2025 DSA Exercise

2025 DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION (DSA) EXERCISE

We welcome Primary 6 students with talent in the areas of music and performing arts, communication/public speaking/journalism, mother tongue languages, leadership and fencing to apply to our school under the Direct School Admission (DSA) Exercise. 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 throughout their secondary school years.

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.

Application

Application for DSA-Sec can be submitted through the online DSA-Sec Portal. The application is free-of-charge and will be open from 7 May 2025, 11am to 3 June 2025, 3pm.

For more details, please refer to MOE Website: https://www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec

Applicants are required to login to the MOE Centralised DSA-SEC Portal to apply for the school’s identified talent area/s.

Applicants NOT studying in MOE mainstream primary schools would need to obtain a Registration Number at MOE DSA-Sec website: https://go.gov.sg/nmsdsa-sec-application

Applicants shortlisted for interview and selection test would receive a notification from Pasir Ris Crest Secondary School to undergo Direct School Admission (DSA) selection. All applicants will receive their application outcomes between 25 Aug and 4 Sep 2025.

All communication will be made via email to the email address that is indicated in the online DSA-Sec Portal. Please ensure that the email address provided is accurate and that the email address is accessed actively during this period.

Essential Information

  • Parents may refer to the selection guidelines stated below in the DSA application. However, meeting all the criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/given an offer.
  • The school’s decision of the DSA-Sec application is final.
  • The school reserves the right not to disclose the reasons for the non-selection of applicants.
  • Successful DSA-Sec candidates who took PSLE are NOT allowed to participate in the annual Secondary One (S1) Posting Exercise. However, if they are eligible for third language and/or course options, they may enter these options during the S1 Option Submission period.

DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION

Primary 6 students may seek Direct School Admission to PRCS in one of the following areas:

  • Music and Performing Arts
  • Effective Communication
  • Public Speaking
  • Journalism
  • Mother Tongue Languages
  • Leadership
  • Fencing

ADMISSION CRITERIA FOR TALENT AREAS:

A) Basic Admission Criteria

All applicants must have the following:

  • Very Good or Excellent Conduct Grade
  • Positive Personal Qualities

SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS

Applicants must demonstrate a passion for Music/Performing Arts and be committed to contribute to PRCS in this area for which they have been given DSA in one of the following DSA Talent Areas:

  • Band - Concert
  • Choir
  • Modern Dance
  • Drama English
  • Ensemble - Guzheng

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to go through a selection test as well as an interview.

Area Criteria
Music and Performing Arts
  • Demonstrates a strong interest and aptitude in the arts and aesthetics
  • School based or public performance experience is an advantage.
  • Does well in the selection exercise. The selection exercise involves an audition that serves to assess the following:
    • Music Aptitude
    • Proficiency of specific musical abilities or skills

Shortlisted applicants will be notified separately of the details of the selection exercise.

SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

Applicants must demonstrate a passion for communication related programmes /competitions and be committed to contributing to PRCS in the area for which they have been given DSA. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to go through a selection exercise as well as an interview.

Area Criteria
Effective Communication
  • Demonstrates strong communication skills (e.g., debates).
  • Competitions and performance experience is an advantage.
  • Does well in the selection exercise. The selection exercise involves an audition that serves to assess the following:
    • Clarity of message / idea communication
    • Organisation of thoughts
    • Balanced perspectives
    • Adaptability to audience
    • Confidence of engagement

Shortlisted applicants will be notified separately of the details of the selection exercise.

SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR PUBLIC SPEAKING

Applicants must demonstrate a passion for public speaking related programmes /competitions and be committed to contributing to PRCS in the area for which they have been given DSA. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to go through a selection exercise as well as an interview.

Area Criteria
Public Speaking
  • Demonstrates strong public speaking skills.
  • Competitions and performance experience is an advantage.
  • Does well in the selection exercise. The selection test involves an audition that serve to assess the following:
    • Confidence and presence
    • Vocal Modulation
    • Clarity
    • Fluency
    • Audience engagement

Shortlisted applicants will be notified separately of the details of the selection exercise.

SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR JOURNALISM

Applicants must demonstrate a passion for journalism (written/spoken) related programmes /competitions and be committed to contributing to PRCS in the area for which they have been given DSA. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to go through a selection exercise as well as an interview.

Area Criteria
Journalism
  • Demonstrates strong reporting and writing skills.
  • Competitions and performance experience is an advantage.
  • Does well in the selection exercise. The selection exercise involves an audition that serves to assess the following:
    • Clarity of message / in communication of ideas
    • Conciseness
    • Balanced perspectives
    • Diverse and appropriate choice of words
    • Analytical and critical thinking

Shortlisted applicants will be notified separately of the details of the selection exercise.

SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR MOTHER TONGUE LANGUAGES

Applicants must demonstrate a passion for communication related programmes /competitions and be committed to contribute to PRCS in the talent area for which they have been assigned under the DSA. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to go through a selection exercise as well as an interview.

Area Criteria
Mother Tongue Languages
  • Strengths in Mother Tongue Language (Chinese Language, Malay Language or Tamil Language)
  • Demonstrates strong communication skills (e.g. public speaking, debates or drama).
  • Competitions and performance experience is an advantage.
  • Does well in the selection exercise. The selection exercise involves an audition that serves to assess the following:
    • Confidence and Presence
    • Clarity
    • Fluency
    • Diverse and appropriate vocabulary
    • Audience engagement

Shortlisted applicants will be notified separately of the details of the selection exercise.

SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR LEADERSHIP

Applicants must demonstrate passion in leading their peers in service to school and/or community and be committed to contribute to PRCS in the talent area for which they have been assigned under the DSA. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to go through a selection exercise as well as an interview.

Area Criteria
Leadership
  • Demonstrates exemplary character, and a keen interest in leading their peers in service to school and/or community.
  • Leadership experience in Primary School is an advantage, e.g., Prefect, CCA Leader, Peer Support Leader, or other leadership positions (please specify).
  • Active involvement in leading school-wide events or community initiatives is an advantage (please specify).
  • Does well in the group interview and leadership simulation exercise. The simulation exercise serves to assess the following:
    • Critical, adaptive and inventive thinking (e.g., demonstrated through problem-solving, resourcefulness, agility in decision-making, adaptability to changing/different circumstances)
    • Communication skills
    • Collaborative skills

Shortlisted applicants will be notified separately of the details of the simulation exercise.

SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR FENCING

Applicants must demonstrate a passion for sports and be committed to contributing to PRCS in this area for which they have been given DSA. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to go through a selection exercise as well as an interview.

Area Criteria
Fencing
  • Demonstrates strong interest and notable athletic ability and agility for their age.
  • Good performance at the school and/or club level in sports is an advantage.
  • Does well in the selection exercise. The selection exercise serves to assess the physical qualities of applicants.

Shortlisted applicants will be notified separately of the details of the selection exercise.