Junior College (Direct School Admission) Selection Criteria
DSA-JC Selection Criteria
Applicants will be shortlisted and selected based on the following general criteria:
- Demonstrate passion for and commitment to the area of interest;
- Exemplify positive character traits, including resilience, motivation and integrity; and
- Display a commitment to contribute to the school, through the area of interest as well as other opportunities to serve.
In addition, each talent area has specific criteria as shown below. Please note that past experience, practised talent or achievements in the talent area are not necessary requirements.
The selection criteria below are subject to changes. Applicants are advised to refer to the webpage at the point of application.
Sports & Games
| Talent Area | Criteria | Commitment | |
| 1 | Basketball | (1) Ball sense and coordination (2) Agility (3)Team Player |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 2 | Canoeing | (1) Psychomotor coordination (2) Balance (3) Minimum ‘Silver’ Award for NAPFA |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 3 | Shooting | (1) Concentration (2) Physical Stability |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 4 | Squash | (1) Ball sense (2) Hand-eye coordination |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 5 | Softball | (1) Hand-eye coordination and reflexes (2) Interest to lead and guide peers who are new to the sport (3) Team player |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 6 | Track & Field / Cross Country | (1) Prior competitive experience in sports (not limited to track & field) |
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| 7 | Badminton | (1) Understanding of the rules of the game (2) Prior experience in playing the game (3) Team player |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 8 | Climbing | (1) Balance (2) Coordination (3) Core and upper-body strength |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 9 | Floorball | (1) Interest to lead and guide peers who are new to the sport (2) Team player |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 10 | Football (Boys Only) | (1) Ball control (2) Interest to lead and guide peers who are new to the sport (3) Team player |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 11 | Hockey | (1) Interest to lead and guide peers who are new to the sport (2) Team player |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 12 | Netball (Girls Only) | (1) Proficiency in shooting (if applicable) (2) Proficiency in footwork and good ball sense (3) Prior experience in playing the game |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 13 | Table Tennis | (1) Interest to lead and guide peers who are new to the sport (2) Team player |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 14 | Touch Rugby (Girls only) | (1) Interest to lead and guide peers who are new to the sport (2) Team player |
2-year commitment to CCA |
Performing Arts
| Talent Area | Criteria | Commitment | |
| 1 | Band – Concert | (1) Ability to at least play one of the following concert band instruments: euphonium, tuba, trumpet, trombone, horn, cornet, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, double bass, harp, saxophone OR a range of percussion instruments (2) Aural and sight-reading ability (3) Musicianship |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 2 | Choir | (1) Ability to reproduce a series of notes accurately and with ease (2) Musical sensitivity (3) Ability to sing with expression (4) Ability to sight-sing/read |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 3 | Dance – Chinese | (1) Fundamental skills of flexibility and coordination (2) Clarity, flow and control of body movements (3) Skills acquisition during choreography |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 4 | Dance – Contemporary | (1) Movement and technique (2) Spatial awareness (3) Dynamic awareness |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 5 | Dance – Indian | (1) Demonstrate dance technique such as posture, araimandi and overall presentation style (2) Exhibit excellent footwork and impressive gestures (3) Being versatile in different genre (Classical, Bollywood and Folk) |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 6 | Dance – Malay | (1) Fundamental skills of flexibility and coordination (2) Exhibit excellent footwork and impressive gestures (3) Skills acquisition during dance modeling |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 7 | Ensemble – Guitar | (1) Basic guitar playing techniques (2) Aural ability (3) Musicianship |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 8 | Ensemble – Guzheng | (1) Ability to play the guzheng (2) Aural ability (3) Musicianship |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 9 | Orchestra – String | (1) Ability to at least play one of the following string instruments: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass (2) Aural ability (3) Musicianship |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 10 | Orchestra – Chinese | (1) Ability to at least play one instrument associated with Chinese Orchestra (2) Aural ability (3) Musicianship |
