Hanbridge Institute Frequently Asked Questions for Preparatory Courses
What are the AEIS and S-AEIS exams?
Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) conducts the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS), a standardised entrance examination for international students seeking admission to government primary and secondary schools. The MOE holds the exam annually, typically in September or October, and releases results in December. The Ministry places successful candidates into suitable government schools to commence their studies in January of the following year.
The Supplementary Admissions Exercise for International Students (S-AEIS) takes place in February or March each year. Successful applicants begin their classes in June after receiving school placements.
What’s the difference between the AEIS and S-AEIS exams?
The AEIS occurs annually in September and serves students applying for admission into Primary 2 to Primary 5, and Secondary 1 to Secondary 3.
The S-AEIS, held in February, provides additional admission opportunities for students seeking entry into Primary 2 to Primary 4 and Secondary 1 to Secondary 2.
What are the requirements for registration?
International students aged 7 to 16 as of January 1 of the application year qualify to apply for the AEIS exam.
How much preparation time does my child need to pass the AEIS/S-AEIS exam?
Students may take our placement test to determine the ideal preparation period based on their performance. The test costs SGD 54.50 (we waive this fee upon enrolment at Hanbridge) and assesses English proficiency.
As a general guideline, students scoring 70 and above typically require at least three months of preparation. We advise students scoring between 50 and 69 to plan for three to six months, while students with scores below 50 may need approximately six to twelve months to prepare effectively.
What subjects are tested in the AEIS/S-AEIS exams?
For primary school applicants, the AEIS/S-AEIS assessments focus solely on Mathematics. However, students must achieve a passing score in the Cambridge CEQ (KET/PET) examination prior to registration. For secondary school admissions, the assessments cover both English and Mathematics.
If my child enrols in the AEIS preparatory course at Hanbridge Institute, will the school assist with applying for a Student’s Pass for my child and a Guardian Pass for me?
We assist enrolled students with their Student’s Pass applications. You may apply for a Guardian’s Pass once your child successfully gains admission into a government school.
What factors influence a student’s success in the AEIS/S-AEIS examinations?
A student’s performance in the AEIS/S-AEIS examinations remains the most critical factor. Placement outcomes also depend on the number of vacancies the Ministry of Education determines are available for international students in government schools.
What is your school’s passing rate?
While passing rates vary slightly by cohort, they typically range between 70% and 85%. Notably, our Secondary 2 students in the S-AEIS 2026 cohort achieved an outstanding 100% passing rate.
Will my child be able to get into a top primary or secondary school in Singapore after passing the AEIS/S-AEIS exam?
Admission to Singapore’s top government schools is highly competitive, and they rarely offer places to international students. The MOE typically places students who pass the AEIS/S-AEIS in neighbourhood primary schools or secondary schools offering the Express stream.
Are students holding a Dependant’s Pass more likely to pass the AEIS/S-AEIS examinations compared to those holding a Student’s Pass?
All else being equal, students holding a Dependant’s Pass may be given priority for admission.
Does Hanbridge Institute provide free assistance with AEIS/S-AEIS exam registration for students?
Yes, we provide complimentary exam registration support for enrolled students. However, parents bear the official examination fees. We also encourage parents to complete the registration independently if they are able to do so.
What are the class schedules for Hanbridge Institute’s AEIS Preparatory Course?
Classes run Monday to Friday, excluding weekends and public holidays. Each day begins with a 30-minute morning reading session from 8:30 to 9:00, followed by lessons from 9:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 16:00, with a lunch break from 12:00 to 13:00. From 16:00 to 17:00, students may stay for optional self-study to complete homework.
Are Hanbridge Institute’s AEIS Preparatory classes taught entirely in English?
We conduct our AEIS classes entirely in English.
If my child can’t come to Singapore for preparatory classes or has a weaker English foundation, what do you recommend?
We encourage students to begin with our English digital courses to build a strong foundation. The programme features four levels; each level consists of 30 lessons of 60 minutes each and remains valid for three months.
How can I assess my child’s progress and likelihood of passing the AEIS/S-AEIS examinations while they are enrolled at Hanbridge Institute?
We conduct internal assessments every five to six weeks to monitor each student’s progress. Use these results to gauge your child’s readiness for the AEIS/S-AEIS examinations. In general, we consider students who consistently achieve at least 70 marks in English and 80 marks in Mathematics to have a strong likelihood of passing the AEIS/S-AEIS.
What should my child bring to class at Hanbridge Institute?
Students must wear the school uniform and bring a water bottle, stationery, and an electronic dictionary with English-to-English translation functions (without gaming features).
What subjects are included in Hanbridge Institute‘s O-Level Preparatory Course?
Our O-Level Preparatory Course covers English, Elementary Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, Physics, and Principles of Accounts.
How challenging is the Singapore-Cambridge O-Level examination?
Singapore’s Ministry of Education and the University of Cambridge jointly administer the Singapore-Cambridge O-Level Examination as a national graduation qualification. Its international recognition makes it a rigorous and highly respected assessment. Students from China often find science subjects more approachable. The examination uses a grading system where students typically achieve an A1 grade by scoring approximately 75 marks or above.
What are the education pathways available after the Singapore-Cambridge O-Level Examination, and what options are there if my child does not achieve their desired results?
Students meeting the required standards in the Singapore-Cambridge GCE O-Level Examination may progress to local junior colleges or polytechnics to continue within the public education system. Alternatively, students may enrol at Hanbridge Institute for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in partnership with the University of Suffolk. The University of Suffolk awards these degrees, which maintain academic equivalence to those delivered in the UK, providing a globally recognised qualification. Students may also pursue foundation or higher education pathways in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, or Canada.
What are the advantages of entering Singapore’s public education system?
Firstly, Singapore’s public education system consistently ranks among the top globally, offering students a rigorous, high-quality, and internationally recognised standard of education. Secondly, participation in the national education system may support longer-term residency prospects. Under current immigration guidelines, students may apply for Singapore Permanent Residency (PR) if they have studied in Singapore for at least two years and have completed at least one national examination—such as the PSLE, GCE O-Level, or GCE A-Level.
How can international students gain admission into Singapore’s public education system?
International students aged 7 to 16 may gain admission to Singapore’s public primary and secondary schools by taking the AEIS or S-AEIS examinations. Students aged 15 and above may also enter the public education system by meeting GCE O-Level requirements. Hanbridge Institute offers preparatory courses for both the AEIS and O-Level examinations.
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