From the ITE Portal to Real-World Skills, Why Exams Matter Less in 2026

“It really pissed me off whenever I hear someone degrading ITE students. I strongly believe that it doesn’t matter which institution you’re in, as long as you’re taking your studies seriously. I respect those from ITE who are able to overcome the stigma attached to the school and end up doing well in life unlike some jokers in my ex-school that are heading nowhere in life. Press on guys and girls!” - Extract from ITE Confessions (Facebook)

That Facebook comment, raw, honest, and unapologetically real, captures what many students feel deep inside. If you did not do well for N or O Levels, if your results limited your choices, or if your next step was ITE while your peers moved on to polytechnic or JC, you have likely experienced unfair judgment. Some may have even started believing that those results define their future.

But in 2026, the reality is very different.

Traditional exams and grades still have value, but they are no longer the only or even the most important measure of success. In a country like Singapore, where Artificial Intelligence and technology are rapidly reshaping jobs, what you can do now matters far more than what you scored years ago.

The World Has Shifted from Exam Results to Real Skills

For decades, academic results were used as shortcuts to judge potential. Good grades meant discipline and intelligence. Poor grades meant limited options. That thinking no longer reflects how hiring works today.

In 2026, employers are increasingly focused on skills, adaptability, and real-world output. They want to see what you can create, solve, design, and execute. This is especially true in industries affected by AI, automation, and digital transformation.

In Singapore, this shift is visible everywhere. Job listings emphasise skills. Mid-career switch programmes focus on competencies. Even government messaging encourages lifelong learning rather than one-time academic success.

For those who have not many other choices than to face the dreaded ITE Portal after struggling with exams, this is not bad news. It is an opportunity.

A.I. Changes Jobs, Not Human Value

AI is often described as a threat to jobs. In reality, it replaces tasks, not people. AI is excellent at processing information, automating repetitive work, and generating drafts.

What it cannot replace easily are creativity, taste, storytelling, emotional intelligence, and original thinking. These are human strengths.

As AI becomes more common in Singapore workplaces, companies increasingly look for people who can work with technology while bringing uniquely human skills to the table.

This includes design thinking, visual communication, photography, branding, and creative problem-solving.

Students trained purely to memorise and sit for exams are often unprepared for this reality. Students trained to build, experiment, and create are not.

Singapore Is Actively Supporting Skills-Based Pathways

Singapore is not ignoring this shift. The government has been clear that multiple pathways to success must exist.

SkillsFuture, career transition programmes, and industry-led training are all designed to ensure that education does not end with school exams.

They recognise that people grow at different speeds and in different ways. For many students, especially those who came through ITE routes, the message is clear.

Your journey is not over. It is simply different.

What matters now is whether you choose a path that builds relevant skills and prepares you for the future economy.

Why Portfolios Matter More Than Certificates

In creative and digital industries, employers often care less about where you studied and more about what you can show. A portfolio does what exam results cannot. It shows:

• What you can actually produce

• How you think and solve problems

• Your style, creativity, and growth

• Your readiness to work in the real world

This is why diplomas that focus on skills transfer and portfolio building, rather than written exams, are becoming more powerful.

Take for examples a graphic design course in Singapore, students are not trained to pass tests. They are trained to build work. Design students graduate with branding projects, visual systems, and digital layouts.

Similarly, photography students graduate with curated bodies of work, real-world shoots, and professional presentation skills. These portfolios speak directly to employers.

Even Industry Leaders Say Skills Matter More

This shift is not just opinion. It is echoed by leaders across industries. Mark Cuban, entrepreneur and investor, has repeatedly said that skills matter more than degrees in today’s economy.

What you can do is more important than what certificate you hold. Reid Hoffman, co-founder of LinkedIn, has said that the fastest way to change your career is to build something real.

Real work beats perfect credentials. Closer to home, employers in Singapore increasingly prioritise candidates who show initiative, adaptability, and usable skills.

In many roles, especially creative and digital ones, a strong portfolio outweighs academic transcripts.

Not everyone thrives in exam halls. That does not mean they lack intelligence, discipline, or potential. Many capable individuals struggle with memorisation, time pressure, or rigid assessment systems.

Yet they excel when allowed to learn by doing. Your academic past does not lock your future. What matters now is choosing a learning environment that values:

• Practical skills

• Hands-on experience

• Mentorship

• Portfolio development

• Confidence building

In 2026 and beyond, success will belong to those who can continue learning, adapt quickly to new tools and technologies, think creatively in the face of change, and confidently show what they are capable of doing.

As industries evolve and AI reshapes the way work is done, the ability to grow, create, and demonstrate real skills will matter more than ever.

Traditional exams were once the main gatekeeper. Today, they are just one of many doors.

If you were discouraged by your O or N level results, if you were told your options were limited, or if you felt judged for taking a different path, it is time to rewrite that story.

Your future is not defined by your grades. It is defined by your skills, your portfolio, and your willingness to keep learning. And in a skills-driven economy shaped by AI, that is more than enough to move forward.