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GEP Screening Test: What P3 Parents Should Know

Understanding the GEP Screening Test

The Gifted Education Programme (GEP) identifies the top 1% of each P3 cohort. The screening test happens in August, with shortlisted students taking a selection test in October.

Test Format

Screening Test (August)

• English Language
• Mathematics
• General Ability (pattern recognition, logical reasoning)
• All MCQ format, timed

Selection Test (October) — for shortlisted students only

• Same subjects but more challenging
• Longer duration, deeper thinking required

Should You Prepare Your Child?

Honest answer: the GEP test is designed to identify natural aptitude, not coached performance. Children who are coached intensively may pass the screening but struggle in the actual GEP programme.

That said, familiarity with the test format is reasonable preparation:

• Practice logical reasoning puzzles (pattern completion, number sequences)
• Read widely — the English section tests inference and vocabulary in context
• Do challenging maths problems that require multi-step thinking

What NOT to Do

1. Don't start GEP prep in P1 — it creates unnecessary pressure
2. Don't tell your child it's a test for "smart kids" — this creates anxiety
3. Don't over-drill — 30 minutes a day for 2 months is plenty
4. Don't be disappointed — 99% of children are not in GEP, and that is perfectly fine

If Your Child Gets In

GEP is intellectually stimulating but demanding. Your child will be in a class of 30 high-ability learners. The curriculum goes deeper (not faster) than mainstream.

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Lion City Scholar has GEP-level practice papers for P3-P5 with higher-order thinking questions. Explore GEP papers →