> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://blog.alifaedtech.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # SAIE Shenzhen Scholarship Exam for High School Students Under 18 - URL: https://blog.alifaedtech.com/saie-shenzhen-scholarship-entrance-exam/ - Published: 2026-07-19T01:24:08.000Z - Updated: 2026-07-23T09:42:57.000Z - Description: SAIE Shenzhen is opening its online entrance exam to international students worldwide. Strong scorers win full or partial tuition to a 4-year American high school program with 30 AP courses. - Author: Emmanuel Usang - Tags: Scholarships China, International Schools Shenzhen, AP Schools China ## Introduction [Shenzhen Academy of International Education (SAIE; 深圳市博纳学校)](https://alifaedtech.com/schools/shenzhen-academy-of-international-education) is opening its English and Math entrance exam to international students worldwide. Score well, and you can win a **full or partial tuition scholarship** to SAIE’s 4-year American high school program. That’s a complete Grades 9–12 curriculum with **30 [AP courses](https://blog.alifaedtech.com/ap-courses-in-china-step-by-step-guide-to-us-college-entry/)**, taught entirely in Shenzhen, China. You don’t need to live in China to apply. You don’t need to speak Chinese. **You just need to sit one online test.** **Experience Excellence,** *Embrace Opportunity.* [🏫 Browse School List](https://alifaedtech.com/schools) [📅 Book a Free Consultation](https://tidycal.com/publisher) ☰ Table of Contents [1Introduction→](#introduction) [2Key Takeaways→](#key-takeaways) [3Why SAIE→](#why-saie) [4The Program: 4 Years, 30 AP Courses→](#the-program) [5Who Can Apply→](#who-can-apply) [6How to Win Your Scholarship→](#how-to-win) [7Registration and Testing→](#registration-testing) [8Frequently Asked Questions→](#faq) ## Key Takeaways The scholarship plan covers **full or partial tuition** for eligible students admitted to SAIE’s Grades 9–12 American high school program. Scholarship duration and annual renewal conditions will be confirmed in the written scholarship offer. **The assessment process:** online MAP Growth assessments in Mathematics and an English-related subject, plus an online interview with SAIE’s principal — **100% online**, sat from anywhere in the world. **The cost:** a **$150 USD fee** (Alifa’s current scholarship arrangement) covering the MAP Growth assessments and online interview. Confirm refund and availability conditions before payment. **Who can apply:** international applicants may take the assessment. Final admission depends on grade level, age, academic records, documentation, visa eligibility and available places. **Why SAIE specifically:** WASC institutional accreditation, multiple international programme authorizations, and one of Shenzhen’s few **AP Capstone programs**. ## Why SAIE [SAIE has been WASC-accredited since 2019, one of the first international schools in Shenzhen to earn that distinction.](http://en.usapschool.com/about-school) The WASC directory shows accreditation records for 2019 and 2025\. SAIE also maintains several international programme and examination authorizations: it is an [ACT GAC-authorized school and test center](http://en.usapschool.com/about-school), College Board-authorized (Authorization Code: **694141**) to teach [AP courses](https://blog.alifaedtech.com/ap-courses-in-china-step-by-step-guide-to-us-college-entry/), and a Pearson Edexcel-authorized examination centre (centre code **94558**). Few schools in Shenzhen hold this combination of institutional accreditation and programme authorizations. ![SAIE Shenzhen students: robotics competition, tutoring and campus activities](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/81/c28166d6-22ce-4cad-9c10-4defbc55a069/content/images/2026/07/3-8.jpg) SAIE Shenzhen students: robotics competition, tutoring and campus activities SAIE is also one of the few schools in the city offering the demanding **AP Capstone program**. In 2025, two SAIE students became among Shenzhen’s first AP Capstone Diploma recipients. Admission results speak for themselves. SAIE alumni have earned places at Ivy League and equivalent universities worldwide. A 2023 graduate was admitted to **Oxford**. That same year, another SAIE graduate won an **85% scholarship to Amherst College**. [In 2024, Alex Bai became SAIE’s first student admitted to Cambridge.](https://www.cam.ac.uk/) He got into its history department — the only offer from that department nationwide that year. His profile: a **1590 SAT**, a **118 TOEFL**, and **five 5s across seven AP exams**. SAIE now describes itself as having placed students at both Oxford and Cambridge. It’s a distinction the school says **fewer than 40 schools nationwide** can claim. SAIE students had their creative writing added to the **British Library’s permanent collection**. This happened after they won a UK youth poetry competition in 2016. ![SAIE scholarship video](https://img.youtube.com/vi/xWczAF0uBr0/hqdefault.jpg) ![SAIE video 1](https://img.youtube.com/vi/xWczAF0uBr0/mqdefault.jpg) ![SAIE video 2](https://img.youtube.com/vi/a_y8Lhabzow/mqdefault.jpg) ![SAIE video 3](https://img.youtube.com/vi/afXvokK9s1Y/mqdefault.jpg) ## The Program: 4 Years, Nearly 30 AP Courses This is the core of what you’d be winning: a **full four academic years**, Grades 9–12 American-style high school program, taught entirely on SAIE’s Shenzhen campus. SAIE offers multiple AP pathways across close to **30 AP courses**, spanning areas that include the following: Mathematics Sciences Social studies and humanities Arts and design World languages **The AP Capstone research sequence** That last one is the standout. **AP Capstone** — built from the yearlong AP Seminar and AP Research courses — is a College Board diploma programme that develops research, analysis, collaboration and presentation skills. SAIE is one of the few Shenzhen schools offering it at all. ![SAIE Shenzhen student activities: CPR training, rock climbing and paper cutting](https://storage.ghost.io/c/c2/81/c28166d6-22ce-4cad-9c10-4defbc55a069/content/images/2026/07/1-6.jpg) SAIE Shenzhen student activities: CPR training, rock climbing and paper cutting ## Who Can Apply Students from **any country** are welcome to sit the entrance exam. Students do not need a Chinese-language foundation. You need **solid English and math skills** — that’s the whole bar. ## How to Win Your Scholarship ### Admissions Overview 1 Register for the [MAP Written Examination](https://blog.alifaedtech.com/map-english-in-international-schools/) (English & Math, **100% online**) through Alifa Education Services. 