DSA-Sec guide
How to apply for DSA-Sec
The DSA-Sec journey runs from choosing a talent and school to receiving the final allocation with the PSLE results. Here are the 5 stages a Primary 6 family will go through.
Current exercise
2026 applications have closed
Students with a Confirmed Offer or Wait List outcome can submit their school preferences from 19 October, 9am to 23 October, 4.30pm. Final allocation is released with the PSLE results.
The next exercise is expected to open in early May 2027 for Secondary 1 admission in 2028. Exact dates have not been announced.
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Before May
Find a talent and shortlist schools
Start with the talent the student genuinely wants to continue developing in secondary school.
Use our DSA School Finder to compare schools offering that talent. For each school, check:
- Selection criteria and the trial, audition, test or interview format.
- Training frequency and expectations.
- Whether the application is for the SEC or IP programme.
- The Posting Groups offered by the school.
- Travel time, school fees and any support the student needs.
You can submit only 3 application choices. Each school and talent combination counts as one choice.
Find schools by DSA talent -
Early May to early June
Apply through the DSA-Sec Portal
A parent of a student in an MOE mainstream primary school applies using Singpass. Applications are free.
- One school and one talent area count as one choice.
- Two talent areas at the same school count as two choices.
- The order of the application choices does not affect selection.
- Applications can be updated, withdrawn and resubmitted before the deadline.
P5 and P6 results, CCA participation and other school records are shared with the schools through the portal. Parents can add up to 10 relevant awards, activities or achievements from outside school.
Students outside MOE mainstream primary schools must obtain a registration number before applying, then enter their academic and achievement records manually.
Different application routes: SOTA applicants apply through the school's Talent Academy. Singapore Sports School runs its own admission process.
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June to August
Attend selections
Each school conducts its own selection. Shortlisted students may be invited for an interview, sports trial, audition, written test, practical test or group activity.
Schools may assess aptitude, potential, interest and character alongside existing achievements. Follow each school's preparation instructions and watch for clashes if the student is shortlisted by several schools.
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Late August and October
Receive outcomes and rank schools
Each application receives one of 3 outcomes:
- Confirmed Offer
- The school has reserved a place, subject to the student qualifying for a Posting Group it offers.
- Wait List
- A place may become available after school preferences are processed.
- Unsuccessful
- No offer was made by that school. The student can continue through normal S1 Posting.
Students with a Confirmed Offer or Wait List outcome can rank up to 3 schools during the School Preference Submission window.
Application choice order does not matter. School preference order does.
Place the student's genuine first choice first, even if it is a Wait List outcome above a Confirmed Offer.
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November
Receive the final allocation with PSLE results
The student must qualify for a Posting Group offered by the allocated school. They do not need to meet the school's usual cut-off point.
If successfully allocated
The student joins the assigned DSA-Sec school, does not participate in normal S1 Posting and must honour the commitment to the school and talent area. They cannot transfer to another secondary school after the PSLE results.
If not allocated
The student submits S1 school choices normally. They may still choose schools they previously applied to through DSA-Sec, except specialised independent schools that do not participate in S1 Posting.
Continue planning
Choose your next step
DSA dates and rules can change each year. Information reviewed in September 2026.