AEIS vs S-AEIS is the main annual admission route used to place international students into Singapore government schools for the next school year. Think of it as the standard path if you are planning a move that aligns with a fresh academic start. S-AEIS is the supplementary exercise. It serves students who missed AEIS or arrived mid year and need placement within the current school year. The difference is mostly about calendar fit. Once you decide when you want your child to start school, the rest follows naturally.
For a full breakdown of annual timelines, see our AEIS exam Singapore guide.

In scope, the two exercises look similar, yet not identical. AEIS covers Primary 2 to Primary 5 and Secondary 1 to Secondary 3, while S-AEIS covers Primary 2 to Primary 4 and Secondary 1 to Secondary 2. That single gap matters. If you are targeting Primary 5 or Secondary 3, AEIS is the only workable route. If you are looking at Primary 2 to Primary 4 or Secondary 1 to Secondary 2, you can choose either route based on timing and readiness.
If your child is entering primary levels, review the structure of the AEIS Primary preparatory course to understand level pathways clearly.

English readiness for primary

Primary applicants must meet the Cambridge English Qualifications threshold before they can register for the Mathematics test in either exercise. Treat CEQ as a separate milestone rather than an afterthought. Check the exact CEQ level required for your child’s age, book a test date early enough for the result to be available at application time, and keep the statement of results ready for upload. Once CEQ is secured, the AEIS or S-AEIS paper for primary is Mathematics only. This split changes how you plan, because you prepare English for CEQ and Mathematics for AEIS, instead of preparing two AEIS papers.
For a full breakdown of question types and expectations, read the AEIS Primary format and syllabus guide

Format and what is actually assessed

Both routes test suitability for the mainstream curriculum. At secondary level, candidates sit English and Mathematics. English combines a composition with comprehension and language use, which means clear ideas, accurate grammar, and efficient reading are what count. Mathematics combines multiple choice, short answer, and open ended questions, and you must show workings. Calculators are not allowed, so fluency with fractions, percentages, algebraic manipulation, geometry, and data interpretation without a device is essential.
To see how these components are taught in structured prep, explore the AEIS Secondary preparatory course.

At primary level, once CEQ is met, the AEIS paper focuses on Mathematics. Lower primary applicants handle the P2 or P3 profile of topics, and upper primary applicants handle the P4 or P5 profile. The key is to revise the level immediately before the level you hope to enter. If you are aiming for Primary 3, revise Primary 2 content. If you are aiming for Primary 5, revise Primary 4.
To structure revision efficiently, follow the 3-month AEIS study plan for weekly practice milestones.

How to decide, calmly and in order

Start with the start date. If you want your child to begin next school year, AEIS fits. If you want a place this year or missed AEIS, S-AEIS fits. Once timing is fixed, check levels. If your target is Primary 5 or Secondary 3, the choice is already made, AEIS is required. If your target is Primary 2 to Primary 4 or Secondary 1 to Secondary 2, you can continue to the next steps.

Confirm the CEQ requirement if your child is in primary. Do not leave this to chance. CEQ has its own registration slots, its own marking timelines, and usually a validity window. Book early, keep the receipt, and note when to expect results. Next, map the application windows for your chosen exercise. Registration periods are finite, and processing shuts once quotas are reached, so plan backwards from the window rather than forwards from a vague goal.

Finally, prepare documents. Expect to submit a passport biodata page, a recent passport photo, the birth certificate, and the CEQ statement of results for primary. Scan each file clearly, save them with sensible names, and keep them in one folder. This small piece of housekeeping saves more time than another practice paper ever will.

Typical family scenarios

If you are relocating near the start of the new school year, AEIS vs S-AEIS is the natural choice. You will have the full spread of levels and a clean runway to prepare. If you moved mid-year or missed AEIS for other reasons, S-AEIS is designed for you. You can still secure a place, provided your child fits the eligible levels, passes the tests, and vacancies exist.
For newcomers planning the next school year, our AEIS 2025 Singapore guide outlines the full placement timeline.

If your child specifically needs Primary 5 or Secondary 3, there is no decision to make. AEIS is the only path that includes those levels. If the bottleneck is English at primary, start with CEQ. A valid CEQ result is the gate to Mathematics registration for both AEIS and S-AEIS. Everything else can wait until that piece is in hand.
To understand eligibility differences clearly, refer to the AEIS vs S-AEIS exam comparison guide.

What the day itself feels like

Although this is a planning article rather than a test-day guide, it helps to know how the day runs. About two weeks before your paper, you will receive access to an Entry Proof that lists the date, time, and venue. Print it, bring your passport, and follow invigilator instructions at the venue. Papers start on time, stationery rules are simple, and the Mathematics paper expects full workings. If you have rehearsed non-calculator methods and trained yourself to present steps cleanly, the format will feel fair and predictable.
For a detailed rundown of test-day requirements, check What to bring for AEIS exam day.

Preparation that respects the format

Treat your study as a small project. In the first few weeks, build foundations. For secondary English, practise a composition within the required word range and a short set of comprehension and cloze items. For secondary Mathematics, refresh algebra, percentages, and geometry without a calculator. For primary Mathematics, drill number sense, then add fractions, measurement, and multi step word problems with clear workings. In the middle stretch, introduce timed sets. Two short timed practices a week are enough for most students. In the final stretch, simulate a full paper once a week, but spend equal time on corrections. The habit of rewriting a problem from scratch, with better structure and units, is what turns practice into marks.

Mistakes that waste effort

Families sometimes mix up intake years and pick S-AEIS for a start date that is actually next year. Others try to prepare two full papers at primary and neglect CEQ, then rush documentation. At secondary, students often over invest in rare vocabulary and under invest in simple grammar and paragraph structure. In Mathematics, the common leaks are missing units, skipping steps in open ended questions, and treating the page like a calculator, not a place to show method. Each of these errors is easy to fix if you decide to fix them early.

A simple plan on one page

Write down one sentence that states your start date and level. Add three dates underneath, CEQ test date if primary, application window opening, and a target week for one full simulation. Keep this card on the fridge. If a new opportunity arises, for example an earlier CEQ slot or a change in registration timing, update the card. Planning clarity helps your child understand the process and lowers stress in the final weeks.

Final word

The choice between AEIS vs S-AEIS is not about which test is easier. It is about start date, eligible levels, and readiness. Choose the route that matches when you want to begin school. If you are in primary, secure CEQ early. Prepare in the format you will sit, respect the non calculator rule, and learn to show workings. Keep documents tidy and submit early in the window. With those habits in place, the admission route becomes a straightforward project rather than an anxious rush.

FAQ, AEIS vs S-AEIS

Q: Is S-AEIS easier than AEIS vs S-AEIS
A: There is no official claim that one is easier. The real differences are timing and available levels.

Q: Can we apply for both in one year
A: You can take S-AEIS if you missed AEIS or were unsuccessful, provided your child fits the eligible levels and requirements, including CEQ for primary.

Q: Do secondary candidates need CEQ
A: No. CEQ applies to primary applicants. Secondary candidates sit English and Mathematics.

Q: Where are the tests held
A: All tests are conducted in Singapore and administered by SEAB.

Q: What happens after a pass
A: Successful candidates receive a placement based on vacancies. It is not a guarantee of a specific school.