G2 vs G3 — Singapore secondary banding.

What G3, G2, and G1 stand for

• G3 — most demanding band. Equivalent to the former Express stream. Subjects taught at G3 lead to O-Level papers at Sec 4.
• G2 — moderate band. Equivalent to the former Normal (Academic). Leads to N-Level papers, then optionally O-Level via Sec 5.
• G1 — foundation band. Equivalent to former Normal (Technical). Leads to N-Level Foundation papers.

How streaming works now (vs the old system)

Under the old streams, a student was either Express, N(A), or N(T) across all subjects. Under Full SBB, a student can take Math at G3 but Science at G2, or vice versa. Schools assess and place each student subject by subject from Sec 1.

Can students move between bands?

Yes — and this is one of the bigger changes. A G2 student doing well in Math can move up to G3 mid-year. A G3 student struggling can move down to G2 without changing schools or streams. Schools monitor performance term by term.

What G3 vs G2 means for Math

The Math content is largely the same in concept; G2 covers a subset of G3 topics with slightly less depth. In practice, well-run tuition centres teach G3 content to G2 students from day one — because G2 students who promote up shouldn't be caught flat-footed, and the G2 syllabus is a subset of G3 anyway.

At Sec 3 and Sec 4, the band determines exam track: G3 students sit O-Level Math (E Math, optionally A Math), while G2 students sit N-Level E Math.

What G3 vs G2 means for Science

At Sec 1 and Sec 2, Science is taught together for G3 and G2 with the same core content. From Sec 3, G3 students typically split into Pure Physics, Pure Chemistry, and Pure Biology (or two-subject Combined Science). G2 students continue with a Combined Science variant suitable for the N-Level track.

When G3 vs G2 matters most

• Sec 1 placement — the band assigned at Sec 1 affects which papers a student sits later.
• Borderline students — Sec 1 and early Sec 2 are when focused intervention can move a student up a band. By Sec 3, the gap is harder to close.
• Pathway planning — G3 leads to O-Level → JC or polytechnic; G2 leads to N-Level → polytechnic or O-Level via Sec 5.

Further reading

For a deeper take on what this means when choosing tuition, see our G2 vs G3 Math tuition guide for parents.