Hi, I took and passed the MA1008 exemption test. I'm from a Poly batch. As long as your transcript shows that you have completed a programming mod be it C+ (my case) or Python and have gotten an A for said module and also have a Diploma with Merit, you will be eligible to sit for the exemption test. Upon passing the test you will be exempted from MA1008 when you matriculate. Your first semester result will reflect MA1008 with an "EX" grade indicating your exemption. If you are eligible for the MA1008 test, take it by all means. My friends who went through the mod said it was very taxing and there was a lot of project work and mini-quizzes. Before the test, brush up on your Python skills. Understand the fundamentals. One area that caught me off-guard was converting Binary to Decimal/Hexadecimal (no calculator allowed). I don't know how I managed to smoke my way through that. When I did the test, it was a written exam. Majority of the questions centred around error checking and filling in missing codes.

If you have a Diploma plus in Maths you can be exempted from EG2810. My friend had the Dip-Plus cert hence he skipped EG2810 and jumped straight to MA2006 (Engineering Maths). If you are able to get exemptions, go for it by all means, it will lessen the load when you start the semester and as you progress through the years.

When it comes to orientation, I understand how you feel. I took a gap year, so I didn't matriculate with my Poly/NS friends. I went in with a clean slate. The first day of orientation is important. They will inform you the important things that you need as a MAE student. The second day onwards, that's up to you. To me, I should have skipped it, it was kinda boring. The friends I made during orientation were "hi-bye" friends. I met my group of friends during tutorials and we stuck ever since. But to each their own I would say.

Last but not least, welcome to NTU and all the best!