Direct School Admission (DSA)

Direct School Admission (DSA)

• Background

• Centralised DSA-Sec Application Process

• Specific Talent Areas offered by Deyi

• Admission Criteria

• Selection Process

• Key Activities and Dates

• Frequently Asked Questions

Background

Back to top

Starting from the 2018 DSA Exercise (for the 2018 P6 cohort), secondary schools will be able to take in up to 20% of their intake through the DSA. This expansion allows more students to be admitted directly into schools that can better nurture their strengths and interests through specific programmes.

Centralised DSA-Sec Application Process 

Back to top

(NOT applicable for School of the Arts (SOTA) and Singapore Sports School (SSP))

Application for DSA-Sec can be submitted through the online DSA-Sec Portal. The application is free-of-charge and will be open from 7 May 2025, 11 am to 3 June 2025, 3 pm. For more details, please refer to MOE website: – https://www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec

Parents and students are encouraged to choose schools wisely based on the student’s aptitudes and strengths, bearing in mind the schools’ academic and non-academic requirements, and the programmes available to develop the area of talent.

Students who are successfully admitted to the school via DSA are expected to honour their commitment to the school, and participate in the activities related to the talent they are selected for from year 1-4.

In addition, they will NOT be allowed to transfer to another school after the release of the PSLE results.

Specific Talent Areas offered by Deyi

Back to top

The following are the various specific talent areas offered by Deyi for the Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise.

The table below gives more details of the specific talent areas offered by Deyi for the Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise.

Admission Criteria

Back to top

1. Learning Disposition
Student must show diligence and positive attitude towards schoolwork.

2. Ability in relevant areas of Specific Talent selected

3. Accomplishments in relevant areas of Specific Talent selected
Accomplishments in the relevant areas will be taken into consideration. For example:

• Achievement in intra-school, inter-schools or equivalent competitions and performances. 

• Experience of performance, choreography work, scriptwriting, journalistic work, multi-media production etc.; for class, school, community outreach concerts, etc. (if any)

• Participation and level of representation (e.g. school/club/country) in events (e.g. public concerts, national/international tournaments, Community/Grassroots events, cultural exchanges, etc.) (if any)

• Leadership appointments held in CCAs or Student Leadership Groups

Applicants who do not have prior experience may also apply. The school will assess applicants based on the selection criteria, which may include assessing the potential of the applicants.

4. Audition/Trial
Student must pass an audition/trial, in the relevant areas of Specific Talent, conducted by the school. The following is a brief description of the various auditions/trials.

Trials and auditions will usually be conducted on Tuesdays and Thursdays as these are the school’s designated CCA Days.

5. Panel Interview
Student must pass an interview conducted by a panel made up of: Vice–Principal, HOD/SH  of the relevant talent area (e.g. Aesthetics, English, Student Leadership Physical Education) and the  CCA Teacher-In-Charge  of the specific talent area.

Please note that meeting all the criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/given an offer.

Selection Process

The selection criteria and process for the talent areas will be updated by early-May. For more information on DSA-Sec, please refer to the MOE website at https://www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec

Stage 1 – Short-listing
Candidates will first be short-listed based on Criteria 1–3. All shortlisted candidates after Stage 1 will be informed by 25 July 2025 of their interview and audition dates. Non-shortlisted candidates will also be informed that they are unsuccessful in their application.

Stage 2 – Audition/Trial
Short-listed candidates will be required to undergo an audition/trial.

Stage 3 – Panel Interview
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by a panel made up of:  Vice–Principal, HOD/SH  of the relevant talent area (e.g. Aesthetics, English, Student Leadership, Physical Education) and the  CCA Teacher-In-Charge  of the specific talent area.

After Stage 2 (Audition/Trial) and Stage 3 (Panel Interview), the results will be compiled and all shortlisted candidates will be notified between 25 Aug and 4 Sep 2025 if they have been given a Confirmed Offer, put on the Waiting List or if the school is unable to offer them a place.

Those given a Confirmed Offer are guaranteed a place in the school in a course [Express, Normal (Academic) or Normal (Technical)] which the student is eligible for. This is based on the PSLE aggregate of the student.

Key Activities and Dates

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What type of students are you looking for?
We are looking for students who have relevant experience and achievement in the various Specific Talent Areas offered. He/She must also possess diligence and a positive attitude in schoolwork.

2. Is there a minimum requirement?
Accomplishments in the various Specific Talent Areas offered will be an advantage. All students who can fulfil the criteria listed in the section on Admission Criteria will be eligible. 

