Quick answer: AEIS stands for the Admissions Exercise for International Students. It is the test an international student sits for a place in a Singapore government school at Primary 2 to 5 or Secondary 1 to 3, starting the following January. MOE runs it and SEAB administers it. The 2026 tests were held on 1 to 3 September, and the registration fees are S$340 for primary and S$630 for secondary, plus GST. Admission is not guaranteed: MOE places successful candidates based on test performance, vacancies and the residential area you declare, and you cannot choose the school. Families who miss the window can try S-AEIS, which starts school in April or May.
AEIS is often the first thing a relocating family runs into, and the first surprise is that passing does not mean choosing. This guide covers who can sit the test, when, what it costs and what to do with the outcome either way.
If you are still comparing government and international schools, start with our guide to the Singapore education system for foreign families.
What AEIS is, and what it is not
| AEIS | |
| Full name | Admissions Exercise for International Students |
| Who runs it | MOE, with SEAB administering registration and the tests |
| Who it is for | International students, meaning children who are not Singapore citizens or PRs |
| Levels | Primary 2 to 5, and Secondary 1 to 3 |
| When you start school | January of the following academic year |
| What it is not | A school entrance exam you can retake until you pass in the same year, or a way to pick a specific school |
Citizen and PR children do not sit AEIS. They enter through MOE’s own admission exercises, such as Primary 1 registration.
Eligibility by age
MOE asks that candidates sit the test suitable for their age.
| Child’s age | Test to sit |
| 7 to 8+ | Primary 2/3 test |
| 9 to 12+ | Primary 4/5 test |
| 12 to 14+ | Secondary 1 test |
| 13 to 15+ | Secondary 2 test |
| 14 to 16+ | Secondary 3 test |
MOE also publishes an eligibility checker that tells you which test your child should sit and the level they may be placed at. For primary applicants, MOE sets out minimum Cambridge English Qualifications scores that need to be met before applying, so check this before you register.
What the test covers
| Item | Detail |
| Subjects | English and Mathematics, based on what is taught in mainstream schools at the level preceding the one applied for |
| Levels tested | Primary 2/3, Primary 4/5, Secondary 1, Secondary 2, Secondary 3 |
| 2026 test dates | Secondary 1 on 1 September, Secondary 2 and 3 on 2 September, Primary 2/3 and 4/5 on 3 September |
| Venue and reporting time | Stated on your child’s entry proof |
| On the day | Arrive and be seated at least 15 minutes before the test begins |
| Documents | Entry proof from SEAB and a copy of the passport bio-data page |
Fees
| Test | Fee |
| AEIS Primary | S$340 |
| AEIS Secondary | S$630 |
GST is charged on top at the prevailing rate. The fee is for the test, not for a place.
How placement works
This is the part families misunderstand most often.
- Admission is subject to performance in the tests.
- MOE places successful candidates according to available vacancies and, where possible, the residential area you declare.
- You do not choose the school. You are offered a place, and the offer is what it is.
- A good result at one level does not guarantee placement at that level. MOE decides the level your child enters.
Because the declared residential area is used where possible, give an accurate address rather than an aspirational one.
AEIS or S-AEIS?
| AEIS | S-AEIS | |
| Levels | Primary 2 to 5, Secondary 1 to 3 | Primary 2 to 4, Secondary 1 to 2 |
| Admission year | The following academic year | The same academic year |
| Registration opens | Around mid-year | Early January |
| Tests | Around September | End February or early March |
| School starts | January | April or May |
| Placement guaranteed? | No | No |
S-AEIS is the supplementary round. It suits families who arrive after the main exercise has closed, but it covers fewer levels, so check the level before planning around it.
After the result
If your child is offered a place
- Accept the offer within MOE’s deadline.
- The school issues the registration acknowledgement, which you need for the Student’s Pass.
- Apply for the Student’s Pass through ICA’s SOLAR or SOLAR+ e-Service, at least 2 months and not more than 3 months before the course starts. Budget S$30 to process, S$60 on issuance, and S$30 for a multiple-entry visa where the nationality needs one.
