Integrated Programme subject combination and promotion criteria

Snapshot
The Integrated Programme (IP) is a six-year route that skips the O-Levels and goes straight to the A-Levels, IB Diploma, or NUS High School Diploma. Subject breadth widens sharply in Year 3. Most IP schools gate the more demanding “triple-science” route behind minimum grade cut-offs, and promotion in the lower years is usually GPA-based (2.0 — 3.0 thresholds). The exact rules differ by school, so plan early.

Q: Is triple Science a must?

A

• Triple Science keeps STEM-degree options open and helps students discover which branch of science they enjoy.
• Choose based on interest x aptitude x time budget; dropping one science frees roughly three hours per week for other subjects or CCA leadership.
• It is not compulsory; it is simply an additional stretch or an “insurance policy” when future majors are still uncertain.

School-specific opt-in rules

(If you are considering Medicine in the UK / Australia, check entry requirements early—most still demand Biology and Chemistry.)

Q: What is the safest combination?

A

1. PCME (Physics-Chemistry-Mathematics-Economics) keeps virtually every traditional pathway open (medicine, law, engineering, finance, research, etc.).
2. Biology and Computing are not mandatory for Medicine or Computer Science at local universities (though they may give an edge); Physics and Mathematics are required for most engineering courses.
3. Overseas medical schools often require Biology, so do your homework if you plan to apply abroad.

Example
A Year 2 RI student who likes debate but wants an engineering option might take Triple Science plus Language Arts in Sec 3/4, then drop Biology to run a PCME + Literature (H1) track in JC. This maintains breadth while lowering Year-5 lab hours.

Q: Will I be retained if I do not do well?

A

• Most IP schools promote automatically with a GPA ≥ 2.5. Scores 2.0 — 2.49 usually trigger conditional promotion (holiday remedial and progress checks).
• Below GPA 2.0, the student may have to repeat the year, switch to the O-Level track, or sit a re-assessment. Conduct grades and CCA participation also matter.
• The jump from Y2 to Y3 is the common stumbling block because academic rigor rises and CCA leadership roles intensify.
• Many schools now prefer blanket promotion plus remedial rather than outright retention. The danger is a “quick fix” that masks gaps—use the break to rebuild foundations.

Typical lower-secondary promotion rules

At JC level the usual rule is pass GP + PW plus 2 H2 and 1 H1 subjects. RI / HC tighten this further (e.g., at least one H2 pass and no U grades).

Subject-combination policies by school (Year 3 selection)

Raffles Institution / Raffles Girls' School

• Core English, Higher MTL, Math and Integrated Science in Y1-2.
• Y3 choose nine units: Triple Science or Double Science + two Humanities, plus compulsory Research Education.
• “Raffles Academy” advanced modules by invitation (requires ≥ A2 in the subject).

Hwa Chong Institution / Nanyang Girls' High

• Y3 choices pre-align with JC subject clusters (BCM, PCM, GEM, etc.).
• Bicultural Studies students must keep Chinese (H2); SMTP students must keep Math and Chemistry (H2).
• Opting for Computing or Further Math usually means dropping Biology in JC.

Dunman High

• Integrated Science splits only in Y3; triple-science offered to roughly 40 percent of the cohort.
• Humanities electives clash with the Science Research block timetable, so plan early.

Temasek JC (Temasek Academy)

• “Green Science” core in Y1-2; Triple or Double Science choice begins in Y3.
• Advanced Mathematics is opt-out—students must justify dropping it.

Cedar Girls' / Victoria JC

• Students proceed automatically to VJC if they meet promotion criteria.
• Promotion GPA published each year; failing students re-sit assessments in January.

Practical tips

1. Put the timetable in Notion early. A Y3 NYGH student colour-coded CCA nights and shifted from Pure Literature to Art Elective to balance workload.
2. Treat conditional promotion as diagnostic, not stigma. A Dunman High prefect (GPA 2.3) used spaced-repetition flashcards over June and lifted to GPA 3.4 by Term 4.
3. Plan backward from JC goals. If you aim for H2 Computing, keep Coding Elective and log Olympiad achievements—the prerequisite may be waived on evidence of CCA excellence.

Key references

• MOE — Integrated Programme overview
• Raffles Institution Year 1-4 curriculum
• Raffles Press: Choosing Subject Combinations — Science track
• Hwa Chong JC subject-combination guide
• KiasuParents — Triple Science criteria at NYGH
• Dunman High IP promotion information
• Temasek JC IP curriculum (Enriched Curriculum)
• Temasek JC IP — Triple Science option
• Cedar Girls’ IP / VJC FAQ
• Victoria-Cedar Alliance IP Handbook (PDF)
• KiasuParents — Scoring system explanation
• Reddit r/SGExams — JC promotion criteria discussion
• Reddit r/SGExams — JC2 promotion thread
• Indigo Education — JC subject-combination guide
• MOE — List of IP schools