Direct School Admission (DSA)

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DSA OVERVIEW

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Entering a secondary school

PSLE/S1 Posting Exercise DSA

• Based on a student’s PSLE score

• Most students enter

secondary schools this way

• Based on a diverse range of talents and

achievements in specific academic

subjects or non-academic areas,

beyond what the PSLE recognises

• Allows students to access school

programmes to develop their talents

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DSA Intake

All secondary schools can admit up to 20% of their 2020 S1 non-Integrated

Programme (non-IP) intake via the DSA-Sec.

This allows students to better access school programmes to grow their

talents and interests through DSA.

Schools that offer the Integrated Programme (IP) generally admit about 30%-

35% of their S1 IP intake through the DSA-Sec.

Specialised Independent Schools such as NUS High School, School of the Arts,

School of Science and Technology have full discretion in admission and take in

100% of their students through DSA.

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Is the DSA right for my child?

Yes, only if my child has talent in an

area which a school offers the DSA in

And if my child is passionate

about and committed to

developing his/her strengths in

that area in that school

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Talent

Commitment

Passion

DSA Participation

DSA Participation

Important things to note:

Students successfully allocated to their DSA-Sec schools will NOT be

allowed to participate in the annual S1 Posting to opt for

secondary schools, and are expected to honour the commitment to the

allocated DSA Sec school for the entire duration of the programme to

develop their talents.

They will also NOT be allowed to transfer to another school after

the release of the PSLE results.

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Schools have different selection criteria, but in

general, applicants must be able to

demonstrate a high level of ability.

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For example, your child might have:• Represented the school in a CCA.• Held a prominent role in a play or performance.• Done well in a subject such as mathematics or

creative writing.• Held a leadership role in class or a CCA.

Note: Academic results and non-academic school-based

achievements will be shared automatically to the school that

you have chosen

Entrepreneurship and

Innovation

Language and Humanities

Bilingualism

Debate and Public Speaking

Language – English, Malay, Chinese

Leadership and Uniformed

Groups

Boys’ Brigade

Girl Guides

Leadership

Scout8

List of some DSA Main Category and Talent Areas

Performing Arts

Choir

Band

Dance

Drama

Ensemble – Guitar, Guzheng, String

Science and Mathematics

Sports

◦ Badminton

◦ Basketball

◦ Table Tennis

• Visual Arts

Schedule Overview

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(A) (B) (C)

(D)(E)(F)

(A) Public Comms

Information has been sent out to parents to:

Visit the MOE website from 11 May 2020 for information on the 2020

DSA application process and timeline (www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec).

Visit secondary schools’ websites from 11 May 2020 for information on

DSA talent areas, selection timeline and criteria.

Look out for the press release regarding the commencement of the DSA

application on 11 May 2020, 11am.

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(B) Application Process

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How to Apply

Prepare the following information first

1. Decide • A maximum of 3 choices of talent areas in

different schoolsOR• A maximum of 2 choices of different talent

areas in the same school

2. Prepare details of non-school based activities related to the talent area(s) selected

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Quick Question

Can I make changes to the application once I

have applied?

Yes, as long as it is before 4 June 2020

DO

REMEMBER

TO UPDATE

THE

SCHOOL

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Quick Question

Can I withdraw the application?

Yes, as long as it is before 4 June 2020

DO

REMEMBER

TO UPDATE

THE

SCHOOL

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Quick Question

Is there a need to upload any document?

No, there is no need to.

Academic results and non-academic school-based

achievements will be automatically shared to the

school you have chosen.

There is also no need for testimonials to be

provided and schools are not to provide them.

(C) Selection

Things to note:

Selection period: 1 July to 14 September

Different DSA has different requirement.

◦ Go to the DSA school’s website to find out more (through interview,

performance task, portfolio submission etc)

◦ If interview is required, it will be done online in PGPS. DSA will update parents

and school accordingly

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(D) School Preference Submission

Possible Outcome:

1) CO - Confirmed Offer

A place reserved in the school as long as your child’s qualify for a course the school offers [i.e.

Express, Normal (Academic) or Normal (Technical)].

2) WL - Wait List

Only be considered if other students with Confirmed Offer choose not to go to that school during

the School Preference stage. Allocation will be based on students’ rank on the school’s Wait List.

3) Unsuccessful

If your child is unsuccessful in all his/her applications, but still wish to enter the schools he/her

applied for in the DSA, your child can consider them again during the S1 Posting Exercise based on

the PSLE results.

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(D) School Preference Submission

Things to note:

Outcome of result will be in October 2020. DSA school will notify

parents directly via email

Different DSA has different requirement.

◦ Go to the DSA school’s website to find out more (through interview,

performance task, portfolio submission etc)

◦ If interview is required, it will be done online in PGPS. DSA will update parents

and school accordingly

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(E) & (F) Allocation and Result Release

Things to note:

Final allocation will be in Late October-early November

Results Release (between 25 to 27 November)

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FAQs

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What are DSA schools looking for?

DSA SELECTION

Every school has a slightly different set of selection considerations and processes

depending on the talent that is being assessed (e.g. auditions, trials, tests,

selection camps). Generally, schools are looking for candidates with:

Talent, passion, commitment Strong personal qualities Good academic fit

Schools may ask your child to submit

a portfolio showcasing your child’s

talents and achievements e.g.

participation in the Junior Sports

Academy or other

programmes/competitions

Schools may look at your

child’s CCA record and

participation in VIA

Schools may look at

your child’s Primary

School results

Note: Academic results and non-academic school-based

achievements will be shared automatically to the school that

you have chosen

If a student has a DSA Confirmed Offer, does it

mean that his/her PSLE results will not matter?

PSLE results will still be used to determine

the secondary school course the student

is eligible for [i.e. Express, Normal

(Academic), Normal (Technical)]

Even if the student has a confirmed offer,

he/she must qualify for a course offered

by the school to be successfully admitted

through the DSA.

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SELECTION

OUTCOME

If the student has a DSA Confirmed Offer, does it

mean that his/her PSLE results will not matter?

If the student is selected for Singapore Sports

School, he/she should not submit his/her

school preference

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SELECTION

OUTCOME

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Application

Can the parent make changes to the

application once he/she has applied?

Yes, as long as it is before 4 June 2020

DO

REMEMBER

TO UPDATE

THE

SCHOOL

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Application

Can the parent withdraw the application?

Yes, as long as it is before 4 June 2020

DO

REMEMBER

TO UPDATE

THE

SCHOOL

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Application

Is there a need to upload any document?

No, there is no need to.

Academic results and non-academic school-based

achievements will be automatically shared to the DSA

school.

There is also no need for testimonials to be

provided and schools are not to provide them.