I just received the letter from the Ministry of Education of Singapore which requires me to attend a series of selection tests on English, Mathematics and General Ability at Sunway Pyramid Convention Centre, on 6th and 7th June. Anyone received the letter also? And anyone know the format of the selection tests?

If there's no other recent thread about ASEAN scholarship then this might be the starting one too...

Erm one more question, when attending the selection test what should I wear? Formal attire (long sleeve+ slack + tie)? Or casual?


This post has been edited by zellleonhart: May 26 2009, 06:05 PM

They sent me a offer letter last year while I was in matric. So, I rejected it.

Well, two years ago, I went for it.
Not sure if the format still remains, but let me recall.

English, if my memory serves me well, it's made up of few reading comprehensions and then answering questions. Then you have to write an essay for an argumentative title. I got about video game, I think.

For the GA, it's basically IQ test. They will give you like 3 sequences, and ask for the 4th sequence. So 1, 2, 3, then the answer would be 4. (But of course, it's not that easy!)

Then Maths test.. Well, although I thought I was good in Add Maths last time, that paper is a tough one to do. You hardly encounter new topics, but what you encounter is the Singaporean level of our Add Maths - meaning topics are about the same, but questions are tougher.
So you did differentiation, ask to find max and min. They ask you also, ask you to find the max area for an enclosed rectangle (or circle, can't recall la) in a triangle, which I think would be challenging for pre-SPM students.

Advice is that you go and buy the books for the Singaporean O-Level Maths and do up the questions. That is a very good preparation. Then, brush up your English in anyway you can. I believe, nothing can be done for IQ test..

I see. It has been 7 months since the last time I did Add Math questions! Thanks for your advice, I will take up some exercise books.
BTW, after the selection test, if I get good result, there will be an interview right? And did you get the scholarship anyway?

No la, interview also don't have.
The Maths also cannot do, not enough time la..
Then the English.. aiya, don't want say about it la..
(Now brush up is good thing lo..)

Do a thorough preparation for it. Being an SPM leaver, I guess you stand better chance, because some of the candidates are still doing their Form 5. (like me last time.)

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Added on May 24, 2009, 10:28 pmDo take note the format may have changes, as what I shared was things 2 years ago.

This post has been edited by tanjinjack: May 24 2009, 10:28 PM

I went for asean scholarship interview last year as form 5 student, but fail to get myself offered...

Waa it should be very difficult.. I am out of track for long time already. Thanks for your help.

Do more exercises and practices. That would help.
No need to learn too much of new knowledge I think. Just concentrate on revising the old one would do.

TS, lucky you! congrats!

i got no news, too bad.

But i heard each year only 50 lucky ones from Malaysia gets the scholarship. Very big competition =.=
BTW, you already got JPA, good already...

and most of them get the scholarship automatically (almost) after completing 4 years of secondary education in singapore under the ASEAN school-based scholarship...

2 years back I applied for the scholarship and went for the selection test. You'll be surprised to see how big the crowd is there, lol. Just like what had been told by tanjinjack, there'll be General Knowledge(IQ), English and Maths test.

Few months later, I was informed to attend the interview through letter/ email (I forgot). The interview was.. Well, normal interview. The main purpose is to see your attitude, behavior, how you speak, how you handle things etc etc. I was interviewed by 2 person, one did most of the talking while the other one was more like a recorder.

I was offered the Merit Award at last, but didn't accept it though. You'll still need a big amount of money even with the Merit Award.

Hope this helps =)

This post has been edited by chaiyeen: May 25 2009, 02:21 PM

haha yeah. funny scholarship. not as gud as my JPA

though i will be going for the interview. juz to leech some experience
okay then. let's do this thing!

break a leg!

hey... just nid sum advice here... i got the letter too... but i already started pre-U... shud i go 4 it?

Your reply reminds me of what happened to me back in 1997/8.
I went for the selection test, was called up for interview. Went for the interview, was offered the place which i ended up turning down.
There was just way too much money involved back then. You'll need to place a sum of deposit with the Singapore Government in order to study there iirc.
But i did not really know much in details lar, just entered secondary at that time.
Wanted to apply for it again after form 5, but since i got offered to Matrix, just settled down with Matrix and subsequently move on to a local U.