2-year commitment to CCA |
Clubs and Societies
| Talent Area | Criteria | Commitment | |
| 1 | Aesthetics Club | Art Club (1) Technical mastery in Art (2) Innovative and artistic disposition (3) Leadership qualities Film Society Photographic Society |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 2 | AVA & PA Club | (1) Technical proficiency in audio and video (2) Effective team player (3) Leadership qualities |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 3 | Drama and Debate – Chinese Language (CLDDS) |
(1) Passion in Chinese cultural activities (drama, debate, calligraphy or literature) (2) Communication and thinking skills (3) Effective team player |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 4 | Interact Club | (1) Advocate for and self-initiate community service projects (2) Strategic thinking, providing a broad perspective of community issues (3) Ability to engage with the community |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 5 | Outdoor Adventure Club | (1) Effective team player (2) Leadership qualities (3) Experience in kayaking, climbing and swimming are a bonus |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 6 | Drama and Debate – Malay Language (MLDDS) | (1) Communication and thinking skills (2) Passion for Malay cultural activities (3) Effective team player (4) Leadership qualities |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 7 | Drama and Debate – Indian Language (ILDDS) | (1) Communication and thinking skills (2) Passion for Malay cultural activities (3) Effective team player (4) Leadership qualities |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 8 | Drama and Debate – English Language (ELDDES) | Debate (1) Clear and logical expression (2) Effective team player Drama |
2-year commitment to CCA |
| 9 | Greenlink Club | (1) Communication and thinking skills (2) Passion for championing green initiatives (3) Effective team player (4) Leadership qualities |
2-year commitment to CCA |
Special Programmes
| Talent Area | Criteria | Commitment | |
| 1 | Art Elective Programme | (1) Innovative traits (2) Curiosity (3) Flexibility in thinking (4) Perseverance As part of the shortlisting process, applicants will be contacted to submit: 1.Portfolio should be submitted as a single document that contains a maximum of 4 artworks, in accordance with the following criteria: – All works must completed in the last 2 years – Works may be curated in a variety of 2D, 3D or time-based – Each 2D work is allowed a maximum of 2 photos. – Each 3D work is allowed a maximum of 4 photos. – Time-based works should be included via link indicated in the document – A title must be given to each work – File format: PDF – File size limit: 15mb – File naming convention: Secondary School_Full Name of Student.pdf 2.Response to Creative Task In addition to the 4 artworks, your portfolio must include your product from a creative task. – With a choice of 2D or 3D, respond to the following word: “Void” 3.Personal Statement (300 words) How do you think art would play a role in your future after JC? |
Students admitted through Art Elective Programme must offer H2 Art. This is an examinable A-Level subject. |
| 2 | Music Programme | (1) Aural skills (both practical and written) (2) Western theory understanding and application (3) Ability to perform fluently and musically on their chosen 1st instrument in an art music style (e.g. classical Western or classical Indian) – not pop music As part of the shortlisting process, applicants will be contacted to submit a personal statement (500-600 words) detailing: – An aspect of music study you least AND most enjoy, and why – Favorite composer and/or type of music you enjoy, and why – What area in music you think needs most improvement for your development and how you go about trying to work on this area yourself |
Students admitted through Music Excellence must offer H2 Music. This is an examinable A-Level subject. |
| 3 | Language Elective Programme – Malay (MLEP) | (1) At least ‘B3’ in HML/ A2 in ML (based on Sec 3 or 4 school assessment) (2) Clear reasons and goals in joining MLEP (3) Aspirations on how their skills acquired from TLEP could help the wider community in future |
Students admitted through MLEP must offer H2 Malay Language & Literature. This is an examinable A-Level subject. |
| 4 | Language Elective Programme – Tamil (TLEP) | (1) At least ‘B3’ in HTL/ A2 in TL (based on Sec 3 or 4 school assessment) (2) Clear reasons and goals in joining MLEP (3) Aspirations on how their skills acquired from TLEP could help the wider community in future |
Students admitted through TLEP must offer H2 Tamil Language & Literature. This is an examinable A-Level subject. |
| 5 | Science Research | (1) Demonstration of knowledge, interest and passion in STEM Research (2) Sharing of motivations, understanding, and goals in joining Research@NJC (3) Recount their past experiences relevant in their application for DSA Science Research |
Students admitted through DSA Research must offer H3 Science Research. This is an examinable A-Level subject. |
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