Direct School Admissions into Secondary Schools (DSA SEC)

Direct School Admissions into Secondary Schools (DSA-SEC)

The DSA scheme provides students with the opportunity to seek admission to a secondary school, based on a diverse range of specific academic and non-academic achievements and talents that they can demonstrate beyond the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).

Yusof Ishak Secondary School (YISS) invites Primary 6 students to participate in the DSA-SEC Exercise. Under this exercise, successful applicants will gain admission into YISS for the academic year beginning January 2026.

For DSA 2025, YISS will offer the following talents for Primary 6 students.

No	DSA Talent Area	Gender
1	Community Youth Leadership	Boys, Girls
2	Modern Dance	Boys, Girls
3	Robotics	Boys, Girls
4	STEM	Boys, Girls
5	Basketball	Boys
6	Table Tennis	Boys, Girls
7	Wushu	Boys, Girls

DSA-Sec Selection Criteria for Talent Categories

Category

Talent Areas

Selection Criteria *

Selection Process

Leadership

Community Youth Leadership

Demonstrate strong aptitude in service and leadership in primary school;
Hold a leadership position in primary school (e.g. Student Councillor / Prefect/ Class Chairperson/ CCA leader etc); and
Possess good leadership and communication skills.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an in-person selection with

Personal Statement presentation
Unprepared individual task
Interview

Performing Arts

Modern Dance

Represented in primary school in SYF Arts Presentation or equivalent;
Possess good leadership and communication skills; and
Where relevant, attained achievements, certifications, or participation in any external performances and competitions related to music or dance. Relevant documents should be uploaded to a google drive or dropbox with the link shared in Step 4 of the application process (i.e.: Fill in non-school based awards/activities (Optional).

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a 30-second dance video.

Further shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an in-person selection with

Prepared individual task
Unprepared individual task
Interview

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

STEM

Robotics

Demonstrate strong interest and aptitude to excel in areas related to STEM and/or Robotics;
Participated in STEM-related and/or Robotics programmes or projects; and
Possess good leadership and communication skills.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit an existing e-portfolio with relevant achievements.

Further shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend in-person selection with

Unprepared tasks
Interview

Sports and Games

Basketball

Table Tennis

Wushu

[for Basketball] Key player of the School Team who achieved preferably Top 8 placing at National Inter-Primary School Competition(s), or

[for Table Tennis, Wushu] Individuals who achieved preferably Top 8 placing in their individual events at National Inter-Primary School Competition(s),
Individuals with outstanding achievements; and
Possess good leadership and communication skills.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an in-person selection with

Individual performance task
Interview

*Meeting all the criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/given an offer. Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend an in-person selection process.

** 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.

Application Process (7 May 2025, 11am – 3 Jun 2025, 3pm)

Application for DSA-Sec can be submitted through the online DSA-Sec portal at www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec. The application is free-of-charge.

For applicants from MOE mainstream primary schools, parents 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.

For other applicants not studying in MOE mainstream primary schools, they would need to apply for a Registration Number (RGxxxxxxx) at: https://go.gov.sg/nmsdsa-sec-application before they can apply through the DSA-Sec Portal.

Students can indicate up to three choices (maximum of two choices for the same school under two different talent areas).

In your submission, please provide detailed information relevant for the talent area being applied for. This includes position played in the sport, wushu specialisation, instrument played and grade level, STEM/ROBOTICS credentials, Leadership achievements. This information will help in the shortlisting and arrangement of selection exercise schedule.

Key Dates

Dates	Event
7 May 2025 (11am) – 3 Jun 2025 (3pm)	Application Process for DSA-Sec via www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec
Mid-Jul 2025	Parents of applicants will be informed if they have been shortlisted to undergo the DSA selection.
Mid-Jul 2025 – Aug 2025	In-person Interview / Audition / Trial will be conducted for shortlisted applicants.
25 Aug 2025 – 4 Sep 2025	Parents of applicants will be informed of the results of their application status (i.e. Confirmed Offer / Wait List / Unsuccessful).
27 Oct 2025 (9am) – 31 Oct 2025 (3pm)	Parents of students with DSA-Sec offers to log onto DSA-Sec to submit school preferences.

Other Information

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.

Contact Details

For more information on DSA and general application process, please visit the MOE DSA-Sec Website at www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec.

For further enquiries, please contact the school at Tel: 6500 9800 or email: yiss@moe.edu.sg.

Useful MOE weblinks

DSA-Sec Main Webpage	https://www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec
Instructions on Application (Mainstream students)	https://go.gov.sg/dsa-sec-application
Instructions on Application (Non Mainstream Students)	https://go.gov.sg/nmsdsa-sec-application
Direct to DSA-Sec Portal (Mainstream Students)	https://go.gov.sg/apply-dsa-sec
Direct to DSA-Sec Portal (Non Mainstream Students)	https://go.gov.sg/apply-dsa-sec-nms
DSA-Sec iFAQs	https://go.gov.sg/dsa-secfaqs
DSA-Sec School Finder	https://go.gov.sg/dsa-secschfinder