Application for 2011 School Placement Exercise for Returning Singaporeans - Junior Colleges / Millennia Institute (2011 SPERS-JC/MI)
Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does ‘returning Singaporean (RS) children’ mean?

   ‘RS children’ refers to Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident children who have lived overseas and are currently not students in local schools.

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2. Who should participate in SPERS?

   SPERS was introduced to facilitate the school admission of Singaporean children who are returning from overseas and who wish to join our junior colleges and Millennia Institute. SPERS is therefore intended for RS children who have lived overseas and who do not have a place in a local school.

   It is applicable for RS children seeking admission into Pre-U1 in the following year. As Pre-U2 is a national examination year, RS generally would not seek admission at this level.

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3. Can children who are not Singapore Citizens (SC) or Permanent Residents (PR) but whose parents are SC/PR take part in SPERS?

   No. However, such children may approach their preferred JC/MI directly for admission.

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4. Can RS re-take the SPERS-JC/MI tests for Pre-U1 admission?

   No, RS who wish to seek admission to JC/MI outside their lists of eligible schools may do so after the SPERS-JC/MI exercise. RS who do not qualify for JC/MI admission under SPERS may also approach the Polytechnics, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) or the privately-funded schools directly for admission to their post-secondary courses.

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5. Can RS take the SPERS tests at levels below their age-appropriate levels (e.g. RS’ age-appropriate level is Pre-U2 but applying to sit for Pre-U1)?

   Yes, RS are allowed to sit for the SPERS tests at levels below their age-appropriate levels, subject to a limit of 4 years overage.

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6. Can RS take the SPERS tests at levels above their age-appropriate levels (e.g. RS’ age-appropriate level is Sec 4 but applying to sit for Pre-U1)?

   RS are encouraged to apply for levels appropriate for their age. Applications for levels above the age-appropriate level will be considered on a case-by-case basis. RS are to provide the relevant supporting documents (certified true and translated into English where necessary) e.g. copies of transcripts of last level completed and past educational background levels as far as available, together with their application forms and registration fees for MOE’s consideration.

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7. Is SPERS compulsory? What are the options available to RS if they do not wish to take part in SPERS?

   SPERS is not compulsory. RS can approach their preferred JC/MI directly to apply for admission.

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8. Why is sitting for the centralised tests required for admission via SPERS?

   SPERS applicants are required to sit for the centralised tests, as admission to JC/MI in Singapore is based on merit, and to facilitate their admission to schools with students of similar abilities.

SPERS-JC/MI Tests

9. What do the SPERS-JC/MI tests cover for Mathematics since Sec 4 students can offer both Mathematics (also known as E Maths) and Additional Mathematics (also known as A Maths)?

   The SPERS-JC/MI Mathematics test will only cover topics under Mathematics (also known as E Maths).

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10. Will the SPERS tests take into account RS who are educated in different education systems overseas?

    The SPERS-JC/MI tests will include a non-content-based general ability test that will assess applicants’ general reasoning ability. This will more holistically assess RS who have attended overseas schools with curricula different from Singapore’s.

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11. What does the general ability test under SPERS-JC/MI assess? What are the questions like? How can applicants prepare for it?

    The general ability test assesses applicants’ general reasoning ability. All the information needed to respond to each test item is presented within the test item itself and clear instructions will be given to ensure that applicants understand how to attempt the test.

    There is no need for applicants to prepare specifically for it. General good practices such as having a good rest the night before the test and having a light meal before the test to ensure a relatively relaxed but alert frame of mind would suffice. Applicants should bring pencils and erasers.

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12. Why are results of the Eligibility Phase in the form of a list of schools that an RS is eligible for?

    The Eligibility Phase is intended to provide a common yardstick to facilitate the admission of RS and obviate the need for them to sit for multiple school-based tests. The SPERS-JC/MI tests are used to establish the suitability of applicants for admission to JC/MI. The eligible school list reflects the performance of the RS since the RS is assessed to have similar ability as pupils already studying in the institutions on the list.

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School Admission Phase

13. Why is there no School Option Phase or School Posting Phase for SPERS-JC/MI, unlike SPERS-Sec?

    As the number of RS seeking admission to JC/MI is generally small, it is not meaningful for MOE to conduct a centralised posting exercise for SPERS-JC/MI applicants. Successful SPERS-JC/MI applicants will each receive a list of JC/MI that they are eligible for and can approach any of the listed JC/MI for direct admission.

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14. Would there be vacancies over and above planned capacity of schools for RS seeking admission to Pre-U1?

    Given the current small number of applicants each year, there are enough vacancies across the JCs and MI to meet this demand since these institutions have the discretion to take in students above their planned capacity.

School Admission Outside the SPERS Exercise

15. Should RS not qualify for admission to any JC/MI based on their performance in the SPERS-JC/MI tests, can RS still approach their preferred JC/MI for admission?

    Yes, RS may still approach their preferred JC/MI to be considered for admission, which would be subject to them meeting the JC/MI’s school-based admission criteria.

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16. What are the school admission options for RS who miss SPERS?

    RS who are unable to make it for SPERS-JC/MI can approach their preferred post-secondary institutions, viz. the JCs, MI, the polytechnics, ITE or privately-funded schools, directly for admission.

Administrative Details

17. Who will set and administer the SPERS-JC/MI tests?

    The English and Mathematics tests will be set and administered by the Principals Academy Inc (PAI). The General Ability test will be administered by a certified officer from the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB).

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18. When and where will the SPERS tests be conducted?

    The SPERS-JC/MI tests will be held on 30 November 2011 at Republic Polytechnic.

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19. Why should the email address be mandatory for SPERS registration?

    As most RS are living overseas, it would be difficult to ensure that postal mail sent overseas can reach the RS on time. Hence, email is the main mode of communication and prompt information dissemination. The purpose of using email is to ensure that RS can be informed of their application and SPERS outcome expeditiously.

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20. If the initial application by an RS is rejected (e.g. incomplete application or unsuccessful payment), is he allowed to sit for the SPERS tests if he cannot submit another application in time?

    Interested RS are strongly encouraged to register early. Late cases will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In cases where RS are allowed to sit for the tests, additional administrative fees of $55 (inclusive of 7% GST) will be levied.

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21. What happens if an RS turns up for the tests at the Eligibility Phase without first registering for SPERS with valid reasons?

    Such cases will be considered on a case-by-case basis. In addition to the appropriate registration fees, RS will incur additional administrative fees of $55 (inclusive of 7% GST) if they are allowed to sit for the tests.

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