ASEAN Scholarship: The Interview

As mentioned in my previous post, the interview is the last stage of the ASEAN Scholarship. When I wrote that post, I had no experience with the interview, therefore I did not go in extreme detail of what exactly happens in this stage. However, I have recently went for the interview and decided to share the experience to all the desperate people out there.

Location: Park Royal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur
Date: 13 August 2016
Time: 4:15 p.m.

(I received the interview letter roughly a week before the actual interview)

According to the letter, I was required to arrive half an hour earlier and also to bring along both photocopies and original copies of documents proving the achievements I had stated in the application form and identification documents (IC/passport).

When I arrived, the people from MOE were slightly behind schedule so I needed to wait. The interview was held in a different room so all of us candidates had to sit outside. Every once in a while, a man would step out of the room and check the documents of the newcomers. For me, he asked to see one of my UNSW certificates and also my results in Mandarin. The photocopies were given to him and he told me that I would be interviewed after one of the girls over there and I was to enter the room after hearing a bell.

The Questions
Most of the questions were expected:
When did you start wanting to go to Singapore to study?
Why do you want to study in Singapore?
What are some difficulties you think you will face and how will you overcome them?
Do you know anyone who has taken the ASEAN Scholarship?
What do you do in your free time?

Now, one of the questions was particularly odd:
Imagine you are in a sports stadium, choose something to represent you.

(Quite honestly, I feel like I bombed that question, but I won't talk about that here because you're probably only interested in the questions asked during the interview.)

Basically, they would ask you the typical questions which were expected, then follow up with other questions depending on your answer. There were 4 interviewers for my case, so they took turns asking me questions. Based on what I went through, I would say that they asked more 'formal' questions, e.g: 'Why do you want to study in Singapore?'; a few 'non-formal' questions, e.g: 'What are the activities you and your friends enjoy doing together?'; and one 'creativity' question, e.g: the sports stadium question.

I'm quite certain that the 'creativity' question will be slightly different for each candidate. I heard that another boy had to choose an object from the interviewing room instead of the sports stadium. So, the question probably differs slightly so no one can actually prepare an answer.

My Assumptions/Opinions
Now, this is the section where I list out what I think the interviewers will be looking for.
Disclaimer: The author has no actual idea what the interviewers are looking for, read at own risk.

1. Of course, be able to speak proper English.
2. Actually wants to get the scholarship, not someone who was forced by their parents to take the exam.
3. Able to adapt to new surroundings.
4. Able to be social and make new friends.
5. Independent.
6. Able to reason and answer questions logically.

Item number 2 is the most important for me. After all, if you really want something, you'd definitely work harder to get it, and then hold on to it. 

Conclusion

The confirmation letter for the scholarship is supposed to arrive in 1 months time, so I have no idea whether or not I made it through, but I just wanted to share my experience with those who needs it. As I said before, I know how it feels like to search every corner of the internet for someone, just someone who wrote about what to expect in the ASEAN scholarship. 

Best of luck!

A useful website to refer to about the scholarship:http://aseanscholarstory.blogspot.my

ASEAN Scholarship Singapore: The Beginning

As someone who has gone through the pain of searching the internet for websites that would hopefully enlighten me about the somewhat secretive process of the ASEAN Scholarship, I decided that providing an extra website would probably make life just a little bit easier for anyone who is going through the same thing as I once was.

What is the ASEAN Scholarship?

Although anyone who is reading this would probably already know this, I will just briefly go through what the ASEAN Scholarship actually is. In short, the ASEAN Scholarship is a scholarship given by the Ministry of Education of Singapore to several highly intelligent students that manage to meet their criteria of the selection exam (something we will touch on later).

The scholarship not only covers school fees, but it also covers fees for a hostel, including food and other facilities. Scholars will recieve 200 Singapore dollars every month as allowance. If I am not mistaken, Pre-U students receive a higher allowance. However, textbooks and other extra payments are not included. 

Depending on what level you choose to enter, the time period of the scholarship varies. 

Secondary One Level

If you choose this level and are awarded the scholarship, you will start Secondary One in a school in Singapore in the following year. Students between the age 12-13 are encouraged to choose this category.

Once awarded with the scholarship, the scholarship will last for a total of 6 years, namely:

Seconday 1 - Secondary 4 (4 years) + Junior College (2 years)

Secondary Three Level

If you choose this level and are awarded the scholarship, you will start Secondary Three in a school in Singapore in the following year. Students between the age 14-15 are encouraged to choose this category.

Once awarded with this scholarship, the scholarship will last for a total of 4 years, namely:

Secondary 3 - Secondary 4 (2 years) + Junior College (2 years)

Pre-University Level

After being awarded the scholarship, you will start Junior College in Singapore in the following year. Students between the age 16-18 are encouraged to choose this category.

If you are awarded the following scholarship, the scholarship will last for a total of 2 years, namely:

Junior College (2 years)

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For further information about the ASEAN Scholarship please refer to the official website.

What is the process?

A small warning before I start, I have only experienced the process for the Secondary 1 and Secondary 3 levels, so what I write here might not apply to the Pre-U category, so please read at your own risk.

Now that I have that out of the way, let us begin.

Step One: The application process

This process normally happens around February or March. You will be required to fill out all you details, your parents'/guardians' details, your siblings' details, and all your examination results and outstanding achievements in the past two years. So, be prepared to dig through all your certificates and ask your teachers for your report cards. 

This process is fairly simple, you just have to sign up, enter all your details, and send everything in before the due date.

A few things to note:

• Under the section of outstanding achievements, there will be a limited amount of space, so do choose to enter your most impressive achievements.
• The above also applies to the co-curricular activities section.
• Be prepared to provide evidence (certificates) that you did actually achieve what you wrote you achieved as the Ministry of Education (MOE) might ask you for it.

Step Two: The selection examination process

I know this will probably be the part most of you are waiting for as I too, once browsed the internet, desperate for some tips on the requirements of the selection test.

First of all, before you can actually attend the test, you will have to receive a letter/email from MOE inviting you to the test. If you fail to receive this letter/email, it means that the MOE has deemed you undeserving and has no interest in awarding you the scholarship. If you think that as harsh, it's about to get worse.

If you receive the letter/email, congratulations, you will be taking the selection test at most probably, some hotel around June.

The actual test:

The test comprises of three parts: the Mathematics test, the English test and the 'IQ' test.

The Mathematics Test

As the famous Chinese proverbs states: bitter before sweet, let's begin by talking about the Mathematics Test.

The Mathematics test has only 1 paper, all subjective questions, no objectives. The test will probably be around 2 hours 30 minutes long, but all of that doesn't matter, because I have yet to meet a single soul who is able to finish it.

Probably aimed at trying to make one feel stupid, the Mathematics test successfully lowers your ego and causes you to go through a spectrum of emotions including frustration, awe, desperation, and hopelessness. Most of your time will likely be spent flipping through the paper, fervently searching for something that you are actually capable of doing.

In my opinion, this is where the MOE sifts through the candidates, so some preparation would probably do you good.

The best way to prepare yourself would be to familiarize yourself to the Singapore syllabus. Depending on what level you are trying for, study up the syllabus of the level before it. (Eg: Secondary 1 category, read up on Primary 6 syllabus). However, I also advise you to touch on the syllabus of the year you are trying to enter. Basically, try to learn as much as you can. Being in Olympian Maths or Kumon will probably put you at an advantage, but don't think this means you'll be able to finish the exam, because I'm quite sure that is impossible.

If you're reading this one week before the exam and you have no exceptional ability in Mathematics, you can do two things: last minute studying, pray to every god you know.

Main things to note: 

• Time given: Around 2 hours 30 minutes
• Number of questions: around 20+
• Level of difficulty: Unbelievably high
• Format: All subjective questions
• Tips: Do not feel to bad if you are unable to do well

The English Test

On to the English paper. There are 2 papers for English, one essay-writing paper and one grammar/comprehension paper. 

The grammar/comprehension paper is 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours long. This paper is fairly simple. It is a combination of objective questions and subjective questions. There will parts such as comprehension passages, error-identification sections, fill-in-the-blank sections, and sections on words of higher difficulty.

This section should be no problem to anyone who regularly reads and speaks English. You will also not face any problems with lack of time as long as you complete it at a normal speed.

The second paper is the essay paper. The time for the essay section in 30 minutes, so write fast. You will be able to choose one of the two essays given. In my past experience, the topics generally require a certain level of creativity.

Main things to note:

• Has two papers
• Grammar/comprehension paper
• Time given: 1 hour 30 minutes to 2 hours
• Format: Mixture of subjective and objective questions
• Level of difficulty: Average
• Tips: Check for careless mistakes, do not worry too much about this part

The 'IQ' Test

The IQ test will be 20 minutes long. With 48 questions, this test has never changed the three times I have taken it. My advice: do it as fast as you can. You will be given a few patterns and asked to choose the correct pattern that follows. The test begins with easy questions, but progressively becomes more difficult. 

Main things to note:

• Time given: 20 minutes
• Format: 48 objective questions
• Level of difficulty: Average
• Tips: Move fast and do not be fooled by the easy questions in front

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General tips:

• Bring pens, pencils, rulers and erasers (geometrical instruments most likely will not be needed)
• Bring you acceptance letter, if you didn't receive it in the mail, print out the email
• Bring your IC/passport
• Arrive on time
• Bring a jacket because it can get really really cold
• Be prepared to see a lot of people
• Don't freak out, this will just affect your performance

Step 3: The interview

If you reach the part, congratulations! You actually passed the selection test and have an even higher chance of snagging that scholarship! Before attending the interview, you will have to receive an email/letter inviting you to the interview. The interview is normally around August.

I'm not very clear about this part, so I will not be writing much about it. But as far as I know, as long as you are able to speak in English properly, you should have no problems. Also, remember to bring all your documents to prove your achievements.

General tips:

• Dress nice
• Bring all your certificates
• Be prepared to be shocked by how little people there are
• Arrive on time

Step 4: Getting the scholarship

If you receive an email/letter notifying you that you have been awarded the scholarship, congratulations! After filling in the necessary legal documents, you will soon find yourself on your way to Singapore to further your studies.

If MOE decides that your English is not up to par, you might be sent for something called bridging, which is something where you go to Singapore a few months earlier to attend English classes. If MOE is satisfied with your level of English, you will likely be requested to arrive at a hostel in late December.

After a few orientations, you should be settled in and ready to start your life in Singapore!

Common Questions

Do I have to option of choosing my own school?

No, the MOE will choose both a hostel and a school for you. According to MOE, the school will be chosen based on your strengths and weaknesses.

Do I have to live in the hostel?

Yes, you must live in the hostel the MOE assigns you to if you accept the full scholarship.

My Mathematics isn't very good, is there Mathematics bridging?

Unfortunately, no. There used to be, but now, there is only English bridging.

What happens if I don't accept the scholarship?

If you choose to not accept the scholarship, you may be given the opportunity to go for a 'merit'. If you attain merit, you will be able to study in Singapore at the resident rate at a school which MOE will choose for you. However, you will have to find your own place to stay and you will not receive an allowance.

What can I do if I don't receive the scholarship?

Candidates who do not receive the scholarship after the interview have the chance of getting a merit. However, if you do receive neither a merit nor the full scholarship, the common road is to continue your studies in the country you live in. If you are determined to study in Singapore, however, you can look up on something called Admission Exercise for International Students (AEIS). For more information, refer here.

How many scholars does MOE accept?

No one actually knows. According to MOE, this depends on the number of empty places in the schools of Singapore.

Can I choose to end the scholarship halfway?
Yes, but there will be a fee you have to pay.

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If you have any additional questions, post a comment and I'll try my best to answer.