In Singapore, “O-Level” stands for “Ordinary Level.” It is an academic examination taken by students typically at the end of their secondary education, usually around the age of 16. The O-Level examination is administered by the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB).

The O-Level examination is an important milestone for students as it serves as a gateway to their post-secondary education options. Depending on their O-Level results, students can choose to pursue different educational pathways. Here’s a brief overview of the typical options:

1. Junior College (JC): Students who perform well in their O-Levels can choose to enroll in a two-year pre-university course in a junior college. At the end of the two years, they will sit for the “A-Level” examination, which is the qualifying exam for admission to local universities.
2. Polytechnic: Students with varying O-Level results can opt to join a polytechnic, which offers diploma courses in a wide range of fields. Polytechnic education focuses on practical skills and is more career-oriented.
3. Institute of Technical Education (ITE): Students with less competitive O-Level results can join the Institute of Technical Education to pursue vocational and technical courses. ITE provides hands-on training and equips students with skills relevant to the workforce.

The O-Level examination covers various subjects, including languages (English, mother tongue languages), mathematics, sciences, humanities, and others. Students are required to select a certain number of subjects to take based on their academic interests and the future educational path they wish to pursue.