If you are looking for information about Singapore’s local public school admissions for foreign or international students, this guide will help you.
12 Things You Should Know About Local Public School Admissions in Singapore
- What is AEIS?
- What subjects are tested for AEIS?
- a) Where to take the CEQ Test internationally?
b) Where to take the CEQ Test in Singapore?
c) What is the price of the CEQ Test in Singapore? - Who should take the AEIS?
- What is the age range for primary school admission?
- What is the age range for secondary school admission?
- a) What are the differences between AEIS and S-AEIS?
b) Why are the Primary 5 and Secondary 3 school levels not available for S-AEIS? - Which test should my child take? AEIS or S-AEIS?
- When must I register for the AEIS?
- a) Where is the AEIS examination held?
b) When are the AEIS results released? - Why should my child join Inspire’s preparatory course to prepare for the CEQ Exam or AEIS exam?
- What is the cost of primary, secondary, or pre-university/junior college school fees in Singapore for international students?
1) What is AEIS?
The Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) is a centralised admissions exercise conducted by the Ministry of Education (MOE) around September each year for international students who wish to join Singapore’s mainstream primary and secondary schools in January of the following year.
2) What subjects are tested for AEIS?
English and Mathematics are tested for the AEIS exam.
However, take note that effective from July 2022 onwards, the AEIS-Primary English test will no longer be tested by the Ministry of Education (MOE). International students aged 7 to 12-years-old must sit for the relevant Cambridge English Qualification (CEQ) Test, which can be taken either locally or internationally. The results of both the CEQ Test and the AEIS-Primary Mathematics exam will be used by MOE to determine if a candidate is offered a place in a local government primary school.
The CEQ Test for primary students has two categories:
i) A2 Key for Schools. For students aged 7 to 9+
ii) B1 Preliminary for Schools. For students aged 10 to 12+.
3 (a) Where to take the CEQ Test internationally?
The CEQ Test is conducted in more than 130 countries. International students can sit for the test in any listed country, 12 months before registering for the AEIS-Primary Mathematics exam in Singapore in July. The CEQ Test can be taken more than once if necessary.
To find a CEQ Test exam centre near your location, please refer to the official Cambridge website here: https://www.cambridgeenglish.org/find-a-centre/find-an-exam-centre/
3 (b) Where to take the CEQ Test in Singapore?
Principals Academy (https://www.pai.sg/index.php?option=com_content) or SEAMEO Regional Language Centre (https://www.relc.org.sg).
3 (c) What is the price of the CEQ Test in Singapore?
Approximately S$380 (subject to GST) and above. Please check with the respective test centres for actual fees.
4) Who should take the AEIS?
International students (Dependent Pass, Long-Term Visit Pass holders, and students without any student visas) who wish to study in a government school in Singapore have to take the examination.
5) What is the age range for primary school admission?
The entry-level depends on the student’s age, results scored during the AEIS examination, and the number of vacancies available at a particular school. Students must register for the education standard that they wish to apply for, and an assessment for that level will be administered for the examination.
Admission to Local Public School (Primary 2/3)
-
- Age: 7 to 8+
- Academic Level tested: Primary 1 and 2
Admission to Local Public School (Primary 4/5)
-
- Age: 9 to 9+
- Academic Level tested: Primary 3
- Age: 10 to 12+
- Academic Level tested: Primary 4
- Note: Entry into Primary 5 level for age 12 to 12+ is not available for S-AEIS
6) What is the age range for secondary school admission?
The entry-level depends on the student’s age, results scored during the AEIS examination, and the number of vacancies available at a particular school. Students must register for the education standard that they wish to apply for, and an assessment for that level will be administered for the examination.
Admission to Local Public Schools (Secondary 1)
- Age: 12 to 14+
- Academic Level tested: Primary 6
Admission to Local Public Schools (Secondary 2)
- Age: 13 to 15+
- Academic Level tested: Secondary 1
Admission to Local Public Schools (Secondary 3)
- Age: 14 to 16+
- Academic Level tested: Secondary 2
- Note: Entry into Secondary 3 level for age 16 to 16+ is not available for S-AEIS
7) (a) What are the differences between AEIS and S-AEIS?
The three main differences are:
i) Date of exams
The examination date for AEIS takes place in September each year, followed by the S-AEIS exam in February the following year.
ii) School level
AEIS (Primary): Primary 2 to Primary 5
AEIS (Secondary): Secondary 1 to Secondary 3
S-AEIS (Primary): Primary 2 to Primary 4
S-AEIS (Secondary): Secondary 1 to Secondary 2
iii) Amount of available places for enrolment
AEIS: More enrolment places are available for AEIS candidates as they will be joining local students at the start of the school year in January.
S-AEIS: Very limited places are available as S-AEIS candidates will be joining a mainstream school in July, the second half of the school year. Thus, they will have missed out on the curriculum that has already been taught in the first half of the year.
7) (b) Why are the Primary 5 and Secondary 3 school levels not available for S-AEIS?
i) Primary 5
At the Primary 5 level, local students are assigned to different class streams based on their end-of-year results for Primary 4. Since S-AEIS students are joining during July (the middle of the school year), they cannot be allocated any places due to insufficient knowledge of their grades from Primary 4.
ii) Secondary 3
At the end of the Secondary 2 school year, local students are required to choose a subject combination that they wish to study for Secondary 3-4, which is based on their end-of-year results. S-AEIS students cannot be allocated any places due to insufficient knowledge of their grades from Lower Secondary.
8) Which test should my child take? AEIS or S-AEIS?
The AEIS examination is usually held in September yearly. International students who missed the AEIS exam in September (or failed to pass the exam), but still wish to seek admission into local government schools may take the Supplementary AEIS (S-AEIS) examination in February.
9) When must I register for the AEIS?
As there will be many other candidates taking this examination, it is advisable to register for the examination at least two months earlier in July (for AEIS) and in January (for S-AEIS).
10) (a) Where is the AEIS examination held?
Details of the venue will be provided in the entry proof emailed to you when the date of the examination approaches.
10) (b) When are the AEIS results released?
The results are usually released in mid to late December for AEIS and in mid-April for S-AEIS. Students will be informed of the school posting offer via email, or they can visit the MOE website to check for details of their posting.
11) Why should I join Inspire’s preparatory course to prepare for the CEQ Exam or AEIS exam?
Students who do not speak English as their first language will need time to improve their English and get used to understanding English facts and concepts presented in other subjects. For AEIS, Inspire’s preparatory course will also help students get accustomed to the syllabus requirements and examination formats that they will encounter during the AEIS exam.
12) How much are primary, secondary, or pre-university/junior college school fees in Singapore for international students?
Ministry of Education’s 2023 school fees:
- Singapore PRs: $268 (primary), $520 (secondary), $607 (JC)
- International students (ASEAN): $533 (primary), $930 (secondary), $1,137 (JC)
- International students (non-ASEAN): $898 (primary), $1790 (secondary), $2,147 (JC)
Please visit this MOE website for the updated school fees:
https://www.moe.gov.sg/financial-matters/fees
About this Guide (updated 2 Nov 2023)
This guide is written by Inspire Education Centre for foreign students or international students who wish to enrol or study in local public government schools in Singapore. Inspire Education Centre is an established preparatory school for intensive AEIS centralised entrance examinations (since 2007). Preparatory courses are available for students who wish to retake or sit for the AEIS / SPERS examinations for entry into local government schools at the primary school and secondary school level. Check out our AEIS preparatory course here.