Your Guide to DSA and EAE
Singapore education extends beyond the boundaries of academic performance. Programs like Direct School Admission (DSA) and Early Admissions Exercise (EAE), offer avenues that look at the complete picture of a student's abilities, skills, and interests to provide a customised education pathway.
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DSA allows Primary 6 students to gain early entry into selected secondary schools based on their talents in sports, Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), or academic fields like coding and STEM. As of 2023, 53 schools participate, each admitting up to 20% of their Secondary One intake via DSA. Specialised schools, like NUS High School, admit 100% of their students this way. The selection often involves portfolios and interviews.
There is also a DSA track for Junior Colleges (JC DSA). This allows students to secure a spot in a junior college based on their talents and achievements in similar areas.
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EAE is designed for final-year ITE, N-Level, and O-Level tracks students. It offers conditional entry into ITE and polytechnics based on aptitude and interest in specific courses. Selection may include portfolios, interviews, and aptitude tests.
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Each school lists specific talent areas for which they are seeking students.
For example, coding-related talents can include:
Coding
Computational Thinking
Innovation
Programming
Robotics
STEM
Infocomm
DSA and EAE recognise talents beyond academics, allowing for a more holistic educational journey. They enable students to excel in areas they are passionate about, ensuring a more focused and enriching learning experience.
Some schools also offer curriculums related to Computation:
O-Level Computing: MOE has offered this subject since 2017, including proficiency in Python programming.
Computer Applications (CPA): This is a compulsory four-year subject for all Normal Technical (NT) students, with national examinations at Secondary 4. The curriculum covers animation and game development projects using Scratch.
How Code Ninja Supports DSA and EAE Applications
DSA and EAE processes vary from school to school and year to year but usually involve a portfolio submission and an interview. Schools typically look for social abilities, skills in coding, involvement in tech activities, thinking logically, adjusting to new situations, and the ability to face challenges.
Customised Curriculum
Our custom curriculum in Python, Scratch, and more teaches critical thinking and hands-on skills. This helps students do well in areas that DSA and EAE programs care about. We also focus on learning from mistakes, which builds resilience and problem-solving skills.
Testimonials and Records
We keep a record of each student's lessons. These logs offer a long-term view of a student's skills, improvements, and attitude. We can provide testimonials based on these records to strengthen your child's DSA or EAE application.
Code Ninja student who was accepted into NUS High School of Math and Science through DSA.
Guided Self-Creation of Portfolio
Applicants need to create their own portfolio to showcase genuine skills and passion. At Code Ninja, we guide them in coding their projects that can be added to their portfolios. We can suggest suitable free platforms like Wix or Squarespace to build an impressive online showcase.
Preparation and Consultations Tailored to Your Child
We provide practice sessions, helping students prepare for the questions and scenarios they might encounter in DSA and EAE interviews. Our consultations consider each student's age and focus—whether coding, tech, or STEM—to offer the most suitable guidance possible.
