Introduction
Entry Requirements
Application Procedure
FAQs
FAQ for O-Level Students
FAQ for ITE Students
FAQ for Working Adults
Frequently Asked Questions (O-Level Students)
1. What is the Polytechnic Early Admissions Exercise (Poly EAE) for O-Level students? 2. Who can take part in Poly EAE for O-Level students? 3. How many places are set aside for Poly EAE? 4. If I am really keen on a polytechnic education in a specific field, why do I still need to take the GCE O-Level Examinations? Why do I still need to meet the minimum academic criteria? 5. What happens if I do not meet the O-Level academic criteria? 6. When can I apply through Poly EAE? 7. What attributes will be considered under Poly EAE? How will I be assessed for admission through this exercise? 8. How are students selected during EAE? How can students find out more about what is expected of them during the EAE selection? 9. What if I am unable to attend the selection tests (e.g. interviews) as I am unwell? 10. Can I receive more than one offer in the Poly EAE? How will the order of my course choices affect my final outcome? 11. Can I switch courses after the release of the GCE O-Level Examination results? 12. Can I apply through Poly EAE and the Direct Schools Admission – Junior College (DSA-JC) Exercise concurrently? 13. If I have accepted a Poly EAE offer but subsequently decide that I prefer taking part in JAE, what can I do? 14. What are the courses that have a course-level allowance of 50% for aptitude-based admissions? Why and how were these courses selected? 15. Why not expand the course-level allowance for these courses to 100%? 16. What about other courses that do not have a 50% allowance?
Frequently Asked Questions (ITE Students)
1. What is the Polytechnic Early Admissions Exercise (Poly EAE) for ITE students? 2. Who can take part in Poly EAE for ITE students? 3. Can I apply for Poly EAE if I previously graduated from ITE? 4. Who should take part in the Poly EAE for ITE students? 5. If I am part of the Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP), can I take part in Poly EAE for ITE students? 6. How many places are set aside for the Poly EAE? 7. Why do I still need to meet the minimum academic criteria to confirm my Poly EAE offer? 8. What happens if I do not meet these requirements? 9. When can I apply through the Poly EAE for ITE students? 10. What attributes will be considered under the Poly EAE for ITE students? How will I be assessed for admission through this exercise? 11. How are students selected during EAE? How can students find out more about what is expected of them during the EAE selection? 12. What if I am unable to attend the selection tests (e.g. interviews) as I am unwell? 13. Can I receive more than one offer in the Poly EAE? How will the order of my course choices affect my final outcome? 14. 14. Can I switch courses after the release of my final Nitec / Higher Nitec results? 15. If I am offered and accept a place via Poly EAE for ITE students, can I still participate in the Joint Polytechnic Admissions Exercise? 16. If I have accepted a Poly EAE offer but subsequently decide that I prefer taking part in JPAE, what can I do? 17. What are the courses that have a course-level allowance of 50% for aptitude-based admissions? Why and how were these courses selected? 18. Why not expand the course-level allowance for these courses to 100%? 19. What about other courses that do not have a 50% allowance?
Frequently Asked Questions (Working Adults)
1. Who can take part in Poly EAE for working adults? 2. Will international students be eligible to apply for admission via the Poly EAE for working adults? 3. How will the polytechnics assess if an applicant's work experience is relevant for the course? 4. Can I still apply if I have not met the prevailing minimum entry requirements (MERs)? 5. What if I am unable to attend the selection tests (e.g. interviews) as I am unwell? 6. Can I receive more than one offer in the Poly EAE for working adults? How will the order of my course choices affect my final outcome? 7. Can I switch courses after I have successfully obtained an offer? 8. Will the Poly EAE for working adults affect available polytechnic places for O-Level and ITE fresh graduates?
1. What is the Polytechnic Early Admissions Exercise (Poly EAE) for O-Level students?
The Poly EAE allows students to apply for and receive conditional offers for admission prior to their GCE O-Level Examinations. Students applying through the Poly EAE are considered for admission based on their demonstrated aptitude and passion, beyond academic grades.
2. Who can take part in Poly EAE for O-Level students?
Poly EAE is open to:
3. How many places are set aside for Poly EAE?
The five polytechnics (Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic and Temasek Polytechnic) admit about 20% of their Academic Year intake through Poly EAE. The EAE intake may differ from year to year, as it depends on student demand and the quality of applications.
4. If I am really keen on a polytechnic education in a specific field, why do I still need to take the GCE O-Level Examinations? Why do I still need to meet the minimum academic criteria?
