DSA 2012

[jtoh]

Kitty:

Thanks for all the replies.


Dear jtoh,
do you mean for academic DSA, they will only be tested on a particular subject ? I only know NUSH will test on maths & science..
How abt. sch like NYG or RGS ? Their academic DSA is not on all 4 subjects ?

Mainstream students who DSA at RGS and NYGH via the academic domain will first have to sit for a General Ability Test (GAT). If they clear this, they will then be invited to sit for a test on the subject of their specialty, which they would have indicated in their application form. If they clear this subject test, they'll be invited for an interview.

[Funx3]

Kitty:

Thanks for all the replies.


Dear jtoh,
do you mean for academic DSA, they will only be tested on a particular subject ? I only know NUSH will test on maths & science..
How abt. sch like NYG or RGS ? Their academic DSA is not on all 4 subjects ?

My Gal's DSA Academics Classmates in RGS comes from Specific Domain -
DSA Maths, DSA Sc, DSA English (Notice .... No DSA Chinese? )

But I'm Pretty Sure the Sch Will Definitely Look at Overall Academic Performance in P5 to P6.

[Kitty]

Just for my curiosity…


RGS & NYGH will accept all application for their GAT ? Or will they look at P5 & P6 results before deciding whether the child will be given a chance for the GAT ?

[Funx3]

Kitty:

Just for my curiosity...


RGS & NYGH will accept all application for their GAT ? Or will they look at P5 & P6 results before deciding whether the child will be given a chance for the GAT ?

If I Recall Correctly, Fees paid for DSA Submission is inclusive of GAT Test

[Kitty]

Thanks everybody for clarifying my questions !

[Zekezachzoom]

Dear all experienced mums & dad here…


Riding on kitty questions, I too am trying to figure out whether a DSA route is better for my DS. I am not sure to put him through sport or academic DSA. He is very strong is math & science (constantly in the 90+ range) but rather weak in languages (around 80 range). He is in the school track & field team and won medals for his school in team & individual events. He is also a school prefect and a exco member. I am worried that if I put him thru sport DSA, the school will have certain expectation on him to excel in his sport and the academic will be secondary. Since he is not bad in his study, I am thinking of trying academic route instead.

Please give me some advice if you have similar experiences with your DC. Thanks.

[jtoh]

Zekezachzoom:

Dear all experienced mums & dad here...


Riding on kitty questions, I too am trying to figure out whether a DSA route is better for my DS. I am not sure to put him through sport or academic DSA. He is very strong is math & science (constantly in the 90+ range) but rather weak in languages (around 80 range). He is in the school track & field team and won medals for his school in team & individual events. He is also a school prefect and a exco member. I am worried that if I put him thru sport DSA, the school will have certain expectation on him to excel in his sport and the academic will be secondary. Since he is not bad in his study, I am thinking of trying academic route instead.

Please give me some advice if you have similar experiences with your DC. Thanks.

If your son is strong academically and has demonstrated exceptional talent in one of the subjects, then you should DSA through academics. Reason being that if you DSA'd via sports, you're expected to keep up with your training and represent the school in that sport throughout his secondary school years.

Does your son have any outstanding certificates to show academically? For eg Math Olympiad Gold/Platinum certificates etc? Just scoring 90+ in school exams may not be enough to set him apart from the rest of the field. Of course he could perform exceptionally well in the DSA selection test but it's always good to have a certificate to boost his chances.

If your son does decide to DSA via academics, he can also include his sports achievements and leadership positions in the application. They will take note of these and view them favorably in his application if for example someone else is just as competent academically as him.

[Zekezachzoom]

Thanks jtoh for your sound advice.


My DS did went for the NUS high science competition last year but unfortunately just got in to round 2. His school is sending him for RI math thingy this year ( in fact I m not sure to let him join as he is already very busy with track trainings and prefect duties). So… The answer to your question is he does not have any shining certificate yet;)

I am actually thinking along the line of using the academic route just not sure about the chances though. Also, is it true that most schools will group the sport DSA in one class and typically do not have very high expectation academically for this class?

[jtoh]

Zekezachzoom:

Thanks jtoh for your sound advice.


My DS did went for the NUS high science competition last year but unfortunately just got in to round 2. His school is sending him for RI math thingy this year ( in fact I m not sure to let him join as he is already very busy with track trainings and prefect duties). So... The answer to your question is he does not have any shining certificate yet;)

I am actually thinking along the line of using the academic route just not sure about the chances though. Also, is it true that most schools will group the sport DSA in one class and typically do not have very high expectation academically for this class?

The RI Math thingy is notoriously difficult to score in. :scared: Have your son go for SMOPS. If he can secure a gold or platinum that would be good.

As for DSA sports students all being in the same class, this varies from school to school. Some spread them out, some (like RI) group them all in the same class. The reason being they want to work around their competition schedules and to give them more attention knowing that they sometimes have to miss classes bec of training or competitions. I don't think the schools would focus any less academically on these students though. Maybe parents whose kids have children in DSA sports can comment.

[Funx3]

Zekezachzoom:

Thanks jtoh for your sound advice.


My DS did went for the NUS high science competition last year but unfortunately just got in to round 2. His school is sending him for RI math thingy this year ( in fact I m not sure to let him join as he is already very busy with track trainings and prefect duties). So... The answer to your question is he does not have any shining certificate yet;)

I am actually thinking along the line of using the academic route just not sure about the chances though. Also, is it true that most schools will group the sport DSA in one class and typically do not have very high expectation academically for this class?

Not True for My Gal's Sch.

They Don't Have Sports Class. ALL the Sports DSA R Spread out over the Non-GEP Classes, grouped by Sports Domain tog. Within the Same Class there R kids who DSA thru Sc, Maths, English, etc as well as those who R posted in thru S1 Posting Exercise. And they R expected to perform Above Avg academically. But Sch has Various schemes in place to help the students who R strapped for Time due to, say, the intensive National Team training.

Anyway, I'm Quite Sure that During DSA, the Sch Would Assess the Suitability of the Applicants, if they can Fit academically into the Academic Stream they will be admitted to Before they accept those Who DSA thru Sports.