新加坡的升學競爭在與世界國家對照下，可說是相當激烈。自小學四年級開始，學生即由學校依據學業成就分至三個主要的語言源流：EM1，EM2，EM3。學生在EM1與EM2源流內需學習的學科有英語、母語、數學與科學；EM3的學生則學習基礎英語、基礎母語與基礎數學。 小學畢業後學生須參加小學離校考試，根據考試成績學生被分配至中學內不同的課程（特別班、快捷班、普通班；普通班又分為普通學術與普通工藝兩種班別）就讀。特別班與快捷班的學生修業完畢後須參加普通教育證書普通水準會考，以進入初級學院或大學先修中心；之後則須參加普通教育證書高級水準會考以進入大學。而普通學術與普通工藝班的學生則可繼續朝向學術課程或職業教育課程發展。 新加坡教育最顯著的特色是其採行早期分流與菁英教育的措施與意識型態。因而引起對其教育機會均等之落實與過度重視教育之工具性價值之質疑，對此新加坡政府則以有效使用有限的教育資源為主要回應。

　　　　　The competitions for upgrading or entering a higher school in Singapore is rather acute. At primary 4, students are evaluated by school authority to enter three languages streams EM1, EM2, and EM3. Students in the EM1 and EM2 streams do English, Mother tongue, Mathematics and Science. In EM3 streams students study Foundation English, basic Mother tongue and Foundation Mathematics. After taking the Primary School Leaving Examination, students will be placed in various secondary school courses based on their abilities. Those taking Special course or Express course The Competitions in Education System of Singapore will sit for the GCE '0' level examination to attend junior colleges or pre-university centre which will lead to GCE' A' Level to enter university. Those who taking Normal Academic or Normal Technical can continue taking vocational education or academic education. Early differentiation and elite education is the most characteristics of the education system of Singapore. In responding to the doubts on the equality of educational opportunity and the instrumental values of education, the government insists in efficiently use of limited educational resources.