Integrated Programme (Direct School Admission) Selection Criteria

DSA-Sec Selection Criteria

Applicants will be shortlisted and selected based on the following general criteria:
1. Demonstrate passion for and commitment to the area of interest;
2. Exemplify positive character traits, including resilience, motivation and integrity;
3. Display a commitment to contribute to the school, through the area of interest as well as other opportunities to serve; and
4. Possess good academic potential to thrive in the Integrated Programme.

In addition, each talent area has specific criteria as shown below. Please note that meeting all the criteria does not guarantee that the applicant will be shortlisted or given an offer. In addition, past experience, practised talent or achievements in the talent area are not necessary requirements.

The selection criteria below are subject to changes. Applicants are advised to refer to the webpage at the point of application.

Sports & Games

Talent Area Criteria Commitment
1. Basketball (1) Ball sense
(2) Agility
(3) Coordination		 4-year commitment to CCA
2. Canoeing (1) Psychomotor coordination
(2) Balance		 4-year commitment to CCA

Committed to participate in Dragonboat as well.
3. Track & Field

4. Cross Country		 (1) Coordination
(2) Speed
(3) Explosiveness
(4) Agility
(5) Endurance		 4-year commitment to CCA

Track & Field and Cross Country operate as one CCA. Applicants to Cross-Country are expected to commit to Track & Field, and vice versa.
5. Shooting (1) Consistency of shots
(2) Physical Stability		 4-year commitment to CCA
6. Softball
(girls only)		 (1) Reflexes
(2) Hand-eye coordination		 4-year commitment to CCA
7. Squash (1) Ball sense
(2) Hand-eye coordination		 4-year commitment to CCA

Visual, Literary and Performing Arts

Talent Area Criteria Commitment
1. Concert Band (1) Ability to play proficiently one of the following band instruments: euphonium, tuba, trumpet, trombone, horn, cornet, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, double bass, harp, saxophone OR a range of percussion instruments
(2) Aural and sight-reading ability
(3) Musicianship		 4-year commitment to CCA
2. Choir (1) Ability to reproduce a series of notes accurately and with ease
(2) Musical sensitivity
(3) Ability to sing with expression		 4-year commitment to CCA
3. Chinese Dance (1) Flexibility and coordination.
(2) Clarity, flow and control of body movements.
(3) Skills acquisition during choreography.		 4-year commitment to CCA
4. Modern Dance
(Western Dance)		 (1) Movement and technique
(2) Spatial awareness
(3) Dynamic awareness
(4) Performance quality		 4-year commitment to CCA
5. Indian Dance (1) Technique such as posture, araimandi and overall presentation style
(2) Exhibition of excellent footwork and impressive gestures
(3) Versatility in different genre (Classical, Bollywood and Folk)		 4-year commitment to CCA
6. Malay Dance (1) Fundamental skills of flexibility and coordination
(2) Exhibit excellent footwork and impressive gestures
(3) Skills acquisition during dance modeling		 4-year commitment to CCA
7. Guitar Ensemble (1) Ability to play the Guitar
(2) Aural ability
(3) Musicianship		 4-year commitment to CCA
8. Guzheng Ensemble (1) Ability to play the Guzheng
(2) Aural ability
(3) Musicianship		 4-year commitment to CCA
9. String Ensemble (1) Ability to play at least one of the following string instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass
(2) Aural ability
(3) Musicianship		 4-year commitment to CCA
10. Chinese Orchestra (1) Ability to play at least one instrument associated with Chinese Orchestra
(2) Aural ability
(3) Musicianship		 4-year commitment to CCA
11. Art Elective Programme
(AEP)		 (1) Innovative traits
(2) Curiosity
(3) Flexibility in thinking
(4) Perseverance

As part of the shortlisting process, applicants will be contacted by the school admission team in mid-end June to submit their portfolio.

Portfolio should be submitted as a single document that contains a minimum of 3 and maximum of 5 artworks, in accordance with the following criteria:
- All works must have been completed in the last 3 years. The date of completion for each artwork should be indicated.
- Works may be curated in a variety of 2D, 3D or time-based. Each 2D work is allowed a maximum of 2 photos. Each 3D work is allowed a maximum of 4 photos. Time-based works should be included via link indicated in the document
- A title must be given to each work
- File format: PDF
- File size limit: 15mb
- File naming convention: Primary School_Full Name of Student.pdf
- Mention if any particular work was done as group work

Shortlisted applicants will attend a face-to-face session to complete a Creative & Writing task based on a stimulus provided (Art materials will be provided). Duration: approximately 60 mins		 Join the Art Elective Programme (AEP), taking Art as an academic subject for 4 years in Junior High.

Suitability to continue participation in the AEP and to take H2 Art at the A-Level examinations will be assessed at the end of 4 years by subject tutors.
12. Music Programme (1) Aural skills
(2) Western theory understanding and application
(3) Ability to perform fluently and musically on their chosen 1st instrument in an art music style (e.g. classical Western or classical Indian) – not pop music

As part of the shortlisting process, applicants will be contacted to submit the following:
(a) Video Submission
– Play 2 stylistically contrasting pieces of choice on their first instrument. The 2 pieces combined should be between the duration of 3-10 minutes.
– Each piece of music must be in one continuous take and cannot be edited. Professionally produced videos or videos extracted from competitions are also not permitted.
– All videos must show the upper half of the student’s body including the face, the instrument, and their hands on the instrument clearly. Please ensure that there is no lag time between the visual seen in the video and the audio file that accompanies it.
– Students may submit videos showcasing him/her playing more than one instrument, where applicable. An accompanist is recommended, but not compulsory. The student may choose to use a backing track.
(b) Cover page
– Students also need to submit an accompanying cover page (use template provided here, stating their performing experience and the title of the 2 pieces played in the video.

Shortlisted applicants will attend a face-to-face session to complete a Selection Test comprising theory, aural and writing components.		 Join the Music Programme, taking Music as an academic subject for 4 years in Junior High.

Suitability to continue participation in the Music Programme, and to take H2 Music at the A-Level examinations will be assessed at the end of 4 years by subject tutors.

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

Talent Area Criteria Commitment
1. Engineering Innovation and Solutions (1) Ability to understand issues from multiple perspectives
(2) Has a strong curiosity for the unknown and keenness for learning
(3) Is innovative, adaptive and has an inclusive mindset which is integrative and evaluative
(4) Effective team player
(5) Potential and interest to develop as an Innovation and Entrepreneurship Leader
(6) Passion for championing sustainability and community initiatives using STEAM.

Applicants may be asked to submit their portfolio (consisting of personal statement and relevant supporting documents) and attend an in-person situational test as part of the shortlisting process.		 To be engaged in and lead STEAM-based co-curricular activities (e.g. coding workshops, design thinking workshops, research and innovation projects etc.) for 4 years in Junior High.

Click here to return to the IP DSA page