EAE tips and guides

Keen to participate in the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) but unsure how to begin? Here, you will find tips and useful further readings to get you started. You will learn more about EAE and the courses you can apply for based on your aptitudes and interests.


Hints and tips
When you're ready, head over to My write-ups to get started.

Introduction to EAE

Are you interested in the Early Admission Exercise (EAE)? EAE is an aptitude-based admission exercise that allows students to apply for and receive conditional offers for admission to polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) based on students' aptitudes and interests, apart from academic grades. It is important to take note that there are different timelines for ITE EAE and Polytechnic EAE.


Polytechnic EAE

Find out more details about the Polytechnic EAE process by watching the video below and accessing the Polytechnic EAE page.


Institute of Technical Education EAE

Find out more details about the ITE EAE process by watching the video below or by accessing the ITE admissions page. The information is categorised into Nitec and Higher Nitec.


Timeline for EAE Applications

Please check the Polytechnic EAE page and the ITE EAE page for more updates and details.

Choosing your EAE courses

To help you shortlist some polytechnic or Institute of Technical Education (ITE) courses that may interest you, it is good to reflect on your strengths and career interests first.


Consider your career interests and RIASEC profile

One of the ways to begin finding out your strengths or career interests is through the Career Interests quiz, which describes your career interests as defined by six personality types:

  • [R] Realistic
  • [I] Investigative
  • [A] Artistic
  • [S] Social
  • [E] Enterprising
  • [C] Conventional

Your RIASEC profile is a three-letter combination of your top three career interests. For example, if your RIASEC code is [SEC], it means that:

  • Social: You enjoy helping others and working with people.
  • Enterprising: Enterprising: You enjoy leading and motivating people.
  • Conventional: You prefer working with data, structured processes and established guidelines.

Which EAE courses can I consider?

Check the list below for an example of how to match your RIASEC profile with EAE courses. You can also collaborate with your teacher or ECG counsellor to develop your own list.

My RIASEC profile
EAE courses that I can consider
Social, Enterprising, Conventional
  • Social - Higher Nitec in Early Childhood Education or Diploma in Early Childhood Development &s Education
  • Enterprising - Higher Nitec in Hospitality Operations or Diploma in Hotel & Hospitality Management
  • Conventional - Higher Nitec in Accountacy or Diploma in Accountancy

Knowing your RIASEC profile is a good starting point for the exploration of suitable courses for you. However, your choices are not limited by the profile. You should also think about your own interests, preferences, aptitudes, what you would enjoy studying and talk to trusted adults while considering your options. These could help you make informed course choices during the EAE application process.

Preparing your portfolio and EAE write-up

While you consider your options to make an informed decision, it is a good idea to prepare your portfolio and EAE write-ups. Do you know how to prepare a portfolio and an EAE write-up?


Organising your portfolio

A portfolio is an organized collection of evidence that showcases your accomplishments, skills and experiences in and outside of school. Depending on the course that you are applying to, these are some items you can include in your portfolio:

demo image
Preparing your EAE write-up
  • Write about your interests and talents in the areas related to the course you are applying for.
  • Provide evidence of your aptitude related to the course of study.
  • Elaborate on your participation in activities (e.g. CCA) and achievements related to leadership and the course that you are applying for.
  • Share your dreams and aspirations related to your interests and talents.

Sample write-ups
I was inspired by my cousin who introduced me to interesting buildings that he worked on as an electrical engineer. I would observe any buildings that were constructed in a unique way and I will always think of how I can improve these buildings by making them more environmentally friendly. Pursuing my interest, I took up an ApLM in Sustainable Design and Management. I would be grateful if I would be given an opportunity to pursue this course as I am passionate about my dream to contribute to building sustainable and eco-friendly buildings. I strive to keep the planet healthy.
I am applying for this course because I love to install and fix things. I like to solve problems and do work with my hands. I attended several similar courses in Polytechnics and ITE and learn some relevant skills. I attended several elective modules on mechanical designing. I was also inspired by my father who loves to do handy work and repair machines. I hope I can learn how to install, service, repair machinery, perform computer deisgning and rectify basic electrical faults. I hope I will become a designer to make people life easier.

Start preparing your portfolio and EAE write-up now so that you will have time to check in with your school's ECG Counsellor for advice. Your ECG Counsellor may be able to give you some feedback on how to improve your write-up and portfolio. If you require more guidance, you may contact your ECG Counsellor or teacher for help.


Quiz

Put your EAE knowledge to the test by answering these True or False statements!



Feedback

This option is correct. EAE is an admissions exercise that allows students to apply for and receive conditional offers for admission to polytechnics or ITE based on their aptitudes and interests prior to receiving their national examination results.

Feedback

This option is incorrect. EAE is an admissions exercise that allows students to apply for and receive conditional offers for admission to polytechnics or ITE based on their aptitudes and interests prior to receiving their national examination results.

Feedback

This option is incorrect. You will be guaranteed a place in the course upon confirmation of the conditional offer, and your national examination results must meet the Minimum Entry Requirements of the course.

Feedback

This option is correct. You will be guaranteed a place in the course upon confirmation of the conditional offer, and your national examination results must meet the Minimum Entry Requirements of the course.

Feedback

This option is incorrect. Students who have accepted an EAE offer but do not withdraw by the deadline will be deemed to have confirmed their acceptance and will not be eligible to participate in the JAE or JIE exercises.

Feedback

This option is correct. Students who have accepted an EAE offer but do not withdraw by the deadline will be deemed to have confirmed their acceptance and will not be eligible to participate in the JAE or JIE exercises.

Feedback

This option is correct. For polytechnic EAE, students should prepare a portfolio and a 600 character writeup. For ITE EAE, students should prepare a portfolio and a 100 word writeup.

Feedback

This option is incorrect. For polytechnic EAE, students should prepare a portfolio and a 600 character writeup. For ITE EAE, students should prepare a portfolio and a 100 word writeup.

Feedback

This option is incorrect. Students can apply for up to 3 course choices. Courses with the same title at different polytechnics or ITE colleges are counted as separate choices.

Feedback

This option is correct. Students can apply for up to 3 course choices. Courses with the same title at different polytechnics or ITE colleges are counted as separate choices.