Direct School Admission - Secondary: Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

1. What is Direct School Admission - Secondary (DSA-Sec) Exercise

   DSA-Sec is an admission exercise to allow participating schools to select some Primary Six students for admission to Secondary One based on their achievements and talents before the PSLE results are released.

   The objective of the DSA-Sec is to promote holistic education by giving participating schools greater flexibility in selecting students while holding on to the key principles of transparency and meritocracy. For students, the DSA-Sec Exercise provides them the opportunity to demonstrate a more diverse range of achievements and talents in seeking admission to secondary schools.

2. How much discretion will the secondary schools have for 2012 DSA-Sec Exercise?

   Type of School	Discretionary Places
   Schools with Integrated Programme (IP) or Specialised Independent Schools (viz. NUSHS, SOTA, SST)	Up to 100%
   Independent Schools (without IP)	20%
   Autonomous Schools (without IP)	10%
   Niche Programme Schools	5%

   Last year, all the IP schools, with the exception of NUS High School, School of Science and Technology and School of the Arts, admitted up to only 50% of the Secondary One intake through the DSA-Sec Exercise. This year, we expect a similar proportion of places to be available for centralised posting.

3. Can I apply for direct admission to any secondary school?

   Not all secondary schools are participating in the DSA-Sec Exercise. You may refer to the list of participating schools in this year’s exercise.

4. As my child will be considered for posting only after PSLE results, my child will be deprived of a place in the school by others who were given priority admission through DSA-Sec Exercise. Can MOE explain?

   The DSA-Sec Exercise initiative is to allow recognition of a more diverse range of student achievements and talents for admission to schools. Admission is still based on merit, with more flexibility given to schools to admit some of their students based on a broader set of criteria other than just PSLE results. As only a certain percentage of places are given for the DSA-Sec Exercise,places in DSA-Sec participating schools will continue to be available to students for posting after PSLE results.

5. Why is there a need to have a Selection Stage and School Preference Stage? Why can’t schools confirm DSA-Sec candidates on their own?

   Participating schools will issue Confirmed Offers to selected students. However, as some students may have more than one offer, we have provided them with the opportunity during the Exercise School Preference Stage to submit their preferences. This will also enable freed-up Confirmed Offers to be given to other students on the school’s waiting list.

6. Can a student below Primary 6 be considered for the DSA-Sec Exercise?

   No. Admission to Secondary One is only for students who have completed Primary 6 or its equivalent.

7. How much flexibility is given to schools to select their students?

   In general, schools can decide on their admission criteria, as long as they are merit-based and transparent. Primary school students must achieve PSLE results that would enable them to be eligible for admission to the course being offered by the school.

8. If I am offered a DSA-Sec place in a secondary school, do I have to meet the schools Cut-off-point for Secondary One (S1) posting?

   Students given an offer by a secondary school for DSA-Sec admissions must achieve PSLE results that would enable them to be eligible for admission to a course being offered by the school, eg. if a school only offers Express Course, the students’ PSLE aggregate must be at least within the Express/N(A) course option and if a school offers Express and N(A) course, the students’ PSLE aggregate must be at least within the N(A)/N(T) course option.

Niche Programme Schools

9. Why did MOE introduce schools with niche programmes for the DSA-Sec?

   Previously, only Independent Schools (IS) and Autonomous Schools (AS) had the discretion to admit students outside the centralised Secondary One Posting Exercise. The discretion to admit students is now extended to mainstream secondary schools with approved niche programmes (referred to as niche programme schools). From 2006, niche programme schools are allowed to admit students up to 5% of their Secondary One intake on a discretionary basis for the purpose of building up their niche programmes. This gives niche programme schools greater flexibility in student admission so as to allow a more diverse range of student achievements and talents to be recognised. It also gives due consideration to abilities not fully assessed in the PSLE. Having niche programme schools as a part of the educational landscape is also in line with MOE’s move to support a more flexible and broad-based education system.

10. What are the criteria used by MOE for approving the niche programme schools?

    The following criteria are used:

    • The school should have demonstrated a very strong potential in, and have a proven track record of achievements in its declared niche.
    • The school should have in place a comprehensive and workable development plan to ensure the niche continues to be sustainable in the future.
    • The school should have a set of selection criteria for discretionary places which is transparent and merit-based.

