DSA Prep

Building a Strong Foundation for DSA Applications
Learning to code is a gradual process, and the best way to start is with robotics coding classes in Primary 1-2.

Key Milestones:

• Primary 1-2: Robotics coding classes introduce key concepts and provide a strong start.

• Primary 3: Robotics CCA offers opportunities for competitions, bolstering the DSA application.

• Primary 4: Students may participate in National Robotics Competitions, adding valuable experience to their portfolio.

• Primary 5: Transition to Python coding classes to gain essential skills and prepare DSA coding projects.

External Activities - Start before Primary 5, ideally Primary 4.

You are allowed to give a brief 300-word description for each external activity, limited to a maximum of 10 external activities.

The earlier you start, the more activities you can list within this section. Attending private coding classes can be listed as an activity.

School CCA - Join related CCAs and participate actively.

Your child’s primary school information will be automatically shared with the DSA-Sec school(s) that you applied to. This includes Primary 4-6 Co-curricular Activities (CCA), Values in Action (VIA) involvement.

Academics matter.
Your child's P5 and P6 academic results are an important part of the application.

Starting the DSA Prep Course in the second half of Primary 5 allows ample time for project brainstorming and ideation. Each project is uniquely designed based on the student’s interests, ensuring a meaningful and engaging learning experience.

With the end project in mind, we tailor the course to cover the key coding concepts required, providing structured guidance from start to finish.

The December (p5) and June (p6) holidays are the perfect time to focus on building the project and preparing presentation materials, ensuring students are well-prepared for their DSA interviews.

Get your python project and presentation prepared by the end of the December holidays.

With PSLE year fast approaching in Primary 6, you will want to get most of the hard work completed before Primary 6.

It is recommended that the project and presentation slides be completed before the end of the year.

The DSA interviews are short, 10-30mins per student depending on the school. How your child presents himself/herself during those few minutes is as important than the project and portfolio building work.

In Primary 6, students work on presenting and explaining their projects. Additional Python content may have to be taught to ensure that concepts are understood.

MOE typically releases the updated DSA school list in April each year. DSA Application submission deadline is late weel of May to first week of June.

Check MOE’s for deadlines and updates:

DSA Portal

Selected candidates for interview are notified about 2-3 weeks ahead of time. Interviews are around June to July. These last 2-3 weeks will be crucial for practicing for the interview.

Successful candidates will receive offers in August-September.