DSA 2017
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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:
Those schools that offer Art Elective Programme may be worth a try:mommyNg:
Which school accepts DSA art (except SOTA)?
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 -
lee_yl:
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.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
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. -
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.
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jenao:
Well. Not that different from sports domain then.
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.
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. -
jenao:
Thank you jenao. Your post summarizes everything I wanted to know.
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.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
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.
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 -
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lee_yl:
I guess candidate must also be good in one or two non-acad areas. I remember zulu's DD got into RGS thru English domain 3 years ago, but he mentioned she also has violin ABRSM certs (possibly Grade 8 kind!), CCA accomplishments, top few in her cohort (a neighbourhood school) and some Eng-related awards to include in her portfolio.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 -
lee_yl:
Based on my observation during ds' DSA exercise last yr, a few boys had not only SMOPS platinum (top 1.5%), but some were also numbered (top 20), while others qualified for math masterclass (top 30 math geppers). Yet they were neither only WL or outright rejected by RI/HCI. So I don't think platinum award alone is such a big factor in DSA, let alone gold.
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
Afaik, even NUSH doesn't give much weightage to MO awards (except NMOS) as they've their own selection tests which ds said was super hard (for Sci).
I'm not entirely sure what are the X factors top sch are looking for. But from what ds shared, I know the DSA qns were designed to test the maturity of 12 yr olds. One needs to read widely, be quick-thinking, and able to articulate well to tackle those qns adequately. Some qns were definitely out-of-classroom settings kind of qns (I think out of respect for the sch, I shouldn't share the qns here). In a sense, I feel that those in debate CCA stand a good chance to ace DSA interviews, since they are trained to think on their feet.
Anyway looks like major changes to DSA are on the horizons and anything is fair game this year. Good luck to all! -
jetsetter:
If that's indeed the case, then DSA is indeed stressful and one has to plan & prepare early for it. My children have been doing violin and piano with Mandeville for years but nowhere near grade 8.
I guess candidate must also be good in one or two non-acad areas. I remember zulu's DD got into RGS thru English domain 3 years ago, but he mentioned she also has violin ABRSM certs (possibly Grade 8 kind!), CCA accomplishments, top few in her cohort (a neighbourhood school) and some Eng-related awards to include in her portfolio.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
Compared to Maths, I wonder whether using Science as the DSA subject will be easier as it is not as competitive?
Unfortunately, except for the E2K program, my DD1 does not participate in any SO because her school does not take part! :gloomy:
Guess she has to rely solely on her PSLE results then. -
DSA definitely needs preparation. If a child has been consistently placed in the top 10% of a top primary school or perhaps the top few in a neighbourhood school, there is a very high chance they will do very well in the PSLE and thus qualify for all schools. DSA probably is very much unnecessary for this group of pupils.
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