Subject Based Banding

What is Subject Based Banding (SBB)?

Subject-Based Banding (SBB) is an MOE-wide initiative to allow students to build a stronger foundation in subjects they are good at, nurture their strengths and give students more opportunities throughout their educational journey, so that they are more engaged in learning.

Previously, students in N(A) and N(T) courses can take higher-level subjects starting from Secondary 3. With SBB, your child is given the opportunity to offer subjects at a higher-level from the start of Secondary 1.

Some students and parents have shared that there are many possible benefits of taking higher-level subjects, such as:

• allowing students to challenge themselves
• have more options for Secondary 3 subject combinations and post-secondary courses
• be better prepared for various post-secondary progression pathways (e.g. to Institute of Technical Education and Polytechnic) as they have a strong foundation in literacy, numeracy and reasoning.

In YTSS, we offer SBB for four subjects: English Language, Mathematics, Science and Mother Tongue Languages.

Eligibility Criteria for SBB upon entry to Secondary 1

At the start of Secondary 1, SBB offers are made by the Ministry of Education, based on your child/ward’s performance during PSLE. 

Eligible N(A) and N(T) students should have received an application form, based on the following criteria:

If your child has been offered the option to offer subjects at a higher level, please indicate the subjects your child wishes to take (or not to take) at a higher level through the All Ears application by 28 December 2022, 12 p.m.