KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Have anyone start DSA 2016 topic?

You just did.

Thanks for starting....I was thinking about it too.

Thanks for starting it.

Sharing some general pointers to prepare for DSA :

(1) Compile certs of academic, sports (if esp going for sports DSA) and/or music (if esp going for music based DSA) achievements & obtain photocopies of them. Some sec schs require them to be CTC (certified true copy), which your own pri sch general office can assist with.

(2) Compile & make copies of P4 & P5 EOY (end of year) results and P6 SA1 results (when available next year).

(3) Check out MOE's DSA website for participating DSA schools. Find out more about each desired DSA school (environment, culture, CCAs etc), make enquiries if they have the DSA category that you are intending to apply for. Attend Open Houses for desired DSA schools.

(4) If DSA school has interview stage, necessary to prepare for it well, as all things being equal amongst candidates, the interview could be the deciding factor.

(5) Work hard towards the SA1, as DSA is kind of the first opportunity at gaining entry to a desired sec sch. There is of course always still the PSLE to work hard for, but there's no harm to give the DSA a good attempt first:) Good luck all!

Reporting here as well DS has nothing under his portfolio to DSA - he is just an ordinary member in his CCA. What other avenues can I explore? IF DSA via academic, what is the minimum cut off or requirements for most schools?

Guess all subjects need to be in Band 1 & what you could do is to register GAT test.

Sniper Angel wrote:Guess all subjects need to be in Band 1 & what you could do is to register GAT test.

Phew. I thought DSA via academic must have A* for all the subjects. Any website or assessment to give an idea what GAT test entails?

hi all, I believe grades are not the only factors to determine the selection..the tests during the DSA will definitely have effect no doubt.. But then having CCA & being a leader in it really helps a lot.. especially for those elite schools..

GAT tests are mainly on patterns..nothing about the subjects that they learn in pri sch..
its more about speed, choosing the next correct pattern from a series of patterns given.. just tell your DC to enjoy themselves...LOL!..

Registering for either GAT or HAST is dependent on requirements of respective secondary schools. There's a useful compilation on this forum of requirements for IP schools under the title : IP SCHOOLS DSA (ACADEMIC) - AT A GLANCE

Google "Sample GAT test" or "Sample HAST test" for an idea of the questions under respective test.

Under the DSA Academic category, certain schools could require specific subject domain application, ie. application is under a specific academic subject which the applicant has strong ability / credentials for.