What is the Best way to Enter Secondary Schools in Singapore
Here’s a clear, Best way to Enter Secondary Schools in Singapore table of every way to enter each type of secondary school in Singapore, plus the special routes for international and returning Singaporean students.
| School Type | Examples | Main Entry Routes | Key Conditions / Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Government & Government-Aided (incl. Autonomous) | Crescent Girls’, St. Andrew’s, Nan Chiau, etc. | S1 Posting (PSLE → Posting Groups 1/2/3); DSA-Sec (up to ~20% intake for non-IP schools) | S1 posting is by PSLE score, choice order & vacancies under Full SBB; students are posted to schools through Posting Groups instead of streams. (Ministry of Education) DSA-Sec lets P6s secure places based on aptitude/talent beyond PSLE. (Ministry of Education) |
| SAP (Special Assistance Plan) (subset of Gov-aided) | Chung Cheng (Main), Maris Stella, Anglican High, etc. | S1 Posting; DSA-Sec | Passing HCL with PSLE ≤14 gives a posting advantage when vying for SAP places (still subject to merit/tie-breakers). Students posted to SAP schools must take CL/HCL. (Ministry of Education) |
| Independent Schools (non-IP) | SJI (sec), Methodist Girls’ (sec) tracks, some schools with autonomous status | S1 Posting; DSA-Sec | Same posting rules as mainstream; DSA quotas vary by school type (non-IP up to ~20%). (Ministry of Education) |
| Integrated Programme (IP) Schools (no O-Levels) | RGS/RI, HCI/NYGH, DHS, RVHS, etc. | S1 Posting (choose IP track); DSA-Sec (~30–35% of S1 IP intake typically via DSA) | In dual-track schools you must list IP and Secondary Education (SEC) as separate choices; selecting only IP means you won’t be considered for SEC. (Ministry of Education) |
| Specialised Independent Schools (STEM/Arts) | SST (Applied STEM), NUS High (Math & Sci), SOTA (Arts) | DSA-Sec only (do not take part in S1 Posting) | SST admits all Sec 1 via DSA; NUS High offers 100% of Year 1 places via DSA (with school-run selection tests/camps); SOTA admits via Talent Academy auditions—no S1 posting. (sst.edu.sg) |
| Affiliated Secondary Schools (within mission/cluster groups) | e.g., ACS (J), SJI, CHIJ families, etc. | S1 Posting with Affiliation Priority | To get priority, the affiliated secondary school must be 1st choice and any affiliate minimum requirements must be met; priority is still subject to vacancies and merit. (Ministry of Education) |
Special entry routes (by student background)
| Student Category | Route | How it works | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| All P6 students | Direct School Admission (DSA-Sec) | Apply via MOE’s centralised DSA-Sec portal (single form; up to 3 choices of school-and-talent). If you accept a confirmed DSA place, you skip S1 posting and must commit to the school. | Annual window is typically May–June for applications, with preference submission in Oct; exact dates vary yearly (see MOE calendar/press release). (Ministry of Education) |
| International students | AEIS / S-AEIS | Sit centrally-set English & Math tests for placement into Sec 1–3 (subject to vacancies). | AEIS usually starts in July for admission the following Jan; S-AEIS runs in Mar for admission in same year if vacancies. (Ministry of Education) |
| Returning Singaporeans (RS) | SPERS-Sec (main window) | Take central English & Math tests; based on results, MOE offers a list of eligible schools to choose from for Jan admission next year. | 2025 window (for 2026 admission) opened 10–23 Jul 2025; tests 2–3 Sep 2025. >90% posted to one of 6 choices. SPE exists for those who miss SPERS. (Ministry of Education) |
Best Way to Enter Secondary Schools in Singapore (All Pathways, 2025 Edition)
Hello Parents! If you found this article, you must be absolutely confused with the pathways to Secondary school and need a guide. So here we go, down the rabbit hole we jump head first into:
Parents have more than one door into secondary school. Below is a current, practical guide to every route—what it is, who it’s for, when to apply, and how to maximise your child’s chances.
