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Last Updated: 25 Apr 2025

Direct School Admission for secondary schools (DSA-Sec)

Primary 6 (P6) students can seek admission to certain secondary schools before taking the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). Learn if your child is eligible and how to apply.

Note:
  • 2025 DSA-Sec application will start in May. Visit SchoolFinder and the secondary schools' websites from Tuesday, 6 May 2025 for more details.
  • Students will be posted through Posting Groups 1, 2 and 3 under the Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB). This allows them greater flexibility to offer subjects at appropriate subject levels. Learn about Full SBB.

What is DSA-Sec?

DSA-Sec provides a pathway for students to gain admission to secondary schools based on their interests, aptitude, and potential, beyond their performance at Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).

If your child is admitted to a secondary school through DSA-Sec, they are not allowed to:

  • Submit school choices during the Secondary 1 (S1) posting process.
  • Transfer to another school. They must commit to their chosen school for the duration of the programme.
However, the DSA-Sec is not a pathway that suits every student.

To determine if DSA-Sec is an appropriate pathway for your child, you should carefully consider your child's strengths and interests, and the school's programmes and their ability to develop specific talent.

Explore the list of schools and programmes for DSA-Sec using SchoolFinder.

View DSA-SEC schools

Who can apply

P6 students can apply for DSA-Sec based on a wide range of talents, including:

  • Sports and games
  • Visual, literary and performing arts
  • Debate and public speaking
  • Science, mathematics and engineering
  • Languages and humanities
  • Uniformed groups
  • Leadership

How to apply

Students can apply through the DSA-Sec Portal. There are no application fees.

If you are unable to apply online, approach your child's primary school for assistance.

If both parents are unable to submit the application form personally at school during DSA-Sec application period, you have to nominate another adult to do so using this proxy form. You can also use the same form to appoint a proxy to submit your child's school preference form in October.

KEY DATES

 
Jan to May

Explore school choices

Schools offer different talent areas and each has its own selection process and schedule. Visit the schools' websites for more information. They generally update the information by late April.

Wed, 7 May to Tue, 3 Jun 2025

Apply

Once you have explored and shortlisted the schools, submit your child's application online through the DSA-Sec Portal by 3pm on Tuesday, 3 Jun 2025.

By Thu, 4 Sep 2025

Attend interviews, auditions or trials

Different schools have different selection processes. Check the DSA-Sec schools' websites for details. If shortlisted, your child will have to attend interviews, auditions or trials conducted by DSA-Sec schools.

Students will receive DSA-Sec outcomes directly from schools by Thursday, 4 September 2025.

Mon, 27 Oct to Fri, 31 Oct 2025

Select preferred schools

Choose up to 3 school choices in order of preference using the DSA-Sec Portal by 3pm on Friday, 31 October 2025.

Late Nov

Receive school allocation results

Receive school allocation along with PSLE results.
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