While passion in a field of study is important, having the requisite academic foundation ensures that you will be able to cope with the rigour of a polytechnic education and benefit from it. That is why students with EAE offers are required to meet the following admissions criteria for their offers to be confirmed: (a) A net ELR2B2 aggregate score of 26 points or better for the GCE O-Level Examinations*^; and (b) Minimum entry requirements (MERs) for the diploma course. The MERs for each polytechnic course can be found on the respective polytechnics' websites. *Except for Nursing courses, which require a net ELR2B2 aggregate of 28 points or better. ^Applicants may combine results from no more than 2 sittings of the GCE O-Level examination.
5. What happens if I do not meet the O-Level academic criteria?
If you do not meet the admissions criteria, your conditional offer will be automatically revoked upon the release of the GCE O-Level Examinations results. You will be eligible to participate in the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) and other polytechnic admissions exercises at that point.
Application
6. When can I apply through Poly EAE?
Poly EAE applications for O-Level students will be open from 20 June 2024 to 26 June 2024.
Selection
7. What attributes will be considered under Poly EAE? How will I be assessed for admission through this exercise?
Poly EAE is targeted at students who have strong aptitude and passion in a field related to specific diploma courses of interest. The polytechnics may consider students' outstanding talents and achievements where relevant, such as in sports, arts, leadership, entrepreneurship and community service. Polytechnics will have the discretion to determine their modes of assessment, such as portfolios, interviews, and aptitude tests. Polytechnics may also consider participation in relevant co-curricular activities (CCAs) and Applied Learning Modules (ApLM), as well as work attachments and sustained involvement in projects related to the course of choice.
8. How are students selected during EAE? How can students find out more about what is expected of them during the EAE selection?
The polytechnics use a range of assessment modalities to determine students' passion and aptitude in a particular area, including portfolios, aptitude tests, and interviews. Students may visit the respective institutions' websites to find out more about the expectations of the EAE selection process for the different courses, and how they can be best prepared to demonstrate their passion and aptitude in the chosen course.
9. What if I am unable to attend the selection tests (e.g. interviews) as I am unwell?
You should inform the polytechnic immediately so that alternative arrangements can be made. When the polytechnics reach out to shortlisted applicants to inform them about their selection tests, they will also share a point of contact whom applicants may reach out to in the event that they are unable to make it for their scheduled appointment, whether online or on-campus.
Offer and Acceptance
10. Can I receive more than one offer in the Poly EAE? How will the order of my course choices affect my final outcome?
While you may apply for up to three course choices, you are only eligible to receive up to one offer. If you are assessed to be suitable for more than one of your course choices, you will only receive one offer, which is the course ranked highest among your three choices.
11. Can I switch courses after the release of the GCE O-Level Examination results?
No. Students are expected to honour the commitment to their choice of polytechnic and the course under Poly EAE. Once you have accepted your conditional offer and met the admissions criteria for the polytechnic course after the release of your final results, your EAE offer will be automatically confirmed. You will not be able to switch courses within or across polytechnics. You will also not be eligible to take part in the JAE and other polytechnic admissions exercises. If you are still discovering or developing your strengths and passions, you may consider applying through the JAE after receiving your GCE O-Level Examination results instead.
12. Can I apply through Poly EAE and the Direct Schools Admission - Junior College (DSA-JC) Exercise concurrently?
Yes, you may participate in both Poly EAE and the DSA-JC Exercise concurrently. However, you should only accept either a polytechnic or junior college offer. Students who accept both offers will be disqualified from both exercises, unless they reject one of the offers before the end of the Acceptance Stage on 11 September 2024.
Withdrawal
13. If I have accepted a Poly EAE offer but subsequently decide that I prefer taking part in JAE, what can I do?
Should you wish to withdraw your acceptance of the Poly EAE offer, you must submit your withdrawal online via the Poly EAE online portal no later than 11 October 2024. Students who have accepted a Poly EAE offer but do not withdraw by the deadline will be deemed to have confirmed their acceptance and will not be eligible to participate in the JAE and other polytechnic admissions exercises.
Course-Level Allowances
14. What are the courses that have a course-level allowance of 50% for aptitude-based admissions? Why and how were these courses selected?
The full list of courses with a course-level allowance of 50% for the upcoming 2024 Poly EAE will be made available by early-June 2024 at https://eae.polytechnic.edu.sg These courses have been given a higher EAE allowance, as passion and strengths in these fields are particularly important, e.g., in Early Childhood, Social Work, and Design.
15. Why not expand the course-level allowance for these courses to 100%?
Keeping the course-level intake allowance at 50% preserves a viable pathway into these courses for other students who do not apply through aptitude-based admissions, whether it is because they have yet to discover or develop specific passions, or are undecided on the diploma course that they wish to apply for.
