The Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) is the gateway for thousands of expatriate children hoping to join Singapore’s government schools each year. It’s a challenging exam that tests English and Mathematics at a standard slightly above what many international students are used to, and with only one attempt allowed per year, the pressure can feel enormous.
Yet, after guiding countless families through this process, I’ve learned one truth: a child’s success rarely depends on genius-level ability. It depends far more on calm, consistent, and thoughtful parental support. Here’s exactly how you can give your child the best possible shot.
Start Early and Stay Calm
The moment you decide Singapore is home, mark the AEIS test dates (usually September/October for Primary and October/November for Secondary) on your calendar. Give yourselves a minimum of six to nine months of preparation. Starting early is the single kindest thing you can do for your child – and for your own nerves.
Children pick up on parental anxiety instantly. If you treat AEIS like a life-or-death event, they will too. Keep conversations light, focus on progress rather than perfection, and remind everyone (including yourself) that there are excellent schooling options even if the first attempt doesn’t work out.
Understand Exactly What the Test Demands
Before spending money on classes or books, download the free sample papers from the Ministry of Education website. Sit with your child and work through one paper together – untimed and with zero pressure. You’ll quickly see whether the main hurdle is:
- English comprehension and vocabulary
- Grammar and writing structure
- Mathematics problem-solving (especially model drawing and heuristics)
- Speed and exam technique
Knowing the real gaps saves months of guesswork.
Create a Gentle, Daily Routine
Twenty to thirty focused minutes every weekday beats weekend “cram sessions” every single time. A simple schedule that works for most families:
- 15 minutes: reading a short passage + learning 5–8 new words
- 15 minutes: two Mathematics problem sums with full workings shown
- One composition or situational writing piece every three days
Short bursts build real skill without exhausting anyone.
Choose the Right Materials (Without Overspending)
You don’t need ten different assessment books. Start with:
- Official MOE sample papers (free)
- One good AEIS-specific assessment series (Popular, SAP, or CASCO)
- My Pals Are Here Mathematics workbooks for model practice
- A notebook dedicated to daily writing and error correction
If you can afford it, a small-group tutor who truly understands AEIS format for 2–3 months often makes a huge difference. One-to-one tuition isn’t always necessary.
Build Emotional Resilience Alongside Academic Skills
Relocating countries is already stressful. Many children feel homesick, struggle with the language, or worry about making friends. Check in regularly with open questions:
“How are you finding the work this week?”
“What felt easy or tricky today?”
Celebrate tiny wins loudly – finishing a comprehension without help, drawing a perfect model, writing eight sentences without spelling mistakes. Confidence on test day comes from knowing they’ve improved, not from being perfect.
Master Smart Guessing and Time Management
AEIS multiple-choice sections have no penalty for wrong answers. Teach your child to:
- Eliminate two clearly wrong options
- Make an educated guess
- Move on instead of staring at one question for ten minutes
Practise this during mock papers – it can add 5–10 marks with zero extra study.
Perfect the Writing Paper
Markers want clear, local-style writing – simple sentences, logical flow, and ideas that answer the question directly. Read every practice composition yourself and ask:
“Would this sound natural coming from a Singapore student?”
Cut out flowery phrases and long introductions. Clarity wins every time.
Run Full Timed Practices One Month Before the Exam
From four weeks out, do one complete past-year paper every Saturday morning under real test conditions. Mark strictly, then spend the afternoon reviewing every single mistake. Keep an “Error Notebook” for repeated grammar slips or model-drawing steps they forget. Reviewing that notebook in the final week is worth more than any new content.
Test-Day Logistics and Mindset
The night before: early dinner, light revision only, normal bedtime.
The morning of: familiar breakfast, leave home early, no last-minute quizzing in the car.
One calm sentence before they walk in: “Just show what you know. I’m proud of you whatever happens.”
When Results Don’t Go Your Way
Many strong students pass on the second attempt with far less stress because they already know the format. Others discover that an international or private school is actually the better long-term fit – and that’s perfectly fine. A single exam result never defines a child.
Supporting your child through the AEIS journey is intense, but it’s also an incredible opportunity to teach planning, resilience, and the power of steady effort. Years later, these same children often say the experience made them better students overall.
