AEIS Preparation Guide 2026 — Study Plan & Timeline

With a ~20% pass rate, AEIS is one of the most competitive school admission exercises in Singapore. Most families who don't secure a place share one thing in common: they started preparation too late, or they prepared without knowing exactly where their child's gaps were.

This guide gives you a complete, month-by-month AEIS preparation plan for both the September 2026 and February 2027 (S-AEIS) windows — along with subject requirements by level, the most common preparation mistakes, and how Edugate Learning Hub's diagnostic-first approach closes gaps faster.

The Two AEIS Windows: September vs February

There are two opportunities to sit AEIS each year:

• September AEIS (main window): Registration opens in August, exam in September–October, results ~8 weeks after the exam. This is the primary opportunity and has more available places.
• February S-AEIS (supplementary window): Open only to children who sat the September AEIS but were not offered a place. Registration opens November–December, exam in January–February.

If your child misses the September window or doesn't pass, S-AEIS gives a second chance — but preparation time is compressed to approximately 3 months. That's why a diagnostic assessment before the September window is the single most important step regardless of which window you're targeting.

Month-by-Month AEIS Study Plan — September 2026 Window

This plan assumes a start in April or May 2026. Starting later compresses each phase and reduces the time available to consolidate learning before exam day.

Month-by-Month Plan — February 2027 S-AEIS Window

S-AEIS preparation is compressed. The gap between September results (typically December) and the February exam gives approximately 8–10 weeks of preparation time. Every week matters.

Subject Requirements by Level — English

AEIS English is closely aligned to Singapore's MOE curriculum for the target level. Here's what each level band tests:

Important for primary applicants (P2–P5): A valid Cambridge English Qualification (CEQ) — such as YLE Starters, Movers, or Flyers — is required to sit AEIS at primary level. Allow 3–4 months to prepare for the CEQ if your child does not already hold one.

Subject Requirements by Level — Mathematics

The MOE Singapore Maths syllabus is structured differently from most international curricula — particularly the emphasis on problem sums and heuristics at primary level, and algebraic methods from Secondary 1 onwards.

Weekly Study Plan Template

This template works for the Foundation and Practice phases (May–August for the September window). Adjust session count based on diagnostic findings — children with larger Maths gaps should weight sessions accordingly.

6 Common AEIS Preparation Mistakes

How Diagnostic Assessment Accelerates AEIS Preparation

A diagnostic assessment doesn't just tell you how your child is performing overall — it maps exactly which skills within each subject are below the target AEIS level. This is the difference between:

• Generic approach: "Your child is weak in English — revise comprehension, grammar, and composition." (3 broad areas, 4–6 months of work)
• Diagnostic approach: "Your child handles literal comprehension well, but scores poorly on inferential questions and uses inconsistent tenses in composition. Grammar is strong." (2 specific gaps, 6–8 weeks of targeted work)

The diagnostic approach doesn't just save time — it preserves motivation. Children who work on relevant, challenging content build confidence faster than those sitting through topics they already understand.

Edugate's AEIS Track — 4 Centres Across Singapore

Edugate Learning Hub offers dedicated AEIS preparation at all four centres, with small-group classes (max 12 students) and individual diagnostic tracking throughout the preparation period.