Skip to main content
Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

Music Elective Programme Syllabus & Assessment

Find out what MEP students need to know about the GCE 'O' Level Higher Music exam, including its components, weightage, and assessment details.

Last updated 12 August 2026

All MEP students (Express and IP) are required to sit for the GCE ‘O’ Level Higher Music Examination. The components along with their assessment, weightage, and a brief description are given below.

Click here (opens in new tab) to find out more about the Teaching and Learning Syllabus.

 SEC G3 Higher Music

| COMPONENT | ASSESSMENT & WEIGHTAGE | BRIEF DESCRIPTION (of syllabus and assessment) | ||-----| | Music Studies

(40%) | Written Examination (1.5h) (75m) | This paper tests candidates’ aural perception skills and their knowledge and understanding of a wide range of genres through recorded extracts. The genres include Western Classical music, Pop, Jazz, and Asian Music traditions.

| | Performance

(30%) | Performing Exam (40m)


Reflection Notes (10m)
| This component tests candidates’ technical competence and interpretative understanding through a performance of their own choice of music. All candidates are required to perform 2 contrasting pieces.

Option 1
Two contrasting pieces on one solo instrument or voice from any style/tradition.

Option 2
One piece or movement on one solo instrument or voice from any style/tradition

AND

One of the following from any style/tradition:
– A piece on a second instrument
– Ensemble (on the first/second instrument)
– Accompaniment (on the first/second instrument) | | Music Writing

(30%) | Coursework (40m)


Reflection notes (10m) | This component tests candidates’ ability to create music through responding to musical, text, or contextual stimuli. All work will be supervised and completed during curriculum time, with candidates given up to 5h of supervision. |

 Elective Paper

ACS (Independent) MEP students are required to take Higher Music, which comprises an additional study in Performing.

This component tests candidates’ interpretative and musical understanding through a performance of their own choice of music and a viva voce.

  • The performance must consist of 2 contrasting pieces, with performing time between 8 to 12 minutes.

  • At least one of the pieces must be an ensemble work.

Download the full syllabus for Higher Music here. (opens in new tab)