Aptitude Based Admission (ABA)
Aptitude Based Admission (ABA)
Local universities like NUS and NTU are increasingly placing more emphasis on Aptitude Based Admission (ABA). Here's an excerpt of NTU's write-up on ABA to help you better understand how you can capitalise on this opportunity to improve your chances of entering local universities:
Aptitude based admissions take into account students' passions, interests and strengths. Applicants with exceptional talents and/or outstanding achievements beyond schools' CCAs can be considered, subject to a minimum level of academic competence. Academic grades of relevant subjects may be an indication of aptitude as well. If you have one or more of the following achievements, you are encouraged to provide details under ABA section of the application form:
Winner at the International Olympiads or in the National Science & Talent Search
Significant awards/achievements in area relevant to the programme applied
Carded athlete* or represented Singapore in Arts and/or Sports such as Olympics, SEA/ASEAN/ASIAN games, etc
Active involvement/participation in community services and/or volunteering work
Demonstrated excellence in areas such as leadership, entrepreneurship, arts & culture, sports, etc.
In addition to providing information above, applicants must submit an essay of not more than 500 words under ABA section of the application form and at least 1 (maximum 2) appraisal online to support their applications. Shortlisted candidates may be required to attend an interview and present relevant supporting documents for verification upon request.
*Carded athletes are athletes who have been nominated for the High Performance Sports (HPS) based on their profile of the past 12 months (1 Jan to 31 Dec) performance / potential to achieve at the Major games. The Singapore Sports Institute (SSI) evaluates and categorizes nominated athletes based on their achievements in local and international competitions.
Source: Aptitude-based Admissions (ABA) for NTU (https://www3.ntu.edu.sg/oad2/website_files/DA.pdf)
Please check respective NUS, NTU and SMU websites for requirements.
The CCE Team at YIJC have done an interview with the following faculties to find out more about the tips to do well for ABA.
NTU Nanyang Business School
NTU College of Engineering
NUS Infrastructure and Project Management
NUS Architecture
NUS Business School
NUS Engineering
Click here to find out more about these tips.
The CCE Team at YIJC have done an interview with some of your seniors who have gone through ABA to find out more their experiences.
Click here to find out more about what they have to say.
NUS: http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/undergraduate-programmes/aptitude-based-admission
NTU: https://www3.ntu.edu.sg/oad2/website_files/DA.pdf
SMU: https://admissions.smu.edu.sg/faqs/admissions-and-applications, https://admissions.smu.edu.sg/admissions-requirements
*Do note that SMU does not have a separate application for ABA into SMU.