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Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
A second chance to excel: 3,800 private candidates taking O- and A-level exams in 2025
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox The SEAB said about half of the private candidates had previously taken their national examinations as school candidates. SINGAPORE - At the age of 18, when Ms Katherine Tan received her A-level results in 2016, her score fell short of the cut-off for local universities. 'I was in this very weird limbo because people who retake their A levels go back to school because they failed a subject,' she said. 'But I didn't fail anything, so going back to school was not even an option for me.' Coming from a low-income household, enrolling in a private university was financially out of reach. She eventually decided to retake her A levels as a private candidate, and her grades improved significantly. She gained admission in 2018 to the National University of Singapore to study economics, and was awarded a scholarship in her second year. Her story is not uncommon. In 2025, the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) recorded 3,800 private candidates – 2,300 will be sitting the O-level exams, while 1,500 will take the A levels. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. 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In response to queries, she said there were more than 1,000 private candidates for the A levels yearly from 2016 to 2025, while the number of private O-level candidates fell from about 4,400 to 2,300 during the same period. Private candidates are individuals who are not enrolled in mainstream schools and want to take Singapore's national examinations. They must meet the minimum age requirement for the respective examination levels. These candidates are assigned to the nearest examination centre, typically a school, to take their exams alongside school candidates. SEAB said about half of the private candidates had previously taken the national examinations as school candidates. Registrations begin annually from late March to early April via SEAB's candidates portal. Aside from retakers, preparatory centres like the Management Development Institute of Singapore (MDIS) and private tutors also see first-timers, including homeschooled students and polytechnic graduates, in their programmes. Some even choose to retake the exams despite not needing the results to qualify for higher education. Tutor Eunice Goh, 33, retook the General Paper examination in 2024 to keep updated on the new syllabus, which was tested for the first time that year. Ms Eunice Goh, 33, a tutor at Blue Herring Education, retook her General Paper in 2024 as a private candidate. PHOTO: COURTESY OF EUNICE GOH 'As a tutor, we impart information. But it's been so long since we experienced what it is like to be a student, to be on the receiving end of the pressure and the preparation work that goes into taking the exams,' said Ms Goh, who tutors both school students and private candidates at Blue Herring Academy. Ms Lee Su Yin, programme manager at MDIS College, said it has had enrolment growth of more than 50 per cent in its O- and A-level programmes in 2025 compared with 2024. Seven other preparatory schools that The Straits Times contacted declined to reply. Being a private candidate is not easy, as Ms Tan found out. 'One of the reasons why being a private candidate is so lonely is that all your friends have moved on, and you cannot expect your friends to stay behind in this rut with you,' she said. 'I wanted to help people (like myself) find a community to let them feel less alone.' To support such students, Ms Tan, now 27, made the bold move in 2024 to quit her $10,000-a-month corporate job to launch a dedicated tuition programme for private candidates: Lighthouse Education. Ms Tan Cheng Ping Katherine, 27, founder of Lighthouse Education, made the bold move in 2024 to trade her $10,000 a month corporate job to launch a dedicated tuition programme for private candidates. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG More than 30 private candidates are currently enrolled in the centre's regular lessons, which cost between $380 and $420 a month. In 2024, 94 per cent of the private candidates who took classes at her centre made it to NUS, NTU and Singapore Management University (SMU). Ms Tan also runs a free public Telegram group with more than 200 members – including past and present private candidates – offering academic and emotional support by answering questions and sharing resources. Second chances Many private candidates had hoped to return to school to repeat a year of studies, but failed in their appeals. Their aim was to gain better grades to get into the courses they wanted. This was the case for Ms Kim Mary Steven, 20, who retook her A levels in 2024. While her school results could have earned her a spot in local universities, Ms Kim's dream course – which she declined to reveal – was more competitive, requiring a higher score. She intends to gain more work experience and explore opportunities before applying for university again in 2026. 