At secondary you sit two subjects, English and Mathematics. At primary, AEIS tests Mathematics only because English readiness is handled through CEQ. The cognitive load rises at secondary. You will be expected to analyse, explain and justify steps rather than recall procedures. One more rule shapes your plan. AEIS assumes prior-level alignment. If you want S3 entry, you prepare Sec 2 content first, then practise questions pitched at the transition.

Why this matters for preparation

• Split time between writing and language for English, and non-calculator methods for Mathematics.

• Build stamina for mixed formats. English moves from a written composition to 50 compulsory MCQ. Mathematics moves from a fast MCQ set to written short-answer and open-ended items.

• Use the prior-level syllabus to decide what to revise. Guessing the future level’s topics wastes time.

AEIS secondary exam format Singapore, paper by paper

English test, S1, S2, S3

Duration: 2 hours 10 minutes, split into two parts.

Part 1, Writing

• S1 has 2 prompts. S2 and S3 have 4 prompts.

• Write one composition.

• Word ranges scale by level: S1 200–300, S2 250–350, S3 300–400.

Part 2, Comprehension and language use

• 50 compulsory MCQ across:

  • Reading comprehension, typically 2 passages, 15 items

  • Cloze tasks, 2 passages, 15 items

  • Vocabulary, 10 items

  • Grammar, 10 items

What this implies for preparation

• Build a small bank of model openings and conclusions, then practise full essays within time. A tight plan beats a long warm-up.

• Read widely and actively. Annotate paragraphs, paraphrase topic sentences, and notice how arguments are built.

• Drill cloze with a method. Predict part of speech, check collocations, scan linkers such as however and therefore, then choose.

• Grammar accuracy decides many close calls. Track your top three mistakes and check them last.

A simple weekly loop for English

• One composition early in the week.

• One comprehension and cloze set mid-week.

• One 50-item language drill late in the week with an error log.

Mathematics test, S1, S2, S3

Duration: Part 1 30 minutes, Part 2 1 hour 45 minutes.

Part 1, MCQ

• 34 items. Pace matters. Expect clean computations, quick algebraic manipulation and simple geometry facts.

Part 2, Written

• Short-answer: about 20 items that require steps and short statements.

• Open-ended: 10 to 15 items that expect structured reasoning and complete solutions.

Rules that shape your practice

• No calculators. Your working must show the set-up, the substitution and the conclusion with units where relevant.

• Diagrams, graphs and tables are common. Label axes, mark right angles and parallel lines, and name the theorem you use.

What this implies for preparation

• Train speed with accuracy for Part 1. Do 10-item sprints and check reasonableness.

• For Part 2, practise writing full solutions. Marks sit in method as much as answers.

• Rehearse format shifts. Switch between MCQ and written solutions inside one sitting so your rhythm does not break on test day.

AEIS secondary maths topics, what to revise first

Anchor your plan to the MOE Secondary Mathematics syllabus and apply the prior-level rule. Use this strand-by-strand view to build a checklist.

Number and algebra

• Integers, rational numbers, indices and standard form

• Algebraic expressions, factorisation and expansion

• Linear equations and inequalities, simultaneous equations

• Functions and graphs, gradient and intercepts

• Ratio, proportion, percentage, rate and speed

Geometry and measurement

• Angles, polygons, parallel lines

• Triangles and quadrilaterals, special angle properties

• Pythagoras’ theorem, similarity and congruence

• Mensuration of 2D and 3D figures, nets and composite solids

• Coordinate geometry, simple trigonometry by S2–S3

Statistics and probability

• Reading and drawing tables and graphs

• Mean, median, mode and simple dispersion ideas

• Sample spaces, basic probability rules and complements

Prioritisation by intended entry

• S1 entry: late-primary to early-secondary foundations, ratios, percentages, algebra basics, area and volume, bar and line graphs.

• S2 entry: add linear graphs, simultaneous equations, Pythagoras, circle properties, average speed and rate problems.

• S3 entry: strengthen algebraic manipulation, functions, similarity, trigonometry and cumulative data skills, all mapped to Sec 2 coverage.

Turn this into a two-page plan
Page one lists topics with three columns: learn, practise, master. Page two is an error log with source, mistake, corrected method. Review both every Sunday.

English skills that consistently win marks

Argument structure for Part 1
State a clear stance, develop two or three points with examples, address one counterpoint and close with a short conclusion that answers the task. This keeps essays inside the word range and inside the question.

Reading precision for Part 2
Underline key lines, predict cloze answers from context before you look at options, and check for subject-verb agreement, tense consistency and collocations. Avoid copying long sentences in comprehension answers. Examiners value precise paraphrase.