Btw, the most important thing will be on the GA test. Try to do more IQ test to familiarize yourself with the type of questions.

I went for the interview 4 years ago, and the offer was not good at all. Plus you have to find your own sponsor after finishing the A Level.

Coupled with I got mara offer after that without prep and no money involved and certainty I pick mara over that.

Choose it only if you have no other choice.

and they forced you to stay in the dorms and i feel like while i was visiting the jc(junior college) sort of alienated. my aunt's house is right in front of one of the jc's. so i decided no to it.

I got my letter today! not goin anyway....

if you get the full asean pre-u scholarship it's not bad, from what i know last year it was:

$2.5k allowance per annum
$500 settling in fee
accomodation and school-related fees paid for
no bond

and after doing a lvls it is easier to get the same scholarship for singapore universities should you want to continue studying

O.O full scholarship...

Erm one more question, when attending the selection test what should I wear? Formal attire (long sleeve+ slack + tie)? Or casual?

Hey, I am taking mine in Sunway too. Currently form 5 and a little worried because I haven't finish my form 5 syllabus, will they ask much about it?

I believe no.
I don't recall myself last time encountering questions where I have no idea on at all.
That being said, those questions are what I have learned, but of higher level - not easy to tackle.

Anything presentable, nobody's gonna judge you from that I wore casual when I went for it.
But for interview its a different story, heh.

This post has been edited by chaiyeen: May 26 2009, 09:18 PM

No harm go trying right?
Taking such examination is a wonderful experience.

Oh I see. Thanks for your reply, and of course interview needs me to wear formal, first impression is indeed very important =)

ASEAN scholarships.. Hmm.. I don't know, I knew a lot of friends who got it but later rejected it or came home after a few months.. I'm not very sure why, I think it comes down to what u wanna do in the end..

surely,,, me also coz not good at speaking at that time,,, perhaps one of the reason why they didnt accept me... OMG

probably not able to cope with the standard there... normally if you get the asean scholarship they will send you to a top school in singapore. in these schools although the syllabus is about the same, they demand a sort of deeper understanding as reflected by how they question you in exams, exactly as tanjinjack had mentioned. most malaysians who complete a lvls in singapore under the asean scholarship have been studying in singapore since secondary 1 under the asean scholarship, that way they have their foundations laid down pretty well.

hey... btw will the secondary 3 maths be same lyk our form 3 syllabus?? nth extra?hope not..

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Added on May 30, 2009, 7:16 pmme2.. say can any1 tell me is the secondary 3 maths same as our form3 lvl?



This post has been edited by my system: May 30 2009, 07:16 PM

Hey I'm taking the exam at Sunway too....maybe we could meet ther....who knows...I would like to ask what is General Ability??? I checked out some webs...but each one is different... Can someone give ex. of the exam GA q's?? I really need this scholarship....

GA tests IQ.

Example ah..

/|||

/|//

/

Last one is what?

Something like that la..

1. |||/
2. ///|
3. //|/
4. /|/|

i took the test when i was form 2 and it was possible to do every single question.. just that it takes more time (more challenging) as compared to the math questions i was used to at that time.

any web where we can find those GA questions???

oh guys!! I can't believe i can actually find someone who is going on this saturday RIGHT HERE! I am currently studying in form 5 and from melaka.

I kinda worried about the english essay they will ask, i mean i am not accustomed to argumentative essay as all i do mostly is story writing when it comes to essay. Do we actually get to choose question from several options???

AND
About maths, is it just modern maths? additional maths? OR a mixture of both?

This post has been edited by C-kiat: Jun 1 2009, 12:50 AM

Dude, are you from Klang or any possible schools here? Coz my friend just received exactly the same offer.
I'm not sure if his school provided everything but it seems like he's having difficulty obtaining the teacher's testimonial.
Is there any slightest chance he's getting the opportunity? He's a Physics genius and joining for the Physics Training in a Chinese school.

aiya....no need to be afraid for the test, just try your best and that's it...if you need to work extremely hard just to do the test paper and get called for interview, even if you get it finally, you might not be able to cope with the high standard in singapore...it must be much much harder than this...in the real alevel...
just relax and do...it's a chance to test your ability...but be prepared for the essay part....30 minutes for a 350 words essay...

oh ya...about the testimonial. Anyone knows the format? Is it just 1 document or is it including remark from teacher as well? How many testimonial do we need to prepare?

