1. All you need to know about the ITE Early Admissions Exercise

2. Impetus
2018
Ideally, admission to vocational training pathways should predominantly be aptitude-based. There are practical constraints, such as course capacity, or the industries’ ability to absorb the graduates – but where possible, we want every student to enter a vocation of his liking.
2019
Since the EAE was implemented, it has sparked a host of education and career guidance activities in secondary schools. Students now go through personality assessments, speak to industry practitioners and counsellors, and visit companies for their learning journeys, to discover their interests and strengths. This is a very good thing, for self-discovery is a worthwhile investment of time and effort in secondary school.
Mr Ong Ye Kung
Minister for Education
Committee of Supply Debates

3. Things You Should Know About the ITE EAE

4. 1
It’s for those who have aptitudes and interests in specific fields of study
Focus on course-specific aptitudes and interests
But, non-course-specific achievements, e.g. sports, performing arts, leadership, are also considered 2
You’ll be assessed through different modes
E.g. interviews, aptitude tests, showcasing your portfolio, depending on the course you apply for
Teacher’s Notes:
ITE EAE is similar to the Poly EAE. It caters to students who have course-specific aptitude and interests and also caters to those with other talents/achievements, e.g. sports, leadership, community work, arts.
Teachers may wish to remind students that the exercise focuses on their existing strengths and interests in particular fields of study / ITE courses. 3
All this will take place before your N- or O- Level exams
If your application is successful, ITE will give you a conditional offer before you take the N- or O-Level exams

5. 4 5 You’ll still have to meet the minimum entry requirements
Most Nitec or Higher Nitec courses have subject-specific minimum entry requirements (see slides 6 and 7)
(…or your offer will be revoked)
But you won’t have to compete for admission to ITE strictly on the basis of how well you do academically compared to everyone else 5
Teacher’s Notes:
Typically, students have to compete for a place in a ITE course based on their academic merit, i.e. aggregate scores
Through the ITE EAE, students only need to meet the subject-specific MER and students will be admitted based on a broader measure of merit
The subject-specific MER will ensure that they have the requisite academic foundation to cope with the rigour of the course

6. Examples of MERs of Nitec courses (refer to ITE’s website for full updated list)
S/N
MER for N-Level students
MER for O-Level students
Examples of Nitec courses 1
3 N-Level passes in English, Mathematics and one other subject
2 O-Level grades A1 to E8 in any two subjects
Nursing 2
3 N-Level passes in Mathematics or Science and two other subjects
Mechatronics & Robotics
Community Care & Social Services
Infocomm Technology 3
3 N-Level passes in English and two other subjects
Floristry
Western Culinary Arts 4
3 N-Level passes in Mathematics and two other subjects
Aerospace Avionics
Interior & Exhibition Design 5
Completed N-Level
Completed O-Level
Retail Services
Security Technology
Teacher’s Notes:
Either Mathematics or Additional Mathematics may be used to meet the MER for N(A) students who take both subjects.

7. Examples of MERs of Higher Nitec courses (refer to ITE’s website for full updated list)
S/N
MER (O-Levels)
Examples of Higher Nitec courses 1
E8 in English Language
D7 in Mathematics (E/A)
E8 in third subject (List A)
Biotechnology
Chemical Technology 2
E8 in third subject (List B)
Games Art & Design
Electrical Engineering 3
D7 in English Language
E8 in Mathematics (E/A) or POA*
D7 in one other subject
Filmmaking (Cinematography)
Sport Management 4
D7 in Mathematics (E/A) or POA*
E8 in one other subject
Interactive Design 5
C6 in English Language
C6 in two other subjects*
Early Childhood Education 6
D7 in two other subjects*
Leisure & Travel Operations
Hospitality Operations 7
E8 in two other subjects*
Visual Merchandising
List A
Engineering Science
Combined Science
Integrated Science
Physical Science
Physics
Science (Physics, Biology)
Science (Physics, Chemistry)
Science (Physics, Biology, Chemistry)
Biology
Biotechnology
Chemistry
Science (Chemistry, Biology)
Human & Social Biology
List B
Computer Studies
Design & Technology
Fundamentals of Electronics
*Student must have attempted Mathematics (E/A) to be eligible for selection.

