Top Secondary Schools in Hong Kong: Primary 6 SSPA Guide for Parents
Navigating the Hong Kong SSPA Discretionary Places (DP) system can feel daunting. From DP application windows to interviews and mark‑weighting criteria, each school has its own process—even within the official SSPA framework. This guide breaks down admissions for five top SSPA-participating secondary schools, providing clarity and SEO-friendly insight for Hong Kong parents.
Contents
SSPA – General Information
What is the SSPA?
Who takes part in the SSPA?
How does the SSPA work?
When is the SSPA application period?
How are students assessed for discretionary places?
When are results released?
Why is the SSPA important for parents?
Ying Wa College
Wai Kiu College
Tsung Tsin Christian Academy
HKUGA College – The Hong Kong University Graduates Association College
Stewards Pooi Kei College
SSPA English Preparation
Do students need to revise for the SSPA?
Where can I find practice materials?
How can I help my child prepare for the SSPA?
Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA) – General Information
What is the SSPA?
The Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA) is the official system used by the Hong Kong Education Bureau (EDB) to allocate Secondary 1 (S1) places in public-sector secondary schools, including government, aided, caput, and some Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools.
Who takes part in the SSPA?
All Primary 6 students in Hong Kong public-sector primary schools are automatically part of the SSPA. Private and international school students can also apply if they meet EDB requirements.
How does the SSPA work?
The system has two main stages:
Discretionary Places (DP) Stage – Parents can apply to up to two schools of their choice (government, aided, caput, or participating DSS). These schools may hold interviews but cannot conduct written entrance exams.
Central Allocation (CA) Stage – Remaining S1 places are allocated by the EDB using a combination of students’ academic performance and random computerised allocation, based on parental choices.
When is the SSPA application period?
The DP application period is usually in early January each year.
Central Allocation preferences are submitted in May, and final results are announced in July.
How are students assessed for Discretionary places?
Schools can use a mix of:
Academic results from Primary 5 and Primary 6
Interview performance
Conduct and extracurricular achievements
Schools must follow EDB guidelines on weighting, and no school-specific written exams are allowed for SSPA DP selection.
When are results released?
Notification of Successful DP Applicants – usually end of March
Final Allocation Results – early July
Secondary 1 Registration – mid-July
Why is the SSPA important for parents?
The SSPA is the main route into Hong Kong’s top public-sector secondary schools. For many families, the DP stage is the only chance to directly target a specific high-demand school before the Central Allocation process.
Ying Wa College (英華書院)
Ying Wa College, 1 Ying Wa Street, Sham Shui Po, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
When do applications open?
Applications for Ying Wa College’s S1 Discretionary Places (DP) open in early January. For the 2025–2026 school year, the application period was 2nd–16th January 2025. Parents can apply either through the eSSPA online system or by submitting a paper application directly to the school.
When is the interview?
Shortlisted applicants are invited for an interview in March. Interviews are conducted in English and focus on communication skills, confidence, and academic potential.
When is the exam?
Ying Wa College does not hold a separate written entrance exam for SSPA Discretionary Place applicants. Selection is based on the applicant’s Primary 5 and Primary 6 academic results, interview performance, conduct, and extracurricular achievements, in line with Education Bureau (EDB) DP regulations.
What is included in the selection process?
The school uses the following weighting to assess DP applications:
50% – Academic results (Primary 5 & Primary 6)
30% – Interview performance
10% – Extracurricular activities and achievements
10% – Conduct and attitude
When are Successful DP Applicants Notified?
Successful DP applicants will be notified in late March by letter and through the eSSPA system.
When are final placement results announced?
Final placement results, including Central Allocation offers, will be released in July.
How are applicants assessed without an entrance exam?
While there is no separate written test, Ying Wa College evaluates students through a combination of school reports, interview performance, and achievements. The English portion of the interview often includes reading comprehension questions, situational speaking tasks, and general conversation to assess fluency and confidence.
Why is English preparation important for Ying Wa College?
English is the main medium of instruction for most subjects at Ying Wa College. Strong English skills not only help students perform well in the interview but also ensure they can thrive academically once admitted. Mastery of reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar, and oral communication gives applicants a clear advantage in the competitive selection process.
Why is Ying Wa College considered competitive?
Ying Wa College is one of Hong Kong’s most respected secondary schools, with a strong academic reputation, consistently high public exam results, and a rich history dating back to 1818. The school’s emphasis on bilingual proficiency, moral values, and leadership skills makes it a top choice for many families, resulting in a high number of applicants for limited S1 places each year.
