Q: What does Physics GCE O-Level: 2025/26 Parent & Student Guide cover? A: One evergreen guide that demystifies the 6091 Physics syllabus, decodes the new spreadsheet-ready practical paper, and shows how IP students can leverage.
TL;DR Singapore's GCE O-Level Physics (6091) now weights spreadsheet-based practical skills at 20 %, bundles the rest into MCQ and structured papers, and expects candidates to juggle vectors, waves and radioactivity in one sitting. Even if your child is IP-bound (and will eventually skip the O-Levels), mastering the O-Level style sharpens algebra fluency, error discipline and exam-stamina that carry straight into Y3-Y4 IP Weighted Assessments (WAs) and H2 Paper 4.
This post maps the exam format, flags conceptual sink-holes, and bolts on a 12-week grade-jump plan plus internal links to our deeper dives on free-body diagrams, uncertainty and problem-solving heuristics.
“Do IP students ever sit the O-Level Physics paper?” Rarely - only those opting out of IP or transferring streams; the skills remain invaluable for Y3-Y4 WAs and JC practicals.
“Is practical Paper 3 compulsory?” Yes for school candidates; private candidates take Paper 4 (data-handling) instead (SEAB syllabus).
“Where can I find reliable past papers?” MOE no longer sells Ten-Year Series; request recent internal scripts via school or join our Physics Crash-Course class (free paper bank).
“How many A1s scored in Physics last year?” About 40 % of school candidates achieved A1/A2 in 2023 according to MOE grade statistics.