8. Important Dates to Remember

9. Offer & Acceptance Stage
21 May – 27 May
Application Stage
Apply online at the ITE website
Three choices in order of preference, one write-up for each course
24 Jun – 26 July
Interviews Stage
Shortlisted students will be informed of their interview dates, starting from mid-June.
26 August – 30 August
Offer & Acceptance Stage
Check results online
Successful students can choose to accept or reject offer
2 September – 6 September
Withdrawal Stage
Students who wish to withdraw from their accepted offers can proceed to any of the ITE Customer & Visitor Centres during this period. They will then be able to take part in the Joint Intake Exercise (JIE) or Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) after the N- or O-Level exams.
Teacher’s Notes:
Application Stage takes place in Term 2 Week 10, after students have received their MYE results.
Interviews Stage will begin towards the end of the June Holidays.
Withdrawal Stage takes place during the September holidays so that students are able to go to the ITE Customer & Visitor Centres
Successful students who do not withdraw after the Withdrawal Stage and meet the admissions criteria will not be eligible for JAE or JIE

10. Things You Could Do Before You Apply

11. Step 1 Explore your interests and develop your strengths
Elective Modules, Advanced Elective Modules; Applied Subjects; Applied Learning Programme
Work attachments; community / volunteer work
Course-related school / personal activities, course- related achievements and projects, CCAs
Teacher’s Notes:
Exploration of interest and development of strength should take place across the students’ secondary school years, and not just a few weeks before the commencement of ITE EAE
The intent is not to put additional stress on students. It is to provide students, who have discovered and developed deep interests and strengths in specific fields, the opportunity to use these to gain admission to ITE courses that are aligned with these interests and strengths. 

12. Research on the ITE courses you are interested in and related careers in the sector
Step 2
Conduct online research, e.g. ITE website
Visit the Career Services Centres that are open for walk-ins
Talk to your teachers, ECG Counsellors, family/relatives
Teacher’s Notes:
Refer to the ITE website for more info.
Students should choose courses they are really interested in, and not based on the apparent popularity or typical aggregate scores of students who are admitted to the course.

13. Step 3 Prepare for your application Prepare your write-ups
Short-write-up (100 words) on why you want to enter the course
Clear and concise descriptions of your interests, passion and relevant skills, experiences and activities participated in
Prepare relevant documents
Portfolios (where relevant), e.g. samples of creative work done for design courses
Other examples include evidence of experiences / involvement in course-related activities, CCA records, course-related certificates / awards, latest school-based examination results
Upload the supporting documents onto the online portal
Prepare for interviews
Teacher’s Notes:
It is important for applicants to demonstrate evidence of their interests in and aptitude for the specific course(s) they are applying for.
This would be different for every student and could take many forms, including sustained involvement in related projects or programmes, participation in work attachments or relevant school events and/or CCAs, achievements in relevant areas, or just deep knowledge in the specific topic of interest.

14. Benjamin’s Story
Researched on the various ITE courses, visited ITE open house and talked to the lecturers to find out more
Interested in audio video equipment and likes making videos
Joined secondary school’s Infocomm Club; specialising in audio and visual aid
Talked to a friend’s uncle who works in the IT industry
Teacher’s Notes:
Optional example of a journey of a student with clear interests and aptitudes
Talked to Form Teacher and ECG Counsellor to prepare for interview
Selected 3 IT-related courses that interested him the most; started preparing write-ups on why he was interested in the courses; put together portfolio of his best videos
Attended an ITE EAE briefing
Decided to apply via ITE EAE

15. Increased Opportunities

16. 1
Greater flexibility for ITE to admit students via aptitude-based admissions
Focus on courses for which aptitude-based admissions is most meaningful, i.e. where interests and strengths in the field are particularly important
Teacher’s Notes:
ITE will be able to take in up to 15% of their students via aptitude-based admissions.
However, course-level caps for ITE EAE will be lifted from Academic Year 2019. 2

17. Last Word

18. “
We should not be pushing the young to rush into declaring their interests prematurely. I will be rather upset if I change this policy and see the sprouting of a new tuition industry coaching students how to ace interviews. If a young person has yet to discover his area of interest, the system should give him more time for self-discovery. And if he for some reason cannot get into the course of study he wants, then I hope he can give what he has a chance. We should make the best of the hand we are dealt with in life.
Teacher’s Notes:
Intent is not to create more stress for students/parents, but to provide opportunities for students who have discovered and developed strengths and interests to use these to apply for admission to ITE.
For students who are still exploring, there are still pathways to gain admission to ITE.
E.g. JIE or JAE caters to students applying with the N- or O-Level exam results. ”
Mr Ong Ye Kung
Minister for Education (Higher Education & Skills)
Committee of Supply Debates 2016

19. Any Questions? www.ite.edu.sg Teacher’s Notes:
The following slides are some potential misconceptions that students/parents may have about ITE EAE.

