My son is now in Year 6 (IB track). He sat for the O levels, made it to IB.


He is a very happy teenager. ACSI focus on all rounded education (2 CCA’s compulsory - 1 must be a uniform group). The school has very good values and the boys have great fun. Quite competitive (depending on which class), but there is great teamwork. The boys help each other out.

The difference between IB and A level is IB requires consistent work. As 30% of the final grades is due to assignments and presentations. It is very rigorous and cannot afford to slack as the grades will show. But IB teaches critical thinking skills.

Hi My DS made the decision to choose IB vs A level route based on the following reasons (mainly talking to seniors/friends)


IB is based on consistent work and a certain % (up to 20% I think) is based on term project work. So you don’t have all the eggs in 1 basket (100% exams like the A levels)

ACSI has a good track record and the teachers are very dedicated to help them, >80% of cohort get > 40 pts. At 40 pts you pretty much qualify for most Ivy league Uni. (His senior got a place in Cambridge with 42 pts - depends on CCA record and chosen course as well)

ACSI IB adopt a more tutorial style while JCs usually more lecture theatre. My DS says he gets distracted with lecture style (check phones etc) so prefers tutorial

ACSI IB has a smaller cohort of 450+ (not sure about VJ) but some JC’s cohort is 1,000 so you can imagine your child may be lost among the crowd. From what I hear and read, ACSI has a very family culture and focus on all rounded education. And a parent told me the average no of CCA for them is 3! How did they find the time to do well and still be involved in CCAs!

There are pros & cons. At the end of the day it’s also how our children make of their school in the next 2 yrs. All the best for your DS.

Hi a few questions on admissions to yr 5 IB via "o" level route:

- what is the cut off points of entry under JAE since there is no affiliation points
- if all things being equal, if 2 boys get the same point for entry to yr 5, does the acsi "o" level boy get priority
- I was told that "o" level track to IB - the boys tend to do better because they have been primed for major exams already. How true is this, given that there is indeed some adjustment in IB vs a level?
- for IB points system, do they take into account 2 languages? Is Chinese easier than the "AO" level?
- what’s the likely no of places available for JAE excluding those set aside for Mgs IP? How many places out of these are set aside for DSA?

Hope to get some enlightenment soon. Cheers!

Hi everyone, Congrats to those parents whose kids made it to IP. It’s strange cause in my ds class, someone who is academically strong - average 85%, didn’t make it and someone whose score is 68% made it. Well my DS didn’t make it and I was extremely disappointed given that the IP/IB track is supposed to be more holistic & develop critical thinking skills which are impt in the long term. The only consolation is my 14 yr old Ds had to console me and said "mum, IP is not everything, move on. Afterall you did o levels and you are doing fine now." Well what can I say! He is looking at a bigger picture than me. And he is happy teenager.


Winston hodge took pains to explain to both tracks that there is no one superior track than another. But in reality is it true? My Ds shared that he used to help this boy (got into ip) in maths (my ds is strong in maths), then yesterday my ds asked him a life science questions, he refused to help. He observed that the IP students in his class are getting more arrogant. I am not going to take any issue with this, as I see this as an opportunity to teach my son values (1) learn to deal with it as there’s what is out there in the corporate world (2) encourage those boys who didn’t make it to IP not to give up (3) continue to be friends with those who made it to IP.

As confucious said, the glory is not in never failing but in getting up when you fall. And I am thankful for whatever opportunities for me to teach my ds values.

So parents out there for your Ds sake, do encourage your boys to remain humble. Ironically my Ds has lots of friends in the IP track (entry thru psle) and all of them are very friendly and willing to share.

Pls help me understand for o level do they go by bell curve like psle?

Hi, can anyone share what’s the cut off point for acjc as well as acsi (entry to yr 5 IB)?


If my ds does well enough for o level, should he even consider going the IB route or the a level route? I was told by one parent that those students who joined acsi yr 5 after o level generally do better than the IP boys because the IP boys are to so trained in the same intensity (exams). Any views on that?

T101:

South African:

Hi parents, my DS is going into Yr 2 next year and trying for the IP. Need some parental advice.


(1) Sec 1 & Sec 2 results - what kind of sec 1 results (my son did a 68% in yr 1 - but got A1/A2 for Maths, Physics, Geo & English) and sec 2 result are they looking at? Also at sec 2, is it just CA1 & CA2?
(2) HAST test - How bad can this get? And if my DS has never failed in any subjects, got strong A1 in Maths?
(3) CCA & Leadership - He's into competitive sports (trained 5 times a wk) and no particular leadership roles? How much does CCA play in selection criteria?
(4) Teacher's recommendations? Which teacher plays a bigger part? Form teacher?
(5) Interviews - What kind of Qs and what do they look out for?

Pardon for the long q, but I know I can always count on the close ACS community for help. Thank you.

Hi, son is in Express but will in IP year 3 next year. These are our experience:

1. Generally, do need consistent good results in year 1 and year 2 (up to mid year). My son managed to obtain more than 80% for year 1 and year 2. His friends that got into IP also did well in their studies, between 70% to 80%.

2. Unable to provide info on HAST test as son not required to take test, results >80%.

3. Important to do well in the Interview. Understand from son that it is not difficult, just show confident when answering. As for the interview questions, the boys do share the questions after the interviews. Ask your son to engage his friends.

4. Son totally involved in his competitive CCA and did not have other activities. Understand that some of his friends were selected simply based on their CCA involvement.

5. Teachers' recommendations are taken into consideration. Son had a couple of wonderful subject teachers who know him well. Important for your son to engage his teachers.

Hi T101,

Thank you for sharing your experience. My DS will have to do his best and show improvements and enthusiasm in Yr 2. Am sure at P2, the standard will go up as most kids who are motivated (or parents) would put in their best.

Hi parents, my DS is going into Yr 2 next year and trying for the IP. Need some parental advice.


(1) Sec 1 & Sec 2 results - what kind of sec 1 results (my son did a 68% in yr 1 - but got A1/A2 for Maths, Physics, Geo & English) and sec 2 result are they looking at? Also at sec 2, is it just CA1 & CA2?
(2) HAST test - How bad can this get? And if my DS has never failed in any subjects, got strong A1 in Maths?
(3) CCA & Leadership - He’s into competitive sports (trained 5 times a wk) and no particular leadership roles? How much does CCA play in selection criteria?
(4) Teacher’s recommendations? Which teacher plays a bigger part? Form teacher?
(5) Interviews - What kind of Qs and what do they look out for?

Pardon for the long q, but I know I can always count on the close ACS community for help. Thank you.

Thanks Autolycus. I meant Yr 3 but selection in Yr 2. My DS has to do Art remedial and he is really very bad in art… Will that be exempted?

Hi can anyone share - to get into IP in Yr 2, the boys have to score >80% average right? - Does this include Art? How difficult is it to score >80%? the SA1 papers seem to be quite difficult.