Skip to main content

Advertisement

Advertisement

MINDEF announces details of new IPPT scoring system

SINGAPORE — Under a new scoring system for the new Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT), National Servicemen need to accumulate at least 51 points — out of 100 — from three stations to pass, announced the Defence Ministry (MINDEF) today (July 24).

The new Individual Physical Proficiency Test will have three stations – 2.4km run, sit-ups and push-ups – instead of the current five. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong

The new Individual Physical Proficiency Test will have three stations – 2.4km run, sit-ups and push-ups – instead of the current five. Photo: Ooi Boon Keong

Follow TODAY on WhatsApp

SINGAPORE — Under a new scoring system for the new Individual Physical Proficiency Test (IPPT), National Servicemen need to accumulate at least 51 points — out of 100 — from three stations to pass, announced the Defence Ministry (MINDEF) today (July 24).

The points are pegged to a specific number of repetitions done for sit-ups and push-ups, and specific timings for the 2.4km run, with the most outstanding results given the highest points.

NSmen taking part in the 2.4km run and one-minute Sit-Up test can score a maximum of 50 and 25 points respectively. The new station, one-minute Push-Up test, will also give a maximum of 25 points.

Operationally-Ready National Servicemen (NSmen) hoping to attain the gold award, silver award or pass with incentive need to accumulate more than 80, 70 and 60 points respectively from the three stations. Commandos, divers and guardsmen need to clock at least 85 points for the gold award.

Besides a new scoring system, there will be shorter age categories to better match performance to age. In contrast to the five-year bands in the old test, the new test will feature 3-year bands.

For example:

• To pass, an NSman aged between 25 and 27 would need to perform 16 Push Ups in one minute (6 points), 30 Sit Ups in one minute (14 points) and complete his 2.4km run in 12min 40s (31 points), to get a total of 51 points.

• To get a gold award, a serviceman aged between 34 and 36 would need to perform 35 Push Ups in one minute (20 points), 35 Sit Ups in one minute (20 points) and complete his 2.4km run in 10min 40s (41 points). He would accumulate a total score of 81 points.

The Army will conduct a pilot implementation of the test from September to November to “fine-tune” the administration of the new IPPT. At least 3,000 servicemen and servicewomen will take part in the new test. The new IPPT is expected to be fully implemented across the Singapore Armed Forces in 2015.

The new IPPT format and scoring system was announced by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen in a Facebook post yesterday. He said that the new format will make it simpler for NSmen to train for IPPT, and for more to pass. It comes after calls by NSmen over the years to tweak the IPPT system and related training programmes in view of difficulties faced by NSmen to stay fit amid busy work schedules.

A SIMPLER IPPT FORMAT

With the standing broad jump, shuttle run and pull-up stations removed, the Defence Ministry said the new and simpler IPPT format was designed to allow servicemen to train or maintain their fitness without specialised technique or equipment.

This simplification was made possible by the new combat fitness and test regime implemented over the past few years, which has allowed the military to simplify the IPPT, according to Chief of Army Major-General Perry Lim.

The new combat training include the Vocation Related Exercises (VRE) which are designed to strengthen specific muscle groups that a servicemen needs for his vocation, and a Vocation Obstacle Course (VOC) which is team-based and customised to each vocation.

MG Lim said soldiers undergoing exercises such as VOCs and the existing standard obstacle course execute movements that require them to also manage and carry their body weight.

“So in a sense, chin-ups or push-ups is taken care of ... but our soldiers will still be doing pull-ups in our active units, in our leadership schools, as part of their daily physical fitness routine.”

While not all NSmen go through the new combat training regime, MG Lim said: “Our NSmen, they undergo through route marches, and they still go through physically vigorous field exercises that requires them to apply many parts of their body.”

Read more of the latest in

Advertisement

Advertisement

Stay in the know. Anytime. Anywhere.

Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox.

By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis.