Application for Qualifying Test

International students who are seeking mainstream school admission into Primary 2-5 and Secondary 1-3 for academic year 2009 are encouraged to take part in the 2008 Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) to enjoy the convenience of centralised testing and the offer of a school place if they are successful. The AEIS centralised test will be available on two dates—22 September 2008 and 13 October 2008. To register for AEIS, please visit the AEIS webpage for more details.

International students who are unable to participate in the 2008 AEIS and still wish to seek mainstream school admission for academic year 2009, may sit for and pass the Qualifying Test before approaching their preferred schools directly.

Qualifying Test Dates and Registration Period

The dates of the upcoming QT are shown below. Applicants are to note that they may register for one test date only and are encouraged to consider their availability for the test date carefully before applying.

QT Date	Registration Period (Date / Singapore Time)
15 Nov 2008	6 Oct 2008 (9am) – 31 Oct 2008 (5pm)
13 Dec 2008	6 Oct 2008 (9am) – 28 Nov 2008 (5pm) - Registration closed
Jan 2009	More information on the tests in 2009 will be updated on this website when available.
Feb 2009

Please note that registration for the QT may be closed before the closing dates/times stated above if all available places for the QT date have been taken up.

Eligibility

The QT is meant for international students without Dependant’s Pass (DP), Immigration Exemption Order (IEO) or Singapore Citizen / Singapore Permanent Resident (SC/SPR) parents, and who wish to seek admission to mainstream public schools. You are required to sit for and pass the QT before applying to mainstream public schools for admission if you belong to the following categories:

• International students who have at least one parent holding the S pass or Work Permit (R Pass);
• International students whose parents are not holding the S or R Pass and who are seeking admission to mainstream public schools at Primary 2–5 or Secondary 1–3;

The Qualifying Test is not applicable for international students who:

• had previously taken the Qualifying Test; or
• already have a place in a mainstream public school; or
• are below 7 years of age on the test date; or
• above 18 years of age on the test date

International students are also not allowed to apply for more than one Qualifying Test date.

Fees and Required Supporting Documents

Fees

The QT fee is S$200.00 (inclusive of GST) and is non-refundable. Applicants are encouraged to consider their availability for the test date carefully before applying.

Applicants should issue a crossed cheque (issued by Singapore-based banks) or a bank draft / cashier’s order / money order drawn on a bank in Singapore. For more information on fee payment, please go to the QT Online Application page.

Required Supporting Documents

QT applicants are required to provide photocopies of the following supporting documents:

Applicant:

1. Birth Certificate
2. Data Page of Passport

and

Applicant’s Parents:

1. Data Page of Passport
2. Work Pass, e.g. Work Permit / S Pass (where applicable)

If the documents are in other languages, an accurate English translation must accompany the photocopies. All documents submitted for application purposes will not be returned to applicants.

Application Process

Step 1:

Applicants can register for their preferred test date by completing the QT Online Application within the respective registration periods shown below. Please note that applicants are required to provide a valid email address as part of the application.

QT Date	Registration Period (Date/Singapore Time)
15 Nov 2008	6 Oct 2008 (9am) – 31 Oct 2008 (5pm)
13 Dec 2008	6 Oct 2008 (9am) – 28 Nov 2008 (5pm) - Registration closed

Step 2:

After completing and submitting the QT Online Application, applicants would be directed to an acknowledgement page. Applicants should submit their fee payments and photocopies of their supporting documents immediately by post to the address given on the acknowledgement page. Please note that only complete applications, including payment and documentation, will be processed.

QT applicants should note that their fee payment and photocopies of supporting documents must be submitted within the respective deadlines shown below:

QT Date	Fee/Document Submission Deadline
15 Nov 2008	5 Nov 2008
13 Dec 2008	3 Dec 2008

Step 3:

Applicants whose applications and payment are in order will receive an official confirmation email by the respective dates shown below, informing them of the QT venue, timing and instructions for applicants.

QT Date	Confirmation Email
15 Nov 2008	By 12 Nov 2008
13 Dec 2008	By 10 Dec 2008

Preparing for the Qualifying Test

The QT will assess the applicants’ reasoning abilities and will take about 1.5 hours, including reporting formalities, a briefing and the test.

Applicants should be able to read alphabets and numbers and should also be familiar with and understand examination instructions given by the invigilators in English. Applicants who do not comply with instructions given by the invigilators may be disqualified from the QT.

Reporting for the Qualifying Test

All applicants are required to arrive at least thirty minutes before the start of the QT and should note that electronic devices (e.g. mobile phones/pagers, cameras, etc.) will not be allowed in the test hall. Applicants should also bring the following items:

• Documents
  1. Applicant’s original birth certificate
  2. Applicant’s original passport
  3. Parents’ original Work Pass, e.g. Work Permit / S Pass (where applicable)
• Others
  1. 2B Pencil / Eraser
  2. Watch
  3. Reading glasses (if necessary)
  4. Sweater (if necessary)

Qualifying Test Outcome

The outcome of the QT will be sent to applicants’ specified addresses by post within 3 weeks of the test and will indicate whether the applicant is eligible or ineligible for admission to mainstream public schools.

Successful applicants may proceed to approach their preferred schools directly to apply for admission. Subject to the availability of vacancies, schools would consider them and typically conduct placement tests for subjects such as English, Mathematics and Mother Tongue (where applicable). Applicants should note that English is the medium of instruction in Singapore and are encouraged to prepare for such placement tests.

International students who are successfully admitted to mainstream public schools are strongly encouraged to prepare themselves in advance for a new school environment where English is the language of classroom instruction, and to familiarise themselves with the relevant curriculum for their level. International students who wish to undertake preparatory courses before or at the start of their entry into schools could refer to the Singapore Education website.

For detailed information on the school application process, please refer to one of the following categories that is applicable to you.

• International students who have at least one parent holding the S pass or Work Permit (R Pass);
• International students whose parents are not holding the S or R Pass and who are seeking admission to mainstream public schools at Primary 2–5 or Secondary 1–3;

International students may take the QT only once. Unsuccessful QT applicants may consider taking part in the next available Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS), which will tentatively be held in the 4th quarter of 2009.

Summary of Key Events and Dates

QT Date	Registration Period	Fee / Document Submission Deadline	Confirmation Email	Test Outcome
15 Nov 2008	6 Oct 2008 (9am) – 31 Oct 2008 (5pm)	5 Nov 2008	By 12 Nov 2008	By 6 Dec 2008
13 Dec 2008	6 Oct 2008 (5pm) – 28 Nov 2008 (5pm) - Registration closed	3 Dec 2008	By 10 Dec 2008	By 3 Jan 2009

Frequently Asked Questions on the Qualifying Test.