'If your initial path doesn't work out, you just have to go and find ways to create a new path for yourself,' said Ms Kim. Incoming SMU freshman Leonard Wong, 27, said taking his O levels as a private candidate was a chance to return to the mainstream education track. Mr Leonard Wong, 27, a private candidate who took his O levels for the first time under the ITE General Education Programme. PHOTO: COURTESY OF LEONARD WONG Due to academic challenges, he dropped out of school in Secondary 3. After working for a few years, he found an interest in finance and investments and wanted to pursue a polytechnic diploma in accountancy and finance. Needing an O-level certificate to qualify, he took the O levels for the first time at age 23, as a private candidate via the General Education programme for adult learners at the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). The part-time programme is for adult learners to upgrade their academic qualifications, through weekly lessons usually held at night or on weekends. ' At the start of the course, I did doubt myself. I hadn't been back in school for seven years. There was so much to relearn, especially within just eight months,' said Mr Wong. He pressed on and entered polytechnic, graduating with a perfect grade point average in 2025, and is headed to SMU to pursue a double degree in accountancy and business management. ' This journey always reminds me that it's never too late to pursue something you truly want. Even after being out of school for several years, I realised that as long as I stayed consistent and had the right mindset, I could always progress,' he added. For Mr Shaun Seow, 28, retaking his A levels during his national service to enter his dream course in finance was not easy. As a commander in the Naval Diving Unit, Mr Seow had multiple responsibilities and long days out at sea. Mr Shaun Seow retook his A levels three times before entering university in 2018. PHOTO: COURTESY OF SHAUN SEOW Not wanting his bunkmates to see his studies as an excuse for poor performance, Mr Seow kept his study plans a secret, and would sneak off to an empty bunk to study in the wee hours of the morning. He eventually retook the A levels three times before clinching a spot in SMU in 2018. 'There's some stigma behind (being a private candidate). But (to me) it's more like a 'flex' because not everybody has that experience of going through the hard part,' said Mr Seow, who is now a market analyst at a financial institution. For Ms Ayesha Faizal, 23, retaking her O levels in 2019 helped her enjoy learning all over again, after doing poorly in school. 'Sometimes, in school, everything is so rushed, so you don't actually get to sit back and properly experience the learning process. But when the pace was slowed down, I found myself asking more questions, being a bit more curious.' Ms Ayesha took lessons from a preparatory centre, Inspire Education, at the time. With her improved score, she joined Victoria Junior College, and has eased back into the school system. 'In JC, I was a more dedicated student than I had been before . I appreciated having guidance from my teachers and would seek them out a lot more than I did in secondary school ,' said Ms Ayesha, who is entering her final year in arts and social sciences at NUS.
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Straits Times
Levelling the playing field: More students with special needs granted accommodations for exams
An assortment of assistive technology apps, software and devices used in exams. PHOTO: SOCIETY FOR THE PHYSICALLY DISABLED Levelling the playing field: More students with special needs granted accommodations for exams SINGAPORE - When Dr Geetha Shantha Ram's daughter Tara was in Primary 3, she struggled to keep up academically. Simple mathematical questions were a struggle for Tara, not because of poor calculation skills, but because she could not comprehend the questions. Tara was later diagnosed with mixed dyslexia, a learning difficulty that affects both sound-based and visual processing. Based on her diagnosis and recommendations by a psychologist, the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) granted Tara extra time, larger spacing and font size when she took her PSLE. She was also exempted from taking mother tongue language as an examinable subject. Such accommodations, known as access arrangements (AA), are designed to support students with special educational needs during national exams – allowing their skills to be assessed without compromising assessment objectives. In 2024, about 6,700 students were granted AA, such as extra time or support from human readers, scribes or prompters. This was up by about 60 per cent from 2015. Dr Geetha Shantha Ram and her daughter Tara, when the child was first diagnosed with dyslexia. PHOTO: COURTESY OF GEETHA SHANTHA RAM According to SEAB, the most common conditions among this group are dyslexia and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and the rise in numbers could be attributed to more students being diagnosed with special needs. As at 2023, there were about 36,000 students here with reported special education needs. Around 80 per cent of them were in mainstream schools, with the rest attending special education schools. Students with dyslexia may take a longer time to read text and spell even common words, which can affect their writing pace and ability to express themselves through writing. SEAB also allows the use of assistive technology such as a reader pen, which scans and verbalises written text for the visually impaired. Other tools include desktop magnifiers, word processors and screen readers. For national exams such as the PSLE, O levels and A levels, students can apply for AA through their school by end-February of their examination year. They will receive an outcome by April of the same year. They are advised to approach their school's designated special education needs officer or form teachers for assistance. O- and A-level certificates annotated with a '+' symbol to indicate that the paper was taken with Access Arrangements. ST PHOTO: TARYN NG For daily class work and school-based assessments, students can also apply for AA at their school directly. Dr Geetha likens the need for such provisions to wearing glasses to compensate for poor vision. 'You wouldn't challenge a child needing glasses if they cannot see clearly, right? An access arrangement is like these eyeglasses because now you can access the information, and demonstrate what you have learnt in a fair way,' said the director of specific learning difficulties assessment services and English language and literacy division at the Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS). Over the years, Dr Geetha has seen how special arrangements, together with coping strategies such as using a ruler to prevent skipping lines, allowed Tara, now 13, to perform on a par with her peers despite her condition. The SEAB website states that it considers both medical conditions and the school's observations of the student's performance, as well as difficulties faced during school and examinations under standard conditions. Applicants must submit medical documentation, including a formal diagnosis from a registered medical professional and any supplementary reports such as assessment outcomes and therapy reports. In cases of unforeseen circumstances such as injuries or sudden medical conditions which happen just before or during examinations, the same evaluation framework will be used to assess the need for AA. Student Matthew Ng, who is currently a software engineering intern, had been granted extra time, a scribe and a separate room to sit his exams since primary school. This allowed him to do well in the mainstream school system despite having dystonic cerebral palsy, which affects his gait and fine motor skills, including writing. 'If not for all these (provisions), we wouldn't be able to prove our competency,' said Mr Ng, 24, who is an Asia Pacific Breweries Foundation scholar at local charity SPD. Mr Matthew Ng, 24, has dystonic cerebral palsy which affects his gait and fine motor skills. PHOTO: COURTESY OF MR MATTHEW NG Any stigma attached? Ms Moonlake Lee, founder of local charity and social service agency Unlocking ADHD, said families with neurodivergent children in mainstream schools often worry about the stigma and potential impact on future opportunities when seeking exam accommodations. This is because SEAB annotates results slips to reflect any exemptions or accommodations, though it does not disclose medical conditions or specific support provided to third parties. Ms Lee said such concerns should not prevent parents and students from getting the help they need , which 'may hinder (the children) from showing what they are capable of' . Dr June Siew, head of DAS Academy, which trains individuals who support children with special needs, said that students are concerned about what their peers would think of them if they have special provisions. She recalls her 15-year-old son, who has both dyslexia and ADHD, feeling ashamed about having such arrangements. 'A simple statement like (the teacher asking) those with AA to raise their hands sets (them) apart and might make other students think: Why are you so special? Why do you have this unfair advantage?' she said. 'I don't blame the teachers, because it's an administrative thing. But if teachers can just add a simple one-liner to explain why these children need access arrangements, it might be helpful in setting the correct tone and help their peers develop empathy.' Exemptions not the easy way out Aside from special exam accommodations, students can also be granted exemption from certain exam components or a subject should their special needs significantly impair their ability to show knowledge and skills, such as oracy skills. In such cases, the student's overall subject grade will be computed based on his performance in other components. For Ms Jasmine, who declined to provide her last name, her son with autism spectrum disorder, now 13, has been granted both extra time and exemption from taking Chinese since he was in primary school. The school was initially unwilling to grant this request. 'I suppose there are genius kids who just want to get away with (not taking) Chinese. This is very hard to spot,' said the 50-year-old art teacher. The problem for her son was finding the courage to speak. 'I recall telling the teachers that I'll be very thankful if you can make him speak Chinese, because if the anxiety kicks in, (he) won't speak to you at all,' said the mother, who recorded instances of his increased heart rate and him breaking his eraser during Chinese lessons, reflecting his dysregulation. '(For students with special needs), it's not because they don't know. Some are sensitive to sounds, some have physical challenges or get anxious, so access arrangements are very important to them.' 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Scoop
26-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
SEAB Painting Delivers Long-Term Protection For Industrial Roofs With Noxyde Coating
As Auckland's industrial buildings face increasing exposure to coastal weather, aging materials, and regulatory compliance issues, SEAB Painting is offering a specialized solution that extends roof lifespan and reduces ongoing maintenance costs. The company provides expert industrial roof painting in Auckland, servicing warehouses, factories, and commercial structures with coatings designed to resist corrosion, water ingress, and UV degradation. One of SEAB's standout offerings is the Noxyde roof coating system, developed by Rust-Oleum. This high-performance membrane seals and protects iron, butynol, and asbestos roofs, forming a flexible and weatherproof barrier that adjusts to structural movement and expansion. The coating is suitable for encapsulating aged or hazardous surfaces, making it a compliant option for asbestos-containing roofs. Its water-based formulation aligns with environmental standards, and it comes with a 10-year manufacturer's guarantee. SEAB Painting brings over 80 years of team experience and is certified by Master Painters and Site Safe. Its crews offer rapid quoting, professional preparation, and full safety compliance throughout the application process.
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Protective Coating Solutions Support Auckland Commercial Sector
Press Release – SEAB Painting SEAB provides epoxy flooring in Auckland for commercial and industrial spaces such as warehouses, factories, and commercial kitchens. Commercial property owners in Auckland are increasing their focus on preventative maintenance strategies, particularly in response to wear-prone surfaces and environmental exposure. SEAB, a painting and coatings specialist, offers two key services supporting this shift: epoxy flooring systems and industrial roof coatings. SEAB provides epoxy flooring in Auckland for commercial and industrial spaces such as warehouses, factories, and commercial kitchens. The multilayered application process is designed to create a hard-wearing, chemical-resistant finish suited to high-use environments. Variations in finish — including anti-slip textures or demarcation colours — are available depending on the needs of each site. The company also delivers Noxyde roof coating in Auckland for metal commercial roofing. This elastomeric coating system is engineered for corrosion protection, particularly in environments subject to moisture, salt exposure, and UV stress. Noxyde applications follow a detailed surface preparation protocol and are carried out by SEAB's trained applicators. Both services are positioned as part of SEAB's commercial coatings portfolio, not intended for residential use. Project consultations and service specifications can be accessed at
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Protective Coating Solutions Support Auckland Commercial Sector
Press Release – SEAB Painting Commercial property owners in Auckland are increasing their focus on preventative maintenance strategies, particularly in response to wear-prone surfaces and environmental exposure. SEAB, a painting and coatings specialist, offers two key services supporting this shift: epoxy flooring systems and industrial roof coatings. SEAB provides epoxy flooring in Auckland for commercial and industrial spaces such as warehouses, factories, and commercial kitchens. The multilayered application process is designed to create a hard-wearing, chemical-resistant finish suited to high-use environments. Variations in finish — including anti-slip textures or demarcation colours — are available depending on the needs of each site. The company also delivers Noxyde roof coating in Auckland for metal commercial roofing. This elastomeric coating system is engineered for corrosion protection, particularly in environments subject to moisture, salt exposure, and UV stress. Noxyde applications follow a detailed surface preparation protocol and are carried out by SEAB's trained applicators. Both services are positioned as part of SEAB's commercial coatings portfolio, not intended for residential use. Project consultations and service specifications can be accessed at
