Criteria and Selection Process

Find out what qualities the school looks for under the Learning for Life and STEM Applied Learning Programmes, and how to apply via the DSA-Sec Portal from 6 May 2026.

Last updated on 11 September 2026

Criteria and Selection Process

Selection Criteria

Selection criteria for Learning for Life and STEM Applied Learning programmes

Learning for Life Programme	STEM Applied Learning Programme
>> General Descriptors • Outward-looking, with awareness of, and concern for, community needs • Are / have strong potential to be influential, with strong communication and people skills • Demonstrate leadership skills	>> General Descriptors • Curiosity with a keen interest in areas such as robotics • Proficient in Mathematics and Science • Passionate in STEM-related disciplines
>> Conduct • Very good conduct in Primary 6 or last attended school.	>> Conduct • Good conduct in Primary 6 or last attended school.
>> Involvement in school/community service • Record of active participation in at least 1 CCA in Primary 6 or last attended school for at least 3 years. • Participated actively in community service activities (beyond minimum requirements) as a result of passion to serve the community. • Exemplary service to school in environment conservation efforts • Exemplary service to others in the school community • Initiated and led a meaningful project for the class / level / CCA /school so as to improve the class / level / CCA / school • Other relevant involvement	>> Involvement in STEM related activities • Participated or achieved in STEM-related competitions or enrichment programmes, in particular the application of ICT in the areas of Drones programming and 3D modelling. • Participated in a STEM-related CCA in primary school. (e.g. Robotics Club, Science Club, Infocomm Club, Computer Club, Game Designing Programme, Singapore Youth Flying Club, Inventions Club) • Other relevant involvement
>> Leadership • Has held Leadership position(s) in class/level/CCA/school in last attended school.

Learning for Life Programme

STEM Applied Learning Programme

>> General Descriptors

• Outward-looking, with awareness of, and concern for, community needs

• Are / have strong potential to be influential, with strong communication and people skills

• Demonstrate leadership skills

>> General Descriptors

• Curiosity with a keen interest in areas such as robotics

• Proficient in Mathematics and Science

• Passionate in STEM-related disciplines

>> Conduct

• Very good conduct in Primary 6 or last attended school.

>> Conduct

• Good conduct in Primary 6 or last attended school.

>> Involvement in school/community service

• Record of active participation in at least 1 CCA in Primary 6 or last attended school for at least 3 years.

• Participated actively in community service activities (beyond minimum requirements) as a result of passion to serve the community.

• Exemplary service to school in environment conservation efforts

• Exemplary service to others in the school community

• Initiated and led a meaningful project for the class / level / CCA /school so as to improve the class / level / CCA / school

• Other relevant involvement

>> Involvement in STEM related activities

• Participated or achieved in STEM-related competitions or enrichment programmes, in particular the application of ICT in the areas of Drones programming and 3D modelling.

• Participated in a STEM-related CCA in primary school. (e.g. Robotics Club, Science Club, Infocomm Club, Computer Club, Game Designing Programme, Singapore Youth Flying Club, Inventions Club)

• Other relevant involvement

>> Leadership

• Has held Leadership position(s) in class/level/CCA/school in last attended school.

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. Applicants will be assessed on their attitude and suitability during a face-to-face interview (shortlisted applicants will be informed to attend the interview).

Note: Meeting all the criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/be given an offer. The decision of the Interview Panel on the DSA-Sec application is final. The school reserves the right not to release the reasons for non-selection of applicants and/or the results of the aptitude test and the interview.

Application and Selection

Application and selection period dates

APPLICATION PERIOD	SELECTION PERIOD
6 May 2026, 11 am to 2 June 2026, 4.30 pm	29 Jun 2026 – 28 Aug 2026

Application for DSA-Sec can be submitted through the online DSA-Sec Portal. The application is free-of-charge and will be open from 6 May 2026, 11am to 2 Jun 2026, 4.30pm. For more details, please refer to MOE website – www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec (opens in new tab).

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.

The selection period for schools for DSA-Sec is from 29 Jun 2026 – 28 Aug 2026. The school will be conducting in-person selection for both DSA talent areas for 2026. Shortlisted candidates who meet the selection criteria in the DSA talent area they have applied for will be invited to attend an interview at the school. You will receive notification from the school by 10 July 2026, if your child has been shortlisted to undergo Direct School Admission (DSA) selection.

All applicants will receive their application outcomes between 17 Aug and 28 Aug 2026.