Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) has made significant changes to the A-level examinations in the country, aimed at giving students more autonomy in their studies and allowing adults to pursue lifelong learning. The changes will be implemented starting in 2026 for students enrolling in Junior College (JC) in 2025.
Among the changes announced by MOE is not counting the fourth content-based subject for JC students in university admissions unless it improves their score. This move will enable students to take up subjects of their interest without worrying about how it may impact their university admission chances.
Another significant change is removing Project Work from the calculation of the university admission score. Currently, students are required to complete a project that counts towards their university admission score. However, this will now be changed to pass/fail grading only.
MOE has also announced that mid-year exams for JC and Millennia Institute (MI) students will gradually be phased out from 2024. Instead, students will have more time to focus on their studies and personal growth, including taking up internships, engaging in community service, and pursuing other interests.
To ensure that JCs do not implement additional school-based assessments after the removal of mid-year exams, MOE has issued a clarification. The move is aimed at ensuring that students are not overwhelmed by multiple assessments and are given more time to focus on their studies and overall development.
According to MOE, the changes are aimed at providing students with more flexibility to explore their interests, pursue their passions, and develop important life skills. The reforms will also benefit adults looking to pursue lifelong learning by enabling them to choose courses that cater to their interests and goals.
These changes come after a review by MOE’s Joint Committee on the A-Level Curriculum (JCAC) and extensive consultations with education stakeholders. The ministry has emphasized that the changes are part of an ongoing effort to provide a more holistic and well-rounded education system in Singapore.