JC Subject Combinations Guide: Science, Arts, Hybrid and Which H2 Subjects (2026)

⚠️ Updated for 2026 A-Levels: The University Admission Scoring (UAS) system has changed from 90 Rank Points to 70 Rank Points. This guide has been updated to help you choose the safest and most strategic combination under the new rules.

You’ve finally finished your O levels, congratulations! (Or you have just finished bumming around whilst in the Integrated Programme.) The thought of moving on to Junior College (JC) A-Levels to prepare yourself for university life has been exhilarating but overwhelming at the same time. 

It’s like uncharted territory, and the rigorous syllabus you may hear of certainly does not make things easier. 

You also haven’t decided on JC subject combinations. Whatever you choose, it will determine your entire JC life, the friends you make along the way and your future plans. 

But don’t fret! We’re here to help you make one of the biggest decisions of your teenage life. Let’s delve deeper into the basics of good JC subject combinations and how you should choose your H2 subjects that maximizes your university admission chances!

1. Introduction to JC Subject Levels

Before we discuss the factors you should consider when choosing JC subjects, let’s talk about JC terminologies first—H1, H2, and H3. 

H stands for ‘higher.’ Simply put, these levels describe the difficulty, demands, and commitment you have to give. Let’s take a closer look at these JC levels:

Terminologies

H1

The subjects in H1 have the least breadth and depth, so they require little demand and a lesser workload. It means that in rank point calculation, H1 also has less weightage.

H2

The H2 level provides a more comprehensive range of topics and contents due to core subjects. It has more weightage in rank point calculation.

H3

H3 subjects are optional, so they are not graded into rank points. This level is reserved for students who are interested in pursuing research, allowing more in-depth study into a certain subject matter. 

It’s important to remember that H3 is not for everybody. You should only take it if you’re passionate enough about a certain subject and would like to challenge yourself more. 

H3 subjects will vary across subjects. Some will oblige you to do research and project work, while others are more content-heavy compared to H2 subjects. Moreover, depending on your prospective school, you will be given enough time to decide if you want to add H3 subjects by the end of JC1. 

Schools may also consider joining talent programmes as an H3 subject.

2. Common JC Subject Combinations: Science, Arts & Hybrid

Generally speaking, JC subjects are divided into streams. Here is how you can structure them to maximize your 70 points. For the full list of A-Level subjects on offer, do visit this official website.

The Science Stream (PCME / BCME)

If you opt for the Science stream, you have to choose three science subjects and a contrasting arts subject. The most common combinations are:

• PCME: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, Economics
• BCME: Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics, Economics

The “Contrast Subject” Strategy: Including Economics in your science combination is highly recommended. It approaches social issues scientifically, training you to make sound judgments based on facts—a perfect fit for the Science student’s brain. In fact, many Science stream students enrol in our JC Economics Tuition (A-Level) programme.

The Arts Stream (GELM / HELM)

Arts stream students are required to take three arts subjects and Mathematics as their contrasting subject. Standard combinations include:

• GELM: Geography, Economics, Literature, Mathematics
• HELM: History, Economics, Literature, Mathematics

You also have the freedom to change one of the humanities subjects with another choice such as Music, Art, China Studies, Theatre Studies or English and Linguistics. Just make sure that you won’t take History and Geography simultaneously. Their workload and materials when combined can be quite overwhelming.

Why Economics is the Anchor: Economics gives you the tools to understand the real world. It hones your critical thinking and provides structured, objective frameworks (unlike the subjective nature of Literature or the massive memorization required for History).

The Hybrid Stream

What if you want to take 2 Arts and 2 Science subjects (e.g., Math, Chemistry, Literature, and Economics)? While a Hybrid combination allows you to play directly to your strengths, it comes with a few strict warnings:

• Timetable Nightmares: Because your combination is unique, you may end up with long breaks and late classes.
• University Lock-outs: Many university courses require three Science subjects. For example, NUS Chemical Engineering requires Math, Physics, and Chemistry, though they need not necessarily require all at H2. A Hybrid stream may automatically disqualify you from these paths.

Pro-Tip: To finalise your decision on which stream to take, check out these questions you can ask yourself:

• Which subjects do you think will benefit you more in the career path or university course you plan to take in the near future?
• Do you like learning about various concepts and facts?
• During your O Levels, which subjects did you perform well in?
• What are you usually interested in? Take note of the subjects where studying felt fun and effortless on your end.

3. The New 2026 Reality: The 70 Rank Point System

Under the new A-Level grading system, your University Admission Score (UAS) is capped at 70 Rank Points, reduced from the previous 90.

