Direct School Admission Secondary (DSA-Sec)

Application for DSA-Sec

Last updated 24 August 2026

2026 Direct School Admission: Secondary (DSA-Sec) Exercise

(This page can be accessed via for.edu.sg/chs-sec-dsa (opens in new tab))

Application for DSA-Sec can be submitted through MOE's online DSA-Sec Portal (opens in new tab). The application is free-of-charge and will be open from 6 May 2026, 11:00 AM to 2 June 2026, 4:30 PM. For more details, please refer to MOE website: https://www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec (opens in new tab).

Requirements of DSA-Sec Applicants

Mother Tongue Language

Catholic High School is a Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school that is committed to nurturing bilingual and bicultural students who are immersed in the Chinese language and culture yet equipped with a global outlook. As with other SAP schools, we only take in students who offer Chinese or Higher Chinese in their primary school. Students exempted from offering Chinese or Higher Chinese for PSLE in Primary School should not apply to SAP schools, including Catholic High. In addition:

* Integrated Programme (IP) students must offer Higher Chinese Language in Years 1 and 2;

* Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate Examinations Programme (SP) students must offer at least Chinese Language.

General Academic Criteria

- IP Track

Regardless of the talent area(s) an applicant applies for, he should have achieved consistent and excellent results for Primary 5 and Primary 6 Examinations.

- SP Track

Regardless of the talent area(s) an applicant applies for, he should have achieved consistent and very good results for Primary 5 and Primary 6 Examinations.

Conduct

Applicants must demonstrate decorum at all times, maintain a constructive mindset, and uphold the highest standards of integrity in their work and interactions with others.

Talent-Specific Criteria for Selection of DSA-Sec Applicants and Key Dates for Auditions, Trials and Interviews

Talent	CCA	Selection Criteria	Selection Process for shortlisted applicants (No preparation is necessary unless notified)	Audition/ Interview/ Trial dates
Leadership (IP/SP)		Demonstrate exceptional character, aptitude for leadership, ability for critical thinking and good communication skills. Strong evidence of leadership experience and appointment(s) (e.g. CCA appointment, Prefectorial appointment), or other equivalent experiences that demonstrate aptitude and passion for leading changes in service of others.	Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.	Group interview lasting approximately 30 minutes from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (15 July and 17 July)
Music Elective Programme (IP/SP)		Demonstrate strong interest and drive to excel in music study and/or composition and/or performance. Strong evidence of outstanding achievement or portfolio in an area of music study and/or composition and/or performance.	Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an audition. Successful applicants at the audition stage will be invited for an interview.	Audition (20 or 21 July) at MEP Studio 1 and 2 Group interview lasting approximately 30 minutes from 2:30 PM to 5:00 PM (23 July)
Performing Arts (IP/SP)	Chinese Drama Chinese Orchestra Choir Concert Band English Drama Modern Dance	Demonstrate high competency for any of the following Performing Arts: Chinese Drama, Chinese Orchestra (Bass/ Cello, Di Zi, Er Hu, Percussion, Plucked String, Sheng, Suona, Yangqin), Choir, Concert Band (Bassoon, Clarinet, Euphonium, Flute, French Horn, Oboe, Percussion, Saxophone, String Bass, Trumpet, Trombone, Tuba), English Drama, Modern Dance. Strong evidence of dedication, passion and aptitude for the Performing Arts	Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an audition. Shortlisted applicants may be required to prepare an item for the audition. Shortlisted applicants from the audition will be invited for an interview.	Audition (20 July or 24 July – refer to table below) Interview (3 August) Chinese Orchestra Choir Concert Band Interview (5 August) Chinese Drama English Drama Interview (6 August) Modern Dance
Sports (IP/SP)	Basketball Floorball Softball Table Tennis Track and Field Volleyball Wushu	Demonstrate high competency for any of the following Sports: Basketball, Floorball, Softball, Table Tennis, Track and Field (Sprints, Cross-country, Throws and Jumps), Volleyball and Wushu. Strong evidence of dedication, passion and aptitude for the Sport. Medically fit.	Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a trial. Shortlisted applicants from the trial will be invited for an interview.	Trial (20 July/ 21 July or 23 July/ 24 July – refer to table below) Interview (29 July) Table Tennis Track & Field Volleyball Interview (5 August) Basketball Wushu Interview (6 August) Floorball Softball
Bilingualism (IP)		Demonstrate passion and aptitude for both Chinese and English languages. Possess excellent reading, writing, speaking and listening skills. Strong evidence of outstanding achievements in both English and Chinese languages (e.g. in competitions, projects and programmes requiring bilingual and bicultural skills). Possess a strong interest and drive to excel and develop bicultural knowledge and skills for service to others.	Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.	Group interview lasting approximately 30 minutes from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (10 July).
Humanities (IP)		Demonstrate passion and aptitude for the Humanities, Social and Environmental Sciences (e.g. current affairs, politics, international relations and sustainable development). Possess excellent language (reading, writing, speaking and listening) and research skills. Have a portfolio of outstanding achievements and work in areas of Humanities, Social and Environmental Sciences.	Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.	Group interview lasting approximately 30 minutes from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (8 July).
Mathematics (IP)		Demonstrate strong interest and drive to excel in Mathematics study and research. Have a portfolio of outstanding achievements and work that demonstrates passion and aptitude for Mathematics.	Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.	Group interview lasting approximately 30 minutes from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (13 July).
Science (IP)		Demonstrate strong interest and drive to excel in Science study and research. Have a portfolio of outstanding achievements and work that demonstrates passion and aptitude for Science.	Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview.	Group interview lasting approximately 30 minutes from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM (9 July)