1) S1 Posting via PSLE (Full SBB & Posting Groups)
From the 2024 S1 cohort onward, the old streams were removed. Under Full Subject-Based Banding, students are posted through Posting Groups 1, 2, 3, and can later take subjects at different levels as they progress (Full SBB overview). Families list six school choices on the S1 Portal after PSLE results; posting considers score, choice order and vacancies (S1 Posting process, submit school choices, how posting works). (Ministry of Education)
SAP consideration. Students who took English and Chinese may opt for SAP schools; those with HCL (Pass/Merit/Distinction) and PSLE ≤14 receive a posting advantage when competing for SAP places (PSLE scoring—HCL advantage). In SAP schools, students take CL/HCL to participate meaningfully in SAP programmes (how to choose—SAP notes). (Ministry of Education)
Affiliation priority. If you want an affiliated secondary school, you must rank it 1st and meet any affiliate minimum requirements; priority is still subject to vacancies (affiliation rules). For general strategy, review MOE’s shortlisting guidance and past cut-offs shared each year (shortlisting schools, SEAB PSLE release & posting advisory). (Ministry of Education)
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2) Direct School Admission (DSA-Sec)
What it is. A parallel pathway to secure a place before PSLE results—based on talent, aptitude, and potential (sports, arts, leadership, academic domains, STEM). Submit applications via the central DSA-Sec Portal (free). 2025’s window ran 7 May, 11am – 3 Jun, 3pm; check MOE for yearly dates (DSA overview). Accepting a confirmed offer means you commit to the school and do not join S1 Posting. (Ministry of Education)
DSA-only schools. Three specialised independent schools do not use S1 Posting; they admit Sec 1 via DSA only:
- SST – Applied STEM: see the school’s DSA timeline and selection criteria (SST DSA, SST criteria).
- NUS High – Math & Science: selection test/camp details and dates are published annually (NUS High Year 1 DSA, admissions FAQ).
- SOTA – Arts: admission through the Talent Academy (SOTA Talent Academy; SOTA’s SchoolFinder entry also notes DSA-only intake: SOTA profile). (School of Science and Technology)
Track tip: For dual-track schools (IP + O-Level/SEC), list both the IP and the non-IP track as separate choices during S1 Posting if you’re not using DSA; selecting only IP means you won’t be considered for the SEC track (how posting works). (Ministry of Education)
3) Integrated Programme (IP) Schools
IP schools offer a six-year route to A-Levels/IB without O-Levels. Entry is via DSA-Sec or S1 Posting into the IP track (Full SBB/IP context). In dual-track schools, rank the IP and O-Level tracks separately at S1 Posting (S1 Posting—how it works). (Ministry of Education)
4) Government, Government-Aided, Autonomous & Independent (non-IP)
These schools admit through S1 Posting and many also participate in DSA-Sec. Check each school’s page for talent areas, trials, and interviews (DSA overview). (Ministry of Education)
5) SAP (Special Assistance Plan) Schools
SAP schools nurture biliteracy/biculturalism in English and Chinese. Students need not have taken HCL to apply; however, those with HCL (Pass/Merit/Distinction) and PSLE ≤14 receive a posting advantage when competing for SAP places (PSLE scoring—HCL advantage; additional SAP notes under how to choose). (Ministry of Education)
6) International Students: AEIS & S-AEIS
AEIS (for next-January admission). International students take centrally-set English & Math tests; Secondary 1 sits typically in early September, with Secondary 2–3 the next day (AEIS overview, AEIS test details & dates).