16. What about other courses that do not have a 50% allowance?
The course-level allowance for all other polytechnic diploma courses is 30%.
1. What is the Polytechnic Early Admissions Exercise (Poly EAE) for ITE students?
Poly EAE for ITE students is an admissions exercise that allows final-year ITE students to apply for and receive conditional offers for admission to polytechnic based on their aptitudes and passions before their final Grade Point Average (GPA) for Nitec or Higher Nitec is released. It gives polytechnics greater flexibility to select students based on broader measures of merit, beyond academic grades.
2. Who can take part in Poly EAE for ITE students?
Poly EAE for ITE students is for ITE students who are in the final year of their Nitec or Higher Nitec courses. For the AY2025 polytechnic intake, ITE graduates who complete their Nitec course in June or December 2024 or their Higher Nitec course in September 2024 or March 2025 will be eligible to apply.
3. Can I apply for Poly EAE if I previously graduated from ITE?
No. Only ITE students who are in the final year of their Nitec or Higher Nitec courses may apply to Poly EAE for ITE students. However, if you had previously graduated from ITE, you may apply through the Poly EAE for working adults instead, if you have accumulated two years of relevant work experience. More information about the Poly EAE for working adults can be found at https://eae.polytechnic.edu.sg.
4. Who should take part in the Poly EAE for ITE students?
ITE students in their final year of study who have strong aptitude and sustained passion in a field, and who wish to pursue their studies in that field through a polytechnic course, may consider taking part. Students who are undecided about their interests may wish to consider other pathways, including explore their passions or deepen their skills after graduation. Students who wish to apply to polytechnic on the basis of their ITE GPA should take part in the Joint Polytechnic Admissions Exercise (JPAE).
5. If I am part of the Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP), can I take part in Poly EAE for ITE students?
Yes. If you are a DPP student, you may take part in the Poly EAE for ITE students. Should you be offered a place and your conditional Poly EAE for ITE students offer is subsequently confirmed, you will not be eligible to participate in the JPAE and other polytechnic admissions exercises. Your DPP guarantee of a place to a mapped polytechnic diploma course (subject to meeting the minimum qualifying GPA) will also be voided. Should you not be offered a place through Poly EAE for ITE students, or should you reject a Poly EAE for ITE students offer, you may apply for polytechnic admission through JPAE. If you successfully complete your Higher Nitec course and attain the required minimum qualifying GPA, you will be able to use your DPP guarantee for polytechnic admission.
6. How many places are set aside for the Poly EAE?
7. Why do I still need to meet the minimum academic criteria to confirm my Poly EAE offer?
While passion in a field of study is important, having the requisite academic foundation ensures that you will be able to cope with the rigour of a polytechnic education and benefit from it. That is why students with EAE offers are required to meet the following admissions criteria for their offers to be confirmed: a) Final net GPA 3.5 for Nitec holders* (including CCA bonus points); and b) Final net GPA 2.0 for Higher Nitec holders (including CCA bonus points). *For Nitec in Nursing holders only, the minimum GPA requirement for admission to Diploma in Nursing is 3.0.
8. What happens if I do not meet these requirements?
If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirements, your conditional offer through the Poly EAE for ITE students will be automatically revoked. You will be eligible to participate in JPAE and other polytechnic admissions exercises at that point.
9. When can I apply through the Poly EAE for ITE students?
Poly EAE applications for ITE students will open from 6 June 2024 to 12 June 2024.
10. What attributes will be considered under the Poly EAE for ITE students? How will I be assessed for admission through this exercise?
Poly EAE is targeted at students who have strong aptitude and passion in a field related to specific diploma courses of interest. The polytechnics may consider students' outstanding talents and achievements, where relevant, such as in sports, arts, leadership, entrepreneurship and community service. Polytechnics will have the discretion to determine their modes of assessment, such as portfolios, interviews, and aptitude tests. Polytechnics may also consider participation in activities such as work attachments and sustained involvement in projects related to the course of choice.
11. How are students selected during EAE? How can students find out more about what is expected of them during the EAE selection?
12. What if I am unable to attend the selection tests (e.g. interviews) as I am unwell?
13. Can I receive more than one offer in the Poly EAE? How will the order of my course choices affect my final outcome?
While you may apply for up to three course choices, you are only eligible to receive up to one offer. If you are assessed to be suitable for more than one of your course choices, you will only receive one offer which is the course ranked highest among your three choices.
