IP Literature Set Texts: What Singapore Schools Are Reading (2026)
21 Mar 2026, 00:00 Z
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Q: What books will my child study in IP English?
A: There is no national prescribed text list for IP English or Literature. Each IP school selects its own set texts, and these can change by cohort. The only reliable way to know is to check with your school's English or Literature department directly.
TL;DR (for parents + students)
Unlike O-Level Literature (where SEAB publishes a prescribed text list), IP schools choose their own texts independently.
Below we list verified set texts for ACS(I) (sourced from the school's published curriculum pages) and provide a verification checklist for every other IP school.
If your child is entering IP in 2026, use the 3-step method at the bottom of this page to confirm your school's current list.
Status: ACS(I) texts verified against school curriculum pages on 2026-03-21. All other schools: verify directly with the school's English department.
Quick links:
Why set texts matter in IP
Set texts are more than reading assignments. They are the anchor for close reading, essay writing, and oral discussion across Years 1 to 4. A student's set texts determine:
- The analytical vocabulary they develop (studying a Shakespeare play builds different skills from studying a contemporary novel).
- Essay question types they encounter (character analysis, thematic comparison, unseen-text response).
- Preparation for JC endpoints — students continuing to H2 Literature need experience with poetry, prose, and drama before Year 5. Students heading for General Paper benefit from texts that build argumentative and evaluative thinking.
Because each IP school picks its own texts, two students entering JC from different IP schools may have studied entirely different works.
ACS(I): Verified set texts (Years 1–4)
ACS(I) runs two parallel English tracks: Literature in English (a standalone subject) and Language Arts (an integrated Language + Literature programme). Both tracks use set texts, listed below.