Articles: category
For parents
Practical guides for parents on supporting a child with maths and choosing help.
For parents · 6 min read
What is TSA Maths? What Primary 3, Primary 6 and Secondary 3 students are assessed on, and how
The Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA) in Maths is held in Primary 3, Primary 6 and Secondary 3. Based on the HKEAA quick guides and an Education Bureau circular, this article sets out what each level covers, how long each sub-paper is, the question types and the 2027 dates, and explains why the TSA has nothing to do with secondary school places and needs no extra drilling.
For parents · 9 min read
Primary maths word problems: four steps to read, draw, set up and check
When children do primary maths word problems, they often say 'I don't understand the question'. It's usually not that they can't calculate, but that they haven't turned the words into maths. This article provides a four-step method: read the question, draw a diagram, set up the equation, and check. It also explains how parents can help, when to step back, and common difficulties for Primary 1 students and word problems.
For parents · 12 min read
Helping Your Child with Homework at Home: Practical Steps and Guidance Methods for Parents (Covering Chinese, English and Maths, and District Resources)
When children run into difficulties with homework, parents want to help but do not know where to start. This article sets out practical steps for accompanying children with homework at home, guidance methods for when a child does not understand something, and explains when community resources such as after-school care may be worth considering. It also covers how to handle Chinese, English and maths homework, tests, dictation and secondary school interview preparation, and mentions district resources in Tsuen Wan, Tai Po, Kwun Tong and Kowloon Bay.
For parents · 13 min read
What are the allocation exams? Primary 5 and Primary 6 allocation and secondary school places timeline
The allocation exams are not a territory-wide public examination, but internal assessments carried out by primary schools under the Secondary School Places Allocation System. This article uses a timeline to explain the three allocation rounds in the second term of Primary 5 and the first and second terms of Primary 6, the adjusted scores, the rank order list and how they relate to allocation bands. It also explains subject weightings, the Physical Education assessment, special arrangements for special educational needs, and the flexible handling and re-sit arrangements during the pandemic. It also explains the difference between the Territory-wide System Assessment and the allocation exams, and reminds readers to rely on announcements from the Education Bureau and schools.
For parents · 6 min read
Secondary School Places Allocation: A Checklist for Parents and Students from Primary 5 to Results Release
Going through the Secondary School Places Allocation for the first time and unsure about the order of the discretionary places and central allocation? This article sets out the whole process as a timeline and step-by-step checklist, and explains the maths and learning preparation parents and students can do at each stage.
For parents · 6 min read
Is kindergarten tutoring worth it? Parents should first think through reasonable expectations for early learning and ways to support learning at home
Before parents consider tutoring for their kindergarten child, it helps to understand reasonable expectations for early learning and practical ways to support learning at home. This article also explains that market information such as common forms of kindergarten tutoring, fees and discounts should be treated as reference only, and reminds parents not to treat tutoring as a starting line.