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.”