JC Subject Combination Guide (Singapore): H1/H2/H3, Contrasting Subjects, and How to Choose

Q: What does JC Subject Combination Guide (Singapore) cover?
A: How JC subject combinations work (H1/H2/H3 + contrasting-subject rules), how to shortlist combinations that match university prerequisites, and what to verify from your JC’s official subject combination booklet.

TL;DR
A common pattern is four content subjects (often 3 H2 + 1 H1, or 4 H2) plus General Paper and Project Work—but details vary by school and cohort.
Many JCs apply a contrasting subject principle (e.g., Science students take a Humanities/Arts subject; Arts students take Mathematics). Verify the exact rule from your school’s official subject combination list.
Start from university prerequisites, then work backward to a combination you can sustain with your CCA and weekly revision time.

If you’re still at the Year 2 → Year 3 selection stage (IP/secondary), start here: https://eclatinstitute.sg/blog/Integrated-Programme-subject-combination-and-promotion-criteria.

1 | What is a “JC subject combination”?

A JC subject combination is your bundle of A-Level subjects. It affects:

• what you will study and be assessed on for the next two years,
• which university courses remain open (prerequisite-dependent courses),
• how heavy your weekly load feels (content depth + lesson/practical time).

Every JC publishes an official subject combination list / booklet (often updated yearly). Use it as the source of truth for:

• subjects offered (including niche subjects like Further Mathematics, Computing, KI/ELL, Art/Music, and MOELC languages),
• prerequisites and cut-offs (especially for oversubscribed subjects),
• whether “non-standard” combinations can be proposed and how approval works.

2 | H1 vs H2 vs H3 (what changes)

H1 vs H2 is mainly about depth and assessment scope:

• H2 is typically the full “main track” subject; H1 is commonly the lighter variant (where offered).
• Many students choose between 3 H2 + 1 H1 (more balanced) and 4 H2 (heavier).

H3 is an extra stretch subject/module offered to stronger students, typically after JC1 results. Always check:

• your JC’s entry criteria and workload expectations, and
• how your target universities treat H3 in admissions and scholarships.