Wai Kiu College (宏僑書院)
17號 Wai Chi St, Shek Kip Mei, Hong Kong
When do applications open?
Wai Kiu College opens S1 Discretionary Place (DP) applications in early January each year, aligned with the official SSPA DP window. For the 2025–2026 school year, the DP application period fell between 2nd–16th January 2025. Parents may apply via eSSPA online or paper form.
When is the interview?
The school invites shortlisted DP applicants for an interview in March. The interview is conducted in English and evaluates communication, confidence, and academic readiness.
When is the exam?
Wai Kiu College does not administer a separate written entrance exam for Discretionary Place applicants. Admissions assessment relies on Primary 5 & 6 school results, interview performance, conduct, and extracurricular records, following EDB DP guidelines.
What is included in the selection process?
The school uses the following weighting to assess DP applications:
25% – Academic achievement (Primary 5 & 6)
25% – Conduct
25% – Performance in extracurricular activities
25% – Interview performance
When are Successful DP Applicants Notified?
Parents of successful DP applicants receive formal notification around 31st March, either via letter or through the eSSPA platform.
When are final placement results announced?
Final S1 allocation results—including Central Allocation—are released in July, with Secondary 1 registration following shortly thereafter.
How are applicants assessed without an entrance exam?
Though there is no school-specific written test, Wai Kiu evaluates candidates through school reports, interview performance, and other achievements. The English interview typically includes questions to gauge fluency, comprehension, and expressive ability.
Why is English preparation important for Wai Kiu College?
As English is the main medium of instruction for core subjects at Wai Kiu College, proficiency in reading, vocabulary, grammar, and spoken communication is essential. Excellence in English not only strengthens interview performance but also ensures academic success once enrolled.
Why is Wai Kiu College considered competitive?
Wai Kiu College is known for its rigorous academic programme, balanced bilingual environment, and commitment to developing well-rounded students. Though it admits fewer students via DP, the high number of strong applicants for limited places makes it a competitive option under the SSPA system.
Tsung Tsin Christian Academy (崇真書院)
8 Lai Hong St, Cheung Sha Wan, Hong Kong
When do applications open?
S1 Discretionary Place (DP) applications for Tsung Tsin Christian Academy open in early January via the official eSSPA platform or the school's online form. For the 2025–2026 school year, the application window ran from 2nd–16th January 2025.
When is the interview?
All shortlisted applicants are invited to attend an interview on 8th March 2025. Interview details are emailed to parents by 20 January and interviews are conducted in English to assess communication ability and academic potential.
When is the exam?
Tsung Tsin Christian Academy does not hold a separate written exam for DP applicants. Admissions decisions are based on:
Academic performance (Primary 5 & 6 reports)
Interview performance
Conduct grades (minimum B)
Participation in extracurriculars and community service
What is included in the selection process?
The school considers the following criteria:
Academic achievement (Primary 5 & 6)
Interview performance (spoken English, comprehension)
Conduct and attitude
Extracurricular & community involvement
When are Successful DP Applicants Notified?
Successful applicants are notified on 31st March 2025, via email or phone, and receive a confirmation letter. Parents must sign a “Parent’s Undertaking Form” and pay the tuition deposit (approx. HKD 1,180) to accept the offer.
When are final placement results announced?
Final S1 allocation results, including Central Allocation placements, are released by the Education Bureau in July.
How are applicants assessed without an entrance exam?
Instead of written tests, Tsung Tsin evaluates candidates based on school reports, English interview performance (comprehension, conversation), conduct, and extra–curricular involvement. Strong spoken English and confidence are key assets during the interview stage.
Why is English preparation important for Tsung Tsin Christian Academy?
The school uses English as the medium of instruction for most subjects and its interviews are conducted entirely in English. Proficiency in reading, speaking, vocabulary, and grammar is essential—not only for interview success but to thrive once admitted.
Why is Tsung Tsin Christian Academy considered competitive?
Tsung Tsin Christian Academy is a reputable DSS school offering a balanced education grounded in Christian values paired with academic strength. With multidisciplinary programming and a limited number of DP openings, competition among strong applicants is high, especially due to its English-medium focus and selective interview-based selection.
HKUGA College – The Hong Kong University Graduates Association College
HKUGA College, No. 9 Nam Fung Road, Wong Chuk Hang, Hong Kong
When do applications open?
Applications for S1 Discretionary Places (DP) at HKUGA College open in early January. Although the precise window isn't published, it aligns with the 2nd to 16th January 2025 application period as stipulated by the Education Bureau for all SSPA-participating schools.
