Singapore’s polytechnics are expecting more students to apply via the new Early Admissions Exercise (EAE), which allows them to be admitted to diploma programmes through talents and abilities other than academic grades.
As such, a higher proportion of polytechnic places has been set aside for these students for the next academic year under the EAE.
The EAE gives polytechnics the flexibility to choose students based on criteria other than the O-level examination results, and allows students to receive a conditional offer for admission to a diploma course even before sitting the O-level exams.
Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) Ong Ye Kung has said that all five polytechnics as well as three of the autonomous universities – Nanyang Technological University, National University of Singapore and Singapore Management University – will expand their existing aptitude-based admissions.
The EAE mode of assessment typically includes interviews, portfolio submissions and aptitude tests. Polytechnics may also consider achievements such as awards, roles assumed in and out of school, work attachments and involvement in relevant projects.