The Integrated Programme (IP) is a scheme that allows high-performing students in secondary schools in Singapore to skip the GCE Ordinary Level (O-Level) examination (typically taken by students at the end of their fourth or fifth year in secondary school) and proceed to sit for the GCE Advanced Level (A-Level) examination, International Baccalaureate (IB), or an equivalent examination, after six years of secondary education.
River Valley High School joined the IP system in 2006 by operating a six-year course standalone.
Since 2009, National Junior College has also accepted students who have taken the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), making it a six-year program.
In addition, the IB allows students to take arts and science subjects, philosophy courses, and extensive research papers.
It aims to develop all-rounded students through its 6-year diploma curriculum, which allows rigour and depth, or flexibility and breadth.
As such, students taking the O Level track will face tighter competition when they wish to enter top schools in Singapore, in comparison to their IP peers.
While for non-IP students who fail to perform well in the A-level, they still have their O-level qualifications, which act as a "safety net".
However, in the absence of this "safety net", IP students who under-perform in the A-level will have only their Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) certificate to fall back on.