Raffles Institution DSA: What the Current Page Confirms

Q: How will RI select Year 1 DSA Mathematics applicants in the next exercise? A: RI has not yet published the next exercise's talent areas or detailed selection steps. Its current post-exercise page says that 2026 applications have ended, that information for the next exercise will be published by early May 2027, and that the school does not disclose details of its selection process or interviews.[1]

TL;DR Do not carry a 2026 RI Mathematics test or interview description into the next application year. Wait for RI and MOE to publish the new exercise, then verify the talent area, eligibility, application route, dates, and any disclosed selection steps.[1][2]

Last reviewed: 4 September 2026 against RI's page updated 28 August 2026.

Current exercise status

RI states that applications for the 2026 DSA-Sec exercise have ended. It expects to publish information about the next exercise, for Academic Year 2028 admission, by early May 2027.[1]

The current page no longer lists a Mathematics talent area, a selection test, an interview format, or a schedule for the next intake. Earlier details should therefore be treated as historical unless RI republishes them.

What RI still publishes

RI's current page establishes several general boundaries:

• meeting all criteria does not guarantee a shortlist or offer;
• selection and shortlisting trends may differ from year to year;
• applicants without prior experience may apply because the school may assess potential;
• families should choose schools based on the child's aptitudes, strengths, and fit with the available programmes;
• successful DSA students commit to the six-year Integrated Programme and the relevant talent activities from Years 1 to 4; and
• RI does not disclose details of its DSA-Sec selection process or interviews.[1]

These statements do not establish a particular Mathematics paper length, topic weighting, interview script, or medal ranking.

What cannot currently be claimed

RI's live page does not currently support claims that:

• Mathematics will definitely remain under the same talent-area label in the next exercise;
• the next Mathematics selection will use both a test and interview;
• a particular Olympiad paper reproduces RI's selection format;
• RMO, NMOS, APMOPS, SASMO, SMKC, or another result has a fixed selection weight; or
• organising or hosting a competition gives that competition an automatic advantage in RI admissions.

If RI publishes more detail for the next exercise, that new page should replace any earlier description.