- Plan for school fees at international student rates: in 2026 that is S$595 a month for an ASEAN student and S$1,035 for a non-ASEAN student at primary, and S$1,090 or S$2,190 at secondary, plus miscellaneous fees.
If your child is not successful
| Option | What to consider |
| Try S-AEIS | Only if the level your child needs is covered |
| Try AEIS again next year | A year older means a different test level, so check the age table |
| International school | Admits directly and at most times of year, but costs more |
| Prepare and reapply | MOE tests English and Mathematics at mainstream level, so the gap is usually language |
MOE does not endorse any preparatory course. If you use one, judge it on what it teaches rather than on promises about results, because no centre can influence placement.
How PR changes this picture
A child who is a Singapore PR does not sit AEIS at all, and pays PR school fees rather than international student fees.
| International student | Singapore PR | |
| Entry route | AEIS or S-AEIS, placement not guaranteed | MOE admission exercises |
| Primary fees a month, 2026 | S$1,035 non-ASEAN | S$330 |
| Secondary fees a month, 2026 | S$2,190 non-ASEAN | S$680 |
| Status depends on | The parent’s work pass | The child’s own PR |
Over a secondary school year that difference is more than S$18,000 for one child. Families often apply for Singapore PR once they decide to stay, and children under 21 can be included in a parent’s application. See PR eligibility, Singapore PR benefits and, for students who grew up here, getting PR after studying in Singapore.
How First Immigration can help
We do not run tuition or prepare children for AEIS. What we do is the immigration side around the school decision.
- Family PR applications including children, so school fees fall to PR rates.
- Timing, so an application fits the school year rather than cutting across it.
- Student’s Pass questions for children already studying here. See also whether a Student’s Pass holder can work.
Book a free assessment through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
What is AEIS in Singapore?
The Admissions Exercise for International Students, the test MOE uses to admit international students into government schools at Primary 2 to 5 and Secondary 1 to 3 for the following academic year.
Who can take AEIS?
International students, meaning children who are not Singapore citizens or PRs, sitting the test that matches their age. MOE publishes an eligibility checker, and primary applicants must meet minimum Cambridge English Qualifications scores.
What subjects does AEIS test?
English and Mathematics, at the level preceding the one being applied for, based on the mainstream curriculum.
How much does AEIS cost?
S$340 for primary and S$630 for secondary, plus GST at the prevailing rate.
When is the AEIS test held?
Around September. In 2026 the tests were on 1 September for Secondary 1, 2 September for Secondary 2 and 3, and 3 September for Primary 2/3 and 4/5.
Can I choose my child’s school through AEIS?
No. MOE places successful candidates based on performance, available vacancies and the residential area you declare.
Is admission guaranteed if my child passes?
No. Admission depends on performance and on vacancies in schools.
What is the difference between AEIS and S-AEIS?
AEIS is for admission the following academic year, covering Primary 2 to 5 and Secondary 1 to 3. S-AEIS is the supplementary exercise for admission in the same academic year, covering Primary 2 to 4 and Secondary 1 to 2, with tests around end February or early March and school starting in April or May.
What happens after my child gets a place?
The school issues a registration acknowledgement, and you apply for a Student’s Pass through ICA’s SOLAR or SOLAR+ at least 2 months and no more than 3 months before the course starts.
Do PR children need to take AEIS?
No. PR and citizen children enter through MOE’s own admission exercises and pay lower school fees.
Official sources: MOE, Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS), including the eligibility criteria and test details pages, and S-AEIS; SEAB, About AEIS; MOE, revised school fees for non-citizens for 2024 to 2026; ICA, Student’s Pass Online Application and Registration.
Disclaimer: Test dates, fees and eligibility rules are set by MOE and SEAB and change each exercise. Confirm the current details on MOE’s website before registering. Placement is at MOE’s discretion and nothing here guarantees a place.
