The ministry said this involves new assessment methods for the admission of students to fully residential schools (SBP), national religious secondary schools (SMKA), technical secondary schools (SMT), vocational colleges and the Royal Military College (MTD).

It said the system involves a centralised application and standard assessment method.

According to the ministry, applicants will be required to sit for the centralised assessment at 555 designated assessment centres nationwide.

The date for online application for Form 1 and Form 4 is from Sept 7 to Oct 2, while the assessment for Form One will be implemented from Oct 12 to 23, and Form 4 from Oct 26 to Nov 6.

The ministry said the admission assessment for special schools comprises three parts – soft skills (20%), intellectual quotient (70%) and writing articulation (10%).

“The assessment for soft skills and intellectual quotient will be done online, while the articulation test is in writing,” it said.

More information on the assessment may be obtained on the ministry’s portal from Sept 1.