26 May 2020

Schools participating in the Direct School Admission exercise this year will do all interviews and selection for shortlisted candidates via electronic modes (e-modes). This policy has raised concerns whether the exercise will remain fair.

Schools will strive to select students with potential, “exemplary character and desirable personal qualities, such as the ability to thrive amidst adversity”, even without competition placements, said a Ministry of Education spokesman.

A total of 146 secondary schools and 20 junior colleges are taking part in this year’s exercise, which started on May 12.

To ensure fairness in the selection process, the e-modes will be conducted at the applicants’ schools. School staff will also be present to provide technical support where necessary.

All schools look at a range of skills and attributes when shortlisting students. Schools will continue to reach out to students from less advantaged backgrounds, including those with little or no prior training or formal certification, to ensure that they are aware of the support available, and encourage those with talent and potential to apply for suitable DSA schools.

13 December 2019

Students applying to study at the National University of Singapore have had greater success at winning a place in their top choice course.

This is a result of NUS’s move to award bonus admission points for first-choice courses.

Figures provided by NUS show that 1,050 applicants landed a place in a course they listed as their top choice this year because of the bonus point scheme.

The bonus points apply only to courses where entry is based purely on converting a student’s grades into points, and not to courses such as medicine and law, where students are assessed on their aptitude and interests through interviews.

The university’s initiative is in line with the Ministry of Education’s move to expand aptitude-based admission into post-secondary institutions and universities.

06 June 2019

The Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) offered by Singapore’s five polytechnics is an aptitude-based admissions exercise, as opposed to an admissions exercise purely based on GCE O Level examination results.

The EAE allows students to receive conditional offers for admission to polytechnics prior to receiving their final examination grades. The school determines the applicant’s suitability based on interest, portfolio and performance during the interview.

The EAE is part of the Ministry of Education’s efforts at expanding aptitude-based admissions, in an overall move away from a pure emphasis on academic results. Under the EAE, polytechnics have greater flexibility to admit students through course-specific talents.

Since the exercise started in 2016, the EAE annual intake across five polytechnics has increased from the initial guideline of 2.5 per cent to nearly 20 per cent this year.

Mr Boo Chong-Han, deputy principal of Republic Polytechnic’s Student Services and Organisational Development said: “The EAE is an excellent opportunity for (students) to pursue a course of study that is aligned with their interests. At Republic Polytechnic, we will help them develop their interests and talents so that they become professionals equipped with the necessary technical and soft skills to achieve successful careers.”