S-AEIS (mid-year admission). For entry around April/May; requirements now include a Cambridge English Qualification (CEQ) result before applying (S-AEIS overview & CEQ requirement; also see SEAB S-AEIS page). (No Sec 4 AEIS intake, as Sec 4 students sit O-Levels the same year.) (Ministry of Education)
7) Returning Singaporeans (RS): SPERS-Sec & SPE
SPERS-Sec (for next-January admission). RS students take central English & Math tests; for 2025, Sec 1 is Tue, 2 Sep 2025 and Sec 2–3 is Wed, 3 Sep 2025. Apply 10–23 Jul 2025 (SPERS overview, how to apply).
SPE (if you miss SPERS). A December round for same-year admission where vacancies exist; applications 4–17 Nov 2025 and tests on 3 Dec 2025 (SPE overview; see also MOE’s press release). For test admin details, SEAB provides additional guidance (SPERS-Sec test details, About SPE). (Ministry of Education)
What to Do (By Situation)
If your child is P6 and academically steady:
Build a balanced six-choice list (ambitious + realistic + safe) within your Posting Group, and weigh commute/CCA fit after merit (how to choose & submit, shortlisting guide). (Ministry of Education)
If your child has strong talent (sports/arts/STEM/leadership):
Apply DSA-Sec in May/June; curate portfolios (videos, results, coach letters) and prep for trials/interviews. For SST/NUS High/SOTA, read the school-specific requirements and calendars early (DSA portal, SST DSA, NUS High DSA, SOTA Talent Academy). (Ministry of Education)
If you want an affiliated secondary:
Put it 1st choice and meet affiliate minimums; otherwise affiliation priority does not apply (affiliation rules). (Ministry of Education)
If you’re eyeing SAP schools:
Taking HCL and scoring PSLE ≤14 offers a posting advantage—use this strategically when ranking choices (HCL advantage explained). (Ministry of Education)
If you’re returning from overseas or relocating mid-year:
For next-January starts, use SPERS-Sec; if you missed it, consider SPE. International (non-citizen/PR) candidates should check AEIS / S-AEIS timelines (SPERS, SPE, AEIS, S-AEIS). (Ministry of Education)
Month-by-Month Planner (Typical Rhythm)
- Jan–Mar: Shortlist schools (open houses, CCAs, travel time). International students: monitor S-AEIS requirements and CEQ timelines (S-AEIS overview).
- May–Jun: DSA-Sec application window (recently early May–early June) (DSA application page).
- Jun–Aug: School-run trials/tests/interviews for DSA (see each school’s page: SST, NUS High, SOTA).
- Jul: SPERS-Sec applications typically open mid-July (SPERS apply).
- Sep: SPERS-Sec tests (SPERS overview).
- Nov–Dec: SPE applications/tests for RS who missed SPERS (SPE overview).
- Nov/Dec: S1 Posting choices submission after PSLE results; confirm places and report per MOE’s timeline (S1 Posting process). (Ministry of Education)
How BukitTimahTutor.com Helps
- PSLE → S1 strategy. We map Posting Group scenarios to a six-choice list balancing ambition and safety, with commute and CCA fit (S1 posting basics).
- DSA-Sec portfolios. Domain-specific prep (e.g., SST/NUS High tasks; SOTA auditions), mock interviews, and evidence curation (SST DSA, NUS High, SOTA).
- Affiliation & SAP navigation. We align Affiliate Minimum Requirements, SAP expectations, and HCL decisions to protect options (affiliation rules, HCL advantage).
- RS & International routes. We guide SPERS-Sec/SPE timelines and AEIS/S-AEIS planning to fit your return date or relocation (SPERS, SPE, AEIS, S-AEIS). (Ministry of Education)
Quick chooser: which path fits your situation?
