GEP & GAT in Singapore

GEP Screening Test and GEP Selection Test

1. What are the selection criteria for the GEP?

   The entry point into the GEP is at Primary year 4.

   The selection tests are conducted at the end of Primary year 3.

   The selection is based on pupils’ performance in all 3 papers in the GEP Selection Test. The 3 papers in the test are English Language, Mathematics and General Ability.

2. Are there any test/assessment books to help prepare a child for the GEP Screening and Selection Tests? How do we prepare a child for the tests?

   Parents are advised not to prepare their children for the Screening and the Selection Tests. No test/assessment books have been prepared by the MOE for such a purpose. The GEP Screening Test and Selection Test are based on what all pupils should have been taught by Primary 3 in our schools.

3. Other parents have informed us that they know of schools which actually prepare their pupils for the GEP Screening and Selection Tests. What action does the MOE plan to take on this?

   We have no evidence that schools are preparing their pupils for the GEP Screening and Selection Tests. The questions for the selection of pupils for the GEP are not accessible to the schools. Also, the test items are not the same from year to year.

4. In the case of a child who falls ill on the day of the GEP Screening Test and GEP Selection Test, can he/she sit the Test on another day?

   If a child falls ill on the days of the Test, the parent should inform Gifted Education Branch immediately. The Branch will advise on a case-by-case basis.

5. The GEP Screening Test is scheduled on a Saturday. However, my child is involved in some competition (CCA) on that day. Can the child then take the test on another day? What is the procedure?

   If a child is involved in an important national competition, the parent would have to inform the school early so that the school can write to the Gifted Education Branch. The Branch will advise on a case-by-case basis.

6. What is the General Ability Test? Is it an IQ test?

   It is not an IQ test. It is a locally developed test to assess the abstract reasoning ability of the pupil.

7. How many pupils are invited to sit the GEP Screening Test and the GEP Selection Test?

   The whole Primary 3 cohort is invited to sit the GEP Screening Test. About 4000 pupils are shortlisted after the GEP Screening Test to sit the GEP Selection Test.

8. Among those offered places in the GEP, some do not accept the offer. Will these places be offered to others?

   We would normally extend our invitation to join the GEP to a larger number of pupils than there are places because we expect some pupils not to take up the offer. Therefore, there is no reserve list.

9. How many marks must pupils score in order to qualify for the GEP?

   Selection to join the GEP is not based on pupils achieving a certain score.

   Pupils are selected based on their performance in the 3 papers in the GEP Selection Test as compared to the performance of the other pupils in the cohort.

10. How are parents notified of the results fo the GEP Screening Test and the GEP Selection Test?

For the GEP Screening Test, parents are informed of the results through the school. Shortlisted candidates are then invited to sit the GEP Selection Test usually held in October. For the GEP Selection Test, pupils are informed about the results through the school. Parents of successful pupils will also receive a letter, a Registration Form, some reading materials and an invitation to a briefing for parents usually held in early November.