20. Possible Scenario #1:
Are O-Level students able to hold on to concurrent ITE EAE and Poly EAE offers?
Yes, O-Level students can hold on to concurrent ITE EAE and Poly EAE offers.
Those who have met the MERs for both offers will be required to decide between them. The Poly EAE offer will be automatically confirmed and ITE EAE offer released if the student does not decide by a stipulated deadline.
The O-Level student is also not allowed to participate in JAE.

21. Possible Scenario #2:
A Sec 4N(A) student has accepted his ITE EAE offer but has qualified for the DPP or PFP. Can he still apply for DPP/PFP? What about his ITE EAE offer?
Yes, students who have accepted their ITE EAE offer and who are eligible may apply for the DPP or PFP.
Those who receive a DPP offer will be required to decide between the DPP or ITE EAE offer. The DPP offer will be automatically confirmed and ITE EAE offer released if the student does not decide by a stipulated deadline.
As applications to the PFP open in January, students with confirmed ITE EAE or DPP offers may progress to ITE first before applying for PFP when applications open. They may then subsequently withdraw from ITE if they receive a PFP offer.

22. Misconception #1: ITE has a target of 15% to meet for ITE EAE and I would be disadvantaged if I do not apply early.
15% is an allowance that ITE may utilise
Extent of utilisation would vary year-on-year depending on number and calibre of applicants

23. Misconception #2: The ITE EAE allowance has been lifted completely
Misconception #2: The ITE EAE allowance has been lifted completely. This means that I don’t stand a chance if I apply during JIE or JAE.
Previously, ITE courses were allowed to take in up to 30-50% of their course-level intake via EAE. The lifting of the course- level allowance provides ITE flexibility to select and admit a higher proportion of students under EAE, in courses where academic grades may not be the strongest predictor of suitability.
However, the total proportion of students that ITE can take in across all courses under EAE will remain at 15%. This means that there will still be a good spread of places available in ITE for students who may apply through other admission routes such as JIE and JAE.

24. Misconception #3: I will lose out if I don’t apply for a ITE course via ITE EAE.
If you are not certain about your interests and aptitudes at this point in time, there are still other avenues to enter ITE, e.g. using your N- or O-Level results to apply during JIE or JAE
However, if you have interests and/or aptitudes in certain ITE courses, you are encouraged to consider applying via ITE EAE

25. Misconception #4: I can only apply for selected courses through ITE EAE.
All full-time ITE Nitec and Higher Nitec courses are open for application through ITE EAE.

26. Misconception #5: I don’t have to study once I receive an ITE EAE offer.
Students with conditional ITE EAE offers need to meet the subject-specific MERs for ITE courses in order for their offers to be confirmed.
The MERs ensure that students have the requisite academic foundation in order to cope with the rigour of the ITE course

27. Misconception #6: I can’t change my mind after accepting my ITE EAE offer.
If you accept an offer during the Acceptance Stage (26 Aug – 30 Aug), you can still withdraw your acceptance during the Withdrawal Stage (2 Sep – 6 Sep) and participate in JIE or JAE when results are released
If you do not withdraw by 6 Sep 2019, the offers will be automatically confirmed when results are released and you meet the subject-specific MERs. You will not be eligible for other ITE admissions exercises or be able switch courses.

28. Misconception #7: I can choose to withdraw from the ITE EAE offer after the N- or O-Level results are released.
No. Should students meet the MERs when the GCE N- or O-Level results are released, their ITE EAE conditional offers will be automatically confirmed and students will not be able to switch courses within ITE or participate in other ITE grades-based admissions exercises, e.g. JIE or JAE.
Sec 4N(A) students who are DPP/PFP-eligible will, however, be allowed to apply for DPP/PFP, so as to allow them to pursue a higher level of study.
O-Level students will be barred from JAE if they have a confirmed ITE EAE offer. However, should they qualify for studies at the polytechnics or JC/MI, they may appeal to the institutions directly.