DSA 2017

[ajtsl26]

I am thinking of sending my child to DSA preparation course. Any recommendation which centre I should enroll my child in?

[shuting28]

Hi all,


Does anyone know if ACSI accepts dsa via performing arts under musical instruments? If so, which instrument?

Many TIAs!

[mommyNg]

Which school accepts DSA art (except SOTA)?

LokeTan:

Hi all parents,
I am an art teacher with a prestigious and well established art school. I'm providing 1-to-1 or small group portfolio preparation for DSA Art. Please email me at [email protected] for more information. Thank you!

[Morinosuke]

Record number of pupils applied for direct entry to Sec 1 last year

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/record-number-of-pupils-applied-for-direct-entry-to-sec-1

[floppy]

mommyNg:

Which school accepts DSA art (except SOTA)?

Those schools that offer Art Elective Programme may be worth a try:

Victoria School
National Junior College
Hwa Chong Institution
Nanyang Girls High School
Nanyang Junior College
CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)
Bukit Panjang Government High School
Zhonghua Secondary School

[mommyNg]

Well, thanks floppy for responding. I thought since LokeTan is offering DSA art preparation class, he/she would have a good idea of which schools offer DSA art (except SOTA), unless only SOTA accepts DSA art. So I was hoping that he/she would respond to that question... of course I could have emailed him/her directly too.

floppy:

mommyNg:

Which school accepts DSA art (except SOTA)?

Those schools that offer Art Elective Programme may be worth a try:

Victoria School
National Junior College
Hwa Chong Institution
Nanyang Girls High School
Nanyang Junior College
CHIJ Secondary (Toa Payoh)
Bukit Panjang Government High School
Zhonghua Secondary School

[jenao]

lee_yl:

From the RGS website, my understanding of DSA academic is to just look at one subject the student is good at right? Not overall 4 subjects, I think. :? :?


From RGS website for DSA Academic:
DSA ACADEMIC

Applicant must be able to demonstrate interest and talent beyond the abilities of students in the same age group and/or have a history of consistent high academic achievements in one of the following:
English Language
Chinese Language
Malay Language
Tamil Language
Mathematics
Science

This requirement for one subject is fairly new, maybe just started last year, if I am not wrong? There used to be GEP domain, then it was removed maybe 2 yrs back, then General acad domain and now they are replacing it with subject domain. The last 2 years the dsa has changed quite a bit. Not very sure but that's what i gathered since I am first time PSLE mom.

I think for last year, a few schools like RGS moved away from general acad domain to subject domain, inline with the new direction? The way I understand it, the key words from these are \"BEYOND the abilities of students in the same age group\" which mean getting good marks are not enough! You need to be very TALENTED in that domain!!! Like if you are getting above 90s for maths is not good enough for maths domain, you need to be maths olympiad platinum! That's how I read it. Really very tough for our kids! How many are platinum or gold medal for any subjects? When I read it, my first thought was, no chance at all! Might as well just concentrate on doing well for PSLE, dont need to waste time and effort.

[jenao]

As i am reading the older DSA thread, I think the subject domain has always been there. The changes in the last 2 yrs were the removal of GEP domain and the General acad domain, I think.

[floppy]

jenao:

I think for last year, a few schools like RGS moved away from general acad domain to subject domain, inline with the new direction? The way I understand it, the key words from these are \"BEYOND the abilities of students in the same age group\" which mean getting good marks are not enough! You need to be very TALENTED in that domain!!! Like if you are getting above 90s for maths is not good enough for maths domain, you need to be maths olympiad platinum! That's how I read it. Really very tough for our kids! How many are platinum or gold medal for any subjects? When I read it, my first thought was, no chance at all! Might as well just concentrate on doing well for PSLE, dont need to waste time and effort.

Well. Not that different from sports domain then.

How many gold medalist? Most likely one.
How many finalist? Maybe up to 20?
How many captain in a team? Likely only one to rule them all.

So, yes. You have to be really talented (or really special) in the chosen domain. That's the intent of DSA.

[lee_yl]

jenao:

lee_yl:

From the RGS website, my understanding of DSA academic is to just look at one subject the student is good at right? Not overall 4 subjects, I think. :? :?


From RGS website for DSA Academic:
DSA ACADEMIC

Applicant must be able to demonstrate interest and talent beyond the abilities of students in the same age group and/or have a history of consistent high academic achievements in one of the following:
English Language
Chinese Language
Malay Language
Tamil Language
Mathematics
Science

This requirement for one subject is fairly new, maybe just started last year, if I am not wrong? There used to be GEP domain, then it was removed maybe 2 yrs back, then General acad domain and now they are replacing it with subject domain. The last 2 years the dsa has changed quite a bit. Not very sure but that's what i gathered since I am first time PSLE mom.

I think for last year, a few schools like RGS moved away from general acad domain to subject domain, inline with the new direction? The way I understand it, the key words from these are \"BEYOND the abilities of students in the same age group\" which mean getting good marks are not enough! You need to be very TALENTED in that domain!!! Like if you are getting above 90s for maths is not good enough for maths domain, you need to be maths olympiad platinum! That's how I read it. Really very tough for our kids! How many are platinum or gold medal for any subjects? When I read it, my first thought was, no chance at all! Might as well just concentrate on doing well for PSLE, dont need to waste time and effort.

Thank you jenao. Your post summarizes everything I wanted to know.

As DSA was not in my mind last year, I wasn't sure if last year's requirement was the same as this year's. When people talk about general academic abilities, I see only the subject domain.

Yes, I have heard that for Maths Olympiad, gold is the deal winner. Top schools (like RI) are looking for Platinum. Thus even when DD1 was selected to represent her school for MO competition, we didn't even bother to send her for external training because, Platinum seems so far away, no point.

Except for NUSH, DSA via the one subject route does appear out of reach. Better to spend the time and effort preparing for PSLE