1. Welcome to Shuqun Primary School
Briefing for P6 Parents on
PSLE and DSA
22 January 2016

2. Purpose of PSLE Placement exam
Reflects on relative achievement level of students for that year
Places students into the respective courses according to their academic ability
Enables posting to a secondary school by merit as far as possible into a school of student’s choice

3. PSLE Aggregate Score Reflected in the PSLE certificate
Overall performance in PSLE
(EL, MT, Math, Science or the Foundation version of the above subjects)
Does not include HMT
Allows students to be fairly ranked

4. Use of T-score Raw mark – how good the student is in that subject
T-score – how good the student is in that subject compared to other students

5. T-Score Calculation FORMULA T=50 +10 (X-Y) --------- Z
X is student’s mark for subject
Y is average mark (mean) scored by all students
Z is spread of marks around the average mark (standard deviation)

6. Aggregate T-Score Addition of the T-scores for the 4 subjects
(equal weightage for each subject)
= Aggregate T-score
There is no double weightage for the languages

7. Points to take note of PSLE is a placement examination
All students sitting for PSLE (standard and foundation) will be ranked according to T-scores
T-score computation is based on content and rigour for the subject
(ie. For example a student scoring 60 marks for 4 standard subjects will have a higher score than one who scores 70 marks for all 4 foundation subjects)
As of 2010, all students offering Foundation Science have to offer that as an examinable subject. Computation will be based on 4 subjects (only exception – cases of exemption from MT)

8. Our Strategies Experienced and persevering P6 teachers
Focus on questions / strategies based on past PSLE questions
Supplementary Classes & Holiday Classes
Practice Papers from various schools and past year papers
Pull out lessons for students who need focussed coaching
Focussed teaching on how to tackle Science Open-ended process skills questions
Participation in National/external competitions (eg ICAS MA & SC, SC Olympiad, etc)
Information and Assistance for DSA application

9. Sec 1 Posting Exercise Based on Merit
All students taking PSLE will be ranked according to their average T-score
Each student in the rank order will be placed in a secondary school according to choice and availability of places

10. Points to take note of Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise
Certain secondary schools may have criteria for admission to their schools. These criteria are based on that school’s niche.

11. Points to take note of PSLE is a placement examination
T-score determines if student is posted to :
Express
Normal Academic
Normal Technical courses

12. Higher Mother Tongue
Higher Mother Tongue (HMT) score is not included for calculation of T-score
HMT Bonus Points is only applicable if a student is considering applying to a Special Assistance Plan (SAP) school
Distinction for HMT – add 3 points to T-score
Merit for HMT – add 2 points to T-score
Pass for HMT – add 1 point to T-score

13. Things to consider when selecting secondary school
Distance from home
Availability of Mother Tongue Language
Address is crucial (in case of Manual Posting)
Students with outstanding results will be invited to apply for Edusave Entrance Scholarships for Independent Schools and SAP Schools

14. Information Booklet Students will receive it in August
Shortlist school-of-choice
Familiarise yourself with the schools and their profiles
Be clear of the application criteria and deadline

15. Exercising Option
Ensure that you are available around PSLE results release period
If need be, assign someone to make the option on your behalf. An authorisation letter is needed

16. Release of Results Day Ensure student returns in full school uniform
Ensure that all outstanding fees is paid up – Results will be held back for cases with outstanding fees! Return all library books if not done so.
Primary school is not in a position to make recommendations etc. for change of secondary school

17. DIRECT SCHOOL ADMISSION (DSA) BRIEFING

18. Direct School Admission To Secondary One (DSA-SEC)
Introduction to DSA
DSA-Sec Exercise Process
Preparing & Building a Portfolio
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

19. Introduction to DSA-SEC
Introduced in 2004
To promote holistic education
Not a centralized posting exercise
Participating secondary schools have the autonomy to decide who to admit via DSA-Sec Exercise
The DSA-Sec Exercise is not a centralised posting exercise
Participating secondary schools admit students based on their own selection criteria

20. DSA-Sec Exercise Process
Gathering Information on DSA Sec Schools
Application
Selection by Schools (Jun – Aug)
Selection Outcome (End Aug)
School Preference Indication (Oct)
Results (Late Nov)

21. Gathering information on schools
All DSA Secondary schools will publish their admission criteria on their school websites by May each year
Interested students can obtain information on DSA schools through the following:
a) the secondary school’s website
b) call the school or
c) visit the school

22. Participating Sec Schools
Type of Schools
Discretionary Places
Schools with Integrated Programme (IP)
Up to 100%
Independent Schools
20%
Autonomous Schools
10%
Niche Programme Schools 5%

23. Schools Offering IP
The IP leads to the ‘A’ Level examinations or other Diplomas. The 6-year IP is offered at the following schools:
School
Prog
Offered
Length of Prog
JC Partner
Catholic High
‘A’ Levels
4 years + 2 years at JC Partner
CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’
Eunoia JC
Dunman High
6 years -
Nanyang Girls’ High
Hwa Chong Instituition (Sec)
Hwa Chong JC
National Junior College
River Valley High

