< FAQ's >
ENTRY TEST
< FDW >
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Q. How do I know results of Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Entry Test?
A. The results of the Entry Test will be made known on the same day after the test is taken. Result slips will be issued to the employers' representatives at the test centre to inform them of the results. The test results can also be viewed on Work Permit Online for subscribers.
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Q. How do I register for Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Entry Test?
A. Employment Agencies (EAs) or employers, whose Work Permit application for a first-time Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) has been given In-Principle Approval, should register for the test with National Safety Council of Singapore (NSCS) before the FDW's arrival in Singapore. Registration can be done online. Alternatively, you can also contact NSCS directly at (65) 6423-9626, or log on to NSCS's website.
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Q. How many questions are there in the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Entry Test and what is the passing mark?
A. There will be 40 multiple-choice questions in the test and the passing mark is 50%. A sample of the test questions are available on the Ministry of Manpower website to help employers and employment agencies prepare potential Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) for the entry test.
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Q. How often are the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Entry Tests conducted?
A. The tests are conducted four times a day, from Monday to Friday, and twice on Saturday.
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Q. How will the Employment Agency (EA) or employer be informed that a first-time Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) is required to sit for the Entry Test?
A. If the Work Permit application is approved, they will be informed through the "Letter of Notification to Bring Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) into Singapore" for employers which will state the entry requirements the FDW must fulfill, including the Entry Test if required. Employer or Employment Agency (EA) who subscribe to WP Online can also check through WP Online to check whether the FDW is required to sit for the Entry Test.
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Q. If a first-time Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) arrives in Singapore and returns to her country without passing the Entry Test, must she pass the Entry Test if she applies for a Work Permit again in future?
A. Yes, the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) will be subjected to the Entry Test requirement in her next Work Permit application as she will still be considered a first-time FDW.
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Q. If a first-time Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) passes the Entry Test after arrival in Singapore but is not issued with a Work Permit subsequently due to other reasons, must she pass the test again if she applies for a Work Permit in future?
A. No, Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) who have passed the Entry Test will no longer be required to take the test again, regardless whether the Work Permit was issued.
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Q. If the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) fails the Entry Test requirement and is repatriated, will she be barred from subsequent Work Permit applications?
A. The Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) will not be barred. However, she will still be required to pass the Entry Test if she applies for another Work Permit again in future.
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Q. What can the employer or Employment Agency (EA) do to verify the Foreign Domestic Worker's (FDW's) employment history with Ministry of Manpower so that the FDW can be exempted from the Entry Test?
A.

Employers/ Employment Agencies (EAs) should submit the following supporting documents to us before the Foreign Domestic Worker's (FDW's) arrival to verify the identity of the FDW with Ministry of Manpower (MOM). The documents must be submitted through Deposit Box No.3 (Level One, Ministry of Manpower Building).

(a) Letter from employer to request for the amendment to the record.
(b) Letter from EA to request the amendment. In the letter the EA has to confirm whether the domestic worker is an ex-work permit holder. If so, a clear copy of the old passport should be enclosed and also explain how did the different FDW's identities occur.
(c) Full set of the application form submitted via WP Online (with employer's signature),
(d) The original In-Principle Approval (IPA) letter or 'Letter of Notification to bring Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) into Singapore' .
(e) A clear copy of the domestic worker's passport.
(f) A clear copy of the employer's Identification Certificate (IC).
(g) A copy of the employer's notice of assessment when necessary.
(h) A copy of the employer's children birth certificates when necessary.

We will inform employers and EAs about the results of verification. If the records are not updated, the FDW will still be required to pass the Entry Test within three working days of her arrival (excluding the day of arrival).
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Q. What documents are needed before a Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) can sit for the Entry Test?
A. The Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) is required to produce all of the following documents to take the Entry Test:

