IP vs O-Level/SEC Route (Singapore, 2026): Differences + Decision Checklist
03 Feb 2026, 00:00 Z
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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:
1 What “O-Level/SEC route” means in 2026
Parents still say “O-Levels”, but Singapore’s mainstream secondary structure has been shifting under Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB).
The safe way to think about it:
- The national-exam route is the mainstream pathway that culminates in a national exam at the end of Secondary 4.
- The name of that exam depends on cohort timing (older cohorts know “O-Levels”; the transition to SEC is cohort-dependent).
If you’re unsure what applies to your child’s cohort, use MOE’s Full SBB explainer as your baseline and double-check your school circulars: MOE Full SBB — secondary school experience
2 What the IP actually commits you to
MOE describes IP as a specialised curriculum offered by selected schools. The two practical implications for families are:
- No national Secondary 4 exam requirement