Ahh..i have to hand it in before the selection test, that is before this saturday..GOSH!

I got selected for this ASEAN shcolarship selection test for 2010 secondary three intake. Only problem is, I have no idea what to wear. School uniform? Casual wear? Can somebody answer quick? I'm like freaking out over what to wear. What if I wore this and everybody else wore that?!

You can choose to wear any of both. But I think casual wear is more appropriate.
And, what i heard is that the hall inside is freezing cold, so get yourself prepared..

anyone can answer my previous questions?

Don't think you can choose for essay.

Mostly Add Maths.


Read the instruction. If they ask for one, one; if two, two.
The person you ask for testimonial should know the format. If he/she doesn't know, he/she may not be the best one for testimonial already.

does anyone know the number to call them about the test?????

shit man im also going for the selection tmr . 7 till 6.30 ??? crazy la weh

Got so long meh..
1 day or 2 days..
why so crazy one..

hi im goin to sunway to sit for da selection tests. anyone goin ther??

Hello! I received the ASEAN scholarship for Pre-U 2009, and I'm currently studying for my JC1 at Anderson Junior College (AJC). I've gone through the selection test in 2005, in which i failed, and then again in 2008, which i succeed and got into the interview, and passed, and was offered this scholarship now. Here I hope that I could share my experience for my upcoming 'juniors' and hope you all can get the scholarship! You could pm me, and if you have anything to ask, or there is a forum which I learnt a lot preparing this exam. Here, I wish u all all the best! Hope to see you here by Jan 2010!..^^

This post has been edited by suangfu: Jul 8 2009, 04:57 PM

hi peeps! i'm in JC2 (2008/2009) sorry i'm a wee bit late here to give you guys some lil tips. but i guess it wasnt all too that hard i hope? well.. if u sucked in math, dont be disheartened too badly, because i think i left out like 5 questions? (didnt know how to do them as they were in the later part of Form5 syllabus)

if u pass the test, you should be called for an interview, which practically i think, everyone gets the scholarship, though some just merit awards. just dont portray yourself weird or.. weird.

anyways, if you are SERIOUSLY considering the scholarship (provided you get it) and you need an inside man to provide you some experiences, do pm me. in short, its a mixed view really.

dont forget to study for SPM! (for the record, most asean scholars results, at least in my school, were straight A1s, with exception of smartypants 14A1,1B3 = so we werent sent back)

Have any of you received the letter from MOE yet regarding the Asean Pre-U Scholarship 2010?

Ya, I do... Still wondering if i am going...
Anyway, may i ask any senior about the life in JC? Wondering how it was...

The selection test is already over.

I mean i received the letter which stated that MOE accept me as scholar

Owh. Congrats.

hello!! i am your senior! congratulations!!
(and actually i'm having A levels right now.. physics later on at 2pm)

I am only going to talk about things to help you make your decision whether to accept this offer or not.
if you want further details about life here, education, tips, and anything in general you can pm me. and i guess you can find all the good points or the obvious by searching the net.

- you lose ONE year compared to others of your batch since A levels here is 2 years and u have to wait another 9 months later (if u wanna go uk/us)

- education here puts you at a disadvantage to other A levels students in malaysia. i'd elaborate why..
in malaysia, u have the AS/A2 system whereby you apply for universities based on your AS results.
in singapore, theres only one finals (i'm taking now) and you apply using your school based commontest results. in other words, its easier to score AAAA in AS compared to that in singapore, which WILL put you at an unfair disadvantage on paper. to illustrate, a mere 7-8 people got A for GP, 18 people got A for Econs (A rate is like top 3%)

so unless you're perfectly sure that you can be VERY committed into ensuring you WILL score well, you might actually have a better chance of going to great universities like Imperial College etc, if you take the A levels in malaysia. that being said, i would confidently say i have definitely received A level education of a standard higher than those in malaysia (if you really just want to learn)

- it is a very hectic life here and 5 subjects is really really a handful. you're expected to take up one CCA (co-curricular activity) and you will devote alot of time there. so no play play.