14. Can I switch courses after the release of my final Nitec / Higher Nitec results?
No. Students are expected to honour the commitment to their choice of polytechnic and the course under Poly EAE for ITE students. Once you have accepted your conditional offer and met the admissions criteria for the polytechnic course after the release of your final results, your conditional Poly EAE for ITE students offer will be automatically confirmed. You will not be able to switch courses within or across polytechnics. You will also not be eligible to take part in the JPAE and other polytechnic admissions exercises. If you are still discovering and/or developing your strengths and passions, you may consider applying through the JPAE after receiving your final GPA.
15. If I am offered and accept a place via Poly EAE for ITE students, can I still participate in the Joint Polytechnic Admissions Exercise?
No. Once you accept a place and meet the minimum GPA requirements, your conditional Poly EAE for ITE students offer will be automatically confirmed and you will not be able to participate in the JPAE and other polytechnic admissions exercises.
16. If I have accepted a Poly EAE offer but subsequently decide that I prefer taking part in JPAE, what can I do?
Should you wish to withdraw your acceptance of the Poly EAE offer, you must submit your withdrawal online via the Poly EAE online portal no later than 11 October 2024. Students who have accepted a Poly EAE offer but do not withdraw by the deadline will be deemed to have confirmed their acceptance and will not be eligible to participate in the JPAE and other polytechnic admissions exercises.
17. What are the courses that have a course-level allowance of 50% for aptitude-based admissions? Why and how were these courses selected?
The full list of courses with a course-level allowance of 50% for the upcoming 2024 Poly EAE will be made available by early-June 2024 at https://eae.polytechnic.edu.sg. These courses have been given a higher EAE allowance as passion and strengths in these fields are particularly important, e.g., in Early Childhood, Social Work, and Design.
18. Why not expand the course-level allowance for these courses to 100%?
19. What about other courses that do not have a 50% allowance?
Course-level allowance for all other polytechnic diploma courses will remain at 30%.
1. Who can take part in Poly EAE for working adults?
Singapore Citizens (SC) and Permanent Residents (PR) working adults who have at least two years of relevant work experience in the year of the Poly EAE application may take part in Poly EAE. As a gauge, two years of relevant work experience is sufficient to provide applicants with the necessary exposure to accumulate meaningful skills and knowledge as well as confirm their passion in the field. While individuals with fewer than two years of relevant work experience may still apply, priority will be given to applicants with two or more years of relevant work experience.
2. Will international students be eligible to apply for admission via the Poly EAE for working adults?
No. The Poly EAE for working adults is only for Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents. International students may only apply via Poly EAE if they are mainstream school or ITE candidates from the immediate past O-Level or ITE cohort. International students may also apply to polytechnics via the Direct Admissions Exercise on the basis of their academic grades.
3. How will the polytechnics assess if an applicant's work experience is relevant for the course?
The polytechnics will conduct a holistic assessment of applicants' work experience, to consider the relevance of their demonstrated competencies and skills to their courses of interest. For example, prior experience working in the service industry (e.g. in F&B, or in a hotel) may be counted as relevant work experience for an individual applying to a course in the Hospitality field. While internships undertaken as part of full-time studies may be considered as signs of passion, the internship duration will not factor in to the two or more years of relevant work experience required. Applicants will need to submit their employment records together with their application, as well as employer recommendations where available. Applicants who are shortlisted for an interview can expect to discuss their work experience and demonstrate how their work experience has prepared them for a polytechnic education.
4. Can I still apply if I have not met the prevailing minimum entry requirements (MERs)?
Yes. Although MERs remain relevant as a measure of applicants' general ability to cope with the academic rigour of a polytechnic course, working adult applicants who are not able to meet the MERs can demonstrate that they have acquired the pre-requisite competencies for their chosen course, through supplementary assessments designed by the polytechnics. Polytechnics will have the discretion to determine their modes of assessment for such applicants, which will generally focus on the foundational competencies relevant to the specific polytechnic courses. For example, applicants interested in Engineering but who do not possess the required Mathematics grade will be tested on specific numeracy skills required for the course.
5. What if I am unable to attend the selection tests (e.g. interviews) as I am unwell?
6. Can I receive more than one offer in the Poly EAE for working adults? How will the order of my course choices affect my final outcome?
7. Can I switch courses after I have successfully obtained an offer?
No. Applicants are expected to honour the commitment to their choice of polytechnic and the course under Poly EAE. Once you have accepted your offer, you will not be allowed to switch courses within or across polytechnics, without submitting a fresh application. This is because you would have been assessed for your suitability to enter a specific course, on the basis of your aptitude and passion for that course, as well as your relevant work experience.
8. Will the Poly EAE for working adults affect available polytechnic places for O-Level and ITE fresh graduates?
No. Current O-Level and ITE students' access to the polytechnics will not be affected. There will be additional places catered for working adults, on top of the places catered for fresh O-Level and ITE graduates.