum time. This would allow students in mixed form classes to spend curriculum time together in these subjects. These subjects are: Art Character and Citizenship Education Design and Technology Food and Consumer Education Music Physical Education Teachers will adopt a range of teaching approaches to meet the different learning needs and pace of their students in the same form class. English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics, and Science will continue to be offered at Express Level, N(A) Level, and N(T) Level. The criteria for taking these subjects at a more demanding level from the start of Secondary One is based on students’ PSLE AL Score for each subject. Students will be grouped in different classes based on their subject level for each subject.

ASPECT OF FULL SBB

HOW WILL THIS ASPECT BE IMPLEMENTED?

Mixed form classes with the provision of a common curriculum

Our school will implement mixed form classes starting from Secondary 1.

The Secondary 1 students will be grouped in mixed form classes, comprising students from different courses of study. Mixed form classes present more opportunities for students to interact with other students taking different subject combinations, and with different strengths and interests.

In their mixed form classes, students will take a set of subjects at a common level, amounting to about one-third of curriculum time. This would allow students in mixed form classes to spend curriculum time together in these subjects.

These subjects are:

Teachers will adopt a range of teaching approaches to meet the different learning needs and pace of their students in the same form class.

English Language, Mother Tongue Languages, Mathematics, and Science will continue to be offered at Express Level, N(A) Level, and N(T) Level.

The criteria for taking these subjects at a more demanding level from the start of Secondary One is based on students’ PSLE AL Score for each subject. Students will be grouped in different classes based on their subject level for each subject.

Full Subject Based Banding