DSTA Entrance Examination study plan

Diagnose your baseline by completing one timed 30-question numerical set under exam conditions and logging every error by cause (misread, arithmetic slip, method gap, time pressure).

Drill percentage, ratio, and proportion conversions until you can move between fractions, decimals, and percentages without written working.

Build a personal formula sheet covering percentage change, compound growth, and simple/compound interest, then re-derive each formula from first principles once.

Practise estimation and rounding so you can sanity-check any answer within ten seconds before committing.

Work through ratio-sharing and mixture problems using a single consistent method (unitary or bar model) until the method is automatic.

Interpret tables, bar charts, and line graphs by extracting the specific value asked for before reading any surrounding text.

Calculate averages, weighted averages, and rates (speed, work, density) and check each answer against a rough estimate.

Time yourself on 20 mixed numerical questions and cut your average time per question to under 60 seconds.

Classify verbal question types (analogy, odd-one-out, synonym/antonym, reading comprehension, word logic) and note the standard solving move for each.

Build a vocabulary log of 60 unfamiliar words with a short original sentence for each, reviewing them in spaced intervals.

Practise identifying the conclusion versus supporting evidence in short passages by underlining the claim in ten passages.

Complete a 25-question verbal set in 20 minutes and review every distractor to explain why it is wrong.

Solve series and sequence problems by testing differences, ratios, and alternating patterns in a fixed order.

Decode coding-decoding and symbol-substitution questions by writing the rule explicitly before applying it.

Practise matrix and figure-series reasoning by naming the transformation (rotation, reflection, count change) out loud.

Complete a combined 30-question verbal and logical set under strict timing and record accuracy per subtype.

Master syllogism and logical-deduction questions using Venn diagrams or a truth-table check rather than intuition.

Identify assumptions and strengthen/weaken arguments in short paragraphs by stating the hidden premise in one sentence.

Solve spatial-logic and paper-folding style items by sketching the fold sequence step by step.

Reduce your average logical question time to under 50 seconds while keeping accuracy above 75 percent.

Review mechanical principles (levers, pulleys, gears, and moments) and solve one worked example of each from scratch.

Practise mental rotation and net-folding by working through 20 spatial items with physical hand gestures or sketches.

Interpret simple technical diagrams and identify direction of motion in gear and pulley trains.

Build a short reference card of mechanical rules (mechanical advantage, gear ratio, clockwise/counterclockwise reversal).

Work through multi-step data-interpretation cases (two tables or a chart plus text) and write the calculation chain before computing.

Practise choosing the fastest route to an answer (estimation versus exact calculation) and note which you used.

Study situational-judgement frameworks: prioritising safety, escalating appropriately, and balancing team versus task needs.

Answer 20 situational-judgement scenarios and justify each choice against a stated principle rather than personal preference.

Complete two full-length mock exams under strict timing and simulate the real test-day environment.

Review every error from both mocks and re-solve the question correctly without looking at the answer first.

Revisit your weakest two subtypes from the week 4 accuracy table and drill 15 questions of each.

Finalise a one-page exam-day strategy covering question order, time checkpoints, and guessing rules.