When is the interview?
All DP applicants are invited to attend a first interview on the 4th of January 2025. Shortlisted candidates may be called for a second interview based on academic and non-academic performance.
When is the exam?
HKUGA College does not use a separate written test for SSPA DP applicants. Selection is based on:
Academic results from Primary 5 and Primary 6
Interview performance (two-round structure)
Non-academic achievements (co‑curricular activities, conduct)
What is included in the selection process?
Admission criteria include:
40% – Academic results
40% – Interview performance
15% – Non-academic achievements and co-curricular involvement
5% – Others (e.g. siblings in school)
When are Successful DP Applicants notified?
Applicants who are selected will be informed by the end of April 2025, via email and follow-up correspondence from the school.
When are final placement results announced?
Final S1 placement results—including Central Allocation offers—are officially released on the 8th of July 2025, with registration scheduled around 10th to 14th July 2025.
How are applicants assessed without a written entrance exam?
Assessment relies on school performance reports, interview communication skills, conduct and achievements. HKUGA’s first-round interview is open to all, while the second round focuses on top performers academically and in the initial interview.
Why is English preparation important for HKUGA College?
The school uses English as its primary medium of instruction, and interviews—especially the speaking component—are conducted in English. Strong written and oral English competencies give applicants a clear edge, both in selection and later academic life.
Why is HKUGA College considered competitive?
With only 80 places available for external applicants (out of 200 total places across six classes), HKUGA has a highly selective admissions process. Applicants compete strongly on academics, communication skills, and co-curricular involvement—all assessed through rigorous interviews and holistic evaluation.
Stewards Pooi Kei College
56 Siu Lek Yuen Road, Sha Tin, New Territories, Hong Kong
When do applications open?
S1 Discretionary Place (DP) applications for Stewards Pooi Kei College open in early January. For the 2025–2026 school year, the official application period was from the 2nd to the 16th of January 2025, in line with the Education Bureau’s SSPA schedule. Applications can be made via the eSSPA online system or by submitting a paper form directly to the school.
When is the interview?
Interviews for shortlisted DP applicants are held in March. The interview is conducted in English and Cantonese, assessing both academic ability and character.
When is the exam?
Stewards Pooi Kei College does not hold a separate written entrance exam for SSPA DP applicants. Assessment is based on school academic records, interview performance, and non-academic achievements.
What is included in the selection process?
The school uses the following weighting for DP selection:
40% – Academic results (Primary 5 & 6)
40% – Interview performance
20% – Conduct, achievements, and involvement in extra-curricular activities
When are Successful DP Applicants notified?
Successful DP applicants are notified on the 31st of March 2025 by letter and via the eSSPA system.
When are final placement results announced?
Final allocation results, including Central Allocation offers, are released on the 8th of July 2025. Registration for S1 usually follows on the 10th and 11th of July 2025.
How are applicants assessed without an entrance exam?
Candidates are assessed holistically based on their school report cards, participation and achievements in extra-curricular activities, and interview performance. The English portion of the interview may include reading aloud, answering comprehension questions, and holding a short conversation to test fluency.
Why is English preparation important for Stewards Pooi Kei College?
As an English-medium school for most subjects, Stewards Pooi Kei College expects students to be confident in reading, writing, and speaking English. Strong language skills help students perform well in the interview and succeed in the school’s academically demanding environment.
Why is Stewards Pooi Kei College considered competitive?
SPKC is known for its strong academic results, Christian ethos, and focus on whole-person development. It attracts a large number of applicants each year for a limited number of S1 places, making the DP process highly competitive.
Primary 6 English Preparation
Do Students need to revise for The SSPA?
Yes — absolutely. The SSPA Discretionary Places stage is highly competitive, with far more Primary 6 students applying to top secondary schools than there are available places. While selection is based on a student’s school performance and interview, the process demands strong preparation. Applicants need to be confident in handling English-medium interviews, demonstrating clear and accurate communication, and responding to questions about complex reading passages or scenarios quickly and effectively.
Where can I find practice materials for the SSPA?
How can I help my child prepare for their Primary 6 English Assessments
There are many ways you can support your child's preparation for the SSPA.
1. SSPA English Tuition 👩🏫
Tuition can be a useful tool to assist your child’s preparation for Primary 6 English because it can help them progress faster than they otherwise would do at school. There are several different types of tuition available for Primary 6 students, each with their own benefits.
