There was little significant difference even though Junior College students had to offer diverse subjects compared to before.

Another first: The pioneering batch of through-train students cleared the A level hurdle magnificently, despite not having to go through the O level gantry.

Some 87.5 per cent of the 13, 053 students who took the exam scored at least three passes in H2 subjects, broadly comparable to A-level subjects, with a pass in General Paper or Knowledge and Inquiry, a slight drop from 88.2 per cent in 2006.

A total of 1,660 students, or about 13 per cent, were from the Integrated Programme.

The performance of the IP students was similar to their non-IP peers from the same schools, as well as the 2006 cohort from these schools, said a Ministry of Education spokesman.