Direct School Admission Exercise 2023

Talent Area

Criteria Eligibility for DSA

Selection Process for DSA

Leadership

Candidates should:

• Hold key appointments in student leadership bodies and / or CCAs
• Have active involvement in leadership activities / CCAs / community service 
• Demonstrate the following qualities and skills:
  • Initiative to serve and lead
  • Resilient and willing to embrace challenges
  • Ability to adapt, problem solve and collaborate

Shortlisted candidates will be invited  to attend a panel interview and complete a performance task. 

• Please note that: 
  • Meeting all the criteria does not guarantee the student will be shortlisted
  • Attending interview at BBSS does not guarantee that the student will be given an offer

Talent Area

Criteria Eligibility for DSA

Selection Processes for DSA

Softball (Girls)

Candidates should:

• Demonstrate passion to further develop and do well in this game
• Be able to commit to at least 2 training sessions per week, which include:
  • Skills
  • Game play
  • Fitness and Conditioning

•  Was a member of a CCA softball school team in primary school
• Be able to play in more than one position will be an added advantage

Shortlisted candidates will participate in skills assessment in which they will:

• Demonstrate ability to play in more than one position
• Demonstrate basic mechanics of throwing and batting
• Base- running speed
  • One Base
  • Two Base

•  Display confidence  in speaking up and positive attitude (receptive in learning and accepting challenges)
•  Demonstrate adaptability to making adjustments. 

Basketball (Boys)

Candidates should meet the criteria in the following areas:

•  Basketball Skill and Performance:
  • Candidates should possess a high level of basketball skills and demonstrate outstanding performance in competitive games and tournaments. 
  • They should have experience in playing at a competitive level, and display strong potential for further development.

• Physical Fitness:
  • Candidates should have good physical fitness, including excellent stamina, agility, speed, and coordination. They should also show a willingness to engage in regular training and a commitment to maintain their fitness levels.
• Sportsmanship and Attitude:
  • Candidates should exhibit a positive attitude towards training and competition, and demonstrate a willingness to learn, take feedback, and work cooperatively with their teammates. They should also show good sportsmanship, respect for  rules and their opponents, as well as  a commitment to fair play.

• Leadership and Service:
  • Candidates should have leadership potential and show an interest in serving the school community. They should have experience in organizing or participating in school activities, and a willingness to contribute to the school's sports and cultural programs.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for the following:

•  Basketball Skills Assessment:
  • Shortlisted candidates will participate in a basketball skills assessment, where they will demonstrate their proficiency in various basketball skills such as dribbling, shooting, passing, and defense. This assessment will be conducted by the basketball coach and other experienced basketball players.

• Physical Fitness Test:
  • Candidates will be evaluated on their physical fitness, including stamina, agility, speed, and coordination. 

• Interview:
  • Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview. The interview will focus on their motivation for joining the basketball team, their attitude towards training and competition, and their willingness to balance academic and sporting commitments.

• Character and Leadership Assessment:
  • Candidates will be assessed on their character, leadership potential, and community service record. This assessment may involve reviewing their academic records, conduct in school, and participation in school activities.

Rugby (Boys)

We welcome both new and experienced rugby players who are:

• Interested in holistic development: Athletics, Behaviour and aCademics
• Passionate to learn new rugby skills and knowledge
• Passionate to deepen his skills and knowledge to become better rugby player
• Interested in forging strong  comaradarie  / friendships with teammates
• Able to commit to at least 2 training sessions per week, which include:
  • Skills
  • Game play
  • Fitness and Conditioning

Note: Experience as a member of school CCA rugby team or external rugby club outside school time is an added advantage

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to participate in a rugby skills assessment in which they will: 

• Demonstrate their ability to pass rugby balls, rugby skills as well as speed & agility during performance tasks.
• Performance Tasks:
  • Skills and agility test
  • Ball Passing and handling test
  • Fitness Test

• Display confidence and keenness to remain open to continuous learning during the interview.

