Secondary (S1) Allocation: Discretionary Places, Central Allocation & Banding

Places at Hong Kong's government and aided secondary schools are distributed through the Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA) System. It mirrors the primary process but adds internal assessments and allocation bands. Direct Subsidy, private and international secondaries admit directly and sit outside it.

Internal assessments and banding

• Internal assessments (呈分試): three school-based assessments — P5 second term, P6 first term and P6 second term (once in P5, twice in P6).
• Each school's results are scaled by a territory-wide mechanism so pupils across different schools can be compared.
• After scaling, pupils are grouped into three allocation bands (Band 1/2/3), each roughly a third, setting the order for central allocation.

Stage 1: Discretionary Places

Parents may apply directly to up to two secondary schools, with no district restriction. Schools admit on their own criteria (results, interview, extra-curricular record), with results announced before central allocation. Those admitted skip central allocation.

Stage 2: Central Allocation

Pupils not admitted at the discretionary stage enter central allocation. You submit a choice form and a computer allocates by band, random number and your choices, in two parts:

• Part A (unrestricted): up to three secondaries in any net — about 10% of central-allocation places, ranked by your territory-wide band (Territory Band) and processed first.
• Part B (net-restricted): up to 30 schools within your own secondary net — about 90% of places, ranked by your within-net band (Net Band).

The exact process and each year's timing follow the EDB Secondary School Places Allocation page.

"Knocking the door" (applying directly after results)

Once results are out, parents who didn't land a preferred school sometimes knock the door — applying directly for any remaining vacancies. These places are scarce and competitive, so prepare report cards, awards and a clear rationale in advance.

Strategy tips

• Discretionary stage: make one of your two choices ambitious and one safe, and check each school's recent intake level.
• Part B ranking: order by your child's band and each school's popularity — don't fill it entirely with long-shot names.
• Use linkages: if the primary has a through-train / nominated / feeder secondary, factor it in.

To compare secondaries across Hong Kong, browse all secondary schools by district. Planning early for the assessments and your choices is what raises the odds of a school you actually want.