Successful DSA-SEC Admissions In 2025 ~ Mr Jovian Chew

31 Jan 2025
All About Dance Dance Competitions Dance Performances Direct-School Admissions (DSA-SEC)
DSA-SEC Admissions In 2025 - Our Student's Success Stories

 
In an academically driven society as Singapore where every parent's primary concern with school-going children is their educational results, we have encountered first-hand when dance is often sacrificed for extra tuition classes when a student's academic results need improvement. However, we are of the humble opinion that dance actually offers students an outlet to engage in an activity that betters their mental and physical wellbeing, leaving them recharged for their academic pursuits.

 
In recent years, our nation's leading education authority - Ministry Of Education has been pushing for a broad-based multifaceted learning approach as evidenced by the introduction of the new Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) scoring system - Achievement Level (AL) since 2021 and the introduction of Subject-Based Banding (SBB) in Secondary Schools from 2024 onwards. Thus, pursuing dance while striving for academic excellence at the same time is now a very viable option through MOE's DSA-SEC admission programme that takes into account a student's talent in Dance when they are vying for a spot in their preferred Secondary School. For our full in-depth review of this topic, please visit this link: https://stepup.sg/blog/DSA-SEC-How-Dance-Can-Complement-Your-Child-s-Admission-Into-Their-Preferred-Secondary-School.


In this article, we will be celebrating the achievements of Mr Jovian Chew who managed to receive a confirmed offer from his preferred Secondary School through DSA-SEC via the talent area of Dance. Read on to find out more of his personal insights with regards to his successful DSA journey in 2024: 

 
1. What are the most important personal attributes in a student for success in DSA using dance?

The most important personal attributes would be respect, stay humble and positive. 


2. How have the DSA preparations at StepUp contributed to your success in DSA?

The in-person mock interview conducted by StepUp really helped me in my DSA journey. 


3. How has the dance journey at StepUp contributed to your success in DSA?

The achievements, confidence and experience gained from participation in dance competitions really helped. Participation in dance competitions is actually (in my opinion) compulsory for all students interested in DSA. 


4. Why did you decide to take up DSA-SEC? 

I decided to take up DSA as I love dance and DSA was the only option to combine my love for dance with my academic journey. 


5. Who would you recommend DSA-SEC to and why? 

I would recommend those who are really passionate about dance to pursue DSA as it will help secure a place in their preferred Secondary School. 


6. What was the toughest part of the DSA-SEC submission?  

The interview portion was the hardest. I overcame it by learning how to speak very politely and stay humble. 


7. If you could redo the entire DSA-Sec submission again, what improvements would you undertake?   

I would not be so worried of the freestyle portion and instead, express more confidence. 


8. What was the differential between your average Achievement Level (AL) from Primary 4 to the actual PSLE results, and the AL cut-off score required? 

My actual PSLE score was about 30% from my average AL scores from P4 to the PSLE prelims. 


Thanks to Jovian for sharing his DSA-SEC journey and inspiring our juniors at StepUp with his success story!

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