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IP, IB or ‘O’ Levels. Which is the Best Path?

Santhi Rebecca · April 7, 2023 · 12 Comments

"Which path will work out best in the long run, IP, IB or 'O' Levels?"

Today, Singapore is known for its world-class education system. During the 1950s and 60s however, Singapore banked on a ‘survival-driven’ education system in order to generate a skilled workforce for the nation’s industrialisation push. We have come a long way since then, and there are now multiple pathways to a promising future.

The Cambridge ‘O’ Level/SEC Programme

Statistics from MOE, Singapore

The ‘O’ Levels have been offered in Singapore since 1971. It is considered a traditional path with rigorous academic demand.

Indeed, the majority of Singaporeans have gone through this particular exam and gone on to obtain acceptance into higher education institutions with ease.

The Cambridge ‘O’ Levels are widely recognised by both universities and employers internationally as evidence of excellent academic achievement.

Students are allowed to take up to a maximum of 9 subjects, and a minimum of 6.

From 2027, students will sit for the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) examinations. There will be no change to the existing syllabus and examination format, beyond the regular updates that occur for each subject. The SEC exams will still be examined and awarded by Cambridge, as well as MOE and the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board. The difference between the current format and SEC is that students will be taking subjects based on their strengths in each subject, and not based on a stream as is the case today.

Grading is carried out as follows.

What Type of Student Would Enjoy the ‘O’ Level/SEC Programme?

The ‘O’ levels are considered the ‘traditional’ or ‘safe’ route by many, and in terms of opening up opportunities for higher education, it certainly is.

Many consider the programme to be content heavy with a focus on grades and academia, but schools and educators today have a variety of tools and resources in order to bring out the best in every student.

Students will have to take ownership of their education, learn how to take notes, condense and summarise their own learning.

Students who enjoy the ‘O’ level programme are driven by their interests, are determined to succeed and are willing to take risks, fail and learn from their mistakes.

The Integrated Programme (IP)

The Integrated Programme (IP) was introduced in 2004 in only 8 schools. It caters for high-ability students in Singapore at the secondary school level. Instead of taking the GCE Ordinary Level (O-level) exam in Sec 4 or Sec 5, they will take the GCE Advanced Level (A-level) exam or the International Baccalaureate (IB) after six years of secondary education.

The IP is offered in the following 17 schools at the time of writing:

Nanyang Girls’ High School	Catholic High School	Singapore Chinese Girls’ School
National Junior College	Cedar Girls’ Secondary School	Temasek Junior College
Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary)	CHIJ St Nicholas Girls’ School	Victoria School
Raffles Institution (Secondary)	Dunman High School	Hwa Chong Institution
River Valley High School

Schools offering the IP in Singapore

What type of student would enjoy the IP programme?

Academically, the IP is targeted at the top 10% of scorers in each PSLE cohort. The programme provides students with space to learn beyond textbooks and explore their interests in depth. Not having to spend 4 years in preparation for the ‘O’ levels allows for the time needed for students to delve deep in both academic and non-academic areas.

Schools offering the IP have the freedom to implement curriculum that imparts critical and analytical thinking skills, character building and leadership development.

Students who do well in the IP tend to be disciplined, motivated learners who are capable of keeping track of their own goals and progress. They truly enjoy school, learning and new challenges.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme

The International Baccalaureate (IB) was founded in 1968. It offers a rigorous educational programme which is internationally lauded and renowned for its propensity to cultivate global citizens.

Creativity and the imagination are at the heart of the curriculum and students explore global issues with compassion as well as intellectual curiosity. Students don’t just learn, they also learn how to learn and are encouraged to excel both in their personal and academic lives.

6 subject groups form the IBDP: studies in language and literature; language acquisition; individuals and societies; the arts; mathematics; and the sciences. Students choose courses from these six groups, although choosing a subject from ‘The Arts’ is not always compulsory, depending on the school. Other subjects include Theory of Knowledge and Extended Essay.

The IBDP is offered at the secondary level in the following 5 schools (local) at the time of writing:

Anglo Chinese School (ACS) Independent	SJI International
Hwa Chong International School	School of the Arts (SOTA)
Anglo Chinese School (ACS) International

Local schools offering the IB in Singapore

A total of 28 schools (both local and international) currently offer the IBDP in Singapore.

What type of student would enjoy the IB programme?

Any student would benefit from the breadth and unique approaches to teaching which are available in the IBDP programme.

Perhaps one way to consider if you would thrive in the IB programme is to compare exam conditions. ‘O’ and ‘A’ level exams can be content heavy and grade focused, whilst IB students are graded on other assignments as well prior to the final exam.

About 70 to 80% of the final grade is determined by the final IB exams, giving some breathing space for students to work more gradually on achieving a desired grade.