Range without waffle
Vary sentence openings, mix simple and complex sentences for control, and choose precise verbs. Ten clean sentences beat fifteen vague ones.

Sample open-ended questions and how to show your thinking

Open-ended items are where structure and justification earn marks. Use these realistic practice prompts to enforce method, not guessing.

Mathematics

1. A tank is three fifths full. After 48 litres are removed, it becomes one half full. Find the tank’s capacity.

• Draw a bar for one whole. Mark 3/5 and 1/2.

• Change equals 3/5 − 1/2 = 1/10 of the tank.

• If 1/10 is 48 litres, then 1 whole is 480 litres.

• Write one concluding sentence with units.

2. The line y = 2x + c passes through (−3, k). The point is 5 units from the x-axis. Find c.

• Distance from x-axis 5 means |y| = 5, so y = 5 or y = −5.

• Substitute x = −3, get y = 2(−3) + c.

• Solve for c in each case, state both possibilities clearly.

3. A solid is formed by a hemisphere on a cylinder of radius r and height 3r. Find the total surface area in terms of r.

• TSA = curved surface of cylinder + curved surface of hemisphere + base of cylinder.

• = 2πrh + 2πr² + πr² = 2πr(3r) + 3πr² = 9πr².

• Label each term so the examiner sees where it came from.

English

Write 250–350 words: “School uniforms should be optional.”

• Plan 3 minutes, stance, two reasons, one counterpoint, short conclusion.

• Paragraph 1 stance, paragraph 2 reason with example, paragraph 3 opposing view then rebuttal, paragraph 4 conclusion.

• Check topic sentences and linking words.

Comprehension inference prompt
Question: “What does the writer’s description of the market at dawn suggest about the community?”

• Underline verbs that show routine and cooperation, note sensory details.

• Answer in one or two sentences that link evidence to the inference, for example, The shared tools and early starts suggest a close, mutually supportive community.

Timing strategies that prevent last-minute panic

English

• Spend at most 5 minutes choosing a topic. Write from a short bullet plan.

• For Part 2, 50 items mean you must average well under 2 minutes per item, including checking. Move on if stuck and return later.

Mathematics

• Part 1 is a speed round. Mark and move. Flag uncertain items to revisit.

• In Part 2, scan the open-ended set for questions that match your strengths and secure those marks first.

• Reserve 5 minutes at the end to box answers, add units and number your steps.

Common secondary pitfalls to avoid

• Skipping steps in workings. Method marks are lost when you jump from set-up to answer.

• Over-writing essays. Staying within the word range leaves time to check grammar and cohesion.

• Weak graph literacy. Practise reading gradients, intercepts and scales so you do not miss easy marks.

• Forgetting the non-calculator rule. Train mental arithmetic and written algorithms for fractions, percentages and algebraic manipulation.

• Neglecting definitions. In geometry, state the theorem you use, for example alternate angles or similar triangles.

How to convert the syllabus into a one-month sprint

Week 1

• Algebra basics, linear graphs and table of values.

• Sentence structure and punctuation drills for Writing.

• One 50-item language set.

Week 2

• Geometry and mensuration, including nets and composite solids.

• Reading passages with annotation and a cloze technique session.

• Ten MCQ sprints for speed.

Week 3

• Trigonometry or similarity for S2–S3 entry, coordinate geometry, data handling.

• Vocabulary by theme and collocation notebooks.

• One composition under time with a fresh prompt.

Week 4

• Mixed papers under timing conditions, one Maths full section and one English Part 2 set.

• Review the error log, rewrite two questions from scratch with perfect presentation.

• Polish your essay bank to four topics with clean openings and endings.

Tie each week to the prior level scheme. If you aim for S3, your Week 1 algebra belongs to Sec 2.

FAQ, Secondary AEIS format and topics

Q: What exactly is tested in secondary AEIS English
A: Two parts. Part 1 is a composition with level-scaled word ranges. Part 2 has 50 MCQ covering comprehension, cloze, vocabulary and grammar.

Q: What is the structure of the secondary AEIS Mathematics paper
A: Part 1 has 34 MCQ in 30 minutes. Part 2 has about 20 short-answer and 10 to 15 open-ended items in 1 hour 45 minutes. Calculators are not allowed and full workings are required.

Q: Which topics should I focus on first
A: Cover number and algebra, geometry and measurement, and statistics and probability from the level before the one you seek to enter. If aiming for S3, start with Sec 2.

Q: Are the papers the same for S1, S2 and S3
A: The structures and timings are common, but difficulty scales with level. You are assessed on prior-level content that feeds into your intended entry level.

Q: Where can I confirm any updates
A: Check the official test-details and syllabus pages. Formats and instructions are kept current there.