Planning a revision session? Use our study places near me map to find libraries, community study rooms, and late-night spots.
Q: What does the NUS High IP guide cover? A: Campus logistics, the Da Vinci research runway, assessment system, student life, support structures, and the confirmed 2025 admission timelines for Year 1 and Year 3 entry.
TL;DR • NUS High runs a single-campus, six-year diploma for 170–180 DSA-Sec admits annually; Year 5 students complete a compulsory boarding year on-site at 20 Clementi Avenue 1. • The Da Vinci Programme sequences Junior Maker, Junior Science Research, mentorship blocks, and Advanced Research Projects, culminating in the annual Research Congress with regional and international showcases (Da Vinci overview).
• NUS High grades on a five-point GPA with Honours modules beyond the GPA; diploma classifications from Pass to High Distinction hinge on completed majors, research deliverables, and humanities capstones. • 2025 admissions: DSA-Sec runs 7 May–3 Jun with selection tests on 5 Jul and a camp on 25/26 Jul; outcomes arrive 25 Aug–4 Sep, while the contingency Supplementary Intake opens 1–14 Nov if vacancies remain (Year 1 admissions, checked 2025-11-30).
Single campus at 20 Clementi Avenue 1; 170–180 students admitted annually through DSA-Sec, with compulsory Year 5 boarding to build independence and cohorts (School profile PDF; Boarding objectives).
The Da Vinci Programme is a six-year research runway-Junior Maker Projects, Junior Science Research, mentorship with institutes, and senior Advanced Research Projects showcased at the Research Congress (Da Vinci overview).
Curriculum requires at least three majors (Mathematics plus two sciences) and a humanities capstone; Honours courses extend into undergraduate-level content, with GPA-based diploma bands from Pass to High Distinction (School profile PDF
2025 DSA-Sec checkpoints: application 7 May–3 Jun, selection test 5 Jul, camp 25/26 Jul, outcomes 25 Aug–4 Sep, onboarding 27–31 Oct; Supplementary Intake opens 1–14 Nov only if vacancies remain (Year 1 admissions).
Observed pacing notes (from tutoring experience; may vary by cohort/teacher)
These notes summarise what an experienced IP tutor has observed in worksheets and assessments from students across multiple cohorts. They are not official curriculum statements, and coverage can differ by year, teacher, and class-treat them as directional and confirm against your school’s latest topic outline and recent tests/exams (e.g., WA/EOY papers).
Last updated: 2026-02-03.
We intentionally do not include or speculate about any “special answer keys”, internal marker keywords, or other internal grading cues. Those details are typically internal, can change without notice, and can encourage unhelpful keyword-hunting instead of clear explanations; if marking expectations are unclear, ask the teacher for the current rubric or exemplars.
In the tutor’s experience, chemical equation balancing, introductory covalent bonding, and indices/standard form often show up by around Year 2 (timing varies by cohort).
In the tutor’s experience, NUS High often feels significantly accelerated in Maths/Science compared with many IP schools, with earlier exposure to advanced topics and heavier independent-work expectations (exact pacing varies by cohort and subject). If you’re using external tuition or bridging materials, confirm topic order early because it can differ from A-Level IP sequences.
Boarding life: A 12-storey, 416-bed residence sits within campus; every student boards for one year in Year 5 to practise life skills, deepen friendships, and extend research hours via enrichment clinics and inter-cluster events (Boarding objectives).
Student profile: Independent, specialised school (est. 2005) run by MOE and NUS; attracts 2,000+ applications yearly for 170–180 places, focusing on Math and Science prodigies (School profile PDF).
2 | Curriculum flow (Years 1–6)
Foundation years (Years 1–3): Broad mastery across algebra, geometry, statistics, trigonometry, and pre-calculus; Junior Maker Projects and Junior Science Research cultivate experimentation and communication habits early (Mathematics & Statistics; Da Vinci overview).
Specialisation years (Years 4–6): Students must read at least three majors (Mathematics plus two sciences), complete a humanities capstone, and may add a fourth major or Honours courses at undergraduate depth (School profile PDF).
Research runway: Da Vinci modules escalate to the Science Mentorship Programme and Advanced Research Projects, culminating in presentations at the Research Congress and international fairs or publications (Da Vinci overview).
Mathematics emphasis: Extensive calculus in Years 4–6, with modelling, reasoning, and multi-representational problem solving preparing students for tertiary STEM study (Mathematics & Statistics).
Honours and Da Vinci grading: Honours courses and Da Vinci modules use Distinction/Merit/Pass/Fail and sit outside the GPA to recognise stretch work without penalising core averages (same source).
Progress benchmarks: Graduation requires completion of majors, Humanities Capstone, research deliverables, and character programmes; remediation is coordinated through pastoral and counselling teams (same source).
4 | Talent pathways & enrichment
Signature programmes: Da Vinci (research), Galileo (satellite engineering), Einstein+ (talent development), Tesla Initiative (technopreneurship and STEM), Voyager (internationalisation), and the Aesthetic Appreciation Programme anchor holistic stretch (School profile PDF).
