Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)

[autolycus]

The ACS(I) Year 3 IP curriculum is designed to bridge the gap between a standard O-level education leading to A-levels, and a general education leading to the IB Diploma. It therefore has a few special features and a slight rearrangement of subject content. In most subjects, it covers at least 80% of the O-level syllabus, if not more. This means that IP students at ACS(I) are not disadvantaged with respect to those in other courses elsewhere.


Y3 subject options can be broken down by broad subject groups, related to the six subject groups required in the IB.

1. First language/literature — generally, Literature and language skills in English, also known as Language Arts.

2. Second language — a mother tongue language requirement.

3. Humanities — a new subject called 'Introduction to Human Societies' (IHS), which we designed as a 'gateway', literally introducing students to elements of history and geography (primarily) but also economics, sociology and other social sciences. Students may also take a pure humanities subject such as History or Geography.

4. Sciences — the standard Biology/Chemistry/Physics options. Students should take two, with Chemistry being compulsory. Nowadays, it's not necessary to take three, as most medical courses require Chemistry and one other subject. Besides, the IB only allows a maximum of two sciences.

5. Mathematics — Core and Advanced Math courses; these have very roughly the same relationship as Elementary and Additional Maths at O-level, but the syllabus is somewhat altered. The gentleman who designed the original curriculum is now a lecturer at NIE, teaching Mathematics teachers.

6. Some students may choose to take Visual Arts or Music as an option. Group 6 in the IB is optional, and so students can actually replace the Group 6 subject with another subject from the other five groups.

The simplest subject combination therefore is something like 2x language subjects (Gp 1 and 2), 2x humanities subjects (IHS + one other), 2x science subjects (Chem + one other) and 2x math subjects (C & A Math). Some students do more, which isn't always a good idea, since the main point is to do very well for subjects that will lead to IB subjects — at least 1 in each group, or 1 in each of the first five groups + 1 spare to replace the Gp 6 subject.

In addition, students in the IP track also have to do 'Philosophy of the Disciplines' (POD), a precursor subject to the IB Diploma's 'Theory of Knowledge' (TOK), an individual research project (similar to the IB Diploma's 'Extended Essay' research task), and participate in CASL (Creativity, Action, Service, Leadership) activities.

Enjoy!

[ngbrdad]

Thanks autolycus.


Just to check, does a student in the IP track need to sit for the O level mother tongue exam ?

[Nebbermind]

ngbrdad:

Thanks autolycus.


Just to check, does a student in the IP track need to sit for the O level mother tongue exam ?

AFAIK, No escaping from O lvl MT no matter which programme/track you choose!

[Snow Crystal]

ngbrdad:

Hi everyone.

My Son was promoted from o level tract to year 3 IB next year.
We are supposed to attend a briefing on 18 sep on subject combination.
May I know what are the different subject combinations available for year 3 IP ?
Thanks.

Ngbrdad
Congratz!!!
It seems like yesterday when we were discussing after your DS' PSLE results that if he goes to ACSI Express he has a good chance to convert to ACSI IP at year 2! And now time has zoomed by so fast that he is indeed going to IP track next year. Happy for you! All roads lead to Rome.

Dwwww -Congratz to your DS too for going to IP next year.

[ngbrdad]

Snow Crystal:

ngbrdad:

Hi everyone.

My Son was promoted from o level tract to year 3 IB next year.
We are supposed to attend a briefing on 18 sep on subject combination.
May I know what are the different subject combinations available for year 3 IP ?
Thanks.

Ngbrdad
Congratz!!!
It seems like yesterday when we were discussing after your DS' PSLE results that if he goes to ACSI Express he has a good chance to convert to ACSI IP at year 2! And now time has zoomed by so fast that he is indeed going to IP track next year. Happy for you! All roads lead to Rome.

Dwwww -Congratz to your DS too for going to IP next year.

:thankyou:
Yeah time flies.
About time for my son to buck up and do more school work.
Currently he seem too free.
Never see him doing any homework at home.
Only studying few weeks before exams.

[jtoh]

Congrats ngbrdad! Happy to hear your son’s doing well. I remember your son’s DSA journey from two years ago well.

[autolycus]

Nebbermind:

ngbrdad:

Thanks autolycus.


Just to check, does a student in the IP track need to sit for the O level mother tongue exam ?

AFAIK, No escaping from O lvl MT no matter which programme/track you choose!

Generally, yes this is true!

[ngbrdad]

jtoh:

Congrats ngbrdad! Happy to hear your son's doing well. I remember your son's DSA journey from two years ago well.

:thankyou:

[dwwww]

Thanks Snow Crystal.


Ngbrdad - same here, DS is too free seldom see him doing any serious work at home except the one or two nights before the exam next day. Time flies and it’s been a good two years. Will be most likely attending the session on 18Sep.

Thanks autolycus as alwasy, you have been instrumental!

[ngbrdad]

dwwww:

Thanks Snow Crystal.


Ngbrdad - same here, DS is too free seldom see him doing any serious work at home except the one or two nights before the exam next day. Time flies and it's been a good two years. Will be most likely attending the session on 18Sep.

Thanks autolycus as alwasy, you have been instrumental!

LOL autolycus will say that's how ACS boys study.