Cross Country

Candidates should:

• Show passion in running and have the desire to excel. 
• Constantly strive to  improve and take one’s ability to the next level.
• Be able to commit to at least 2 training sessions a week
• 1.6km run time:
  • Boys: below 6 minutes 30seconds
  • Girls: below 7 minutes 30seconds

Or

• Be a finalist in National Primary Schools Track and Field Meet in any of the following individual Track events:
  • 100 m
  • 200 m
  • 300 m
  • 600 m
  • 1500 m
  • Hurdles

Shortlisted candidates will:

• Participate in a 1.6km run or a Beep test. 
• Participate in an interview and display  confidence and keenness to strive for persistence. 

Talent Area

Criteria Eligibility for DSA

Selection Processes for DSA

English Drama 

Candidates should:

• Be confident and eloquent
• Be able to work independently and collaboratively
• Be willing to take up production and acting roles in drama, and debate
• Have experience in drama productions, stage performances or competitive debating. 

Note: Experience in emceeing would be  a bonus

Selected candidates will be invited to participate in a live audition in which candidates will perform the following:

1. Present a One-minute speech on self-introduction
2. Present a 1.5-minute drama audition
3. Present a 1.5-min crossfire debate (group)

• Selected candidates should be able to demonstrate confidence, eloquence, stage presence and engagement with audience

Chinese Orchestra

Candidates should meet at least one of the following:

• Demonstrate strong talent and interest in Chinese Orchestra
• Have a minimum of 2 years playing experience in CO instruments like Dizi, Suona, Yangqin or Erhu etc.
• Participated  in Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation or any other public performances would be an advantage
• Achievements / awards in international / regional / national competition would be an added advantage
• Achieved quality grade in music examination for any specific instrument would be an added advantage

Selected candidates will be invited to participate in a live audition in which candidates will perform the following:

1. Play musical pieces on the instrument (2-3 minutes).
2. Perform sight reading (2 minutes)

Malay Dance

Candidates should meet at least one of the following:

• Demonstrate strong talent, commitment and interest in Malay Dance
• Be a member of Malay Dance CCA in primary school in either contemporary or traditional
• Participation in Singapore Youth Festival Arts Presentation or any other public/school performances would be an advantage

Selected candidates will be invited to participate in a performance task in which candidates will: 

1. Present a live performance on a prepared dance item (2 - 3 minutes).
2. Demonstrate the knowledge of basic Malay dance techniques - either traditional or contemporary.

•  Demonstrate confidence in speaking when delivering the dance synopsis before the performance (2-3 minutes).
• Demonstrate knowledge, passion, stage presence and leadership through audience engagement. 

Talent Area

Criteria Eligibility for DSA

Selection Processes for DSA

Robotics Club

Candidates should: 

• Have minimum 2 years of experience in Robotics Club
• Have experience in building Lego Mindstorms EV3 and Spike prime sets and is fluent in writing codes using Mindstorms
• Have experience in Python Programming , AI , or mobile Application Programming (any one area) 
• Participated in robotics-related projects in school/external events OR
• Represented school in robotics-related competitions at internal/national level

Selected candidates will demonstrate the following:

• Present a project done by the candidate in one of the following areas (Python Programming, AI, Mobile App Programming)
• Draw a Flow Chart to illustrate the above project the candidate has done in candidate’s primary school. Explain the flowchart.
• Explain the function of “If” and “If else” in general programming.
• Show a video documenting work done in candidate’s Primary School on Lego EV3 or Spike Prime.
• Demonstrate creative and logical approach (computational thinking) to solving problems.

STEM

Candidates should exhibit the following qualities:

1. Problem solver
2. Reflective
3. Innovative
4. Team player
5. Perseverance

• Demonstrate knowledge, interest and passion in STEM.
• Recount their past experiences relevant in their application for DSA STEM.

Shortlisted candidates will:

• Submit a personal statement (maximum 300 words) detailing the candidate’s active involvement in STEM activities.
• Prepare an e-portfolio of work related to STEM with supporting documents such as photos of exhibits, prototypes, certificates etc. Submit this e-portfolio together with the personal statement.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview in which they will be required to solve a problem-based task.

Note: Students admitted through DSA STEM must participate in STEM related projects and competitions.