Are You a P5 Student Who Wants to DSA into Your Dream School?

Direct School Admission (DSA) allows P6 students in Singapore to apply to secondary schools based on their talents and achievements. Here’s a brief breakdown of the DSA timeline, using 2024 as reference:

Jan to May: 

Explore School Choices
Schools offer different talent areas, each with its own selection process and schedule. Explore the available schools and their offerings by visiting their websites. Schools generally update this information by late April.

May to June: 

Apply
After shortlisting schools, submit your child’s application through the DSA-Sec Portal before the June deadline.

July to Sep: 

Attend Interviews, Auditions, or Trials
Schools may invite shortlisted students for interviews, auditions, or trials, depending on the talent area. Each school has a unique selection process. Offers will be sent by September.

October: 

Select Preferred Schools
After receiving offers, you will need to choose up to three schools in order of preference through the DSA-Sec Portal.

November: 

Receive School Allocation
School allocation results, along with PSLE results, will be released in November.

Math Olympiad Achievements
Participation in prestigious competitions like NMOS, APMOPS, and RMO will give students an edge. Schools will evaluate students’ Olympiad scores or use these competitions to assess their Math aptitude. Achievements, especially obtaining medals, are crucial as they demonstrate problem-solving skills and proficiency. Medals in these contests can significantly boost a student's profile for DSA.

School Entrance Tests
Preparing for Math Olympiad competitions not only sharpens students' problem-solving abilities but also directly aids in school entrance tests. These exams often cover similar advanced concepts tested in Olympiads, such as number theory, geometry, and combinatorics. Mastering these Olympiad topics increases the likelihood of excelling in entrance exams. This year, several Kangaroo.Study students reported that they found the entrance test questions from top schools manageable, thanks to their Olympiad preparation.

Math Camps and Programs

After the initial selection tests, some schools host selection camps to further narrow down applicants. Only the top students from the tests are selected to attend these camps, where they engage in advanced math activities and problem-solving tasks. These camps are designed to assess not just the student's math skills but also their creativity, collaboration, and perseverance under pressure. For example, NUS High School invites the top-performing students from their selection test to a camp as part of their admission process.

Interviews
Following the selection camps, students may also face interviews that delve deeper into their mathematical thinking and problem-solving strategies. Typical math-related interview questions could include:

Can you walk us through how you solve a complex math problem?

What strategies do you use when you're stuck on a math problem?

Have you ever had to explain a difficult math concept to someone else? How did you do it?

These questions allow interviewers to evaluate a student's thought process and how they articulate their understanding of mathematical concepts.

While more DSA slots have been made available in recent years, the selection criteria are increasingly shifting towards non-academic talents. Schools are looking for students who are not only academically strong but also well-rounded, with achievements in leadership, the arts, and sports. This means that students who once might have secured a spot purely based on math achievements now face tougher competition.

Many Kangaroo.Study students and parents have shared that competition is much fiercer, and students with awards that would have previously landed them Confirmed Offers are now placed on Waiting Lists. As a result, students must perform even better in Math Olympiad competitions to stand out and increase their chances of receiving a Confirmed Offer.

Understand the Syllabus
Math Olympiad competitions like RMO and APMOPS are more challenging than NMOS. They cover additional advanced topics such as combinatorics, number theory, and inequalities. Here’s how RMO and APMOPS are more difficult than NMOS:

Comparison of 3 Major Math Olympiad Competition Knowledge Points

1-More Topics: These Olympiads cover a broader range of topics, requiring a deep understanding of multiple areas.

2-Harder Variations of Known Topics: Questions in RMO and APMOPS tend to be more complex and require higher-level problem-solving skills. For example, while NMOS questions typically focus on one subtopic, RMO and APMOPS questions often include multiple subtopics. Students need to have a comprehensive understanding of all the subtopics to identify the methods to solve the questions.

Comparison Between NMOS and RMO Questions of a Similar Topic

Start Early for Comprehensive Topic Coverage

With these two competitions being half a year away, students should already be preparing to ensure they have enough time to learn everything required.

1. Gradually Progress to Advanced Concepts

Starting early allows students to cover all the necessary topics and gradually progress to more advanced concepts for each. This steady learning process ensures a deeper understanding of complex material.

2. Consolidating Knowledge

Early preparation enables students to regularly review and reinforce what they’ve learned. This consolidation helps fill in any gaps in understanding, ensuring that concepts are deeply ingrained rather than simply memorized, leading to better application during the competition.

3. Effective Practice and Time Management

With sufficient time, students can regularly practice past Olympiad papers. This not only helps them sharpen their problem-solving skills but also trains them in managing their time efficiently under pressure. Developing time management through practice is crucial for handling the time-sensitive nature of these exams.

To help students kick-start their preparation for RMO and APMOPS, we have created a comprehensive Math Olympiad preparation guide.