24. School
Prog Offered
Length of Prog
JC Partner
Raffles Girls’
‘A’ Levels
4 years + 2 years at JC Partner
Raffles Instituition(JC)
Raffles Instituition (Sec)
Raffles Instituition (JC)
Temasek JC
6 years from 2013 -
Victoria School
Victoria JC
Cedar Girls’ Sec
ACS(Independent)
International
Baccalaureate
6 years
Methodist Girls’
4 years +2 years at JC Partner
St Joseph’s Instituition
NUS High School
NUS High School Diploma
School of the Arts

25. Participating Secondary Schools

26. Singapore Sports School
Does NOT participate in the DSA-Sec Exercise
Students talented in Sports are invited to register for selection trials
Regardless of whether a student is accepted by Singapore Sports School, ALL PSLE students MUST participate in the Sec One Posting Exercise

27. Application
Check with participating DSA secondary school(s) on application procedures and submission date
Submit DSA Application form to participating DSA school(s)
All participating secondary schools would have published their criteria and selection / trial dates etc by end May

28. Selection by Schools (June-August)
Shortlisted students go for selection tests/camps or interviews at the DSA secondary schools
Participating secondary schools will select students based on their own selection criteria

29. Selection Outcome
Students will receive outcome of application from the DSA Sec School by end Aug
Sec Schools will issue letters to applicants stating if they have been
a) given a Confirmed Offer
b) put on the Waiting List
c) rejected by the school

30. Selection by Schools
Confirmed Offer Students given a Confirmed Offer are guaranteed a place in the school provided the school offers an academic, normal academic or normal technical course which the student is eligible for.

31. Selection by Schools Waiting List
Students on the Waiting List will be considered for admission, subject to available vacancies.

32. Selection by Schools Rejected List
Students on the Rejected List are deemed rejected by the school.
However, they may still opt for the school during the S1 Posting Exercise.

33. School Preference Indication (October)
Students with a Confirmed Offer or on the Waiting List will be issued with a School Preference Form through their Primary School
This form will consolidate all the offers the student has received from the various schools

34. School Preference Indication (October)
Students will be asked to indicate their preference for up to a maximum of 3 schools on the School Preference Form
Students will have 5 working days to submit this form at their respective Primary Schools

35. School Preference Indication (October)
During this stage, students are permitted to amend their previous submissions via the DSA-Sec Internet System ONCE ONLY
Students who need to make more than 1 amendment will need to approach our teachers for assistance
Amendments will not be allowed after the closure of this stage

36. School Preference Indication (October)
At this stage, students who have applied for DSA may approach our school to withdraw from the exercise if they wished
If students do not submit their school preference(s) during this stage, they are considered to have withdrawn from the exercise
Re-submission of DSA preferences after withdrawal is possible if students approach our staff for assistance BEFORE the end of this stage

37. Results (Late November)
DSA results will be released together with PSLE results
Successful students will receive a Direct School Admission Notification, informing them of the school that has accepted them
These students will not be allowed to make any school selection in the centralised S1 Posting Exercise

38. Successful DSA Candidates Application for Special Programmes
Some successful DSA candidates may be eligible for special programmes such as Offer Third Lang Studies
Students who are eligible and wish to take up special programmes will have to submit their S1 Option Form

39. Edusave Entrance Scholarships for Independent Schools (EESIS)
Top 1/3 of total number of Sec 1 students posted to all Independent Schools will be awarded Edusave Entrance Scholarship (– refer to FAQs)
Selected students will receive notification

40. Preparing a Portfolio
A portfolio should highlight your achievements and strengths (preferably holistic)
It could contain a list of achievements especially under:
a) Special academic and creativity achievements
b) Co-curricular activities
c) Leadership and Community Service
d) Others

41. Level of Participation
Building a Portfolio
Special Academic / Creativity Achievements / Awards
Level of Participation
Examples
International
Math Olympiad (SMOPS)
University of New South Wales (ICAS)
National / Zonal / Cluster etc
Tan Kah Kee, Sony Creative, Edusave Award, Cluster Debate, Creative Writing Competition, School Media Awards, Robotics, Odyssey of the Mind etc
School-based
Best All Rounder, Top in English etc

42. Level of Participation
Building a Portfolio
Level of Participation
Examples
International
SEA Games , AYG , YOG
National / Zonal / Cluster etc
National / Zonal Sports Council Tournaments, Inter-School Competitions, SYF Competitions
School-based
Performances at Speech Day, CC events etc

43. Building a Portfolio Leadership & Community Service Leadership
Special Achievements
Class Monitor (2015)
Prefect
( )
Sap Ambassador
( )
CCA Leader
School based CIP –
12 hours (2013)
14 hours (2014)
18 hours (2015)
Buddy Reader – Helping
LSP Students to read
( )
Singa Award ( )
Eagles Award (2012)

44. Building a Portfolio Others Areas Details Special Talent
Piano – Grade 7
Speech and Drama – Completed 6 modules under Lorna Winston
Include any other areas or topics that you have demonstrated sustained interest in

45. Building a Portfolio Other useful entries… Photocopies of result slips
Progress Reports
Certificates, Awards, Commendation Notes, Sample artefacts
Writings, Journal Entries, Learning logs, Book reviews, Different types of creative expressions (poems, photo journals, cartoons etc)

46. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)