*The dates and timings may be subject to changes, shortlisted candidates will be notified accordingly.

Schedule for DSA Trials/Auditions

DSA Trial/ Audition 1	Date/Time*	Talent Area	Venue
	Monday, 20 July (4 PM to 6 PM)	Chinese Drama	Auditorium
		Chinese Orchestra	CO Room
		Choir	Music Room
		Concert Band	Band Room
		English Drama	Multi-purpose Room
		Floorball	Indoor Sports Hall Level 2
		Modern Dance	Dance Studio
		Softball	School Field
		Table Tennis	Table Tennis Room
		Track and Field	School Track
		Volleyball	Indoor Sports Hall Level 1
	Tuesday, 21 July (4 PM to 6 PM)	Basketball	Indoor Sports Hall Level 2
	Tuesday, 21 July (4 PM to 6 PM)	Wushu	Indoor Sports Hall Level 1
DSA Trial/ Audition 2 (For applicants who are unwell or are unable to attend DSA Trials/ Auditions 1)	Thursday, 23 July (4 PM to 5 PM)	Basketball	Indoor Sports Hall Level 2
	Thursday, 23 July (4 PM to 5 PM)	Wushu	Indoor Sports Hall Level 1
	Friday, 24 July (4 PM to 5 PM)	Chinese Drama	Auditorium
		Chinese Orchestra	CO Room
		Choir	Music Room
		Concert Band	Band Room
		English Drama	Multi-purpose Room
		Floorball	Indoor Sports Hall Level 2
		Modern Dance	Dance Studio
		Softball	School Field
		Table Tennis	Table Tennis Room
		Track and Field	School Track
		Volleyball	Indoor Sports Hall Level 1

*The dates and timings may be subject to changes; shortlisted candidates will be notified accordingly.

Important

1. Meeting all the criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/ given an offer.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. You will receive notification from the school by Friday, 3 July 2026, if your child has been shortlisted to undergo Direct School Admission (DSA) selection. All applicants will receive their application outcomes between 17 August and 28 August 2026.

5. Students who are successfully admitted to the school via DSA are expected to honour their commitment to the school and programme (4 years for the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate Programme or 6 years for the Integrated Programme; the Integrated Programme comprises 4 years at Catholic High School and 2 years at Eunoia Junior College), and participate in the activities related to the talent they are selected for from year 1 to year 4.

For inquiries regarding CHS DSA-Sec, please contact us at:

1. Email Address: chs@moe.edu.sg (opens in new tab)

2. Telephone: 6458 2177