IPPT performance standards, scoring to be changed following pilot

The Ministry of Defence on Friday (Feb 27) announced that there will be new performance standards for Gold and Silver awards, and an improved scoring table, for the new three-station IPPT format.

For performance standards, those in Commando, Guards and Diver units will see a 5-point jump to achieve gold, while for everyone else, there will be a 4-point jump to achieve gold.

There will also be a four-point jump for those looking to achieve the silver standard from 71 to 75. No changes were made to the standards for the passing mark.

"These changes will make it a lot more challenging for fitter NSmen, but also to motivate others to continue to do well," said Assistant Chief of General Staff (Training) Colonel Ng Ying Thong during a media briefing, stressing the desire not to "demotivate" others.

ONE-YEAR TRANSITION PERIOD FOR NSMEN

The new three-station IPPT format will be implemented from Apr 1, 2015. However, there will be a one-year transition period for NSmen to choose between the five-station or three-station format, said  Active servicemen will adopt the new format.

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) conducted a pilot implementation of the new IPPT from September to December 2014, which included about 5,000 servicemen and servicewomen of different vocations and age groups.

Through the pilot, COL Ng said there is potential to "challenge fitter servicemen to do even better in their IPPT".

Results from the pilot showed that 74 per cent achieved average and above average performance when referenced against international standards. For sit ups, 88 per cent in the pilot improved or maintained their performance from their past recorded result, COL Ng said.

Similarly, 73 per cent improved or maintained their 2.4km timing, COL Ng added. "For the 27 per cent who did not run as fast, the bulk had already achieved either Gold or Silver," he said.

In addition, there will be new Preparatory Training Phase exemption criteria for National Service for combat-fit pre-enlistees from Mar 1. Pre-enlistees will have to achieve 61 points and above - the equivalent of the current silver standard for NAPFA - to be exempted from PTP.