What is DSA?
The Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme lets students apply to schools based on talents (e.g., sports, arts, leadership, STEM) before their respective Secondary and JC posting.all schools set their own talent criteria and selection tasks.
- DSA-Sec: for Primary 6 students entering Secondary 1.
- DSA-JC: students apply directly to junior colleges, with school-specific windows.
There are also similar schemes for students looking to enrol into polytechnic or ITE.
- Poly EAE: aptitude-based admissions exercise that allows students to apply for and receive conditional offers for admission to polytechnics
- ITE EAE: aptitude-based admissions exercise that allows students to apply for and receive conditional offers for admission to ITE
A Step-by-step: How to navigate DSA-Sec
For parents of younger children who need more guidance on navigating the DSA scheme, here’s a checklist that may be useful!
Step 1 — Shortlist schools & talent domains.
Start with your child’s natural strengths (e.g., Taekwondo, music, robotics). Check each school’s DSA page for what they look for and how they test.
Step 2 — Prepare a compact portfolio.
You’ll enter achievements directly in the portal (up to 10 entries, no uploads required). Include: competition results (e.g., National School Games, local and international competitions), belt level, leadership roles, training history, and non-school achievements.
Step 3 — Apply via the DSA-Sec Portal.
Use one parent’s Singpass, select up to 3 choices/3 talents, and ensure contact details are accurate so schools can reach you.
Step 4 — Attend selections and interviews
For sports, expect fitness tests and sport-specific demonstrations. Certain schools may also conduct several rounds of in-person interviews.
Step 5 — Manage outcomes and submit preferences.
If you get a confirmation (CO) or waitlist (WL), submit school preferences in MOE’s October window; admission still depends on qualifying for the school’s Posting Group.
Step 6 — Commit post-PSLE.
Students admitted through DSA must fulfil the programme’s commitments (e.g., represent the school/team), and cannot switch via S1 Posting.
What to prepare if your child’s talent is Taekwondo
What schools typically assess:
- Demonstration: selected poomsae and kicks, sometimes short sparring drills, plus a brief interview.
- Physical tests: agility (e.g., T-test, Illinois), speed, flexibility.
Portfolio pointers (sports): - Belt rank and progression (with dates).
- Competition record (e.g., National School Games, national/club poomsae or kyorugi).
- Coaches and teachers’ note on attitude, discipline, teamwork during interviews.
Examples of secondary schools that accept Taekwondo via DSA:
- Edgefield Secondary School
- Maris Stella High School
- Mayflower Secondary School
- Pei Hwa Secondary School
- School of Science & Technology (SST)
- Singapore Sports School
- St. Anthony’s Canossian Secondary School
- St. Joseph’s Institution (SJI)
- Temasek Junior College (Secondary)
(Schools refresh their talent offerings yearly—always verify on the school’s DSA page.)
How Johan Taekwondo can support a DSA journey
Choosing to pursue the Direct School Admission (DSA) route can feel daunting for both parents and children. Beyond talent, schools often look at a student’s commitment, consistency, and character.
At Johan Taekwondo, we understand these expectations and have designed our approach to help students build not only strong skills but also a compelling profile for DSA.
Most importantly, learning Taekwondo is about equipping children with skills, confidence, and values that will stay with them throughout their school years and we hope to be able to build that in our students.
1. Structured Training Pathway
We provide a clear belt progression system, combined with regular assessments, so students demonstrate measurable improvement over time.
2. Competition and Performance Readiness
Schools value students who can represent them at inter-school or national competitions. At Johan Taekwondo, we expose students to local and national tournaments (e.g., National School Games, as well as international competitions for greater exposure and the development of resilience.
3. Selection Preparation
Taekwondo DSA selections usually include physical tests and technical demonstrations. We prepare students through focused drills on poomsae precision, sparring basics, and agility tests.
👉 Considering DSA via Taekwondo? Book a trial class to assess readiness and plan a training path that supports both short-term selections and long-term development.