7 Valuable Tips for Direct School Admission

Before PSLE and O-Levels, the Ministry of Education (MOE) administers the Direct School Admission (DSA) procedure, which gives applicants the chance to get into the secondary school of their choice based on achievements that are not represented in academic results.

 

Reason to apply via the Direct School Admission (DSA-Sec)

In keeping with MOE's initiatives to concentrate less emphasis on academics and more on holistic education, DSA-Sec was established in 2004. The MOE announced that starting in 2018, all secondary schools will provide up to 20 per cent of their non-IP spots through DSA.

 

With the help of this exercise, primary school kids can enroll directly in the secondary schools of their choice before taking the PSLE tests. It goes without saying that it is a very popular choice for children who have a particular ability or enthusiasm (known as talent areas).

 

The PSLE score of your child is still important, notwithstanding what has happened. Your child must still obtain the minimum PSLE score required to enrol in the school's course offerings. DSA-Sec offers an alternate entry route to well-known colleges, one that takes into account factors other than a student's academic standing.

 

What does it matter if your child was admitted to a secondary school via DSA-Sec? Consequently, they are NOT ALLOWED TO:

• Participate in the Secondary 1 (S1) posting exercise at the end of the year
• Transfer to another school, even if they have achieved a better grade to qualify for a “better” school. They MUST be committed to their school of choice for the duration of the programme.

 
What types of talents must my child possess to qualify for DSA?

To qualify for DSA-Sec, your child must have at least one of the following "talents":

• Games and sports
• Performing, literary, and visual arts
• Public speaking and debating
• Engineering, mathematics, and science
• Humanities and languages
• Uniformed bodies 
• Leadership (for example, prefects)

 

Generally speaking, your child's chances of succeeding at DSA-Sec will be greatly increased if they have a history of representing their school in CCAs, participating in performances or plays, doing very well in a topic, or holding leadership positions in class or CCAs.

 

When will the DSA interviews be held?

By April, students interested in DSA-Sec must submit their application through the DSA-Sec portal. After your child has been chosen by the school to move on to the next phase and is shortlisted, the DSA interview usually takes place in June.

 

By August, you will be informed of your application result.. You will need to select your school of preference by September, before the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).

 

List of DSA interview questions that are frequently asked

To help you get ready, here is a collection of frequently asked questions for the DSA interview:

 

1. Give me more information about you. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
2. What do you consider to be your strengths and weaknesses?
3. What motivated you to apply to this programme? Why did you choose to apply to our school?
4. What activities outside of school do you enjoy?
5. What qualities do you believe define an excellent school?
6. If you were admitted, what do you think you could bring to the school?
7. Tell me about a period in your life when you overcame a challenging obstacle.
8. What has been your biggest success in primary or secondary school?

 

Particularly for 12-year-olds who might be attending the first interview of their lives, the DSA interview can be extremely nerve-wracking. However, knowing what to anticipate and making the appropriate preparations can make a world of difference.

 

Here are 7 useful pointers your kid should be aware of to ace the DSA interview:

 

1. Get ready for the frequently asked questions

The "homework" you complete before the interview will improve your response abilities and boost your confidence when answering challenging questions. You should plan and practise your responses to the frequently asked questions to fully prepare.

 

You should practise providing sincere and polite responses to each query. To properly express your abilities or who you are in the questions that are asked, try to elaborate on them further. You can ensure that more areas are covered and reduce the likelihood of too many surprises during the interview by preparing a few questions on each topic.

2. Make sure your uniform is well-kept.

First impressions are crucial and have the power to make or ruin an interview. Even though it may seem trivial, making sure you look presentable and professional for the interview can have an impact on the admission decision. This demonstrates to the interviewer that you are sincere about the opportunity.

 

Ensure the uniform is well-ironed and clean on the actual day of the interview. This will also demonstrate how much your child respects the interviewers and the institution he applied to.

 

3. Remain humble but self-assured

Although humility is a virtue, you should also have a healthy dose of confidence throughout the interview to demonstrate that you are aware of the value you can contribute. It can be challenging for a student who hasn't had many interview opportunities to maintain this fine balance.

 

The secret is to remain upbeat and confident when discussing one's accomplishments rather than adopting a boastful tone. Before the interview even starts, smile at your interviewers. When faced with challenging questions, maintain a calm demeanour. You can mention your desire for better education opportunities while presenting your list of achievements to show that you are receptive to advise and self-improvement.

4. Talk about your own experiences

Sharing personal experiences is one of the best ways to establish a connection with someone. The same rule holds for school admission interviews. While interviewers are interested in your strengths, they are also more inclined to accept the candidate with whom they have a stronger emotional connection.

 

When asked questions regarding CCA experiences or future objectives, you can feel free to give relevant anecdotes that will build resonance. For instance, you may discuss how you developed a passion for the sport you play at school and how that passion inspires you to pursue it professionally in the future. Passion is contagious and can persuade interviewers to share your convictions too.

5. Demonstrate that you are a well-rounded person.

DSA focuses on abilities outside of the classroom. In order to promote yourself as a well-rounded person who is not only interested in your academic achievements, you should disclose more about yourself during the interview.

 

For instance, you might highlight the extracurricular pursuits and occasions where you have shown your strengths and soft skills. You can choose to highlight your leadership qualities, social skills, musical taste, physical prowess, or artistic talents based on your own capabilities.

6. Describe future contributions in detail

Schools want to enrol students who will enhance their reputations through their contributions in the future. Based on your present successes, you can describe how you can contribute.

 

For instance, if you excelled in table tennis in elementary school, you can expound on how you would use your unique set of abilities to help the secondary school table tennis team reach new heights in the near future. This offers the interviewer a clear indication of where you might fit in at the school of your choice.

 

7. Present yourself as a cultural fit

Last but not least, examine the institution's educational culture before your interview so you can position yourself as a cultural fit.

 

In terms of admittance to schools, "birds of a feather flock together" also holds. Interviewers typically seek out candidates that are not just successful in their own right but also supportive of the core principles of the institution.

 

While some schools are regarded to be more supportive of innovation and social prowess, others are believed to be more focused on traditional values like hard work and humility. The interviewer is more likely to consider you an excellent fit if you highlight your child's qualities that the school values.

 

Conclusion

With all that earlier tips, it’s all up to you and your child to prepare for the interview. You can do mock interviews either by yourself or with a role player. Practising with a partner may be more beneficial for students who tend to experience social anxiety. You can also encourage your child's artistic development from an early age with us!

 

However, answers should not be memorised because all questions will vary in wording. When the moment comes, be ready, but be ready to go with the flow according to what the situation calls for. Good luck!