Integrated Programme Mathematics
What is the Integrated Programme (IP)?
Typically, students undertake their GCE ‘O’ Level examinations in Singapore to mark the progress they have seen in secondary school. However, the students who perform exceptionally well among their cohort after PSLE will be asked to enter the integrated programme (IP) The IP program is a 6-year program which allows students to take the pressure off mugging for the O Levels. Instead students are able to enrich their learning by pursuing other learning activities.
At its inception by the Ministry of Education in 2004, this programme allowed a smooth transition from secondary school to JC for selected students. These students were consequently exempted from taking the GCE’ O’ Level exams and were allowed to progress to JC immediately.
How long does it last?
In totality, an IP education lasts six years in Singapore – beginning right after PSLE and ends after their ‘A’ levels or its equivalent.
Benefits of the Integrated Programme
This programme is renowned for encouraging adaptability in learning and the curriculum’s holistic nature. An emphasis is placed on critical thinking, innovation, out-of-the-box thinking, and leadership capabilities. Students can engage in their hobbies and pick up skills outside of academics.
Integrated Programme Mathematics
The Integrated Programme Math curriculum aims to provide a better understanding of mathematics concepts through an interdisciplinary approach. It also aims to improve student’s problem-solving skills and critical thinking ability. IP Mathematics contains both a mix of Additional and Elementary Math topics.
As each IP school has the freedom in designing their own curriculum, the integrated Mathematics content differs from school to school. Although there are slight differences in the IP Math content across schools, the IP Math curriculum is getting more similar to the O level curriculum in recent years.
The table below shows a list of Math topics for year 3 and year 4 of one Singaporean IP school under the ‘A’ Level track. As you may have noticed, there are quite a number of similar topics in both the IP Math programme and the ‘O’ Level curriculum.
Integrated Math Year 3
- Matrices
- Circle Properties
- Coordinate Geometry & Equations of Circles
- Linear Law
- Curve Sketching and Graphical Solutions
- Circular Measure
- Trigonometry I
- Statistics
- Probability
- Set Language and Notation
- Vectors
Intergrated Math Year 4
- Quadratic Equations & Inequalities
- Remainder & Factor Theorem & Partial Fractions
- Surds, Indices and Logarithm
- Functions & Graphs & Modulus Functions
- Transformation
- Trigonometry II
- Trigonometry III
- Differentiation
- Integration
- Binomial Theorem
However, there are still some differences between the IP and ‘O’ level programmes. One main difference is the level of difficulty in the questions. In general, IP Math questions are more rigorous than ‘O’ level Math questions. They are usually more challenging and require some real life applications.
One subtopic which is covered more extensively in IP Mathematics than ‘O’ Level Math is the topic of functions. Inverse functions, composite functions, range and domain of a function is taught in IP Mathematics but not ‘O’ Level Additional Mathematics.
Why take IP maths tuition IB Super?
IB Super is now offering IP Math tuition for various students in the Integrated Programme. The main goal of a tutor is to help their students reach their fullest potential through a comprehensive and customised lesson plan.
This plan includes essential maths concepts with an emphasis on comprehension and application. Through our classes, students will learn how each topic is connected and undergo targeted practice to ensure complete understanding and gain confidence in their abilities.
An in-depth look into IP Maths
Math in the IP programme is unique as each school is free to design its own curriculum. This syllabus isn’t just different from other non-IP schools but also from other IP schools. It isn’t too unfamiliar, though – topics covered are generally similar to topics students taking the ‘O’ Levels exams will have to familiarise themselves with.
Another aspect of the IP maths syllabus is that it usually intertwines itself with Additional Mathematics instead of separating the classes. This type of maths tends to fill in the blanks between secondary school and JC mathematics, which is precisely why students in the IP programme find it easier to transition from secondary and tertiary maths.
More on our IP Maths tuition classes
Our programme was uniquely crafted to emulate the IP syllabus of an IP school. The tutor also ensures that students understand the foundation of key mathematical concepts so that they’ll be able to apply them to different situations and questions.
Our students are handed comprehensive notes that will go a long way in accelerating their learning. We develop carefully curated worksheets that will both challenge the students’ understanding as well as help them transfer their learning in different areas.
In an IP Math tuition class at IB Super, you will be able to clarify your misconceptions, learn from errors made in the past, and apply math in another area.
Contact us to learn more about how you can get on board with us today!
FAQ
What are the differences between an IB programme and IP?
Regarding curriculum, IP and IB are opposed to one another. Under IB, the programme is more comprehensive, covering all six academic topic groups and the three IB-core exams. Most students in IP-JC will be placed in the "Science" and "Art" streams, with a cap on the number of electives that can be selected from the other "basket" of courses. Language Acquisition, Studies in Language and Literature, Individuals and Societies, Sciences, Mathematics, and the Arts are required of students, unlike the IP-JC route. The IB-core exams are the Extended Essay, a 3000-word research project, the Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS), and Theory of Knowledge.
How does an Integrated programme differ from taking your O Levels?
The unique aspect of the IP path is that students are exposed to various learning activities in academic and non-academic fields instead of pursuing their O-Levels.
The elimination of the O Levels is the primary feature of IP. Since secondary and JC are combined into a 6-year program, most students still have to switch schools as they transition from secondary school to JC (years 4-5).
For high school students, IP is meant to lessen the emphasis on tests and provide them with more classroom time to pursue academics and other interests in a flexible and challenging manner.
This change may be too drastic to get a hold of immediately, so finding effective IP Math tuition in Singapore is recommended.
What does IP Maths consist of?
The IP Mathematics curriculum is designed to get pupils ready for pre-university level exams. All IP students must take IP Math, which has much in common with the O Level A Maths and E Maths curriculum. As IP Math curriculum is unique to the school they originate from, the IP Math also takes on different names across the schools. For example, some schools call it Integrated Math, while others name it Advanced Math.
The topics offered will also vary across the schools because the syllabi are created and decided by them. Nevertheless there are some similarities to the Math syllabus offered across IP schools. To help prepare IP students for their pre-tertiary level exams, topics such as trigonometry, algebraic manipulation, and calculus are usually. An IP Math tutor is invaluable to those who struggle In IP Math can help students nail the important concepts.