DSA FAQs

Click here for FAQs related to Direct School Admission Exercise

Click here for FAQs related to Posting to Secondary School

Click here for FAQs related to new PSLE scoring system

1. Who can apply for DSA?

All Primary 6 students who meet the selection criteria.

2. How do I apply for DSA?

Apply through the online DSA-Sec Portal.

3. When and how do I apply for DSA?

Below are the details of applying through the MOE online DSA-Sec Portal:

a) Cost – Free of charge

b) Application Period – From 7 May 2025, 11am - 3 Jun 2025, 3pm

c) Process 

• Applicants from MOE mainstream primary schools:

Parent may log in directly to DSA-Sec Portal. Only one parent’s SingPass is required. Parents/guardians who are unable to apply online can approach their child’s primary school for assistance.

• Other applicants not studying in MOE mainstream primary schools:

Students need to apply for a Registration Number (RGxxxxxxx) to access the DSA-Sec Portal.

Please refer to MOE website at: https://go.gov.sg/nmsdsa-sec-application.

Such students include Returning Singaporeans, International Students studying overseas or in local international school, students in Special Education Schools or religious schools (e.g., Pathlight, Madrasah, San Yu Adventist) and home-schoolers. All shortlisted International Students who are not taking PSLE are required to take and fulfil the requirements of the Admissions Exercise for International Students (AEIS) to be successful in DSA.

d) Choices

An applicant can indicate up to three choices. Each choice consists of a secondary school and a talent area offered by that secondary school. Of the three choices, an applicant may use a maximum of two choices to apply to the same school, for two different talent areas of that school.

e) Information to Provide

To make the application easier, applicants will only need to provide the following. 

(i) Choice of schools and talent areas. 

(ii) Valid email address and local mobile number contact details. 

(iii) Applicants studying in mainstream primary schools will have their primary school information (such as their Primary 5 and Primary 6 academic results, and other information from Primary 4 to Primary 6, i.e., Co-curricular Activities (CCA), Values in Action involvement, school-based activities/ achievements/ awards (such as Edusave awards, National School Games and Junior Sports Academy participation) shared directly with the DSA-Sec schools that they apply to. It is optional to indicate non-school-based activities and achievements.

4. After I have submitted the application form, when will I know if I have been short-listed for the interview/audition?

All applicants will be notified via email by 18 July 2025.

5. When will the interview/audition be conducted?

In-person interview/audition will be conducted from 23 Jul 2025 - 7 Aug 2025 at Riverside Secondary School.

6. When will I know if I have been offered a place after my interview/audition?

All short-listed applicants will know the outcome of their interview/audition via email between 25 Aug and 4 Sep 2025.

7. If I have been informed that I am successful in my application, do I have to accept the offer immediately?

There is no need to accept any offer during the DSA exercise period. Students who are given Confirmed Offers or Wait list offers will only exercise their DSA School Preference in end October 2025.

Students who receive at least one DSA-Sec offer (including from SOTA) will receive email and SMS notification via Postman.gov.sg on the School Preference Submission around mid-Oct 2025. Both parents are required to log in to the DSA-Sec Portal using their Singpass to submit up to three school preferences.

8. Is my Confirmed Offer for DSA dependent on my PSLE results?

Students who are given a Confirmed Offer are guaranteed a place in the school, provided they accept the offer and qualify for an academic Posting Group offered by the school based on their PSLE results.

9. When will I receive my School Preference Form?

Students who receive at least one DSA-Sec offer (including from SOTA) will receive email and SMS notification via Postman.gov.sg on the School Preference Submission around mid-Oct 2025. Both parents are required to log in to the DSA-Sec Portal using their Singpass to submit up to three school preferences.

10. When will the DSA-Sec results be released?

Students studying in MOE mainstream schools will receive their DSA-Sec results together with their PSLE results by end-Nov 2025. Students who are not studying in MOE mainstream schools will receive their DSA-Sec results from MOE via email.

11. What if my child is not successful in his application for DSA?

Unsuccessful DSA-Sec applicants will be notified to participate in the Secondary One Posting to submit school choices.

12. Is my child able to apply for a transfer of school after the release of the PSLE results?

Applicants who took PSLE and successful in the DSA-Sec are NOT allowed to participate in the S1 Posting as they are expected to honour the commitment made to the DSA-Sec school. However, if they are eligible for third language and/or Posting Group options (Posting Group 3/ Posting Group 2 option or Posting Group 2/ Posting Group 1 option), they may enter these options during the School Choice Submission period via the Secondary One Posting. Students are also NOT allowed to transfer to another school after the release of the PSLE results.

13. What is Riverside Secondary School’s PSLE score range of 2024?

• Posting Group 3: 8 – 13

• Posting Group 2: 21 – 23

• Posting Group 1: 25 – 28