Important Information about MYP, IGCSE and Pre-IB
The IB Diploma is a high school programme offered to high school students worldwide. Before commencing the IB Programme, students enrol in three main Pre-IB programmes- the MYP, IGCSE, or GCE O’ levels. All certifications are offered in various international schools in Singapore, and have been the most popular choices of parents and students alike.
The IB’s Middle Years Programme (MYP)
The MYP is a five-year education programme designed by the International Baccalaureate (IB) for students aged 11-16. The MYP curriculum covers eight subject areas, ranging from language to arts.
For many MYP students, tackling a diverse range of subjects in their early teenage years may prove to be taxing. To relieve some stress, most parents tend to request for additional academic support through MYP tuition and supplementary classes. At QE, our MYP tuition classes are designed by premium tutors to complement the MYP curriculum with additional practice, foundation strengthening exercise, and detailed topic explanation.
Besides a broad coverage of topics, the MYP also promotes students to be independent and active learners- pursuing areas of studies that interest them. The MYP facilitates this through a Personal Project which allows MYP students to determine its scope and the methodology used to complete it.
To attain the MYP certificate, students must complete the necessary externally assessed coursework, such as eAssessments, on top of internally assessed projects, like the Personal Project and e-Portfolio. Currently the IB lists over 1400 schools worldwide that offer the MYP programme.
International General Certificate(s) of Secondary Education (IGCSE)
The IGCSE refer to a curriculum widely offered to students internationally. In Singapore, the IGCSE programme is offered in schools like UWCSEA, SJI (International), ACS (International), amongst others. Students enrolled in the IGCSE programme are free to choose the combinations of subjects they wish to study. The most popular IGCSE subjects include English, Maths, and Science, Economics, and Business. Each subject is graded from A*-G, with passing grades beginning from C.
Typical IGCSE students take a broad range of subjects- often up to seven subjects across five subject groups (with two in Languages).
The IGCSE is taught on linear learning- where students are assessed externally through an exam at the end of the course in Grade 10. This makes the final exams challenging for most candidates sitting for the IGCSE as it requires IGCSE students to have a firm grasp of foundational concepts. To help their child cope with their studies, most parents would engage external help, such as IGCSE tuition.
Pre-IB Programmes
The Pre-IB programme is a form of integrated programme offered by various IB schools in Singapore. Some local schools offering the Pre-IB curriculum includes Hwa Chong International School (HCIS) and School of the Arts (SOTA). By the end of this 6-year Pre-IB programme, students will be prepared to sit for the IB exams.
Students under the Pre-IB programme are free to choose the combinations of subjects they wish to study. The most popular Pre-IB subjects include English, Maths, Science, Economics, and Business. Each Pre-IB subject is graded internally by the respective schools, with no external assessments. To prepare students for the IB exams at the end of this six year curriculum, most schools would employ a hybridised teaching model. This prepares Pre-IB students through foundation building, question exposure and progressive teaching.
Students might find the Pre-IB challenging because they are required to learn some of the IB chapters in advance. For instance, some schools start teaching the IB economics content from Year 3 (15 year old) and revisit them in Year 5 (17 year old). To help students navigate the steep learning curve the Pre-IB curriculum pose, coupled with Singapore’s strong tuition culture, most local parents have turned to Pre-IB tuition.
The IB’s Middle Years Programme (MYP)
The MYP is a five-year education programme designed by the International Baccalaureate (IB) for students aged 11-16. The MYP curriculum covers eight subject areas, ranging from language to arts.
For many MYP students, tackling a diverse range of subjects in their early teenage years may prove to be taxing. To relieve some stress, most parents tend to request for additional academic support through MYP tuition and supplementary classes. At QE, our MYP tuition classes are designed by premium tutors to complement the MYP curriculum with additional practice, foundation strengthening exercise, and detailed topic explanation.
Besides a broad coverage of topics, the MYP also promotes students to be independent and active learners- pursuing areas of studies that interest them. The MYP facilitates this through a Personal Project which allows MYP students to determine its scope and the methodology used to complete it.
To attain the MYP certificate, students must complete the necessary externally assessed coursework, such as eAssessments, on top of internally assessed projects, like the Personal Project and e-Portfolio. Currently the IB lists over 1400 schools worldwide that offer the MYP programme.
International General Certificate(s) of Secondary Education (IGCSE)
The IGCSE refer to a curriculum widely offered to students internationally. In Singapore, the IGCSE programme is offered in schools like UWCSEA, SJI (International), ACS (International), amongst others. Students enrolled in the IGCSE programme are free to choose the combinations of subjects they wish to study. The most popular IGCSE subjects include English, Maths, and Science, Economics, and Business. Each subject is graded from A*-G, with passing grades beginning from C.
Typical IGCSE students take a broad range of subjects- often up to seven subjects across five subject groups (with two in Languages).
The IGCSE is taught on linear learning- where students are assessed externally through an exam at the end of the course in Grade 10. This makes the final exams challenging for most candidates sitting for the IGCSE as it requires IGCSE students to have a firm grasp of foundational concepts. To help their child cope with their studies, most parents would engage external help, such as IGCSE tuition.
Pre-IB Programmes
The Pre-IB programme is a form of integrated programme offered by various IB schools in Singapore. Some local schools offering the Pre-IB curriculum includes Hwa Chong International School (HCIS) and School of the Arts (SOTA). By the end of this 6-year Pre-IB programme, students will be prepared to sit for the IB exams.
Students under the Pre-IB programme are free to choose the combinations of subjects they wish to study. The most popular Pre-IB subjects include English, Maths, Science, Economics, and Business. Each Pre-IB subject is graded internally by the respective schools, with no external assessments. To prepare students for the IB exams at the end of this six year curriculum, most schools would employ a hybridised teaching model. This prepares Pre-IB students through foundation building, question exposure and progressive teaching.
Students might find the Pre-IB challenging because they are required to learn some of the IB chapters in advance. For instance, some schools start teaching the IB economics content from Year 3 (15 year old) and revisit them in Year 5 (17 year old). To help students navigate the steep learning curve the Pre-IB curriculum pose, coupled with Singapore’s strong tuition culture, most local parents have turned to Pre-IB tuition.
Singapore schools offering MYP and IGCSE
MYP
- Canadian International School (Lakeside)
- Chatsworth International School, Singapore (Bukit Timah)
- GEMS World Academy (Singapore)
- German European School Singapore
- Hillside World Academy (HWA)
- ISS International School (Preston)
- Overseas Family School
- Stamford American International School
IGCSE
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