2 Pay the **$150 USD** for Math and English paper tests **online**. 3 Book your own test slot online and sit for it **from anywhere in the world**, whenever you’re ready. 4 Strong scorers qualify for an **Outstanding Student Scholarship** — full or partial tuition at SAIE. ## Registration and Testing | Registration Deadline | Currently **rolling** — subject to scholarship campaign availability and remaining places. Confirm before paying. | | --------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | | Test Date(s) | Rolling while scholarship places and assessment slots remain available. **Confirm availability before payment.** | | Entrance Exam Fee | **$150 USD** — covers the Math and English MAP assessments plus an online interview with SAIE’s principal. Wire transfer charges are the payer’s responsibility. | | Format | Online MAP Growth assessments in Mathematics and an English-related subject, followed by an online interview. Confirm whether the English component is Reading, Language Usage or both. | | Register Through | Alifa Education Services | Applications are currently accepted on a rolling basis while scholarship places and assessment slots remain available. Register, pay the **$150 USD fee**, then schedule your MAP Growth assessments and interview. Confirm availability before paying. ## Frequently Asked Questions What is the SAIE scholarship entrance exam? + It’s an online assessment process consisting of **MAP Growth assessments in Mathematics and an English-related subject** (confirm whether English means Reading, Language Usage, or both), plus an **online interview with SAIE’s principal**, open to international applicants. Strong performers may qualify for a **full or partial tuition scholarship** to SAIE’s American high school program in Shenzhen, China. Who can take the exam? + International applicants may take the scholarship assessment. Final eligibility and admission depend on the applicant's **grade level, age, academic records, documentation, visa eligibility and available places**. Published SAIE materials indicate the AP intake is primarily Grades 9–11 — confirm whether the scholarship campaign follows the same grade range. How much does it cost to take the exam? + The fee is **$150 USD** under Alifa’s current scholarship arrangement, covering the MAP Growth assessments and online interview. Bank or transfer charges are the payer’s responsibility. Before payment, confirm the **included services, refund and rescheduling rules**, and whether SAIE’s standard admission-evaluation fee is additionally required. What will I win if I score well? + Qualified applicants may be considered for **25%, 50% or 100% tuition scholarships**. The program includes close to **30 AP courses** spanning math, science, humanities, arts, and languages. Scholarship decisions also consider the interview and overall evaluation — a strong test result does not automatically guarantee an award. **Duration, renewal requirements and conditions will be stated in the written scholarship offer.** Do I need to move to China before testing? + No. The assessment process is **100% online** and can be completed from anywhere in the world. You’d only need to relocate to Shenzhen if you accept a place at SAIE afterward. Is there a registration deadline or fixed test date? + Applications are currently accepted on a **rolling basis while scholarship places and assessment slots remain available**. After registering and paying the **$150 USD fee**, you schedule your MAP Growth assessments and online interview. Confirm availability before paying. How do I register for the exam? + Register through **Alifa Education Services**: WeChat **larry9455**, WhatsApp **+86 152 0107 9455**, or email **admissions@alifaedtech.com**. Does a strong assessment score guarantee admission or a scholarship? + **No.** Assessment results are part of the overall evaluation. Admission and scholarship decisions also consider the **interview, academic records, documentation, grade placement and available places**. A strong score improves your chances but does not automatically produce an offer. What expenses does the scholarship cover? + The scholarship applies to **tuition only** unless the written offer expressly states otherwise. Applicants should confirm whether **boarding, meals, uniforms, international examination fees, trips, insurance, visa-related costs and personal expenses** are excluded — current SAIE materials list several of these separately from tuition. Alifa Education Services ### Want the full picture on SAIE before you commit to the exam? Read [the complete guide to Shenzhen Academy of International Education](https://blog.alifaedtech.com/shenzhen-academy-of-international-education-saie/) — accreditation, curriculum, fees, and admissions eligibility for international families. Register through [Alifa Education Services](https://alifaedtech.com). [ Email admissions@alifaedtech.com ](mailto:admissions@alifaedtech.com) WeChat larry9455 [ WhatsApp +86 152 0107 9455 ](https://wa.me/8615201079455) [📅 Book a Free Consultation Today →](https://tidycal.com/publisher) Disclosure: Alifa Education Services is an independent education placement consultancy. We may earn a referral fee from partner schools when families enroll, at no extra cost to the family. Our recommendations are based on fit, not fee structure. **Sourcing note:** Accreditation details and the AP Capstone program are confirmed via SAIE’s official website (usapschool.com). A Yuanbao verification pass completed July 2026 confirmed three more details, each sourced to the school’s own WeChat announcements: - The 2023 Oxford and Amherst outcomes - The 2024 Cambridge admission - The British Library detail The “fewer than 40 schools” Oxbridge claim is the school’s own characterisation; no independent list publisher was found.