- Strong talent in sports/arts/STEM/leadership? Apply DSA-Sec early; short-list schools whose talent domains match your portfolio (SST/NUS High/SOTA are DSA-only). (Ministry of Education)
- Prefer pure academic posting after PSLE? Use S1 Posting; understand Posting Groups and list six choices strategically (IP vs SEC listed separately in dual-track schools). (Ministry of Education)
- Have an affiliated secondary in mind? Put it 1st choice and meet any affiliate minimums; otherwise you lose priority. (Ministry of Education)
- Targeting a SAP school? Passing HCL with PSLE ≤14 yields a posting advantage (still merit-based). (Ministry of Education)
- Non-citizen or returning after years abroad? Use AEIS/S-AEIS (international) or SPERS-Sec/SPE (returning Singaporeans). (Ministry of Education)
Need help short-listing or building a DSA portfolio?
At BukitTimahTutor.com, we: map PSLE targets to Posting Groups, coach DSA-Sec portfolios (SST/NUS High/SOTA included), and plan timelines for AEIS/SPERS families. Book a Parent Strategy Consultation and we’ll draft your child’s week-by-week plan to secure the right school.
Bottom line
There isn’t a single “best” door—there’s the right door for your child’s strengths and timing. Use S1 Posting when academics lead; use DSA-Sec when talent shines; use SAP and affiliation smartly; and for cross-border moves, plan with AEIS/S-AEIS or SPERS/SPE. When you’re ready, book a Parent Strategy Consultation and we’ll build your personalised timeline—from shortlisting to offer.
Glossary of Terms for Parents
PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination)
Nationwide exam at the end of Primary 6 determining entry into secondary schools.
Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB)
New system replacing old “Express/NA/NT” streams. Students take subjects at different levels (G1, G2, G3) according to strengths.
Posting Groups (PG1, PG2, PG3)
Categories used for S1 Posting under Full SBB. Determined by PSLE score and used to allocate students fairly.
S1 Posting
Central process where PSLE graduates list six secondary school choices and are allocated based on merit, choice order, and vacancies.
SAP (Special Assistance Plan) Schools
Schools promoting bilingualism in English and Chinese, offering HCL (Higher Chinese Language).
HCL (Higher Chinese Language)
Advanced Chinese subject in primary school; good results offer a posting advantage for SAP schools.
Affiliation
Certain primary and secondary schools share affiliation. Priority is given if the affiliated secondary school is ranked 1st choice and criteria are met.
DSA-Sec (Direct School Admission – Secondary)
Allows Primary 6 students to gain a place in secondary schools based on talents or achievements before PSLE results.
Integrated Programme (IP)
Six-year pathway leading directly to A-Levels or IB without taking O-Levels.
Autonomous and Independent Schools
Autonomous schools have extra programmes and autonomy in curriculum. Independent schools have full autonomy and charge higher fees.
SST (School of Science and Technology)
Specialised independent school focusing on applied STEM learning.
NUS High School of Math and Science
Specialised school offering an integrated curriculum in math and science leading to its own diploma.
SOTA (School of the Arts Singapore)
Specialised independent arts school admitting students through artistic talent assessments (Talent Academy).
AEIS (Admissions Exercise for International Students)
Central exam for international students seeking placement in local schools.
S-AEIS (Supplementary AEIS)
Mid-year version of AEIS for international students who missed the main exercise.
SPERS-Sec (School Placement Exercise for Returning Singaporeans)
Placement exercise for Singaporean children returning from overseas, testing English and Math for secondary entry.
SPE (Supplementary Placement Exercise)
Alternative to SPERS-Sec for returning Singaporeans who miss the main exercise, subject to vacancies.
Posting Advantage
An edge given to students meeting certain criteria, such as having HCL and PSLE ≤14 for SAP schools.
Choice Order Priority
During S1 Posting, students listing a school as a higher choice have an advantage when PSLE scores tie.
Portfolio
A collection of achievements, awards, videos, or records used in DSA applications.
CCA (Co-Curricular Activity)
Non-academic activities in schools (sports, arts, clubs) considered during admissions and DSA selections.
Parent Strategy Consultation
A tailored session offered by BukitTimahTutor.com to help families plan the best education pathway from PSLE to secondary school and beyond.
Bukit Timah Tutor Secondary Mathematics 