2025-2026 Master Timeline — From P6 DSA to JC2 A-Levels
Download printable cheat-sheet (CC-BY 4.0)10 Jul 2025, 00:00 Z
TL;DR
Oct 2024 - Mar 2025 is “discovery season” for IP & DSA research; May-Aug is application & trial crunch; Sep-Nov toggles between PSLE/A-Level national exams and IP promo blocks.
Use the five window types below to pace tuition, budget CCA clashes and book lab-skill clinics before each spike.
1 Legend — Five Window Types
| Window type | Typical load | Why it matters |
| Research / Bridging | Light WAs, open evenings | Best time for gap-filling algebra & SUVAT |
| Application / Trials | DSA sports, portfolio, interviews | Tuition slots compress; plan make-ups |
| Teaching & WAs | WA 1 → WA 3, practicals | Align topical tuition (binomial, FBD) to WA syllabus |
| National exams / Promos | PSLE, IP EOY, JC Proms, A-Levels | Full mock-paper phase |
| Holiday catch-up | No formal tests | Ideal for 12-week grade-jump plans |
2 2025 Academic Year (Jan - Dec 2025)
| Month | IP / MOE Calendar | Maths & Physics Pinch-Points | Action for Students |
| Jan '25 | Term 1 wk 1-3 | Y1-2 diagnostic quizzes; Y3 new topics (binomial, surds); JC1 Induction maths bridging | 📌 Book algebra fluency sprint if Sec 3 child < 80 % factorisation accuracy |
| Feb | T1 wk 4-7 | WA 1 across most IP schools | 📌 Align tuition homework to school WA format (short-answer, proof) |
| Mar | T1 wk 8-10 → 1-wk hol | DSA research starts; RI/RGS publish talent rubrics | 📌 Draft 1-page DSA portfolio; slot in SUVAT recap during hol. |
| Apr | Term 2 wk 1-4 | IP Y3 Calculus intro; JC1 first block test | 📌 Schedule weekend lab-skills clinic before mid-May practical WA |
| May | T2 wk 5-9 | DSA Portal opens ~7 May; WA 2; CCA finals | 📌 Request make-up tuition slots before trials |
| Jun | Term break (4 wks) | DSA auditions; IP Sec 3 Algebra→Calculus lag shows | 📌 4-day Maths bridge camp; mock A-Level Paper 1 slice for JC2 |
| Jul | Term 3 wk 1-4 | DSA interviews; IP Y4 kinematics graphs | 📌 Finalise DSA interview cheat-sheet (lead magnet); run timed FBD drill |
| Aug | T3 wk 5-10 | DSA results (25 Aug - 4 Sep); WA 3 | 📌 Convert DSA “free bandwidth” into Chem/Phys bridging workbook |
| Sep | 1-wk hol → Term 4 | PSLE written (last wk Sep); JC2 Prelims; IP EOY prep | 📌 Launch 12-week grade-jump plan (see roadmap post) |
| Oct | T4 wk 1-4 | IP End-of-Year exams (Y1-3); JC1 Promos | 📌 Shift tuition to mock paper + error journal mode |
| Nov | T4 wk 5-7 | O-Level practicals; A-Level Papers 1-4 mid-Nov | 📌 Daily full-length H2 Paper 1/2 rotations; physics lab cram |
| Dec | 7-wk hol | Release of O-Level results; quiet | 📌 Mental-health reset week, then JC bridging for promoted IPY4 |
3 2026 Academic Year (Jan - Jun 2026 snapshot)
| Month | Milestone | Maths & Physics Angle | Action prompt |
| Jan '26 | IPY1 orientation; JC1 intake | Survey shows 50 % Y5 lag in logs & binomial | 📌 Week-2 algebra diagnostic & personalised drill list |
| Feb | WA 1 (IP & JC) | New SEAB 9478 practical spec emphasises LINEST | 📌 Parents: ensure child can run Sheets gradient ± SE |
| Mar | DSA 2026 info packs released | Parents with P5 kids begin research | 📌 Read our DSA & IP Mega-Guide pillar (link below) |
| Apr | JC1 Physics first mini-practical | Uncertainty tables often cost 3-5 marks | 📌 Print Measurement & Uncertainty crib-sheet |
| May | DSA Portal opens (early May) | Overlaps with WA 2; tuition clash peak | 📌 Pre-block flex tuition timetable with centre |
| Jun | Term break; PSLE ORAL starts late Jun | Light academic load | 📌 Ideal slot for Physics SUVAT + FBD workshop |
4 Link-Outs to Existing Posts
- DSA overview & interview tips — Direct School Admission (DSA) students in Integrated Programme schools — Things to take note of
- Year-by-year IP Math roadmap — IP Math Year-by-Year Roadmap and 12-Week Grade-Jump Plan
- Bridging IPY4 → JC1 — Bridging the Gap from IP Year 4 (IPY4) to JC 1 — The Evergreen Guide
- Lab & practical mastery — IP Practicals Mastery — Bridging Lab Gaps from Year 4 to JC 1
- Measurement & Uncertainty — Measurement and Uncertainty for IP Physics
5 How to Use This Timeline
- Print & Pin — highlight your child's cohort row.
- Match tuition slots to window types above to avoid double overload.
- Review monthly — move unfinished bridging targets into the next holiday or research window.
- Share in WA WhatsApp group — friends aligned on dates ⇒ fewer last-minute cancellations.
Last updated 10 Jul 2025. Next automatic refresh: Term 4 wk 2 (Oct 2025).