- my hostel (dunman high school) is quite good. but you might actually get very poor living standards in hostels like mcnair lodge.

-200sgd is MERELY enough to cover expenses!! dont be fooled. you have to spend alot on notes, food, your internet bill, phone bill, transport..

in short, i would not really say that singapore was the correct choice. but the experience is unforgettable..

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Added on December 30, 2009, 11:22 amps.. haha any one wants to know more can pm me!

This post has been edited by dracorealms: Dec 30 2009, 11:22 AM

Guess this thread is a lil bit dead.

Well, am here just to offer my advice should anyone requires it.

Ex-sec3 and Pre-U scholar here..

hehe...

anything can pm me lah..

It's an experience to study in Singapore though not necessarily a good one.

I remember screwing up the english paper......composition. Just didn't feel like writing. I kept on using 'often' in very sentence. The examiner would have thought that I'm retarded or something.

Getting an ASEAN scholarship and finishing the A-level doesn't guarantee anything. If you so happened to be at the top of the graduating cohort, then you would have a chance in securing a scholarship to go overseas. Once you're there, it would probably occur to you that being in an ultra competitve, ultra kiasu JC does not necessarily give you a better student experience. Case in point, education in negara mat salleh focus on self-development with some emphasis on knowledge acquisition, very different from our asian understanding of education.

It's just A-level, not the holy grail of education. There are lots of people who did other things, went to good universities and and got themslves to places which they wanted to go.

I don't know what I'm saying.......

I heard some news from my relatives.
They said some scholars sent to Singapore under the
ASEAN scholarship are doing fine at first few months..

But later, he got bullied by Singaporeans .
And the Singaporeans looked down like how we looked
at those Indonesians workers.

Is it true?




Also, after you graduated from the Uni there..
You must work in Singapore for at least 3 years.
And I heard they will press your salary as low as possible because
you are working as a foreigner .

Is it true?

This post has been edited by sebsebsebas: Mar 9 2010, 10:53 AM

scholarship is now open for application.......

i generally agree with feynman's comments.......spore is on one extreme of the mug mug exam exam style of education msia is well know for........in the opposite direction of the more broad based holistic style western education........

looked down?..........hello, spore is full of msians working there, more than 1/2 the doctors in mt e hospital are msias.........if anything, they are afraid of the threat from the high flying msians.........and lately, prc's.........

Not true, they looked down on china-ese, nt malaysians, just prove yourself worthy n they will accept you

not true, singapore crave for profesional workforce, if they press your salary, just lodge a complain at the Ministry of Manpower or just chg company, plenty of jobs for you.

the rumours you heard might be minority cases which i think is rare....just my pov

I suppose it's rare too.
Since many seniors of ASEAN scholarship seems
they are doing fine over there. =D .

To all successful ASEAN scholars, may I know know your average exam results in school? My son is thinking of applying, and is currently in Form 5 in a private chinese school, with average marks 82% for Form 4, with Chinese as his consistently weakest subject (only 71%). Just would like to know, to the best of your respective knowledge, whether he may have a chance. Or should he stay back, do his UEC?
Thanks in advance!

erm... a bit blurred here...

if i apply now for asean scholarship(did spm in 2009), that mean if i get it i'll be doing a levels in jan 2011?

thanks in advance for the explanation... mega blur...

Usually people apply for asean in their spm year. So you should have applied last year. I'm not sure if they allow you to apply this year though as there is an age limit. But most possibly it's possible, just you delay a year.

This post has been edited by luckykid: Mar 13 2010, 01:11 PM

Hi guys, I had submitted my online application of the ASEAN Scholarship.
Just wanna ask wheter i need to submit these thing...
i) Birth Certificate;
(ii) Identity Card / Passport (if any); and
(iii) Final Year Examination Result Slips for the last two years

from the site...confusing
All applicants are required to submit certified copies of the following items directly to the Singapore Ministry of Education:

(i) Birth Certificate;
(ii) Identity Card / Passport (if any); and
(iii) Final Year Examination Result Slips for the last two years

Ministry of Education
School Placement and Scholarships Branch
Level 3, Podium Block,
1 North Buona Vista Drive Singapore 138675

Hmm when I applied last year, I wasn't required to submit all these things. But now that you are asked to submit, I suppose you have to submit then.

