The ASEAN Pre-University One Scholarships is tenable for 2 years leading to the award of the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (GCE A-Level) (or equivalent) certificate.
The Scholarship is for 2 years of Pre-University studies in selected Singapore Junior Colleges and is renewed annually, subject to the satisfactory performance of the scholar.
You apply by going to the MOE (Ministry of Educaion) of Singapore’s website. It will be open for registration around February each year. The application procedure, eligibility and details of scholarship is listed there as well.
These are the terms and conditions (subject to change each year)
Annual allowance of S$2,400 with hostel accommodation
Settling-in allowance of S$500 (once only)
Return economy class air passage (for East Malaysians) or S$50 return transport allowance (for West Malaysians)
Coverage of school fees (excluding miscellaneous fees)
Coverage of GCE O-Level and A-Level examination fees (once only, if applicable)
Subsidised medical benefits and accident insurance cover
In case anyone is interested, I have attended the selection test. Hence, I am here to share that experience. Sadly, I did not make it to the interviews, thus I shall explain why. First of all, let me introduce what the tests are like. After you register, you enter a small auditorium where the people in charge will give parents and students a briefing on what ASEAN scholarship is and life in Singapore.
After the briefing, all the candidates will be arranged to enter the rooms where the different tests are held, class by class. In my case, I was led to the room for general ability test first. Now, pay attention to this test because a lot of people slip up because they underestimate it.
The general ability test is basically a test on the candidate’s IQ (Intelligence Quotion). There are around 50-70 (honestly, I can’t remember) objective questions. For example, they give you three pictures with similar patterns on them and ask you to determine which the last picture should be. It’s tricky because the first few questions are relatively easy,
Consequently, candidates assume that the rest of the paper will be just as easy. Well, we were proven very much wrong! The questions only get harder when you proceed with the paper. A lot of my friends that took the test as well eventually could not finish the paper due to lack of time - time they spent doodling on the first page because it was easy!
Quick tip on the general ability test : Don’t think so much, trust your instincts! Speed is everything!
Next, we moved on to the Mathematics test. Given Singapore’s good reputation for Olympiad Mathematics, I should not have expected anything different. The questions were undoubtedly inside the Malaysian syllabus, but the way the questions were asked were very similar to the HOTS (High Order Thinking Skills) questions.
In fact, 95% of those questions were not asked in a direct way. A good friend of mine who is a member of our school’s Olympiad Mathematics Society and has won a good number of competitions found the test relatively easy, but it was a total disaster for me. I left approximately two pages blank. I could not even come up with suitable formulae to use.
Quick tip for the mathematics paper : Expect the unexpected. Don’t hardwire your brain to the old-fashioned way of answering mathematics problems (don’t be me!), you will find yourself stuck more often than not if you do so.
After the Mathematics paper was the English Language paper - the paper that took up the most of our time, if my memory does not fail me.
There isnt a lot I can help you with for the English paper since language is not exactly something you can prepare for - it depends on how well you have mastered it. There is a summary, comprehension and an essay. Take note that there are no objective questions, you have to string words together to form your own sentences.
Only half an hour, give or take, was given for the essay part of the paper. Keep your essay short and sweet.
Both of my friends that were shortlisted for the interview told me that they did very well in Mathematics, so I do suppose that that paper is very important. Of course, this does not in any way mean that you can just throw the other papers out of the window - they are important as well.
Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. Good luck!
@Dreams
Hey there! I went for the selection tests last year too! I am from Penang. By the way, nice to meet you! Yes, I totally agree that the tests were pretty hard. If I’m not mistaken, there were 50 questions for the general ability test. Too bad, I could not answer all the questions on time. 20 minutes is really too short! I’m planning to apply again this year, but this time I’m not so serious about it since I will be 2 years behind the Singaporeans of I manage to secure the scholarship.
@pxpeixuan
Hello there! Coincidentally, I’m from Penang as well! I’m from Penang Chinese Girls’ High School. I have decided not to apply this year - like you said, we’d be late. Later than both Singaporeans and Malaysians.
@Dreams
I’m from Convent Green Lane. I planned to go for A Level if I manage to get the KPM Bursary. I want to apply this year because I can have a reunion with my friends there. I’m not serious about it this time.
I’m not serious about it this time.