Preparatory Course For Singapore - Cambridge General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level)

Take O Levels in 10 Months. Enter Polytechnic!* (*Terms and conditions apply)
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2023 stats: higher education
O Level stats: English
O Level stats: Math
O Level stats: Essay Writing Skills

Source: Inspire Education Centre 2023 Post-Course Evaluation – O Level

Our students have entered

Singapore Polytechnic

Temasek Polytechnic

Republic Polytechnic

Ngee Ann Polytechnic

Victoria Junior College

Powerful O Level success stories

– From 4Ds and 1C to 5As after retaking O Levels with INSPIRE! She successfully applied to Junior College. [Read]

– He failed English and was hesitant at spending another year to re-do his O Levels. At INSPIRE, he improved his L1R4 from 21 points to 17 points. [Read]

– His journey from NA Level to O Level (2As and 3Bs). [Read]

– He fell short of the admission requirements for Polytechnic with his Higher Nitec score. With INSPIRE he scored 20 points to qualify. [Read]

Our satisfied students

Ong Si Ying

Before: D7 (Sec 3 Higher Chinese)
After: A1 (O Level)

(2022 Inspire Alumna)

Ian Ho

"My tutor made it easy for me to understand difficult comprehension questions in Paper 2. I was pleasantly surprised at my improvement."

Before: C6 (Sec 4 Higher Chinese Prelim)
After: B3 (O Level Higher Chinese)

2021 Victoria School

Kayla Ho

"My Chinese teacher was kind and understanding. She helped me to improve my Composition and e-Oral. We made many notes for Composition which helped in my revision."

Before: AL3 (Pri 5 Chinese) | Pass (Pri 5 Higher Chinese)
After: AL1 (PSLE Chinese) | Merit (PSLE Higher Chinese)

2023 Tao Nan School

Our dedicated teachers who truly care

MR HO

Mr Ho

Social Studies /

History Elective / Literature Specialist

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MS CHEW

Ms Chew

English / Literature Specialist

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MDM MAS

O and A Level Principles
of Accounts Specialist

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MR LIM

Mr Eujin

Mathematics Specialist

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MRS CHEW

Mrs Lee Peng

English / Business Studies Specialist

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INSPIRE’s O Level course

6 reasons why INSPIRE is the best choice for O Level private candidates

16 years experience of nurturing students since 2007

Dedicated teachers who truly care

Small conducive class size

Progress reports & motivational awards *

* Terms and conditions apply

Structured curriculum & lessons throughout the year

(no March/June holidays)

Academic Prize
Award of $2,000
for achieving 5 A1s *

* Terms & conditions apply

How are classes conducted

Tests and examinations are held in

Mid-year test

Prelim exam

O Level exam

How INSPIRE’s programme compares

with other O Level private schools

Criteria

INSPIRE Other private schools
Class size 9-18 16-35
Term Breaks No term break Mar / Jun / Sep Holidays
Assessments Twice – mid-year & final prelim Twice – mid-year & final prelim
Progress reports 2 – (minimum of 4 subjects taken in Student-PEI contract) 2
Fee Payments 9 instalments 2 instalments or 1 lump sum payment
Monthly motivational awards (e.g. good progress reward and punctuality award, etc.) Yes No
Council for Private Education (CPE) Registered Yes Yes
NS deferment (if eligible)* Yes Yes
Transitlink Concession Card* Yes Yes
* Terms and conditions apply

Course Info

Student enrolling must

  • Have completed 8 years of formal education or middle school / lower secondary education.
  • Be at least 15 years old on Jan 1st of the year of examination.
  • Have a pass in Lower Secondary English (in student’s respective school) or IELTS 4.5 or equivalent or pass INSPIRE’s internal English entry test.
  • Be a Singaporean or Singapore PR
  • Or hold a Dependant’s Pass or Long-Term Visit Pass that is valid for the entire duration of the course if you are a foreign student.
  • Not be a foreign student holding a student pass. (w.e.f. 15 November 2023)

  • English

  • Mathematics (Math)

  • Additional Mathematics (AMath)

  • Social Studies (SS) + History Elective (Hist)

  • Social Studies (SS) + Geography Elective (Geog)

  • Literature in English (Lit)

  • Business Studies (BS)*

  • Economics (Econ)*

  • Principles of Accounts (POA)

    ^ Other subjects (e.g. Mother Tongue, Science (Theory / Practical) may be registered for the examination.

    * Subject to availability

    # MOE exam registration will be handled by the centre for students.

    Subject materials will be given as per topic taught. 

Course duration

  • 8 Jan 2024 to 7 Nov 2024.
  • Ongoing intake till 7 May 2024. Late entry fees apply from 8 Feb 2024 and admission will be considered on a case by case basis.

