DSA Guide 2026: Your Complete STEM Pathway to Secondary School Admission
Direct School Admission (DSA) continues to be one of the most important pathways for Primary 6 pupils to enter their dream secondary schools based on talent and aptitude, rather than solely academic results. This DSA Guide 2026 is designed to help parents clearly understand the DSA process, requirements and STEM opportunities available for secondary school admission. With increasing emphasis on STEM, Coding, Robotics, Innovation and Technology, the 2026 DSA exercise presents strong opportunities for students who have been building portfolios in these areas.
This DSA Guide 2026 consolidates:
- The official MOE DSA process
- Key timelines and requirements
- What schools are looking for in STEM-based DSA
- An updated 2026 list of secondary schools offering STEM-related DSA categories
What is DSA? (Direct School Admission Explained)
The Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme by Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) allows students to gain early admission to secondary schools based on specific talents such as Sports, Performing Arts, Leadership and STEM.
Under DSA:
- Students apply before PSLE results are released
- Offers are made based on talent, aptitude, interviews, trials and portfolio review
- Academic suitability is still required, but excellence in a specific domain is prioritised
For STEM-focused students, DSA provides a clear advantage if they can demonstrate:
- Strong interest in technology and problem-solving
- Participation in competitions, projects or applied learning
- Consistency and progression in their learning journey
MOE DSA Process (2026 Secondary School DSA)
Based on MOE guidelines and past-year timelines, the DSA process typically follows these steps:
Step 1: School Selection:
Students may apply to up to three secondary schools, each under one DSA talent category per school.
Step 2: Application Submission (Expected: May–June 2026)
Applications are submitted via the MOE DSA-Sec Portal. Schools may request:
- Portfolio submissions
- Video presentations
- Recommendation letters
- Records of competitions, certifications or projects
Step 3: Selection Process (July–August 2026)
Shortlisted students may be invited for:
- Interviews
- Trials or practical assessments
- Problem-solving or project-based tasks
Step 4: Offer Stage (August 2026)
Applicants may receive:
- Confirmed Offer
- Waiting List placement
- Rejection
Once a DSA offer is accepted, students must honour the placement and are not allowed to participate in the general Secondary 1 posting exercise.
What Schools Look for in STEM DSA Applicants
Contrary to common belief, schools do not only look for competition winners. They value:
- Depth over breadth – sustained learning over many years
- Authentic interest – curiosity, initiative and passion
- Application of knowledge – projects, prototypes, coding solutions
- Growth mindset – learning from failures and iterations
- Communication skills – ability to explain ideas clearly
This is where structured STEM programmes, long-term mentoring and portfolio-building play a critical role.
Updated STEM DSA School List for 2026 Applications (DSA STEM & Technology)
Important Note to Parents
If your child is studying Coding and/or Robotics, please note that the DSA talent category they can apply under is not confined to just the terms “Coding” or “Robotics.”
Many secondary schools group STEM-related talents under broader or adjacent categories, such as:
- Technology
- Science
- Science and Technology
- Innovation
- Programming and 3D Modelling
- STEAM
This means that students with strong foundations in coding, robotics, computational thinking and problem-solving may be suitable for multiple STEM-based DSA talent categories, depending on how each school defines its focus.
To support parents in navigating this, we have consolidated the full list of secondary schools and their respective STEM DSA talent categories for the 2026 intake below, so you can better identify suitable pathways for your child.
Below is the updated list of secondary schools offering STEM-related DSA categories that students may apply to for the 2026 intake:
Coding
- Bukit View Secondary School
- Commonwealth Secondary School
- Ngee Ann Secondary School
Innovation
- Bedok South Secondary School
- Edgefield Secondary School
Programming & 3D Modelling
- Serangoon Secondary School
Robotics
- Admiralty Secondary School
- Anglican High School
- Bukit Batok Secondary School
- Canberra Secondary School
- Compassvale Secondary School
- Deyi Secondary School
- Fuhua Secondary School
- Hai Sing Catholic School
- Kranji Secondary School
- Pei Hwa Secondary School
- River Valley High School (Secondary)
- Serangoon Garden Secondary School
- Woodlands Ring Secondary School
- Yusof Ishak Secondary School
- Anglo-Chinese School (Barker Road)
- Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) (Secondary)
- Maris Stella High School (Secondary)
Science & Science-Based Talent
- Clementi Town Secondary School (Science and Technology)
- NUS High School of Mathematics and Science
- Temasek Junior College (Secondary)
- Victoria School
- Catholic High School (Secondary)
- Raffles Girls’ School (Secondary)
- Nanyang Girls’ High School
STEAM
- Woodlands Ring Secondary School
Technology
- School of Science and Technology, Singapore (SST)
- Dunman High School (Secondary)
- Greendale Secondary School
How to Strengthen Your DSA STEM Application (DSA Portfolio & Interviews)
To stand out in DSA 2026, students should focus on:
1 Building a Strong Portfolio
Include:
- Coding projects (apps, games, simulations)
- Robotics builds and programming logic
- Engineering design notebooks
- Innovation or problem-solving projects
- Competition participation (local or international)
2 Demonstrating Progression
Schools value development over time, not one-off achievements. Evidence of growth across multiple years is a strong differentiator.
3 Preparing for Interviews and Trials
Students should be able to:
- Explain their thinking process
- Reflect on challenges and failures
- Demonstrate teamwork and resilience
Final Thoughts on DSA 2026: Start Early, Build Intentionally
DSA 2026 is not just about applying—it is about preparation with purpose through the Direct School Admission (DSA) pathway. Successful applicants often begin building their STEM foundations years in advance, supported by structured learning, mentorship and exposure to real-world problem solving.
If your child is passionate about Coding, Robotics, Science, Innovation or Technology, DSA can be a powerful pathway into a secondary school that aligns with their strengths and future aspirations.
Early planning, intentional portfolio-building and a clear understanding of school expectations will make all the difference.