The IB programme is thus suitable for students who are adept at time management, enjoy learning independently and conducting research.

Looking for Help with Some Subjects?

Curio offers English Language, English Literature and General Paper group tuition in online classes. We cover the ‘O’ level, ‘A’ level and the new Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) which is to be offered in 2027. We also teach students in the Integrated Programme (IP) be it English, Literature or Language Arts.

Beyond online group sessions, Curio also offers a unique Marking and Feedback programme for individual, independent learners. Students receive personalised worksheets on a weekly basis. Upon completion, Curio teachers will mark and provide personalised feedback. Curio teachers are also available via whatsapp and email for questions on anything related to the subject. Many of our students thrive from not having to block out time to attend weekly lessons, but still have the benefit of a Curio coach’s nurturing and experience.

To find out more, call or get in touch with us on whatsapp at 8892 2948. We are also available on email: [email protected].

How to Handle DSA Interviews

Santhi Rebecca · April 6, 2023 · Leave a Comment

"The Direct School Admission scheme for secondary schools in Singapore allows students to apply to specific schools before taking the PSLE."

Has your DSA Interview been scheduled? Or are you still figuring out whether DSA is something your child should consider? Read on to understand more about the DSA process and for interview tips!

The Direct School Admission scheme for secondary schools in Singapore allows students to apply to specific schools before taking the PSLE.

Students apply based on their talent in sports, CCAs and specific academic areas. These areas include:

Sports and games
Visual, literary and performing arts
Debate and public speaking
Science, mathematics and engineering
Languages and humanities
Uniformed groups
Leadership (for example, prefects)

Preparing for the DSA Application Process:

1. Research

Research and read up about the school that you and your child are interested in. Focus also on the talent that your child plans to use to apply and most importantly, discuss everything with your child. If they are not truly interested or feeling forced/stressed out about this choice, it will show in the interview. Some parents also over-prepare and this can be unhealthy if it stresses your child out unnecessarily. Memorised answers and parrot-like responses don’t do well at interviews, while real interest and knowledge about a topic will always be evident.

2. Prepare for a Variety of Questions

Typical questions would include: 1. Why should the school pick you? 2. Describe some of your interests and passions. 3. What are some personal qualities that make you unique? 4. Why did you pick this school? 5. What do you hope to do with your talent in the future?

However, also prepare your child for more introspective questions like: 1. If you were playing opposite your best friend and they asked you to lose on purpose, what would you do? 2. If you made a huge mistake while performing on stage how would you handle it? 3. If you had to pick one scientist/mathematician/famous person to have dinner with, who would you pick? 4. If you are the captain of your team and you are losing the game, what strategy would you use to try and win?

3. Get Students to Discuss Topics with Other Adults

At the end of the day, the interviews are a 2 way conversation and not a speech. If your child can speak naturally with other adults in their lives – uncles, aunts, tutors, friends – get them to have conversations with them about their personality and interests to develop confidence, so that they get used to speaking about themselves candidly and sincerely.

At the end of the day, schools are looking for students who have and can display genuine interest in the talent that they are using for the application, as well as personable students who are genuinely interested in joining the school.

The ‘O’ Levels: How to Achieve Your Goals

Santhi Rebecca · April 6, 2023 · 1 Comment

"Goal setting may appear to be a simple process. However, in order to be productive and effective, a goal must be specific and clear."

Achieving your goals of doing well for your O level examinations may not be as daunting as you think. There are steps you can take, and help that you can depend on. If you develop good habits and achieve consistency, there are hardly any limits to what you can achieve with your life!

Goal Setting

Take some time to sit down and really think through the goals you plan to achieve. It is often useful to start with the end in mind, e.g. planning on studying marine biology in a university overseas or getting into a JC of your choice. These are end goals that will help you to see the bigger picture, and keep you motivated. You can then set out individual goals for each of your subjects. Finally, work on the plan to attain each of these goals. It can involve reading one book a month to improve on your English or working on one question type for a particular topic every day for Math. Break down the steps to attain your bigger goals into very small, attainable goals.

Managing Expectations

Figure out which subjects you need more help for, and which ones you can handle by yourself. If you have been consistently failing or obtaining a C5/C6 in a subject, it is unrealistic to set a goal of getting an A1 by the next exam. Work your way up to a better grade slowly but surely. Remember, consistency is key.

Don’t compare yourself to others; focus on your own progress and improvement, setting realistic expectations that align with your abilities and efforts.

