SEC (Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate)
The national exam replacing O-Levels and N-Levels from 2027
The Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) is the single national examination that replaces the GCE O-Level and N-Level examinations from 2027, under Full Subject-Based Banding. Students take subjects at G1, G2 or G3 level and receive one certificate listing all subjects and levels taken.
Full guide: How SEC replaces the O-Level from 2027
In context
G3 broadly corresponds to the former O-Level standard (grades A1 to 9), G2 to N(A) and G1 to N(T). G3 syllabus codes use a K prefix, for example K310 Mathematics, K341 Additional Mathematics, K300 English Language, K324 Chemistry, K323 Physics, K325 Biology and K326-K328 Combined Science. JC admission for the first SEC cohort moves from L1R5 to L1R4 in the 2028 Post-Secondary Admissions Exercise (PSE), which replaces the JAE.
When is the first SEC?
The first SEC is sat in 2027, by the Secondary 4 cohort that entered Sec 1 in 2024. The last GCE O-Level is sat in 2026. Results are released in January of the following year, so the first SEC results arrive in January 2028. SEAB publishes each year's paper timetable on its SEC page.
What do G1, G2 and G3 mean on the certificate?
Each subject is taken at one of three levels, and the certificate lists the level next to the grade. G3 is the most demanding and keeps the former O-Level standard, G2 is roughly the former N(A) standard and G1 the former N(T) standard. A student can take some subjects at G3 and others at G2, which the old O-Level and N-Level certificates could not show.
Is there Sec 5 after the SEC?
Yes, for students who qualify. MOE has said a fifth year stays available under Full Subject-Based Banding for eligible students who want to take subjects at a more demanding level. Students in the last Normal (Academic) cohort who take Sec 5 in 2027 sit the SEC that year. Eligibility is decided by MOE and the school.
How does the SEC change JC admission?
From the 2028 Post-Secondary Admissions Exercise (PSE), which replaces the JAE for SEC students, JC admission uses an L1R4 score instead of L1R5, and the subjects counted must be taken at G3. MOE's page on admission changes from 2028 sets out the full rules.
Source / further reading: https://www.seab.gov.sg/secondary-education-certificate-sec/
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