What is the SSPA internal assessment?
Hong Kong does not run a territory-wide exam for secondary-school allocation. Under the Secondary School Places Allocation (SSPA) system, each primary school submits its own internal-assessment marks for three specified terms: Primary 5 second term (first submission, 呈一), Primary 6 first term (second submission, 呈二), and Primary 6 second term (third submission, 呈三). The marks are school-internal — term exams, and, depending on school policy, possibly quizzes or coursework. Ask the school what it includes.
The current weighting: 999632
The current scheme uses a weight base of 38: Chinese 9, English 9, Mathematics 9, General Studies 6, Visual Arts 3, Music 2 — hence 999632. As percentages of the weighted total that is 23.68%, 23.68%, 23.68%, 15.79%, 7.89% and 5.26%.
| Subject | Weight | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese | 9 | 23.68% |
| English | 9 | 23.68% |
| Mathematics | 9 | 23.68% |
| General Studies | 6 | 15.79% |
| Visual Arts | 3 | 7.89% |
| Music | 2 | 5.26% |
The new 88844222 scheme from 2026/27
The Education Bureau announced the change on 16 October 2024. It takes effect from the Primary 5 second term of the 2026/27 school year. The base stays 38: Chinese 8, English 8, Mathematics 8, Science 4, Humanities 4, Visual Arts 2, Music 2, Physical Education 2 — 88844222.
General Studies is replaced by Science and Humanities, the two subjects rolled out from 2025/26 in Primary 1 and Primary 4. PE counts for the first time; it is assessed on fitness, attitude, skills and knowledge. Students with a certified health condition can be exempted from PE, which drops the base from 38 to 36 and takes PE out of the weighted total.
The percentage shift: each core subject moves from 23.68% to 21.05%; Science plus Humanities together are 21.05%, against General Studies at 15.79% today; Visual Arts moves from 7.89% to 5.26%. Music stays at 5.26%.
Which cohorts use the new scheme?
Students who enter Primary 5 in September 2026 are the first cohort scored under 88844222 — their first submission falls in the second term of 2026/27. The Primary 6 cohort of 2026/27 stays on 999632 for all three submissions.
Optional school-level subjects
Under existing Bureau arrangements a school may include Religious Education (weight 2) and/or Putonghua (weight 1). Whether either subject is taught, and whether it is submitted, is a school-level choice — ask the school.
A weighted score is not a band
The figure above is only the within-school picture. For allocation the Bureau standardises the three submissions and applies a school-based adjustment using the Pre-S1 Hong Kong Attainment Test results of the school’s past graduates. Parents cannot replicate that step. For how banding actually works — and why no website can compute an exact band — see thebanding estimator.
FAQ
What counts as an SSPA internal-assessment mark?
There is no territory-wide paper. Each primary school submits its own internal-assessment marks for three specified terms. Term exams are the core; some schools also count quizzes or coursework under their own policy. Ask the school what it includes.
When are the three submissions?
Primary 5 second term (first submission, 呈一), Primary 6 first term (second submission, 呈二), and Primary 6 second term (third submission, 呈三). Schools send the marks to the Education Bureau on the Bureau’s timetable.
Do quizzes and homework count?
It depends on the school. Some count only the term exam; others fold quizzes or coursework into the term mark on a published ratio. Two schools can treat the same subject differently — check with yours.
Do Putonghua and Religious Education count?
Only if the school opts them in under existing Education Bureau arrangements. Religious Education carries weight 2 and Putonghua weight 1. Whether the school offers the subject, and whether it is submitted, is a school-level decision.
What if my child is exempt from Physical Education?
Students with a certified health condition can be exempted from PE internal assessment. Under the new scheme the weight base then falls from 38 to 36 and PE drops out of the weighted total. The other subject weights stay the same.
Does the reform make the main subjects less important?
Each of Chinese, English and Mathematics moves from 23.68% to 21.05% of the 38-weight base, so a single core subject pulls a little less. The three still dominate together. Science plus Humanities come to 21.05%, which is higher than General Studies at 15.79% today.