Science mentorship: Students partner with institutes and universities through the Science Mentorship Programme, presenting at events like the Singapore Science & Engineering Fair and the International Science & Engineering Fair (Da Vinci overview).
Innovation culture: Design and engineering electives, annual hackathons, and patentable projects (e.g., Solid State Fan) reinforce enterprise mindsets alongside academic rigour (same source).
5 | CCA & student life
Compulsory CCA: Every student joins one school-based CCA-Clubs & Societies (Astronomy, Robotics, Debate, Media, etc.), Performing Arts (Chinese Orchestra, Choir, Dance, Drama, Orchestra), Sports (Badminton, Netball, Track & Field, Water Sports, etc.), or Uniformed Groups (NCC Land, Scouts, St John Brigade) (CCA page).
Boarding community: Year 5 boarders experience Games Day, inter-cluster sports, enrichment clinics, and extended research hours, reinforcing the school values of Wonderment, Integrity, Service, Excellence, and Resilience (Boarding objectives).
6 | Student support & wellbeing
Counselling: Dedicated counsellors guide personal transitions, social-emotional skills, and college planning (essays, interviews, university choices). Services include individual consults, group sessions, cohort talks, and coordination with external partners (Counselling).
Leadership development: "Leadership is for everyone" ethos with progressive opportunities-orientation teams, CCE lessons, leadership workshops, house activities, CCA leadership, student council, and community impact projects (Student Leadership Programme).
7 | Admissions playbook (2025 intakes)
Year 1 DSA-Sec (for 2026 cohort)
Note: The dates below are from the 2025 DSA-Sec exercise. The 2026 DSA-Sec timeline will be published by MOE around April–May 2026. Check MOE's DSA-Sec page for the latest dates.
Application: 7 May 2025 (Wed) to 3 Jun 2025 (Tue) via MOE DSA-Sec online portal (Year 1 admissions).
Selection test: 5 Jul 2025 (Sat) for all applicants; venue emailed by 1 Jul.
Selection camp: 25 or 26 Jul 2025 for shortlisted students (invite by 24 Jul).
Offers & acceptance: Outcomes released 25 Aug–4 Sep; acceptance form due 3 Oct; onboarding briefings 27–31 Oct.
Commitment: Successful DSA students withdraw from the S1 Posting Exercise and stay active in the talent area used for admission through Year 4.
Supplementary Intake Exercise (SIE)
Contingency: Runs only if vacancies remain after DSA outcomes. Application window 1–14 Nov 2025; interviews scheduled within days of PSLE results (Year 1 admissions).
Eligibility guidance: Refer to NUS High’s published admissions guidance for the latest PSLE/age criteria, required documents, and SIE process details (Admissions FAQ).
Year 3 lateral entry (2026)
Application: 13 Aug 2025 (Wed) 10 am to 27 Aug 2025 (Wed) 10 am via NUS High's online portal (Year 3 admissions).
Selection: Mathematics and Science tests on 16 Sep 2025; shortlisted candidates attend English test and interviews on 30 Sep.
Eligibility: Applicants must be in Sec 2 Express (or equivalent) and showcase STEM talent beyond age peers; no entry beyond Year 3.
Admissions FAQ: Age windows-Year 1 applicants born 2011–2013; Year 3 applicants born 2009–2011; SIE interest registration closes on the third day after PSLE results (Admissions FAQ).
8 | Outcomes & alumni signals
Academic stretch: More than forty percent of students complete at least one university course while enrolled, with ninety-four percent of those grades at A- and above (School profile PDF).
Competition record: 2024 medal haul-International Olympiads: 6 Gold, 9 Silver, 1 Bronze across Biology, Chemistry, Nuclear Science, AI, Mathematics, Informatics, Astrophysics, Astronomy; national Olympiads: 64 Gold, 28 Silver, 26 Bronze. Students also secured top awards at the International Science & Engineering Fair (same source).
AP performance: Every candidate scored 5 in AP Physics C (E&M and Mechanics), Physics 2, Environmental Science, Macroeconomics, Microeconomics, and Psychology in 2024 (same source).
University destinations: Offers span NUS/NTU/SMU, SUTD, and global institutions such as MIT, Harvard, Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial, KAIST, and the University of Tokyo. Alumni support the placement pipeline via nhsalumni@highsch.nus.edu.sg and the school's LinkedIn (School profile PDF; University placement).
9 | Family action checklist
Register via MOE DSA portal between 7 May and 3 Jun 2025; prepare STEM portfolio evidence ahead of submission (Year 1 admissions).
Block 5 Jul 2025 for the selection test; rehearse open-ended Math and Science reasoning and collaborative tasks for the 25/26 Jul camp (same source).
If keen on SIE, assemble PSLE results, P5/P6 reports, and competition certificates before the 1–14 Nov submission window (same source).
Year 3 hopefuls: compile portfolio materials by 27 Aug 2025, revise for the 16 Sep tests, and practise interview responses for 30 Sep (Year 3 admissions).
Budget and plan for Year 5 boarding logistics once offered a place (Boarding objectives).
Engage counselling and leadership teams early-align subject choices, university ambitions, and CCA commitments with the pastoral staff (Counselling; Student Leadership Programme).