Stage 1: Selection

11. How do I find information on the DSA-Sec Exercise?

    You may do the following:

    • Visit the Direct School Admission website.
    • Visit the websites of the participating schools
    • Call the participating schools

    You may also contact MOE Customer Service Centre at 6872 2220 for more information.

12. Can I apply to more than one school?

    Students may wish to be selective about the number of schools they apply to, based on careful consideration of their own strengths and which secondary schools best cater to their needs, so that they would not have too many tests, interviews or trials to attend. The number of places available for each school is limited, and the schools would generally apply stringent selection criteria. However, students may still approach more than one school for consideration if they are interested.

13. When can the schools start inviting me for interviews / selection?

    Secondary schools participating in DSA-Sec Exercise will have their own specific schedules for application and selection. You can check the detailed schedule of the participating secondary schools by visiting their websites or contacting them directly before the start of the Selection Stage.

14. As I am not a student in MOE School, I have been advised to approach to register and collect a registration number from MOE Customer Service Centre before my application can be processed. Why is there a need to register at MOE Customer Service Centre first?

    MOE requires your data for centralised processing. With the registration number issued to you, MOE is able to identify you as a DSA-Sec candidate and enable you to participate in the exercise. Note that you will also need to fulfill the age requirement for the level. You must be between 12 and 16+ years old for Sec 1 admission if you are Singaporean Citizen (SC) or Singapore Permanent Resident (SPR). If you are non-SC/SPR, you must be between 12 and 14+ years old.

15. What are the documents I need to bring when I register at MOE Customer Service Centre to collect a registration number?

    You are required to bring the originals and photocopies of the following:

    • The Applicant’s Birth Certificate/FIN/Passport / NRIC / Entry Permit / Re-entry Permit
    • The Parent’s/Guardian’s Passport
    • A valid email address

    International Students (ie. non-SC/SPR) are required to provide the originals and photocopies of the following additional supporting documents:

    Applicant:

    • Dependant’s Pass (if any)
    • Immigration Exemption Order (if any)
    • Student’s Pass (if any)

    and

    Applicant’s Parents:

    • Singapore NRIC (if any)
    • Re-entry Permit (if any)
    • Employment Pass/Work Permit (if any)

    If the documents are in other languages (non English), an accurate English translation must accompany the photocopies.

16. As I am not a student in MOE School, do I need to take any test when I register for the DSA-Sec Exercise?

    International Students (IS) without Dependant's Pass (DP), Immigration Exemption Order (IEO) and whose parents are not Singapore Citizens (SC) or Singapore Permanent Residents (SPR) are to take part and pass the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) if they wish to seek school admission to mainstream public schools. IS who wish to participate in the DSA-Sec Exercise can apply to the respective DSA-Sec schools first before taking the AEIS. Please refer to the AEIS website (http://www.moe.edu.sg/education/admissions/international-students/admissions-exercise) for details on the AEIS and registration dates.

17. When will I know the outcome of my application to each school?

    You should receive a note from the school informing you of the outcome of your application during the Selection Stage by 31 August 2012. The letter will clearly state if you have been given a Confirmed Offer, or been put on the Waiting List, or that you are unsuccessful. If you have been placed on the Waiting List or given a Confirmed Offer in at least one school, you will receive a School Preference Form on 22 October 2012 after your PSLE examinations. You will have to make your preferences (maximum of 3 preferences) from 22 October 2012, 9am to 27 October 2012, 12pm.

18. Can schools offer Confirmed Offers to DSA-Sec candidates during Selection Stage?

    Yes, participating schools are required to issue a letter to all candidates, informing them on the outcome of their applications by 31 August 2012.

19. Am I guaranteed a place in the school if I am given a Confirmed Offer by the school?

    You are guaranteed a place in the school if the school has given you a Confirmed Offer, provided that you have indicated the school as one of your preferences during the Exercise School Preference Stage, and you qualify for an academic course which is offered by the school [Express / Normal (Academic) / Normal (Technical)].

20. What does it mean if I have been placed on the Waiting List of a school?

    If you have been placed on the Waiting List of a school, the school will consider you for admission when vacancies arise due to other students giving up their confirmed places during the Exercise School Preference Stage. However, you must also:

    • have indicated the school as one of your preferences during the Exercise Preference Stage; and
    • qualify for an academic course which is offered by the school [Express / Normal (Academic) / Normal (Technical)].

