What Subjects Can You Retake as a Private Candidate in Singapore?
TL;DR
You can retake any O-Level or A-Level subject available to private candidates, but you must retake the entire subject (all papers) -- you cannot retake individual papers. Science subjects require the practical paper too. You can then combine your best grades across sittings for L1R5, UAS, or polytechnic admission.
The short answer
As a private candidate, you can retake any subject that appears on SEAB's private candidate subject list. There is no restriction on which subjects you choose, how many you sit, or how many times you retake them.
However, there is one firm rule: you must retake the entire subject. SEAB does not allow you to retake individual papers within a subject. If you are retaking Pure Chemistry (6092), for example, you sit Paper 1 (MCQ), Paper 2 (structured/free response), and Paper 3 (practical). You cannot skip the practical and retake only the theory papers.
This applies equally to O-Level and A-Level subjects.
O-Level subjects available to private candidates
Most O-Level subjects are open to private candidates. The common ones include:
Languages
- English Language (1184)
- Mother Tongue Language -- Chinese (1160), Malay (1148), Tamil (1157)
- Higher Mother Tongue Language -- Higher Chinese (1116), Higher Malay (1117), Higher Tamil (1147)
- Literature in English (2065)
Mathematics
- Mathematics (4052)
- Additional Mathematics (4049)
Sciences
- Pure Physics (6091)
- Pure Chemistry (6092)
- Pure Biology (6093)
- Combined Science -- Physics/Chemistry (5086), Physics/Biology (5087), Chemistry/Biology (5088)
Humanities
- Social Studies / Geography (2279)
- Social Studies / History (2273)
- Social Studies / Literature in English (2274)
- Geography (2236)
- History (2174)
Other subjects
- Principles of Accounts (7087)
- Chinese Language (Syllabus B) (1153)
The full and definitive list is published by SEAB in the registration information e-booklet each year. Check the SEAB private candidates page for the latest version.
Subjects NOT available to private candidates
Some subjects require school-based coursework, internal assessment, or specialised equipment that is only available through schools:
