Give your child their best shot at the Gifted Education Programme
Structured, research-informed coaching for the GEP Screening and Selection Tests — built to develop reasoning ability, not just drill past papers.
The road to a GEP place
30,000
Sit the Screening Test
4,000
Invited to the Selection Test
<500
Offered a GEP place
Roughly the top 1.5% of the Primary 3 cohort qualify. Preparation makes sure a capable child isn't held back by unfamiliar formats.
What the GEP is, and how it's tested
Established by MOE in 1984, the GEP identifies intellectually gifted Primary 3 students through a two-round test that assesses reasoning ability, not curriculum knowledge.
Screening Test · August
- Sat by all Primary 3 students, at their own schools
- Two papers: English Language and Mathematics
- English covers vocabulary, grammar, comprehension and verbal reasoning
- Mathematics covers problem-solving, pattern recognition and non-routine reasoning
- Roughly the top 10% of scorers advance to Round 2
Selection Test · October
- Held at designated GEP centres for invited students
- Three papers: English, Mathematics and General Ability
- General Ability covers non-verbal reasoning, spatial reasoning and logical sequences
- Mathematics requires multi-step and creative problem-solving
- Roughly the top 1.5% of the original cohort are offered a place
Why GEP preparation is different
A student who scores full marks in school can still struggle with GEP questions — success depends on reasoning flexibility and exposure to non-routine problems, not curriculum acceleration.
Unfamiliar question types
Non-routine maths and analogy-based English rarely appear in standard Primary 3 worksheets, so unprepared students can freeze.
Time pressure & stamina
The Selection Test is long for a Primary 3 student. Pacing and avoiding careless slips under time pressure must be practised.
The "trick question" trap
Distractor options look correct but hide a subtle error. Careful reading and verification is a trained skill, not instinct.
Avoiding over-preparation
Memorised question types without understanding the underlying principle often fail on novel problems — we balance skill with flexibility.
Our GEP preparation programme
Covering every component of both the Screening and Selection Tests.
- Vocabulary in context, analogies and word relationships
- Verbal reasoning: sequencing, deduction, classification
- Complex comprehension, inference and author's purpose
- Non-routine, multi-step word problems
- Pattern recognition and number sequences
- Singapore Math heuristics: model drawing, working backwards
- Matrix reasoning and pattern completion
- Mental rotation, cube counting and paper folding
- Number, letter and symbol sequences
How our preparation works
Initial assessment
A friendly, low-pressure diagnostic of reasoning, English and general ability — not a pass or fail test.
Customised plan
Targeted at your child's needs, typically scheduled 6–12 months before the Screening Test, with breaks built in.
Interactive sessions
One-on-one or small groups of up to four, mixing warm-up puzzles, skill-building and guided problem-solving.
Progress monitoring
Mini-assessments, parent updates every four sessions, and timed mock tests before the real thing.
Why families choose StudyHours
Experienced tutors who know the cognitive and emotional needs of high-ability young learners.
Current GEP test knowledge, aligned with MOE formats and guidelines.
Child-centred approach — wellbeing first, never overwhelming.
Honest readiness feedback, so you can make an informed decision either way.
GEP centres our students prepare for
Raffles Girls' Primary
Rosyth School
Nan Hua Primary
Tao Nan School
Nanyang Primary
St. Hilda's Primary
Henry Park Primary
ACS (Primary)
Catholic High (Primary)
Frequently asked questions
Does GEP preparation guarantee placement? +
No. The tests assess natural reasoning ability, and no amount of preparation creates ability where it doesn't exist. Preparation ensures capable students can demonstrate their potential and aren't disadvantaged by unfamiliar formats.
When does GEP preparation start? +
Most families begin 6–12 months before the Primary 3 Screening Test in August. Starting too early can cause fatigue; too late may not allow enough skill development, so we assess each child's readiness individually.
What if my child doesn't qualify? +
Many highly able students don't qualify, given how competitive selection is. Non-selection doesn't mean a child isn't gifted or capable — the skills built through preparation serve them in mainstream school, and pathways like DSA remain open.
Will preparation stress my child? +
That depends entirely on how it's conducted. We prioritise wellbeing: sessions are engaging and appropriately challenging, include breaks and variety, and we monitor for signs of stress and adjust course if needed.
How often should my child attend sessions? +
Most students attend one session per week, rising to two in the final two months before the tests. The right frequency depends on age, attention span and other commitments.
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