21. If I am not successful in any of my applications under the DSA-Sec Exercise, can I still opt for the school during DSA-Sec Exercise School Preference Stage?

    If you are not successful in your applications during the Selection Stage, you will not be eligible to opt for any school during the School Preference Stage and will not receive the School Preference Form.

    However, you can still select any school of your choice during the centralised Posting Exercise after the release of PSLE results.

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Stage 2: Exercise School Preference

22. When is the Exercise School Preference period? How do I receive the DSA-Sec School Preference Form?

    The DSA-Sec Exercise School Preference Stage takes place after the PSLE examination, from 22 October 2012, 9am to 27 October 2012, 12pm. DSA-Sec candidates who are currently studying in MOE schools will receive the DSA-Sec School Preference Form from their respective primary schools. For DSA-Sec candidates who are currently NOT studying in MOE schools, they are required to collect their School Preference Forms at the MOE Customer Service Centre from 22 October 2012. DSA-Sec candidates are to submit their preferences by 27 October 2012, 12pm. You may download a copy of proxy form to appoint a proxy to act on your behalf, if you are unable to collect the School Preference Form at the MOE Customer Service Centre.

23. How many schools can I opt for?

    Each candidate is allowed to opt up to a maximum of three schools from the schools listed in the School Preference Form.

24. If I have been offered a place in more than three schools, can I opt for all the schools?

    You are only allowed to select a maximum of three schools as your DSA-Sec preferences.

25. If I have received Confirmed Offers or put on the Waiting List by a school, can I decide not to select the school?

You can decide whether to select the school during the Exercise School Preference period from 22 October 2012, 9am to 27 October 2012, 12pm. If you do not submit your school preference by 27 October 2012, 12pm, you are deemed to have withdrawn from the DSA-Sec Exercise. You will then be eligible to participate in the centralised Secondary One Posting Exercise.

26. 1. I have received two offers, a Waiting List (WL) Offer from School A (my preferred school) and a Confirmed Offer (CO) from School B. Would putting School A as my first choice and School B as my second choice affect my chances with School B should I not be allocated School A?

    2. Should I put School B as my first choice, since I am guaranteed a place there?

       Assuming you are eligible for an academic course that School A and School B offer:

       1. You put School A as 1st choice, followed by School B. If School A has enough remaining DSA-Sec places to admit you after the other students given COs have made their choices, you will be allocated School A.
       2. You put School A as 1st choice, followed by School B. If School A does not have enough DSA-Sec places to admit you after the other students given COs have made their choices, you will be allocated School B since you have a CO from School B.
       3. You put School B as 1st choice, followed by School A. Since School B is your first choice and School B has given you a CO, you will be posted to School B. You will not be allocated School A, even if School A has enough DSA-Sec places.

27. I have only received one Waiting List (WL) offer. Should I still exercise my preference since my chance of getting into that school may be quite slim?

    You can exercise your preference if you are still keen on entering the school via DSA-Sec Exercise. Past experience shows that an average of 50% of those who opted for the schools who gave them a WL offer was successfully allocated a place in the school. If you are unsuccessful, you can still participate in the centralised Secondary One Posting Exercise on the day of PSLE results release in November.

28. Where do I submit my DSA-Sec preferences? Can I make amendment to the preference(s) made after submission if I change my mind?

    DSA-Sec school preference(s) can be submitted either electronically via DSA-Sec Internet System or physically to your primary school between 22 October 2012, 9am to 27 October 2012, 12pm. You are allowed to make a One-Time amendment after submission via DSA-Sec Internet System before 27 October 2012, 12pm. As primary schools are closed on 26 October 2012 (Public Holiday) and 27 October 2012 (Saturday), parents who require assistance to submit the DSA-Sec school preference form may approach MOE Customer Service Centre on 27 October 2012, 8am to 12pm.

29. Can I make amendments after the Exercise School Preference Stage?

    No, amendments are not allowed after the end of the Exercise School Preference Stage.

30. After I have submitted my preferences during the Exercise School Preference Stage, can I withdraw my application altogether?

    Yes, however, you may only withdraw your application before the end of the Exercise School Preference Stage.

