From May 7, students can begin applying for Direct School Admission (DSA) to secondary schools and junior colleges (JCs), the Ministry of Education (MOE) announced on May 6.
The DSA scheme allows students to gain admission based on talents and interests, beyond exam results. This year, 142 secondary schools and 20 JCs are participating. Applications for DSA to secondary schools run until 3pm on June 3 via www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec. Students can list up to three choices and may select the same school twice for different talent areas.
DSA applicants must still sit the PSLE or O-Level exams. If offered a place, students must accept it before results are released. They will then be guaranteed a spot—if they meet the school’s minimum entry requirements—under the three posting groups (G1 to G3), aligned with the former Normal (Technical), Normal (Academic), and Express streams.
Similarly, DSA-JC applicants must meet O-Level requirements to confirm their spot. Applications and selection procedures vary by JC, and more information is available at www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-jc.
Students who accept a DSA offer will not participate in the regular S1 or JC posting exercises and may not switch schools later.
Early Admissions to ITE and Polytechnics
For those aiming to enter the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) or polytechnics, the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) considers aptitude, interest, and relevant experience. Applicants may need to attend interviews, submit portfolios, or take aptitude tests.
ITE applications open from May 20 to 26, while polytechnic applications for final-year ITE students run from June 12 to 18. O-Level student applications for polytechnic open from June 26 to July 2.
Successful applicants will receive offers before their final results are released but must meet the minimum entry criteria for the course to confirm placement. Those who accept EAE offers cannot take part in other admission exercises.
Working adults with at least two years of relevant experience can also apply for EAE—applications run from May 20 to 26 for ITE, and from June 2 to 29 for polytechnics.
