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EEdpdia

Admissions Guide

General guidance on the admissions process, common entrance exams, and a document checklist. This page is educational, not a substitute for each school's own official admissions instructions.

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General admissions process

Every school's process differs in detail and timing — this is the typical shape of it.

  1. 1

    Research schools by curriculum, district, age range, and school type using the directory.

  2. 2

    Attend open days or school tours, and shortlist 3–6 schools that fit your family's priorities.

  3. 3

    Check each school's specific entrance exams, application deadlines, and required documents.

  4. 4

    Submit online applications with supporting documents and pay application fees before each deadline.

  5. 5

    Prepare for and attend entrance assessments, exams, and/or interviews.

  6. 6

    Review offers, pay any reservation deposit, and confirm your place.

  7. 7

    Complete enrolment — debenture or capital levy, uniforms, school bus, and orientation.

Common entrance exams & assessments

What each one actually tests, and which level it's typically used for.

ISEB Pre-Tests

Secondary

Online adaptive tests (English, maths, verbal and non-verbal reasoning) used by many UK-curriculum senior schools as part of 11+/13+ entry.

CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test)

Primary & Secondary

Assesses verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning rather than curriculum knowledge; widely used across primary and secondary admissions.

MAP Growth

Primary & Secondary

An adaptive test of reading, language usage and maths, often used by American-curriculum schools to place and assess applicants.

11+ Entrance Exam

Secondary

School-set or ISEB-based exams for entry into Year 7 (age 11), typically covering English, maths, and reasoning, plus an interview.

13+ Entrance Exam

Secondary

Exams for entry into Year 9 (age 13), typically more academically demanding than 11+, often including subject-specific papers.

School-specific assessment

All levels

Many schools use their own interview, play-based assessment (for younger children), or written test instead of — or alongside — a standardised exam.

Document checklist

Documents commonly requested during an application — confirm the exact list with each school.

  • Child's birth certificate and passport / HKID
  • Passport-sized photos
  • Immunisation / vaccination record
  • School reports from the current or most recent school
  • Reference letter from the current school (if required)
  • Proof of residential address in Hong Kong
  • Parents' passports / HKIDs and proof of relationship
  • Application fee payment confirmation

Plan it month by month

Pick a target intake year and level to get a general timeline of when to do what.

Try the application timeline helper →

This guide is general educational information, not admissions advice for any specific school. Entrance exam requirements, deadlines, and processes vary — always confirm directly with the schools you're applying to.