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NYJC Education and Career Guidance Portal

Aptitude Based Admissions

Find out how NUS and NTU consider talents, achievements, and experiences beyond academic grades for university admissions.

Last updated 16 June 2026

Aptitude-based Admissions

NUS Aptitude-based Admissions

  • Under ABA, NUS will consider factors besides academic grades and admit applicants on other bases, including demonstrated ability and interest, work experience, leadership, community service and exceptional talent, subject to a minimum level of academic competence.

  • The following are some samples of exceptional achievements that may be taken into consideration:

    • Medals won at the International Olympiads (Biology, Chemistry, Informatics, Mathematics and Physics)

    • Represented Singapore in arts or sports competitions

    • Participation in community service and volunteering work

    • Internship or notable work experience related to your degree choices

    • Key leadership positions in community service, or sports/arts associations, outside the school

    • Leading role in entrepreneurship efforts

    • Creation of a new software or app, or contribution to an open-source software, that is used by many people

  • Applicants who wish to be considered under ABA must answer four Short Response Questions under the Achievements Section of the online application form. You are to also list up to four achievements that may include CCA and non-academic activities (e.g. social work, competitive sports) in which you have participated.

    • Question 1: Tell us something you have done outside your school curriculum to prepare yourself for your chosen degree programme(s). (600 character limit)

    • Question 2: Describe an instance when you did not succeed in accomplishing something on your first attempt but succeeded on subsequent attempts. How and what did you learn from your initial failure, and what changes did you make to your approach to eventually succeed? (600 character limit)

    • Question 3: Share something that is meaningful to you and explain how it has impacted you in a concrete way. (600 character limit)

    • Question 4: What is your proudest achievement, and what obstacles did you overcome with the help or inspiration from others to accomplish it? How does it display your commitment and how you have been enterprising? Please also explain how it exemplifies some of the five NUS values of Innovation, Resilience, Excellence, Respect and Integrity. (1100 character limit)

NTU Aptitude-based Admissions Scheme (ABA)

  • Under ABA, NTU takes into account students' passions, interests and strengths. Applicants with exceptional talents and/or outstanding achievements beyond schools’ co-curricular activities can be considered, subject to a minimum level of academic competence, for admissions under ABA. 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. (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.)

    • Active involvement/participation in community services and/or volunteering work

    • Demonstrated excellence in areas such as leadership, entrepreneurship, arts & culture, sports, etc.

    • Demonstration of aptitude/passion through portfolio relevant to the 1st choice programme applied for. This can include competition, project and activity/programme undertaken in the related field of study. The key emphasis is relevance to the field of programme study applied in addition to the relevant subject/s taken.

    • Made significant contributions or attained outstanding achievements in area of work or internship relevant to the programme applied.

  • Applicants are encouraged to provide details on their achievements, an essay of not more than 500 words under ABA section of the application form and submit 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.