By BrightStartSG Editorial
Last updated:
The AEIS is MOE's admission test for international students entering Primary 2–5 and Secondary 1–3 in Singapore government schools. For 2026: apply in July, sit tests 1–4 September 2026 (in Singapore), outcome in December 2026, start school January 2027. Primary applicants need a Cambridge English (CEQ) result before applying.
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| From July 2025 | Primary applicants: take the CEQ English test at a Cambridge-authorised centre (any country); must meet the required Cambridge English Scale score |
| July 2026 | Apply online via the SEAB Candidates Portal (primary: 7–16 Jul; secondary: 8–17 Jul); upload birth certificate, passport, and CEQ result (primary) |
| August 2026 | Receive entry proof by email after approval and payment |
| 1–4 September 2026 | Sit the AEIS tests in Singapore (primary: Mathematics; secondary: English + Mathematics) |
| December 2026 | Outcome released online; school placement depends on test performance, vacancies and declared residential area |
| January 2027 | Successful applicants start school |
Source: MOE AEIS overview and how to apply. Dates change each year — always confirm against MOE before planning travel.
The requirements differ by level, and this is where most families get caught out:
Plan backwards: for the 2026 exercise, primary applicants needed CEQ results from tests taken from July 2025 — meaning the English preparation runs a full year ahead of the actual AEIS.
The application fee is S$340 (primary) or S$630 (secondary), non-refundable, GST chargeable, paid in the SEAB Candidates Portal. The CEQ test fee for primary applicants is separate and varies by exam centre. If admitted, monthly school fees apply — see our 2026 school fees guide for the full table by residency status.
No. MOE states plainly that admission depends on test performance and available vacancies, with placement influenced by your declared residential area — you cannot choose the school. Families needing certainty or a mid-year start typically consider: the S-AEIS (early January application, tests end February / early March, entry to Primary 2–4 and Secondary 1–2 (entry the same academic year), school start April or May); international schools with direct admission year-round; or private schools. See our government vs international school comparison for the trade-offs.
S-AEIS details: MOE S-AEIS overview.
The Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) is the Ministry of Education's centralised admission exercise for international students seeking a place in Singapore government and government-aided schools, at Primary 2–5 and Secondary 1–3 levels. Admission is by test performance and is not guaranteed — placement depends on results, school vacancies and your declared residential area.
Applications open 7–16 July 2026 for primary levels and 8–17 July 2026 for secondary levels. Tests are held in Singapore on 1–4 September 2026 (in Singapore). The outcome is released in December 2026, and successful students start school in January 2027 (source: MOE).
Primary applicants (P2–P5) must first pass a Cambridge English Qualifications (CEQ) test — taken at any Cambridge-authorised centre worldwide within 12 months before the application month — then sit the AEIS Mathematics test in Singapore. Secondary applicants (S1–S3) sit AEIS English and Mathematics tests directly, with no CEQ prerequisite.
The application fee is S$340 for primary and S$630 for secondary (non-refundable, GST chargeable). The CEQ English test for primary applicants is booked and paid separately with Cambridge exam centres.
The Supplementary AEIS (S-AEIS) runs in early January with tests in end February / early March, for entry to Primary 2–4 and Secondary 1–2 (entry the same academic year) — successful applicants start school in April or May of the same year. Alternatives include international schools (direct admission, no AEIS) and private schools.
No. The AEIS covers Primary 2–5 and Secondary 1–3 only. Primary 1 entry for international students is through the separate P1 registration exercise (Phase 3, subject to availability), and there is no direct admission to Primary 6, Secondary 4 or 5.
School application checklists, the full 2026 fee tables, and an email when AEIS or P1 registration windows open. Free, for parents planning a move to Singapore. No spam.