PRESS RELEASE
31 Aug 2007
RESULTS OF THE DIRECT POLYTECHNIC ADMISSION (DPA) EXERCISE
1. The first Direct Polytechnic Admission (DPA) exercise, for admission into polytechnics in academic year 2008, commenced on 11 July 07 and ended on 16 Aug 07.
Strong Interest in DPA Exercise
2. There was strong interest among students for the DPA exercise. A total of 5,090 students applied for direct admission into the polytechnics and 466 were offered places. 391 applicants, or about 85%, have accepted the offers. The offers cover a wide variety of disciplines, including business, engineering, sciences and social sciences.
3. In considering DPA applications from students, the polytechnics took into account a wide range of factors. In addition to the write-ups submitted through the DPA application portal, the polytechnics considered information such as the applicants’ school-based results, testimonials from teachers and CCA records. The polytechnics also interviewed short-listed applicants to further assess their talents and interests in the courses they applied for. For certain courses, such as the Creative Media Design course at Singapore Polytechnic, applicants were required to sit for specific aptitude tests.
Admission of DPA Applicants into Polytechnics for AY08
4. Successful DPA applicants who have accepted their offers will be given places in the polytechnic courses that they have received offers for, as long as they meet the following conditions:
(a) Obtain a net ELR2B21 score of not more than 26 points for the GCE ‘O’ level examinations; and
(b) Meet the Minimum Entry Requirements (MER) for the polytechnic course that the student has been offered. The MER for different polytechnic courses may differ. More information on the MER can be found on the polytechnics’ websites.
1 Net ELR2B2 refers to the net aggregate O-level score (i.e. inclusive of bonus pts) based on English Language, 2 relevant subjects and best 2 other subjects, excluding CCA.
5. Between Jan and March 08, successful applicants will also participate in an 8-week Polytechnic Preparatory Programme especially designed for DPA students. This programme aims to (i) broaden students' learning experiences, (ii) orientate them better to the polytechnic environment, and (iii) help them build a stronger foundation in their polytechnic studies. Each polytechnic will run its own customised programme, comprising activities such as industry visits, leadership camps, and polytechnic modules.
Additional Information
6. Applicants who did not receive any offers during the DPA exercise are strongly encouraged to apply to the polytechnics after the release of their O-level results through the next polytechnic admission exercises in 2008, e.g. Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE)2 or Joint Polytechnic Special Admissions Exercise (JPSAE)3. More information on these exercises can be found at the polytechnics’ websites.
Background
7. The DPA exercise was recommended in March 2006 by the Polytechnic School Review Committee (PSRC), chaired by Mr Gan Kim Yong, Minister of State, Ministry of Education & Ministry of Manpower. The aim of the DPA exercise is to allow students who have the interest and aptitude for applied learning, to confirm places in polytechnic courses prior to taking their GCE ‘O’ level examinations. Students accepted to polytechnics through the DPA will be able to benefit from special programmes in the polytechnics before the start of the formal polytechnic calendar in April.
The PSRC report can be found at http://www.moe.gov.sg/corporate/pdf/psrc- report.pdf
______MINISTRY OF EDUCATION 31 Aug 2007
2 The Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) is conducted annually by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to allow holders of Singapore-Cambridge GCE ‘O’ Level Certificate to apply for admission to courses offered by Junior Colleges (JC), Millennia Institute (MI), Polytechnics (Poly) and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE).
3 The Joint Polytechnic Special Admissions Exercise (JPSAE) was introduced in 2006 to allow polytechnics to consider student candidates based on a broader measure of merits beyond performance in the GCE O-level results. It also gives the polytechnics greater flexibility in admitting students with diverse talents and passions. The JPSAE complements the existing Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE).