What is the AEIS Exam?
AEIS (Admissions Exercise for International Students) is the centralised admissions test administered by Singapore's Ministry of Education (MOE) for international students seeking admission to government primary and secondary schools. Successful candidates are assigned to a school by MOE, with entry at the start of the academic year in January.
There are two examination sessions:
- AEIS (Main Exam) — Held in September/October each year. Successful students begin school the following January.
- S-AEIS (Supplementary Exam) — Held in February/March each year. Successful students start school in June of the same year.
AEIS does not have a fixed passing score. MOE assigns students based on exam results, residential location, and available school vacancies. A stronger exam performance significantly improves the chances of placement in a preferred school.
S-AEIS Supplementary Admissions
S-AEIS (Supplementary Admissions Exercise for International Students) provides a second opportunity for students who missed the September AEIS or were unsuccessful in their first attempt.
Key differences:
- S-AEIS difficulty is the same as AEIS, though competition may be slightly lower as some places are already filled during the main AEIS intake.
- S-AEIS is only open to students applying for Primary 2–4 and Secondary 1–2. Primary 5 and Secondary 3 are not available for the supplementary exercise.
- Successful S-AEIS candidates enter school in June of the same year, mid-academic year.
CEQ English Requirements (New Policy from 2025)
From 2025 onwards, all international students applying for the AEIS/S-AEIS primary school levels must obtain a valid CEQ (Cambridge English Qualification) score before they can register for the Mathematics test. The CEQ certificate must be issued within 12 months prior to the AEIS/S-AEIS application window.
CEQ Exam Type & Score Requirements by Age
| Age at Registration | Applied Grade (for July intake) |
CEQ Exam Type | Minimum CEQ Score | Mathematics Test Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 – 7+ | P2 / P1 | A2 Key for Schools | 100 and above | P1/P2 Mathematics |
| 8 – 8+ | P3 | A2 Key for Schools | 120 and above | P2/P3 Mathematics |
| 9 – 9+ | P4 | A2 Key for Schools | 130 and above | P3/P4 Mathematics |
| 10 – 10+ | P5 | B1 Preliminary for Schools | 140 and above | P4/P5 Mathematics |
| 11 – 11+ | P5 / P6 | B1 Preliminary for Schools | 140 and above | P5/P6 Mathematics |
| 12 – 12+ | Sec 1 | No CEQ required — AEIS Eng+Math | English + Sec 1 Math | |
| 13 – 13+ | Sec 2 | No CEQ required — AEIS Eng+Math | English + Sec 1/2 Math | |
| 14 – 14+ | Sec 3 | No CEQ required — AEIS Eng+Math | English + Sec 2/3 Math | |
Note: CEQ scores are valid for 12 months from the test date. We recommend preparing for the CEQ exam 3–6 months in advance. Secondary-level applicants (Sec 1–3) still require English proficiency — see the secondary school section below for details.
A2 Key for Schools — Exam Format
A2 Key for Schools (formerly KET) is the Cambridge English entry-level qualification, corresponding to CEFR level A2. It is required for students applying to Primary 2–4.
| Paper | Content | Number of Items | Duration | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading & Writing | Understand short notices, announcements, emails; fill in forms, write short notes | 7 parts / 32 questions | 60 min | 50% |
| Listening | Listen to short dialogues and monologues, extract key information | 5 parts / 25 questions | 30 min | 25% |
| Speaking | Conversation with examiner and another candidate; introduce yourself, describe pictures | 2 parts | 8–10 min | 25% |
A2 Key Total Score: Maximum 150. Pass (Grade C) at 100, Grade B at 120, Grade A at 130 (indicating B1 level proficiency).
B1 Preliminary for Schools — Exam Format
B1 Preliminary for Schools (formerly PET) is the Cambridge English intermediate qualification, corresponding to CEFR level B1. It is required for students applying to Primary 5 and above.
| Paper | Content | Number of Items | Duration | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Understand newspaper articles, emails, notices; test detail comprehension and inference | 6 parts / 32 questions | 45 min | 25% |
| Writing | Write one email and one article or story | 2 questions | 45 min | 25% |
| Listening | Listen to interviews, talks, conversations; understand main ideas and details | 4 parts / 25 questions | 30 min | 25% |
| Speaking | Conversation with examiner and another candidate; discuss personal experiences, opinions and pictures | 4 parts | 12–17 min | 25% |
B1 Preliminary Total Score: Maximum 170. Pass (Grade C) at 140, Grade B at 160 (indicating B2 level), Grade A at 170.
AEIS / S-AEIS Registration & Exam Timeline (2026 Reference)
| Milestone | AEIS | S-AEIS |
|---|---|---|
| Registration Period | Mid-July — Late August | Early January — Late January |
| Exam Period | September / October | February / March |
| Results Released | Mid-to-late December | Late April — Early May |
| School Start | January (new academic year) | June (mid-year intake) |
| Eligible Levels | Primary 2–5 & Secondary 1–3 | Primary 2–4 & Secondary 1–2 |
| Application | Online via MOE website (www.moe.gov.sg) | |
Required Documents for Registration
- Student's passport (valid for at least 6 months)
- Student's Pass (if currently in Singapore)
- CEQ score report (mandatory for primary applicants)
- School report cards from the last 2 years (with official English translation)
- Passport-sized digital photo
- Local guardian's contact details in Singapore
- Application fee (approx. S$ 250–350, subject to MOE confirmation)
Secondary School (Sec 1–3) Entry Guide
International students applying to Singapore government secondary schools (Sec 1–3) sit the AEIS/S-AEIS Mathematics test, conducted in English. Unlike the primary level, secondary applicants undergo a different English assessment process:
English Requirements for Secondary Applicants
- Sec 1 & Sec 2 candidates: Must take the MOE-administered English Test alongside the Mathematics paper. The test covers vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, and writing.
- Sec 3 candidates: Also required to take the English Test, at a higher difficulty level. Note that S-AEIS does not accept Sec 3 applicants.
- While IELTS or TOEFL scores can be submitted as supporting evidence, they cannot replace the MOE English Test requirement.
Secondary Mathematics Syllabus
- Sec 1 Mathematics: Arithmetic, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, speed, basic algebra, geometry (area, perimeter, volume), data analysis.
- Sec 2 Mathematics: Extends Sec 1 topics with factorisation, linear equations, introduction to functions, probability, geometric proofs, and statistical charts.
- Sec 3 Mathematics: Includes trigonometry, coordinate geometry, quadratic functions, indices, logarithms, and introductory calculus concepts.
⚠ Important: Chinese students often lose marks due to unfamiliarity with English mathematical terminology. We strongly recommend dedicated English maths vocabulary training and familiarisation with the Singapore syllabus question formats. Our AEIS programme includes a bilingual maths vocabulary module.
Secondary Grade Placement by Age
MOE assigns students to a grade level based on a combination of age and exam performance. The reference table below shows typical placements:
| Date of Birth | Recommended Level to Apply | Possible Assigned Grade |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Jan 2012 – 1 Jan 2013 (12+) | Sec 1 | Sec 1 |
| 2 Jan 2011 – 1 Jan 2012 (13+) | Sec 2 | Sec 1 or Sec 2 |
| 2 Jan 2010 – 1 Jan 2011 (14+) | Sec 3 | Sec 2 or Sec 3 |
| 2 Jan 2009 – 1 Jan 2010 (15+) | Sec 3 | Sec 3 |
Note: These are reference ranges. MOE reserves the right to adjust grade placement based on actual test performance.
AEIS Preparation Tips
Plan Your CEQ Early
CEQ results are valid for 12 months. Book your test slot at least 6 months ahead. CEQ exams are available monthly in Singapore. Our CEQ intensive course helps students reach their target score within 3–4 months.
Maths Vocabulary Training
This is where Chinese students commonly lose marks. We provide an exclusive English maths vocabulary handbook and past-paper question banks to help students adapt to English-language mathematics exams.
Mock Exam Drills
Systematic practice with past-year papers to build familiarity with question formats and time management. Weekly mock tests with step-by-step review sessions.
Personalised Study Plan
Tailored learning programmes based on each student's current level and target grade. Every student receives a dedicated learning group chat with regular progress updates for parents.
Get Your Personalised AEIS Plan Today
Free English level assessment + customised study timeline + complimentary AEIS Maths Vocabulary Handbook
📞 Book Free AssessmentFrequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
A: Yes. Students must be at least 7 years old at the time of registration. Grade placement is determined by age.
A: No. Each candidate may apply for only one grade level. MOE may adjust placement by one grade up or down based on results.
A: Yes. All students who pass the AEIS exam are guaranteed a school placement by MOE. However, school location is determined by MOE and cannot be chosen.
A: AEIS/S-AEIS exams are conducted in Singapore. Candidates may enter Singapore on a Student's Pass or tourist visa. We offer end-to-end support including exam registration, visa processing, and pre-exam intensive coaching.
A: No. Only CEQ (A2 Key / B1 Preliminary for Schools) is accepted for primary-level applicants. Secondary-level applicants take the MOE-administered English Test instead.
A: No. From 2025 onwards, a valid CEQ score is a mandatory prerequisite for registering for the AEIS/S-AEIS primary-level Mathematics test. You must obtain your CEQ result before the application window opens.