31. What can I do to withdraw from DSA-Sec Exercise after the Exercise School Preference Stage?

    You can no longer withdraw from the DSA-Sec Exercise after the end of the Exercise School Preference Stage.

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Pre-Results Release Stage

32. How does the DSA-Sec allocation to schools work?

    DSA-Sec candidates are allocated to schools based on the students’ preferences submitted and school’s ranking of the students, subject to the availability of DSA-Sec vacancies in the schools. The allocation system is similar to that for the centralised Secondary One Posting Exercise.

33. Assuming candidate A is on the Waiting List in School X and had selected School X as his 1st choice, as compared to candidate B who had been given a Confirmed Offer in the same school but opted for the school as 2nd choice, who will be given priority in allocation to School X?

    Candidate B will be given priority, as he has a Confirmed Offer in School X.

34. If two candidates are placed on the school’s Waiting List and both have indicated the school as their 1st choice, who will be allocated first?

    The candidate who is placed higher in the school’s candidates ranking list will be offered the allocation first. It does not matter which choice order the candidate puts the school in the School Preference Form.

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Stage 3: Results Release

35. When will I know if I am successfully admitted to a secondary school via the DSA-Sec Exercise?

    The results of the DSA-Sec Exercise will be released in late November, together with the PSLE results.

    Candidates currently studying in MOE schools will be informed by their respective primary schools. Candidates currently not studying in MOE schools can collect their DSA-Sec Exercise results from MOE Customer Service Centre.

36. If I am successfully admitted to a secondary school via the DSA-Sec Exercise, can I participate in the centralised S1 Posting Exercise?

    If you are successful in the DSA-Sec Exercise, you will be informed of the school that you have been admitted to. Since this place has already been reserved for you, you will not be allowed to participate in the Secondary One Posting Exercise to opt for a secondary school. However, successful DSA-Sec candidates who are eligible for Third Language programme and/or qualify for the course option may exercise their options in the Secondary One Posting Exercise.

37. What should I do if I am unsuccessful in the DSA-Sec Exercise?

    If you are unsuccessful in the DSA-Sec Exercise, you will be notified that none of the schools you had indicated a preference for are able to offer you a place. Hence, you will participate in the centralised Secondary One Posting Exercise to opt for your choices of schools. During the Secondary One Posting Exercise, you may still opt for the schools that had not been able to offer you a place under the DSA-Sec Exercise as only a certain percentage of places in these schools are taken up during the DSA-Sec Exercise.

38. If I am successful in DSA-Sec Exercise but I am eligible to study in more than one course [e.g. Express / Normal (Academic)], can I select the course of my preference?

    DSA-Sec candidates who have been successfully allocated to a secondary school and who obtained PSLE aggregates which put them in the course option [the Express/Normal (Academic) or Normal (Academic)/ Normal (Technical)] are allowed to indicate their preferred course of study in the school allocated, provided that the school offers both courses.

39. How do I apply for Third language programmes?

    You will be informed of your Third Language programmes eligibility together with the release of the PSLE results. If you wish to take up a Third Language, you need to submit your application during the option period of the centralised Secondary One Posting Exercise in late November.

40. Am I required to apply for Edusave Entrance Scholarship for Independent School (EESIS) if I am eligible and have been allocated to an Independent School?

    Candidates who qualify for EESIS and are admitted to an Independent School are automatically given the EESIS award. You do not need to submit any application form.

41. If I am successfully allocated to a secondary school via DSA-Sec Exercise and want to withdraw so that I can be posted the centralised Secondary One Posting Exercise, what must I do?

    Candidates who have been successfully allocated to a secondary school under the DSA-Sec Exercise are not allowed to opt for secondary schools during the centralised Secondary One Posting Exercise.

42. If I am successfully allocated to a secondary school via DSA-Sec Exercise, can I request for a change of school?

    You are not allowed to transfer to another school after the release of the PSLE results as you are expected to honour your commitment to your posted DSA-Sec school.

43. If I am unsuccessful in DSA-Sec Exercise and I had opted for a particular school in the DSA-Sec Exercise, can I still select the school again during the centralised Secondary One Posting Exercise?

    Yes, you can. The centralised Secondary One Posting Exercise is to allow you to select school(s) for central posting. It is a separate exercise from DSA-Sec Exercise.

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