Here is exactly how the math works today:

• Your 3 H2s + GP are King: Your score is primarily based on your 3 H2 subjects (max 20 points each) and General Paper (max 10 points).
• Project Work (PW) is Pass/Fail: You must pass it for university admission, but it no longer contributes to your 70 points.
• Your 4th Subject (H1) & Mother Tongue (MTL) are Safety Nets: If you take an H1 subject (or a 4th H2 subject) and/or Mother Tongue, they will only be computed into your score if they pull your average up. If they do, your final score is simply rebased back to 70. They cannot pull you down!

💡 Want to see the exact math and calculate your potential score?

Use our complete breakdown and calculator in our Guide to the A-Level Grading System here!

---

4. How to Choose Your 3 H2 Subjects

In the past, taking four H2 subjects was commonplace. Today, the new 70-point system is designed to reduce stress, but it also means one critical thing: Students opting for highly competitive university courses must absolutely ace their 3 H2 subjects and GP.

Obviously, students now want to focus fiercely on their 3 core H2s. So, how are top students deciding which 3 H2s to keep, and which to relegate to an H1?

We polled our current JC students across Singapore to gather raw insights into how they chose their H2s—and specifically, why so many are choosing Economics over traditional Sciences and Humanities. Here is what they had to say:

The Science Dilemma: To Drop Physics, Chemistry, or Biology?

For Science stream students, juggling three heavy sciences is no longer strictly necessary. Many are swapping a science for H2 Economics to balance their workload.

• “Economics instead of Physics. I find Physics much tougher.” — Student from RI
• “Economics instead of Chemistry. Econs is a lot more interesting. I can already apply it in real life, even in gaming.” — Student from VJC
• “Economics instead of Biology. The amount of nitty-gritty content in Bio is just unbelievable. The content for Economics is lighter and easier to remember.” — Student from TJC

The Arts & Math Dilemma: Escaping Subjective Marking

For Arts and Hybrid students, the subjectivity of humanities or the volatility of H2 Math is driving their choices.

• “Economics instead of Literature. Lit content is not engaging and sometimes difficult to understand, skills are complicated and marking is quite inconsistent… I find it difficult to pick up and score.” — Student from VJC
• “Definitely still do Economics… Probably drop Math to H1, as there seems to be a higher variance in performance for Math.” — Student from EJC
• “Will probably drop Math. Don’t see much real world application unlike for Econs.” — Student from RI

And then there are the undecided (and the comedians):

• “I still can’t decide. Depends on what I want to study in Uni and I am still unsure.” — Student from NJC
• “I would probably drop Economics. I have no talent for Econs.” — Student from HCI (Editor’s Note: This HCI student of ours ended up scoring an A for Econs! You can join us without talent, and we will make you a superstar!)
• “Can drop GP?!” — Student from ACJC (Unfortunately not!)

The Key Takeaway: Because your 3 H2s now carry the entire weight of your content score (60 out of 70 points), you cannot afford to fall behind. Build a strong foundation from the very beginning of JC1. If you leave it until late, you will face an uphill, stressful climb. Get the right coaching early—start your H2 Economics Tuition right away to secure your A grade.

Need more convincing? Watch a short reel by our Chief Tutor Kelvin Hong on why you should opt for H2 Economics:

---

5. University Prerequisites: Begin with the End in Mind

Your subject combination dictates your university course choices. Choose a combination that keeps the most doors open for your future career. Here are the general prerequisites for top courses in Singapore:

University Course	A-Level Subject Prerequisites*
Medicine	Good grades in H2 Chemistry AND (H2 Biology or H2 Physics)
Engineering	Good grades in H2 Mathematics, H2 Chemistry, and H2 Physics
Science Courses	Passing grades in H2 Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Mathematics
Law	A ‘B’ Grade in H1 General Paper (GP)
Business	Passing grades in H1 Mathematics (or O-Level A-Math)
Humanities / Arts	Passing grades in General Paper and H1 Mathematics

*Note: This information is to the best of our knowledge. Requirements change, so it is your responsibility to verify directly with the universities (e.g., check the NUS subject prerequisites page).

The Safest Route: If you are unsure of what you want to do in university, combinations like PCME and BCME are widely considered the safest options, as they make you eligible for almost every university course.

For more information and greater understanding, check out our video:

---

Final Thoughts

Entering your junior college years is a thrilling experience. Choosing your subject combination shouldn’t be about following what your friends are doing out of peer pressure. Take a hard look at your strengths, factor in the new 70-point safety net, and choose subjects that align with your passions and university goals.

💡 Still debating your contrasting subject? > Should you take H1 Economics as a light safety net, or H2 Economics for to possibly secure higher Rank Points? > 👉Read our complete guide to H1 vs H2 Economics here!

FAQs