Preparatory Course for Admission to Government Schools (Secondary 3)

Course Aims:

International students who wish to enter secondary schools in Singapore are required to sit and pass centralised entrance examinations conducted by the Ministry of Education. And the course aim is to help students pass either of the examination (Admission Exercise for International Students (AEIS) or S(Supplementary)-AEIS examinations) to help them to admit to Singapore government school.

Major Learning outcomes:

Be able to handle secondary level English and Mathematics in a local school.

Preparation for AEIS examination, as well as syllabuses in Mathematics and English to prepare students for the new academic year, after completing the course, students will sit for the AEIS or S-AEIS examination to enter Government schools.

These are the courses conducted for the Preparatory Course for Admission to Government Schools:

English

We emphasize English in our preparatory course, both as a subject in itself and as a medium for learning other subjects. The teachers will also help students understand mathematical or scientific concepts which are expressed in English.

The English module is based on the Ministry of Education English Syllabus. Emphasis will be given to the components tested in the English AEIS test. Skills in reading, writing, vocabulary acquisition, and grammar knowledge will be emphasized and taught throughout the course. Speaking and listening skills will also be fostered through a variety of texts, media, and teaching strategies.

Mathematics

The teachers ensure that students are familiar with mathematical terms in English apart from learning mathematical skills. Our teachers will help every student master the skill of answering mathematics questions in English, rather than in his native language.

The Mathematics module is based on the Ministry of Education Mathematics Syllabus. Emphasis will be given to the components tested in the Mathematics AEIS test. Conceptual knowledge, problem-solving heuristics, reasoning skills, and procedural skills will be emphasized and taught throughout the course. Students will learn to solve both routine and non-routine problems.

The Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) exam is a centralized admissions exercise conducted by the MOE. It will be conducted around the corner of September or October each year for international students.

International students [non-Singapore citizens or non-permanent residents] who do not have a place in the mainstream schools and wish to seek admission to Primary 2-5 and Secondary 1-3 levels in January of the following academic year.

S-AEIS stands for Supplementary Admissions Exercise for International Students who are unable to make it for AEIS (Admissions Exercise for International Students) in September or October.

International students currently not studying in mainstream schools and who wish to seek admission to Primary 2-4 and Secondary 1-2 are eligible to take part in the S-AEIS.

The general learning objectives and syllabus contents for each level are as detailed in the lesson plans for each level.

Secondary 3 English

The Secondary AEIS syllabus English test has two parts and applicants have 2 hours and 10 minutes to do Part 1 and 2. This paper is done in one sitting. Part 1 segment is writing with 2 topics and 4 topics for segments 2 and 3. applicants get to pick a single topic then write a 200-300 words composition on it.

Part 1: writing

Four topics are set for the Secondary 3 test

Students have to choose 1 topic and write a composition on it:

• 300 to 400 words for Sec 3 test.

Part 2: Comprehension and language use. 50 compulsory multiple-choice questions comprising:

• Comprehension based on 2 passages (15 items)

• Comprehension cloze based on 2 passages (15 items)

• Vocabulary (10 items)

• Grammar (10 items)

Secondary 3 Mathematics

The Secondary AEIS Mathematics test contains 2 parts. The applicants are given 30 minutes for completing Part 1, and an hour 45 minutes for completing Part 2. Calculators are not allowed in the exam room.

Part 1 of the AEIS syllabus test contains 34 questions with multiple-choice format questions and part 2 has 20 questions with short answer format questions.

Additionally, there are open-ended questions 10-15. applicants should clearly show the working steps for short-answer questions and place the answer in a given space.

The syllabus of this level is as follows:

N1. Ratio and proportion

1.1. map scales (distance and area)

1.2. direct and inverse proportion

N2. Algebraic expressions and formulae

2.1. expansion of the product of algebraic expressions

2.2. changing the subject of a formula

2.3. finding the value of an unknown quantity in a given formula

2.4. factorisation of linear expressions of the form

2.5 factorisation of quadratic expressions 𝑎𝑥

2.6. multiplication and division of simple algebraic fractions

2.7. addition and subtraction of algebraic fractions with linear or quadratic denominator

N3. Functions and graphs

3.1. quadratic functions

3.2. graphs of quadratic functions and their properties:

· positive or negative coefficient of 𝑥

· maximum and minimum points

· symmetry

N4. Equations and inequalities

4.1. concept of equation and inequality

4.2. solving simple inequalities

4.3. graphs of linear equations in two variables (𝑎𝑥 + 𝑏𝑦 = 𝑐)

4.4. solving simultaneous linear equations in two variables by:

· substitution and elimination methods

· graphical method

4.5. solving quadratic equations in one variable by factorisation

4.6. formulating a pair of linear equations in two variables to solve problems

N5. GEOMETRY AND MEASUREMENT

5.1 Congruence and similarity

· congruent figures

· similar figures

5.2. properties of similar triangles and polygons:

· corresponding angles are equal

· corresponding sides are proportional

5.3. enlargement and reduction of a plane figure

5.4. solving simple problems involving congruence and similarity

5.5. Pythagoras’ theorem and trigonometry

· use of Pythagoras’ theorem

· determining whether a triangle is right-angled given the lengths of three sides

· use of trigonometric ratios (sine, cosine and tangent) of acute angles to calculate unknown sides and angles in right-angled triangles

5.6. Mensuration

· volume and surface area of pyramid, cone and sphere

N6. STATISTICS AND PROBABILITY

S1. Data handling and analysis

6.1. analysis and interpretation of:

· dot diagrams

· histograms

· stem-and-leaf diagrams

6.2. purposes and uses, advantages and disadvantages of the different forms of statistical

representations

6.3. explaining why a given statistical diagram leads to misinterpretation of data

6.4. mean, mode, and median as measures of central tendency for a set of data

6.5. purposes and use of mean, mode, and median

6.6. calculation of the mean for grouped data

S2. Probability

· probability as a measure of chance

· probability of single events (including listing all the possible outcomes in a simple chance situation to calculate the probability)

30 students: 1 teacher

Levels with more than thirty students will be divided into two classes.

This programme is offered to international students.

b) Placement Test

After applying, students are required to take an English and Mathematics Diagnostic Test. Students will be advised to the appropriate level depending on their score achieved.

c) Minimum Language Requirement

Students must pass English Year 8 in their home countries.

d) Minimum Age

14 years old or above as of 1st Jan of the year of admission

Students are given regular homework and assessment exercises that match the MOE School Curriculum. The assignment including grammar exercises, cloze exercises, reading comprehension, composition, all kinds of mathematic problems. In addition to assigned homework, students will be required to do a number of hours of self-study on daily basis.

A test will be conducted every 4 weeks to allow tutors to monitor student’s progression. In keeping with our policy of involving parents and guardians, we will be sending patents and guardians quarterly detailed course reports.

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive an in-house certificate within one month from the last day of the course.

Your performance grading will be as follows: