Returning Singaporean students can apply from July 9 to join local schools

SINGAPORE – Singaporean students who are relocating back to the Republic can apply from July 9 for admission to a secondary school, a junior college or Millennia Institute in the 2025 academic year.

These students will sit centralised tests under the School Placement Exercise for Returning Singaporeans (Spers) and receive a list of schools they are eligible for based on their test results, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said in a statement on July 2.

Those seeking admission to Secondary 1 to 3 in 2025 have up till July 22 to apply for the Spers-Sec tests on Sept 3 and 4, which will comprise tests for English and mathematics.

Those seeking Pre-University 1 admission in 2025 have up till Oct 18 to apply for the Spers-JC/MI tests on Nov 7, which will comprise tests for English, mathematics and general ability.

Returning Singaporeans are typically not placed at the Sec 4 or Pre-University 2 levels as these are national examination years, MOE said.

Spers applicants will receive their posting results in December, and join the schools at the start of the school term in 2025.

Those who wish to join a secondary school here in 2025 but are not able to take the Spers-Sec tests in September can instead take tests in December under the Supplementary Placement Exercise (SPE).

Application for SPE will run from Nov 1 to 15, and the tests will be held on Dec 4. These applicants will receive their posting results in February 2025 and join the schools that same month.

The ministry advised those who can return in September to apply through Spers-Sec instead of SPE, so they can start school at the same time as their peers in January 2025. They are encouraged to submit their applications early to avoid missing the application period.

Alternatively, students can apply for a place in a primary or secondary school near their homes in Singapore through the Assured School Placement (ASP) service.

Instead of centralised tests, the prospective school may conduct school-based assessments and an interview to determine the appropriate level and class for the child, MOE said.

“It is a convenient admission route which guarantees (returning Singaporeans) a place in a school with vacancies as near to their residence as possible, even before their return to Singapore.”

For more information about the ASP service, visit www.moe.gov.sg/returning-singaporeans/returning-to-singapore/assured-school-placement

To apply for Spers-Sec, visit www.moe.gov.sg/returning-singaporeans/returning-to-singapore/secondary/spers

To apply for Spers-JC/MI, visit www.moe.gov.sg/returning-singaporeans/returning-to-singapore/post-secondary/spers