Most parents in Singapore would have heard a little bit about the Gifted Education Programme (GEP) – and if you think if you have a talented child on your hands, it’s worth knowing more about it and seeing what opportunities are in store for your little one!
Your child’s first step that determines if they can get into GEP is the Screening Test. It is the first of two rounds of tests that filter and identify students who will make the cut to GEP in Primary 4. For starters, here’s some information about the GEP screening test and what you can expect from it (along with some tips on how to do well)! (For information relevant to the GEP selection test, we have a post dedicated to it here.)
Who can take the GEP screening test?
The GEP screening test is available for all primary 3 students who are studying in government and government-aided schools. Although the test is not compulsory, typically all students will take the test unless their parents choose to opt their child out.
When is the GEP screening test?
Usually, the Screening Test (Round 1) is held in August for all students, and the Selection Test (Round 2) is held in October/November for students who passed the first test.
For the year 2023, the GEP test dates are as follows:
Screening Test: 17 August 2023
Selection Test: 17 and 18 October 2023
Students who pass the second test will be invited to join GEP. You can accept or deny the invitation, and the newly minted GEP students will officially begin the GEP curriculum in Primary 4. Read our post on what’s life like as a GEP student!
What is tested in the GEP screening test?
The GEP screening test comprises English and Math components, tested across two papers.
For math, the scope of topics will cover those that Primary 3 students learn in their math syllabus, which includes:
- Whole Numbers
- Fractions
- Money
- Measurement (Length, Mass, Volume)
- Time
- Area and Perimeter (rectangle/square)
- Angles (basic concepts of right angle, acute angle)
- Perpendicular & Parallel Lines (basic concepts)
- Bar graphs
Although some of the questions will be very tough and require some creativity or advanced problem-solving skills to answer, they will not require concepts that P3 students have not learnt, for example, algebra or speed. Try out some of the GEP Screening Test sample questions we have peppered over the article!
For English, the scope is less defined, as with all things language. Some liken the standard to something like Secondary 1 or 2 English, and the vocabulary can be especially challenging.
What is the format of the GEP screening test?
The GEP screening test has two papers, the English and Math papers. Students have 1.5 hours to answer each paper.
Can my child prepare for the test?
The point of the GEP screening and selection tests are for identifying students with innate potential and intellectual gifts. In this regard, no amount of preparation can make a child pass if they do not already have the potential in them.
However, we believe it is possible to help students perform better by allowing them to have a better understanding of what to expect. This means familiarising them with the type of questions they may see in the test, and ‘exercising’ those skills muscles they would use to solve those questions.
At Future Academy, we provide crash courses before the GEP screening and selection tests to introduce students to common GEP-style questions. Your child will also get the chance to learn some techniques and tools they can use to tackle these tough cookies!
From experience, we also find that it is easier to prepare for the Math components compared to English. Children can pick up math skills through practice and exposure to advanced math questions such as those found in a Math Olympiad training class.
However, English requires more prolonged exposure through a wide range of reading and engaging with texts – something not easy to do within a short time.
Conclusion
GEP is a wonderful opportunity for high-ability students, but it is definitely not for everyone. If you think it will benefit your child, we wish you all the best at the screening and selection tests! We will also be happy to help with GEP preparation and tuition classes for GEP students once your child has successfully entered the programme.
Our team of GEP tutors have experience teaching GEP in schools, making them the ideal candidates for coaching would-be and current GEP students. Get in touch with us to have your headstart in the programme today!