🙋🏿♂️ Individual Tuition: learning alone provides a 1-on-1 environment in which some students thrive due to uninterrupted attention from a tutor. This can be done in-person or online, and it can achieve great results for your child. Particularly in subjects such as maths, where students are required to fully understand each step of the question in order to arrive at the correct answer.
👨👧👧 Group Tuition: group tuition provides a collaborative learning environment where students can interact with peers and learn from each other, as well as their tutor. A collaborative learning environment is especially helpful in SSPA subjects such as English comprehension and composition. Students can listen to and analyse each other’s answers in order to improve and refine their own.
Group tuition can achieve exceptional results compared to a class in school because all of the children are highly-motivated and ready to learn. The tutor must also teach the class at the appropriate level to achieve excellent SSPA performance, not at the level of the least able student (as in school). It's also a more cost-effective option.
👩🏽🏫 In-Person Tuition: this traditional approach involves face-to-face sessions with a tutor, either individually or in a small group. In-person tuition allows for personalised attention and immediate feedback, but it can often be less thoroughly planned and more improvised than online tuition.
👩🏼💻 Online Tuition: learning online is an increasingly popular choice. It offers flexibility and convenience, allowing students to learn from the comfort of their own homes with top-rated tutors from across the US and UK.
Furthermore, the lesson plans are more robust and less improvised than in-person tuition because, in order to effectively deliver an online lesson, the teacher absolutely must have a variety of pre-prepared and well-structured resources ready to be shown through the screen.
⏩ Intensive Courses: intensive courses are designed to cover a significant amount of material in a short period of time. They're ideal for parents who want a more structured learning programme with a clear start and end point. At times, tuition sessions can drag on without the progress or structure of the learning totally evident. Intensive courses are a good remedy for this problem.
The Exam Coach: Your Partner In Primary 6 English Tuition
The Exam Coach delivers group online tuition for children studying to sit the SSPA. We offer weekly online tuition workshops that fit in with your schedule and set your child on a steady path of improvement.
Our 11 Plus Tuition Model
👨🏼🏫 Expert Tutors: our tutors are experienced, top-performing teachers who are passionate about helping children succeed in English.
✅ Proven Approach: our approach is based on years of experience and has helped countless students achieve their goals.
🎯 Targeted Skill Development: sessions are focused on essential English techniques and skill development in order to score marks in the exam.
⏰ Online and Flexible: our online tuition options offer flexibility and convenience, allowing your child to learn from home.
📚 Comprehensive Preparation: we specialise in the core SSPA English disciplines, including comprehension, revision and editing.
🏆 Build Exam Confidence: our supportive and encouraging group learning environment helps build your child's confidence and reduces anxiety about the SSPA.
With The Exam Coach tuition team, your child will be well-prepared and confident on exam day.
2. Practice Tests and Mock Exams 📝
Practice tests are a vital preparation resource for several reasons:
😱 Familiarisation with Format: working through practice tests helps your child become comfortable with the structure, timing, and types of questions they'll encounter in the actual SSPA.
🔎 Identify Areas for Improvement: by reviewing their answers with a mark schemes, you can work with your child to pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses.
💪 Build Exam Technique: practice tests help develop essential exam skills, such as time management, careful reading, and clear answer presentation.
Complete the form below to access our free SSPA English exercise.
3. Focus on Key Skills 🔑
The NCEE draws heavily on concepts taught through Primary 6, but success often comes down to how fluently students can apply those skills under pressure. Here are four high-impact areas to prioritise during prep:
📖 Active Reading Practice: Encourage your child to read regularly across different genres—fiction, non-fiction, biographies, science articles, and persuasive writing. Exposure to varied writing styles helps build the comprehension and inference skills needed for the NCEE’s English section. Ask questions like: What’s the main idea? What’s the author’s tone? Why did they include that detail?
🧠 Mental Maths & Estimation: Quick recall of number facts, factors, and basic calculations makes problem-solving much faster—especially since calculators aren’t allowed on the NCEE. Practise estimation strategies, arithmetic shortcuts, and number sense using flashcards, brainteasers, or even real-life maths during shopping or cooking.
📝 Grammar & Editing Awareness: Build a strong foundation in grammar by practising sentence corrections and short editing exercises. Focus on common NCEE issues: verb tense consistency, punctuation, transitions, and logical sentence flow. You can even pause during reading to ask, Could this sentence be clearer?
💬 Vocabulary Building: NCEE passages often contain advanced vocabulary, so aim to introduce a few new words each week. Use vocabulary journals, word maps, or synonym challenges. Encourage your child to use new words in their writing or daily conversations to reinforce them naturally.