Honing Study Habits

Your study habits are the most important element of your exam preparation. Every student learns differently, so stick to what works for you. You might be a morning person or a night owl, someone who can only work with colour coded notes or with copious amounts of coffee. Try out any of the tips below:

Minimise or remove all distractions from your study space (this includes putting your phone on work/study mode or leaving it outside your room)
Take breaks – try out any interval that works for you e.g. 40 minutes study time with 10 minute breaks or 25 minutes study time with 5 minute breaks.
Study in a conducive space – ensure it is quiet, cool enough and distraction free.
Set a study goal for each session, and ensure that you meet it to the best of your ability. This will give you a sense of accomplishment.
Reward yourself! Rewards can be anything which give you a feeling of contentment and spur you on to keep studying!
Ask for help: Grinding away during study sessions without progress can be discouraging. Try out tuition sessions at https://curio.sg/programmes/
Study with a group of like-minded friends. You can keep each other motivated as well as help one another with more challenging topics.

Achieving your goals may seem like a daunting task, especially if there are subjects you are struggling with. Speak to your parents, teachers and tutors and get some tailor made advice. Start early and stick to a solid plan. You’ve got this.

How to Get Your Kids Excited About the New School Year

Nadya Sharfina · April 6, 2023 · Leave a Comment

"The new school year is a great time for parents to help their children get off on the right foot."

The start of the school year brings mixed emotions for children and parents alike. For kids, it means saying goodbye to holidays spent playing with friends and embracing the structure that comes with returning to class. They are eager to return, but also concerned about their health and school safety and the outbreak’s impact on their academic progress. For parents, it is a time to prepare their children for success in the coming months, from organising study schedules to arranging for tuition and enrichment classes.

Parents want to give their children the best start possible in school. They want their children to be excited and ready to learn and grow. Here are some tips on ensuring your child has a positive outlook about starting their new school year and being motivated to succeed!

Get Your Child on a Sleep Schedule

Holiday season often means later bedtimes and unstructured days with plenty of opportunities to form unhealthy habits. All that has to change when school is starting. Sleep is important for concentration and memory, it can also help your child’s mood. Your child should get at least 7-9 hours of sleep if they are between 13 and 18 years old and 8-11 hours of sleep if they are younger. Begin their new sleep routine a week or two before school starts to adjust not only their sleep schedule mentally but physically as well. Their body’s internal clock needs to be reset so that they can wake up early for school feeling refreshed.

Create a Morning Routine

Establishing a routine takes time, but it can help your child adjust back to the school year. Help them set an alarm clock, practice getting dressed on their own, and make sure they eat breakfast. Doing this every day will eventually become second nature for your children and help them transition into their new school schedule.

Pack Necessary School Supplies

A few days before school starts, make a list of items your child will need to bring with them. Stock up on pencils and notebooks that they will use throughout the year. If there are any special items that their primary school or secondary school requires, make sure to add them to the list too. Items like calculators for older children, protractors, and rulers are essential for an efficient school year.

Talk About Exciting Aspects of School

With the right attitude, a school can be an exciting place to learn and grow. Help your child focus on the positive aspects of going back to school such as seeing their friends, making new ones, and learning new things. You can also talk about expectations for the upcoming year, like academic goals or extra-curricular activities they would like to join.

Discuss What Your Child Will Be Learning

Talking about exciting topics and activities that can be explored in school can get your child excited about the new school year. Make sure they know their upcoming syllabus, what is being taught in each subject, and how it relates to the real world. Even discussing the career paths associated with specific subjects can get your child interested and motivated to learn.

Set Goals Together for the Upcoming Year

Goals can be a great motivation for your child, so sit down and talk about what they would like to accomplish in the upcoming school year. These could include academic goals such as improving their grades, joining clubs, and volunteering. You can also set goals with them that have nothing to do with school, such as spending more quality time together.

Find Time to Bond with Your Child

School can be a stressful and busy time, so make sure you find the time to bond with your child even if it is just 20 minutes after school. Talk about their day and what they learned, ask them how they are feeling, or engage in fun activities with them. This is a great way to keep your child engaged and motivated to learn new things.

Celebrate Their Successes Throughout the Year

Make sure to celebrate your child’s successes throughout the school year. Whether it is getting 100% on a spelling test or acing their science project, praise your child and let them know they are doing great. A positive attitude will go a long way in helping your child stay motivated and excited about learning.

Check-in with Your Kids Regularly

Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash

Keep in touch with your child’s teacher to ensure that your child is on track and making progress. This also helps you to stay updated on any changes or updates involving their classes and/or school life. Check-in with your children regularly and ask them how they are doing, what they are learning, and if there is anything you can do to help.

Encourage Healthy Habits

Healthy habits such as getting regular exercise, eating a balanced diet, and getting enough sleep will help your child focus in school. Encourage them to stay organised and take study breaks when needed. Helping them learn good time management skills can also be beneficial, especially in high school where they may have multiple assignments due on the same day.

By following these tips, you can make sure your child is set up for success in the upcoming school year. With a positive attitude and plenty of support from parents, children can get excited and motivated to start their school year!