Take sGRE-CS in Singapore

Since sGRE takes place only once a year in Taiwan so that the schedule is tight for anyone to prepare for advanced study. It is a reasonable expedience to take the exam overseas because sGRE is held several times a year in foreign countries. I chose Singapore as my first try for several reasons:

1. economical: 
• budget airlines are available like Jetstar with direct routes.
• accommodation fees can be as cheap as S$12 one night in a local hostel such as the Prince of Wales.
2. language: most Singaporeans are bilingual or even trilingual.
3. map: Google Maps Street View is available in the whole Singapore and useful with GPS.
4. traffic: the MRT network is fully developed and directly connects the international airport.

Compared to GRE General test, sGRE gains less focus and reveals little information for test takers. Moreover, because the existing tutorial for taking such an exam in Singapore is not applicable anymore, I decide to compose an effective guide for the following test takers from Taiwan.

STEP 1. make a lodge reservation

Go to some particular lodge reservation broker like http://www.hostels.com for making a cheap lodge reservation. There is usually an additional special discount on the normal price if the reservation is made early.

STEP 2. book flights

Take Jetstar as an example. Just visit its website to place your order. Since it's a budget airlines, lots of concerns such as the seat location, carry-on baggage and the dates to take off and return all relate to the final price. After the flights are booked successfully, an electronic itinerary will be emailed showing the departing and arriving terminals.

Remember to bring your passport to the Jetsart counter combined with the China Airlines and check in for obtaining your boarding pass.

STEP 3. fly to Singapore

The flight duration takes almost four  hours. After arrival, there's no need to rush out of the airport since the ChangYi airport in Singapore is the top 1 for backpackers. You can take a rest, surf the internet and feed some food here until daybreak if your flight arrivals late at midnight.

Have you ever seen an airport with a dedicated garden inside?

The ambassador transit hotel is available in all the terminals but it charges crazily high as you can see below:

Unfortunately, facilities such as the gym, swimming pools, etc are no longer free of charge as alleged.

The free gadget charger is provided with embedded lockers. What a convenience!

Surf the web for free as you wish. 24hr food provisions are also available.

Noodles are not recommended in Singapore.

Indian Prata with the magic sauce is highly recommended.

Sleeping here overnight is no crime.

You can also enjoy the cinema and XBOX360 games for free.

STEP 4. take the MRT

The MRT station is just located outside terminal 2. You can take it to most scenic spots in Singapore. For now, you may need to check into your lodge first. Most hostels are situated around the Bugis and Little India MRT stations.

There are station indicators inside the MRT compartments.

Don't forget to get the refund with your ticket in front of the vending machine at the target station. BTW, the Monga movie from Taiwan is about to be screened in Singapore ;-D

STEP 5. check into the hostel

If you make the reservation at hotels.com, you need to pay up all the remaining payment in cash at the check-in. Some services like a personal locker may charge extra fees.

STEP 6. take the sGRE

Usually, sGRE requires you to arrive by 8:30AM. You had better estimate the time and get the directions as well as the route with Google Maps beforehand. The exam held in the St. Francis Methodist School on the Upper Bukit Timah Road in Singapore is remote and MRT-unreachable. Fortunately, you can go to the school by bus at the Little India MRT station. It takes about 30 minutes if the traffic is not terrible. Before getting on, be sure to look up fare information on the stop list and bring enough coins.

The fare in cash is determined according to the color of the destination stop. For example, our destination is the Opp Rail Mall which is the first stop in the purple segment labeled 'E.' Therefore, the bus course charges S$1.60 in cash.

For fear of being late, don't take a bus later than 7:30AM. In addition, the bus captain never announces the stop name so that you have to recognize stop landmarks to get off correctly.

Time to get off when you see the above landmarks.

Walk through the overpass to the other side.

24hr restaurants are also availabe here. Don't worry about the breakfast or lunch.

Furthermore, the popular chain supermarket ColdStorage stands near.

Now, it's time to get to the church school.

Turn left to get down the stairs.

Advance along the sidewalk.

Since the main entrance is closed, keep moving forward.

 Turn right to the side entrance.

Go forward and turn left to step up the stairs.

Turn right to enter and you will see the target sign.

Follow the directions and finally reach the exam level.

NOTE: Your valid ID or passport along with the GRE ticket will be examined at about 8:15AM while the exam may begin before 9:00AM. Get ready to enjoy the test with a light heart.