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Last Updated: 21 April 2022

Supplementary Placement Exercise (SPE)

Applications for the SPE will open in October 2022, and the tests will be conducted in December 2022. These periods are tentative; details will be available here in July 2022.

Returning Singaporeans who are unable to return to Singapore for the SPERS-Sec tests held in September 2022 may participate in the SPE.

1. Overview

What is SPE

SPE is a centralised merit-based placement exercise conducted for Returning Singaporeans who wish to join a secondary school at Secondary 1, 2 or 3 at the beginning of the next academic year. Your child can apply for the SPE if they’re unable to make it back to Singapore in time for SPERS-Sec that typically takes place in September.

SPE is not compulsory and does not guarantee admission to your school of choice. It is intended for those who prefer the convenience of a centralised placement exercise.

  • In view of the COVID-19 situation, the conduct of the SPERS-Sec and SPE exercises will be aligned to the national safe management measures leading up to and during the actual test dates. This means that all candidates are required to complete their Stay-Home Notice (SHN), Isolation Order (IO) and prevailing guidelines as announced by the Ministry of Health prior to the test date to ensure the safety of our candidates and examiners, and safe management measures will be in place during the conduct of the tests. Candidates who are issued with Health Risk Warning (HRW) should not report to the test venue as well. MOE will keep applicants updated should there be any changes or cancellation of these exercises. In this regard, we encourage RS students who are seeking a secondary school place in any suitable school near their Singapore residence to make use of the Assured School Placement service.
  • The Assured School Placement service is a convenient admission route whereby we will guarantee your child admission into a school with vacancies near your residence, even before they return to Singapore. Your child need not sit for any centralised test, although the school may conduct school-based assessments, interview, or both, to determine the level and course for your child. Learn about it.

Key Dates

Fri, 1 Oct to Fri, 19 Nov 2021

Apply

Submit your child's application online through the SPE portal. You are strongly encouraged to pay via debit or credit card during the online application to avoid delays in processing your child's application.

Thu, 2 Dec 2021

Receive entry proof

If your application is approved and payment is successful, you will receive an email with your child's test details.

Tue, 7 Dec 2021

Take tests

Your child will take tests for English and Mathematics in Singapore.

Tue, 18 Jan to Thu, 20 Jan 2022

Select preferred schools

Based on your child's performance in the tests, you will receive an email on Monday, 17 January 2022 with the list of schools that they are eligible for. Submit your child's school choices using the SPE Internet System (SPE-IS) by 5pm on Thursday, 20 January 2022.

Fri, 4 Feb 2022

Receive posting results

View your child's posting results by logging in to the SPE-IS from Friday, 4 February to Tuesday, 8 February 2022. Your child has to report to school by Friday, 11 February 2022.

How to apply