All about the G1 English exam (K100)
G1 English (syllabus K100) is the most functional band of the new SEC English exam, first sat in 2027. It has four papers worth 190 marks, and it differs from G2 and G3 in three important ways: there is no argument writing, the language paper uses two cloze tasks instead of a summary, and the oral keeps Reading Aloud.
Key facts
| Syllabus code | K100 |
| First exam | 2027 |
| Maps from | Normal (Technical) English 1195 |
| Papers | 4 |
| Total marks | 190 |
What G1 English is
Under full Subject-Based Banding (first examined 2027), Normal (Technical) is renamed G1, under the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate. G1 English is coded K100 and keeps the functional shape of the old N(T) 1195 — practical, everyday English used to inform, explain and interact.
The four papers at a glance
| Paper | What it tests | Marks | Weight | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Writing — editing, situational, continuous | 70 | 30% | 1h 20m (computer) |
| Paper 2 | Language Use & Comprehension | 60 | 40% | 1h 20m |
| Paper 3 | Listening comprehension | 20 | 10% | ~45m |
| Paper 4 | Oral (Reading Aloud + Spoken Interaction) | 40 | 20% | ~20m (computer) |
Note the total: 190 marks, slightly higher than G2 and G3 (180), because of the heavier language paper and the oral that keeps reading aloud.
Paper 1: Writing (70 marks)
Editing [10] gives a text of about 150 words with ten underlined words; each is either wrong (write the correction) or redundant (delete it) — grammar only. Situational Writing [30] asks for at least 180 words in a practical form: a journal entry, personal letter or explanation from a visual.Continuous Writing [30] is at least 120 words, choosing one of two topics — and it covers narrative, personal recount and description only. There is no argument or discursive task anywhere in G1, which is the clearest difference from G2 and G3.Paper 2: Language Use & Comprehension (60 marks)
This is where G1 differs most. Section A has two cloze tasks: a vocabulary cloze where students pick ten words from a fifteen-word list, and a grammar cloze answered in their own words. Section B is comprehension — a narrative or recount, then a longer set on three non-narrative texts (at least one with a visual), running to about 1,200 words. There is no 80-word summary at G1.
Papers 3 and 4: Listening and Oral
Paper 3 (Listening) uses MCQ and multiple-matching over varied audio. Paper 4 (Oral) is the most distinctive: it keeps Reading Aloud [15] — which G2 and G3 dropped — alongside Spoken Interaction [25] off a video clip, and at 40 marks it carries the most oral weight of the three bands.How to prepare for G1 English
G1 rewards clear, accurate, functional English and steady exam habits. The priorities are a solid grammar base (for editing and the grammar cloze), a working vocabulary (for the word-list cloze), confident reading aloud, and well-organised situational writing. LearnUp teaches these with focused scaffolds and frequent, low-stakes practice rather than long essays.
Frequently asked questions
Is G1 English the same as N(T) English?
It closely follows the Normal (Technical) 1195 functional shape, renamed G1 (K100) under the SEC and first sat in 2027.
How many marks is G1 English?
190 marks across four papers: Writing (70, 30%), Language Use & Comprehension (60, 40%), Listening (20, 10%) and Oral (40, 20%).
Does G1 English have a summary or argument essay?
No to both. G1 has two cloze tasks instead of a summary, and its continuous writing covers narrative, recount and description only — no argument or discursive writing.
Does G1 still have reading aloud?
Yes. G1 keeps Reading Aloud in the oral, worth 15 marks, alongside spoken interaction — unlike G2 and G3, which removed it.
G1 English, built up step by step
LearnUp teaches G1 functional writing, cloze and oral with clear scaffolds and plenty of practice. Explore the programme on BrainBuzz.
See LearnUp programmes