IP vs O-Level/SEC Route: Which Suits Your Child? (Singapore 2026)
03 Feb 2026, 00:00 Z
Reviewed by
Marcus Pang·Managing Director (Maths)
Planning a revision session? Use our study places near me map to find libraries, community study rooms, and late-night spots.
Q: Should my child choose the Integrated Programme (IP) or the O-Level/SEC route in 2026?
A: The short answer: IP is a “through-train” pathway (no national Secondary 4 exam requirement), while the mainstream route is built around a national Secondary 4 exam (O-Levels for older cohorts, transitioning to the Secondary Education Certificate (SEC) under Full SBB). The right choice depends on fit, not prestige.
TL;DR
Choose IP if your child can handle steady school-based assessments, earlier depth, and more independent learning - and you’re comfortable committing to a school’s internal promotion criteria.
Choose the national-exam route (O-Level/SEC) if you want more flexibility to change pathways at Secondary 4, and your child tends to thrive with clear, exam-structured milestones.
Status: written 2026-02-03. Always verify details against MOE’s latest pages and your school’s handbook.
Quick links:
Use this page for comparison intent:
"IP vs O-Level", "IP vs SEC", and "Integrated Programme vs the mainstream route".
If you need the definition of IP first, use What is the Integrated Programme (IP) in Singapore?.
If you need to compare IP with IB instead, use IP vs IB in Singapore: what's the difference?.
If you are deciding between schools, use IP schools in Singapore (2026 full list).