1) the original 'Letter of Notification to bring Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) into Singapore';
2) passport for identity verification; and
3) a photocopy of her educational certificate (showing at least 8 years of formal education).
These documents need to be submitted to the test centre before she is allowed to take the test.
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Q. What is the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Entry Test requirement?
A. All first-time Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) are required to pass a written test within their first three attempts and within the first three working days of their arrival in Singapore. The Entry Test ensures that first-time FDWs can understand basic safety instructions and have adequate numeracy and literacy skills to perform household tasks. Employment Agencies (EAs) should not place FDWs for employment until they pass this. The FDWs are required to produce an acceptable certificate at the test centre before they are allowed to sit for the Entry Test.
Employers and employment agencies (EAs) will be informed of this requirement in the 'Letter of Notification to bring FDW into Singapore'.
A sample of the test questions is available on the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) website to help employers and employment agencies prepare potential FDWs for the Entry Test.
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Q. What is the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Entry Test?
A. All first-time Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) are required to pass a written test within three attempts within three working days after their arrival in Singapore. Employers and employment agencies (EAs) will be informed of this requirement in the 'Letter of Notification to bring FDW into Singapore'.
A sample of the test questions is available online to help employers and employment agencies prepare potential FDWs for the Entry Test.
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Q. What is the minimum education requirement for the first-time Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs)?
A. All first-time Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) are required to have at least eight years of formal education. They are required to present their educational certificates to the test centre at PSA Tanjong Pagar Complex before they are allowed to sit for the Entry Test. See list of educational institutions recognised by Ministry of Manpower (MOM).
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Q. What language will the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) Entry Test be conducted in?
A. The test will be conducted in English. As English should have been taught to Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) who have completed at least 8 years of formal education in the source countries, FDWs should not have difficulties in passing the test.
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Q. What to do if the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) fails the Entry Test?
A. Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) have up to maximum of 3 tries to take the Entry Test within the first three working days of their arrival in Singapore. Should they fail the Entry Test on the third attempt within the three working days, they will not be issued with a Work Permit and must be repatriated.
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Q. What will the Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) be tested on for the Entry Test?
A. The Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) test topics include knowledge of safety issues, basic numeracy and comprehension skills. Sample test questions are available on the Ministry of Manpower website.
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Q. Where do I find list of Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) educational certificates recognised by Ministry of Manpower?
A. Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) must have a minimum of 8 years of formal education and possess the necessary educational certificates as documentary proof of her education.
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Q. Who are considered first-time Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) and therefore required to take the Entry Test?
A. First-time Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) who have not worked as FDWs in Singapore are subjected to the Entry Test requirement. This includes FDWs who have been to Singapore before but were not issued a Work Permit or did not collect a Work Permit card previously.
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Q. Who conducts the Entry Test for Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs)?
A.

The National Safety Council of Singapore (NSCS) and the Association of Employer Agencies (Singapore) jointly administer the test. Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) can take the test at:

NSCS Training Centre
10 Raeburn Park
#02-05 to #02-09
Singapore 088702

For queries on test administration procedures, you may contact NSCS at (65) 6423-9626, or log on to NSCS's website.
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Q. Who is responsible for the well-being of the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) during the period before she passes the Entry Test?
A. The Employment Agency (EA) is responsible for the Foreign Domestic Worker's (FDW's) upkeep and maintenance, including the provision of proper accommodation before she is placed with the employer. Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will not hesitate to take stern action against any errant EA if the FDW's well-being is compromised during this period. For employer who directly recruits without the assistance of an EA, the employer shall be responsible for the FDW's well-being during the FDW's stay in Singapore.
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Q. Who should repatriate the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) if she fails the Entry Test?
A. For the Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) recruited through Employment Agencies (EAs), the EA is responsible for repatriating the FDW, including the bearing of repatriation costs, if she fails to pass the Entry Test. Failure to do so is a breach of the EA Licence Conditions and we will not hesitate to take stern action against the errant EAs. However, if the employer recruited the FDW directly, the employer shall be responsible for the repatriation of the FDW.
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Q. Why can't the Employment Agency (EA) place the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) for employment before she passes the Entry Test?
A. New Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) must meet the Ministry's entry requirements before they can be allowed to work in Singapore. Hence, the FDW can only commence employment after she passes the test. Employment Agencies (EAs) are expected to ensure proper screenings are conducted before bringing the FDWs to Singapore. It will not be fair to the employer if he/she has to face disruptions in the event that the FDW fails to pass the test and has to be repatriated.
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Q. Why is the Entry Test not conducted in the native language of the Foreign Domestic Worker (FDW) or the employer?
A. English is the language of administration, public signs/ displays and labels on household items are also generally in English. First-time Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) who can understand basic instruction, and have some numeracy and literacy skills in English are expected to face fewer problems working in an urban environment like Singapore.
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Q. Why is there a minimum education requirement for the first-time Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs)?
A. Introducing minimum education criterion, together with raising the minimum age, will ensure that new Foreign Domestic Workers (FDWs) entering Singapore are of a certain quality. These FDWs will be better able to communicate with their employers and pose fewer management problems for employers. They will also be able to take on the heavy responsibilities of taking care of young children and the elderly on a full-time basis. Moreover, these FDWs will also more likely to be able to take care of themselves.
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