Direct School Admissions into Secondary Schools (DSA SEC)
Primary 6 students can apply to Yusof Ishak Secondary School via DSA-Sec based on talents in sports, performing arts, STEM, or leadership.
The information below applies to the 2026 Direct School Admission into Secondary Schools (DSA-SEC) for Admission to Secondary 1 in 2027.
Direct School Admissions into Secondary Schools (DSA-SEC)
The DSA scheme provides students with the opportunity to seek admission to a secondary school, based on a diverse range of specific academic and non-academic achievements and talents that they can demonstrate beyond the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).
Yusof Ishak Secondary School (YISS) invites Primary 6 students to participate in the DSA-SEC Exercise. Under this exercise, successful applicants will gain admission into YISS for the academic year beginning January 2027.
For DSA 2026, YISS will offer the following talents for Primary 6 students.
DSA talent areas and eligible gender at Yusof Ishak Secondary School
No | DSA Talent Area | Gender |
|---|---|---|
1 | Community Youth Leadership | Boys, Girls |
2 | Modern Dance | Boys, Girls |
3 | Robotics | Boys, Girls |
4 | STEM | Boys, Girls |
5 | Basketball | Boys |
6 | Table Tennis | Boys, Girls |
7 | Wushu | Boys, Girls |
8 | Badminton | Boys, Girls |
9 | Fencing | Boys, Girls |
10 | Softball | Girls |
DSA-Sec Selection Criteria for Talent Categories
DSA talent areas, selection criteria and process at Yusof Ishak Secondary School
Category | Talent Areas | Selection Criteria * | Selection Process |
Leadership | Community Youth Leadership |
| Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an in-person selection with
|
Performing Arts | Modern Dance |
| Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a 30-second dance video. Further shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an in-person selection comprising
|
Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics | STEM Robotics |
| Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit an existing e-portfolio with relevant achievements. Further shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend in-person selection comprising
|
Sports and Games | Basketball Table Tennis Wushu Badminton Fencing Softball |
| Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an in-person selection comprising
|
*Meeting all the criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted/given an offer. Shortlisted candidates will be required to attend an in-person selection process.
** Applicants without prior experience may also apply. The school will assess applicants based on the selection criteria, which may include assessing the potential of the applicants.
Application Process (6 May 2026, 11am – 2 Jun 2026, 4.30pm)
Application for DSA-Sec can be submitted through the online DSA-Sec portal at www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec. The application is free-of-charge.
For applicants from MOE mainstream primary schools, parents may log in directly to DSA-Sec Portal. Only one parent’s SingPass is required. Parents/ guardians who are unable to apply online can approach their child’s primary school for assistance.
For other applicants not studying in MOE mainstream primary schools, they would need to apply for a Registration Number (RGxxxxxxx) at: https://go.gov.sg/nmsdsa-sec-application before they can apply through the DSA-Sec Portal.
Students can indicate up to three choices (maximum of two choices for the same school under two different talent areas).
In your submission, please provide detailed information relevant for the talent area being applied for. This includes position played in the sport, wushu specialisation, instrument played and grade level, STEM/ROBOTICS credentials, Leadership achievements. This information will help in the shortlisting and arrangement of selection exercise schedule.
Key Dates
DSA-Sec 2026 application key dates and events
Dates | Event |
6 May 2026 (11am) – 2 Jun 2026 (4.30pm) | Application Process for DSA-Sec via www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec |
Mid-Jul 2026 | Parents of applicants will be informed if they have been shortlisted to undergo the DSA selection. |
Mid-Jul 2026 – Aug 2026 | In-person Interview / Audition / Trial will be conducted for shortlisted applicants. |
17 Aug 2026 – 28 Aug 2026 | Parents of shortlisted applicants will be informed of the results of their application status (i.e. Confirmed Offer / Wait List / Unsuccessful). |
19 Oct 2026 (9am) – 23 Oct 2026 (4.30pm) | Parents of students with DSA-Sec offers to log onto DSA-Sec to submit school preferences. |
Other Information
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.
Students who are successfully admitted to the school via DSA are expected to honour their commitment to the school, and participate in the activities related to the talent they are selected for from year 1-4.
Contact Details
For more information on DSA and general application process, please visit the MOE DSA-Sec Website at www.moe.gov.sg/dsa-sec.
For further enquiries, please contact the school at Tel: 6500 9800 or email: yiss@moe.edu.sg.
Useful MOE weblinks
Useful MOE DSA-Sec weblinks and URLs
DSA-Sec Main Webpage | |
Instructions on Application (Mainstream students) | |
Instructions on Application (Non Mainstream Students) | |
Direct to DSA-Sec Portal (Mainstream Students) | |
Direct to DSA-Sec Portal (Non Mainstream Students) | |
DSA-Sec iFAQs | |
DSA-Sec School Finder |