I've submitted mine too, form 5 now. Just wondering,
1. Are we really required to write an essay during the selection test?
2. How long is the test held?
3. Where is the test location in Penang?
4. Do the Maths. questions include things that we haven't learnt yet?
5. How well should I be prepared for the test?

1. Yes, you will be required to write an essay in 30 minutes.
2. The test is half a day for the first day but it will drag really long. Second day is also half a day.
3. Not sure.
4. Not sure too. I'm from independent school so I dunno what you learn in form 4.
5. Very well because you are competing against so many other people.

Hi,

Re (4), if one is from an independent school, would the maths syllabus (till mid-year form5) have covered the questions in the test? Thanks!

Yes. You would have no problem solving the questions. But what is the key is that, the questions are focused more on your thinking skills than technic. So let's say you know how to do everything up till advanced calculus but can only do calculation and no problem solving skills, it is no use. You need to be able to twist and turn. At least from my experience and my seniors.

This post has been edited by luckykid: Mar 24 2010, 05:55 PM

Thanks! will pass your tip along. Greatly appreciated.

I just submitted my application form for Secondary Three Scholarship!
I'm trying to not get my hopes high but i really hope to be shortlisted for the selection test, for the experience =D

can anyone help me answer some questions? (im really nervous)
if you have previously taken the test & interview, or got the scholarship

PRETTY PLEASE and THANKS!

ya I also just submited my application for the secondary three scholarship
hope I can get shortlisted for it too

Anyone wants to hazard a guess when the selections tests will be held?

Let me guess, 23rd or 24th May? just a rough guess

usually a math test and english test...

Is anyone short-listed candidates notified and received selection test letter from 2011 ASEAN Secondary One Scholarships ?? When is the selection test ?
Thank you.

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Added on May 22, 2010, 9:09 amAnyone short-listed candidates notified and received selection test letter from 2011 ASEAN Secondary One Scholarships in Malaysia ?? When is the selection test ? Thank you.

This post has been edited by TyeTai98: May 22 2010, 09:09 AM

3. Where is the test location in Penang?
....Last time the test was held in Sunway Carnival Prai.

4. Do the Maths. questions include things that we haven't learnt yet?
....Maths question test your logic and thinking skills. Try doing IQ test also. You can find these IQ questions on the internet also, beside buying some IQ test books from the shops.

5. How well should I be prepared for the test?
....Depends on how badly you want the scholarship.

This post has been edited by DarkNite: May 22 2010, 09:29 AM

do they provide any formula?

No. The selection test is over right?

mine not yet...
mine is for 2011 intake mar...
it 's ont this saturday...

OMG, u mean totally NO formula given?
==

You are applying for preU?

yeah...
and my english is not that good...
i m scared of the english paper...
u guys said i only have half an hour to finish the essay...

fear.. fear.. fear... is all in my mind now..

the essay is normally factual essay only?

calcullator can bring in one right?
it 's stated...
i bring the very pro calculator so that i can "cheat"...
LOL

wai_chong- In that case, dun bother applying for the scholarship!

Mine selection test past on last Saturday. I think I'm not good. Haha.

IQ question quiete easy. I could not finish all as I make some mistake in the middle.

Maths more suck. I leave many without answer. I don't know how to solve. Oh my godness. This is the first time I didn't finish answer.

My English is not good. Half an hour to write 300 words essay was a challenge for me. Some my spelling wrong. I could not finish the essay.

It's a bad test for me. But it's a experience for me. Haha. I think I am the only one from Perlis state as I don't know others. Lol

Ps: I'm applying for sec three.

haiyoh...
jk larh...
the calculator i will bring there is the calculator i will use during the SPM examination de mar..
350MS... standard one...

so scare for what..30 minutes for 3 pages of essay. 20 minutes for 50 iq questions and super tough form 5 math only mah. and the scarry invigilator eyes only mah..so scare for what..you wont get one lah. dont worry so much.

/sarcasm

ermmm....anybody got their sortlisted for the interview yet??
any idea when will moe send out thhe letters/mail ???