Full-time course

  • Duration – 3h x 5 days x 10 months = 600h
  • Contact hours -11.5h per week x 10 months = 460 h

Part-time course

  • Duration – 2h x 3 days x 10 months =240h
  • Contact hours – 5.5h per week x 10 months = 220h

Course delivery

  • Average teacher to student ratio 1:9 to 18
  • Face-to-face and online classes

Internal Assessments:

  • English and Mathematics placement tests upon course sign-up, followed by mid-year tests and prelim exams in September.
  • Progress reports and good progress awards will only be given to students who take a minimum of 4 subjects under their Student-PEI contract.

External Examination

  • The Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) Examination in October – November.

Expected Examination Results Release Date

  • Results are released usually in January the following year of the examination.

Course Completion

  • Students have to sit for the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education (Ordinary Level) Examination in order to complete the O level course.

Frequently asked questions

What is the minimum number of subjects I need to take?
To be eligible for the course, the minimum is 3 subjects.

What is the cost of the course?
It depends on the subjects taken as well as number of subjects and what subjects are taken. Please download the prospectus for the course fees. Please contact us for the exact fee breakdown of your particular subjects combination.

What is the timetable like?
O Level classes are typically 9am – 12pm and 1pm-3pm on weekdays (Mon to Fri). Students only need to come down to the Centre for their respective subjects.

Are classes physical or online?
All classes are conducted physically. However, each subject tutor might choose to conduct online classes occasionally.

Am I eligible for a Transitlink Concession Card when I join the course?
If you are a Singaporean student aged 20 years and below, you are eligible to apply for a Transitlink Concession Card. Upon approval, you can enjoy concessionary travel for the duration of the course. If you withdraw from the course pre-maturely, you will have your Transitlink concession cancelled within 7 days as you are no longer studying at the centre.

Are there other subjects that I can take with Inspire?
Please email us at info@inspire.edu.sg for the availability of other subjects not listed on this website.

How can I enter Polytechnic?
To be eligible for admission into a Polytechnic course you must meet the eligibility conditions. Your ELR2B2 net aggregate score* must not exceed 26 unless you are applying for the Diploma in Nursing. To apply for the Diploma in Nursing, your ELR2B2-C net aggregate score must not exceed 28.

Generally, most admission requirements for Polytechnic courses require you to obtain a pass of C6 in English and Mathematics. A good score of 8-15 points will help you get into the more competitive courses. For specific eligibility conditions please refer to the latest Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) data booklet or the various Polytechnics.

*What is ELR2B2 net aggregate score?
English Language (EL) + 2 Relevant Subjects (R2) + 2 Best Subjects (B2) minus CCA bonus points

How can I be eligible for a Motivational Award during the course?
Inspire wishes to award and motivate you throughout the course with monthly Motivational Awards starting from February. Students will be selected for awards for Punctuality, Homework, Participation, Best Overall Results for Tests, Best in Subject Award, and Good Progress Awards, etc. The awards will be given in the form of mall vouchers, cash vouchers, or cash cards. These awards are not exchangable for cash. If you receive this award, you will have to give consent to Inspire for photography or videography for receipt of this award.

How can I obtain the Academic Prize Award?
If you score 5A1s in your O Level examination results for the subjects you enrol for at Inspire, you will be eligible for this award. You will be notified of your eligibility. The award will be paid by cheque within 60 days of the notification. If you receive this award, you will have to give consent to Inspire for photography or videography for receipt of this award.

How can I apply for NS deferment?
If you are a Singaporean or Singapore PR male student, you are liable for NS from 17.5 years old. Successful NS deferment is subject to the approval of Mindef. You need to apply for minimum of at least 3 subjects or more to be eligible. Applications are to be made at least 1 month before enrolment. Please also take note that there will be a NS deferment administrative fee charged. If you withdraw from the course prematurely, you will have your NS deferment cancelled within 7 days as you are no longer studying at the centre.

Make the Right Choice

We would like to say thank you to all the teachers and staff of Inspire Education. Ernst has shown great improvement and we are really proud of him. Now he has better options for joining a course that he likes in polytechnic. We really appreciate all your time and patience in guiding him. Once again a big thank you!
– Guardian of Ernst (2021 alumnus)

Ayesha improved by leaps and bounds. She put in a lot of hard work, but this was certainly not possible without the support and instruction from the teachers. We thank you all for your love and guidance.
– Parent of Ayesha (2018 alumnus)

I would like to thank you and Aaron’s teachers for your dedication to assisting Aaron for the full year of 2012. Aaron has certainly tried hard and with the support of his teachers, I am pleased that he has achieved 3Bs and a C. Thank you once again.
– Parent of Aaron (2012 alumnus)

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