Last Updated: 21 February 2023
Subjects for Express course
Express has two programmes: O-Level and Integrated. The GCE O-Level programme is a 4-year course leading to the GCE O-Level examination. The integrated programme is a 6-year course leading to the GCE A-Level examination or International Baccalaureate Diploma or NUS High School Diploma. Students in the Integrated Programme do not need to take the GCE O-Level examination in Secondary 4.
Subjects
Students in the Express course take a set of compulsory subjects and can take optional subjects (also known as elective subjects) at the upper secondary (Secondary 3 onwards).
Compulsory subjects include English Language, Mother Tongue Language, Mathematics, Science and the Humanities.
Optional subjects are wide-ranging, and further nurture your child’s abilities. Some schools also offer applied subjects such as Computing, Exercise and Sports Science and Drama.
Your child’s interests may affect their school choice, as some subjects are only offered at certain schools.
Applied subjects
Some schools also offer applied subjects such as Computing, Exercise and Sports Science and Drama. Students can take these applied subjects as part of their O-Level subjects.
Your child’s interests may affect their school choice, as some subjects are only offered at certain schools.
Look up schoolsSyllabus
Chinese Language
- 2021 Mother Tongue Languages (Secondary) Syllabus (866KB)
- 2015 Chinese Special Programme (Secondary) Syllabus (1.5MB)
- 2011 Chinese Language (Secondary) Syllabus (3.9MB)
Chinese Literature
Malay Language
- 2021 Mother Tongue Languages (Secondary) Syllabus (900KB)
- 2011 Malay Language (Secondary) Syllabus (2.3MB)
Malay Literature
Malay (Special Programme) – Malay as 3rd Language
Tamil Language
- 2021 Mother Tongue Languages (Secondary) Syllabus (900KB)
- 2011 Tamil Language (Secondary) Syllabus (9MB)
Tamil Literature
Computing
- 2021 O-Level Computing Syllabus (757KB)
Design and Technology
Electronics
- 2021 O-Level Electronics Syllabus (732KB)
- 2017 O-Level Electronics Syllabus (902KB)
Food and Consumer Education
- 2014 Food & Consumer Education (1.3MB)
Science
- 2021 Science (Lower Secondary Express / Normal (Academic)) Syllabuses (for 2021 Secondary 1 students) (990KB)
- 2013 Science (Lower Secondary Express / Normal (Academic)) Syllabuses (for 2021 Secondary 2 students) (659KB)
Biology
- 2023 O-Level Biology Syllabus (975KB)
- 2023 O-Level (Science) Biology Syllabus (917KB)
Chemistry
Physics
Geography
- 2021 Geography (Lower Secondary) Syllabus (897KB)
- 2013 Geography (Upper Secondary) Syllabus (646KB)
- 2023 Geography (Upper Secondary) Syllabus (1.1MB)
History
- 2021 History (Lower Secondary) Syllabus (605KB)
- 2023 History (Upper Secondary) Syllabus (1.5MB)
- 2013 History (Upper Secondary) Syllabus (1.7MB)
Literature in English
- 2019 Literature in English (Lower and Upper Secondary) Syllabus (5.6MB)
- 2013 Literature in English (Lower and Upper Secondary) Syllabus (1.5MB)
Social Studies
- 2023 Social Studies (Upper Secondary, Express, Normal (Academic) Syllabus (613KB)
- 2016 Social Studies (Upper Secondary, Express, Normal (Academic) Syllabus (679KB)
Learn more about the approved textbook list.
Note:
- Upper-secondary examination syllabuses are available on the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) website.
- Students can seek admission to certain secondary schools based on their talents in sports, CCAs or specific academic areas. If this applies to your child, learn more about Direct School Admission for secondary schools (DSA-Sec).