1. The Polytechnics have the discretion to determine its modes of assessment of students' talents, including portfolios and interviews, among others. Each polytechnic will set its own respective selection criteria to ensure that only students who are able to cope with the rigours of a diploma education are admitted. Similar to the JPSAE and other discretionary admissions, the criteria will be transparent and merit-based.

2. In selecting the students for DPA, the polytechnics will take into account their abilities, talents and interests in the specific applied courses that they are applying for. For example, a student’s passion and talents in film and video production would be considered by polytechnics when he applies through the DPA for a polytechnic course in Media Studies. More information on the polytechnics, the courses they offer and their selection criteria can be found on the polytechnics’ websites.

3. Students admitted via the DPA will still have to meet the following admission criteria: (i) obtain a net ELR2B2 score of not more than 26 points for the GCE 'O' level examinations; and (ii) meet the Minimum Entry Requirements (MER) for their respective polytechnic courses. The MER for each polytechnic course can be found on the polytechnics' websites.

The abovementioned criteria are put in place to ensure that students admitted through DPA will be able to cope with the rigours of a polytechnic education. These students will not take part in the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) or Joint Polytechnic Special Admissions Exercise (JPSAE).