Internal assessments test knowledge and study routines. This parent seminar covers three common concerns: planning daily revision, reducing pre-exam stress and choosing exercises aligned with school progress.
First, understand internal assessments and secondary school allocation
Parents understandably worry because internal assessments affect secondary school allocation. The following information comes from the Education Bureau's public allocation guidance. For current arrangements, refer to Education Bureau website for the latest arrangements.
Internal assessments comprise three sets of school results
Participating primary schools submit students' The second term of P5 and both terms of P6 school results. These are standardised, then scaled using sampled average Pre-Secondary One Hong Kong Attainment Test results to determine allocation bands. The Education Bureau notes that this test does not directly determine individual allocation, so parents need not drill students for it.
The two stages of secondary school allocation
Discretionary places: Participating secondary schools may reserve up to 30% of S1 places. Parents may apply to at most two schools without district restrictions. Central allocation: Of the remaining places, approximately 10% are unrestricted by school net and 90% are allocated by school net, using allocation bands, school preferences and random numbers.
Because all three sets of results count, the key is consistent performance over more than a year, rather than cramming for one exam. For more information, see Primary tutoring courses page.
Focus 1: planning daily revision
Using common P5–P6 question types, tutors demonstrate how to practise comprehension, multi-step maths and English writing separately, rather than squeeze every subject into one evening.
Chinese: reading comprehension
Break comprehension into finding paragraph meanings, analysing questions and using evidence. Practising one step at a time can make progress clearer than completing a whole paper every night.
Maths: multi-step questions
A common cause of lost marks in multi-step questions is calculating before deciding on an approach. Explaining the steps before writing helps children stay on track. This is also part of our Structured materials for the new term design priorities.
English: writing
Writing can be practised separately through planning, paragraph organisation and word choice. Instead of writing a full essay every evening, concentrate on the specific weak area.
Focus 2: reducing pre-exam stress
The seminar reminds parents that regular routines and clear mistake records often help more than last-minute extra revision. Children need to know next week's priorities, rather than face a growing pile of worksheets.
- 1Consistent daily routines Regular sleep and study times maintain performance better than staying up all night before an exam.
- 2Clear records of mistakes Group mistakes by type; reviewing them before exams is more efficient than continually attempting new questions.
- 3Clear priorities for the coming week Help children understand what comes next, reducing the anxiety of work that seems never-ending.
Focus 3: selecting exercises aligned with school progress
More practice is not always better. Choose according to the school syllabus and the child's weaknesses. We first identify gaps through regular assessment, then select suitable exercises. See Six teaching features 。
- 01
Check the school's syllabus
Check which topics the next test covers.
- 02
Identify weaknesses
Use mistake records and assessment results to decide priorities.
- 03
Select exercises
Practise only relevant weaknesses at an appropriate level.
- 04
Review and adjust
Review once a week and adjust next week's priorities accordingly.
An internal-assessment revision checklist for parents
- ✓Understand the system Know which three sets of school results count.
- ✓Practise subjects in manageable parts Do not fit every subject into one evening.
- ✓Keep a record of mistakes Group mistakes for focused review before exams.
- ✓Maintain a routine Consistency matters more than last-minute extra hours.
- ✓Communicate with tutors Align next-stage goals through parent–tutor communication.
Unable to attend? Book an individual assessment
Parents unable to attend can still book an individual assessment. We recommend a practical revision plan based on the student's school performance. See Free learning assessment , with no obligation to enrol after assessment.
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Internal-assessment FAQs
Which exams count as internal assessments?
Under the Education Bureau's allocation system, participating primary schools submit results from the second term of P5 and both terms of P6. Results are standardised, then scaled using sampled average Pre-Secondary One Hong Kong Attainment Test results to determine allocation bands.
Should students drill for the Pre-Secondary One Hong Kong Attainment Test?
The Education Bureau states that these results scale schools' internal assessment results, without directly determining individual allocation. Schools and parents do not need to drill students for the test.
Should nightly revision be extended before internal assessments?
Not necessarily. Consistent routines and clear records of mistakes are often more useful than last-minute extra revision. Children need to know next week's priorities, rather than face a growing pile of worksheets.
How should revision time be divided between subjects?
Practise comprehension, multi-step maths and English writing separately, selecting tasks according to school progress rather than fitting every subject into one evening.
How can I follow up if I missed the seminar?
Book an individual assessment so the centre can recommend a practical revision plan based on school performance.
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