3. How will you select students?
Shortlisted applicants will undergo an audition/trial and an interview. A panel comprising the Vice–Principal, Key personnel and Teachers in-charge of the related CCAs will make the selection.

4. Beyond the Specific Talent Areas stated, what else does Deyi Secondary offer for my child?
In line with the school's vision, Deyians must be equipped with the necessary skills, knowledge and attitudes to face the challenges of the world, be 'agile' in their response to changes and have the courage to explore new frontiers. Underlying all these is the courage to make a difference to the community.

Our school’s Applied Learning Programme (ALP) is Broadcast Journalism which seeks to develop confident and articulate speakers. Our Learning for Life Programme (LLP) is Visual and Performing Arts which seeks to nurture confident communicators and gracious citizens.

As part of our IT Enrichment Programme, students can also look forward to creating a Dashboard to help users make sense of large data using the Power BI Business Analytics Software or building a Clinometer with trigonometry concepts using MakeCode for micro:bit and using it to measure structures in the school.

Our comprehensive range of core and enrichment programmes also include the Character Development Programme, Science Enrichment Programme and various others will expose students to experiences that provide them with opportunities to learn new skills, develop resilience and form a social conscience.

5. How heavily involved will my child be in this CCA and what academic assistance will you provide my child?
Training and practices for the various CCAs are held 2 times a week. The frequency and intensity will increase nearing competition season. The school has an academic monitoring system in place to identify students that require remediation and academic guidance. 

6. Will there be additional fees?
There will not be any additional fees beyond our current standard practice:

The school will provide for the basic requirements (e.g. musical instruments, costumes, etc).

Additional items such as special training courses, overseas cultural exchanges, etc will be heavily subsidised by the school, but students will be expected to bear a certain percentage of the costs. The students' Edusave funds can usually be tapped for this purpose.

The school will ensure that no one is denied any opportunity due to financial difficulties. We will endeavour to work out a suitable arrangement to ensure that anyone who qualifies on merit for any opportunity is able to take it up.

7. If my child does not progress up to expectation, what will the school do?
The school will assess the situation and discuss the matter with you (parents/guardian) to ensure that your child progresses at a pace he/she is comfortable with.

General FAQs on the DSA – Sec Exercise

1. What is DSA - Sec Exercise?
The DSA-Sec Exercise was first introduced in 2004 as part of MOE's move towards a more flexible and broad-based education system. Under the DSA-Sec Exercise, schools will be able to select a percentage of their students for admission outside of the centralised posting system, via their own selection criteria. These criteria can include diverse academic and non-academic achievements and talents.

2. How much flexibility is given to schools to select their students?
In general, schools can decide on their admission criteria, so long as they are meritocratic and transparent.

3. How will the students be admitted into the participating schools?
Students who meet the school-based admission criteria will be made a Confirmed Offer or placed on the Waiting List by the school. Students given a Confirmed Offer are guaranteed a place in the school, and are offered subjects at the levels (i.e. G1. G2. G3) which the student is eligible for. This is based on the PSLE results (i.e. Achievement Levels) of the student.

Students placed on the Waiting List are not guaranteed a place and their admission will be based on available vacancies.

Students on the Rejected List are deemed rejected by the school. However, they may still opt for the school during the S1 Posting Exercise.

4. Can a student receive more than 1 confirmed offer?
Yes. MOE will consolidate all the offers the student has received from the various schools in the School Preference Form which will be sent to the student. Candidates who have been identified under the Confirmed List and the Waiting List of a school will be asked to indicate their preference for up to a maximum of 3 schools. This will be done at their Primary schools. Amendments or cancellations will not be allowed after the closure of the Exercise School Preference Stage.

5. When will the student know the outcome of his choice?
Candidates currently studying in our MOE schools will be informed of their DSA allocation results together with the release of PSLE results through their primary schools. Other candidates (currently not studying in our MOE schools) will have to collect their DSA allocation results from MOE HQ Customer Service Centre, located in 1 North Buona Vista Drive, Podium Block MOE Building, S(138675).

Successful DSA Candidates will be issued with a Direct Admission Slip, informing them of the school that had accepted them. These students will not be allowed to make any school selection in the centralised S1 Posting Exercise. Unsuccessful DSA Candidates will also be issued with a S1 Option Form, informing them that their DSA application had been unsuccessful. These students must complete their S1 Option Form and submit it to their primary school.

6. Will there be enough places for students who wish to enrol in the school via the Sec 1 Posting Exercise?
As there is a cap of 20% for Deyi Secondary's enrolment under DSA-Sec exercise there will still be 80% of places available for enrolment under the Sec 1 Posting Exercise.

7. Useful Links