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Admissions assessment

No preparation needed

At FIS, we have designed our assessments to be as stress-free as possible. Our aim is to get to know students and understand how they learn. We do not hold formal interviews. Our team is on hand to encourage and support children throughout the assessment and to put them at ease. 

The dedicated assessment team will determine whether applicants are a good fit for the curriculum as well as whether they have any specific needs and to what extent the school can meet them.  

We will assess applicants’ ability to understand the school curriculum, taking into account their age, their academic results (where relevant) and their potential to thrive in and contribute to the school’s diverse international community.

French stream

We do not normally ask applicants for the French stream to sit an assessment. However, a test may be required for students who have not attended a French state school or a school in the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) network, so that we can place them in the correct year group.

 

Entry requirements and expectations

Admissions assessment for kindergarten and primary

We ask parents to explain why they would like their children to enrol in the French stream. We ask children to express themselves through various activities (artistic, fun and recreational) with an assessor. The format is adapted to suit the child’s age and we assess their abilities in speaking, listening, reading, writing in French and mathematics (numbers, arithmetic and geometry). Since French is the language of instruction, we offer tailored courses to help with language acquisition and make the transition to kindergarten easier. However, from CP to CM2, a good level of French is essential.

 

Admissions assessment for secondary

To successfully continue their schooling, students must have the knowledge and skills defined in the common curriculum set by the French Ministry of Education. Since the primary language of instruction is French, proficiency in French is essential. We are looking for well-rounded individuals who want to develop their critical thinking and decision-making skills and form their own opinions.

 

Assessment format

  • PS and MS
    • For all future PS and MS students, an observation session in the classroom will be organised in June.
      Your child will participate in various activities in French and English, with the opportunity to interact with the teaching staff. Future students who are not yet in Hong Kong will be met during the pre-school meetings in the same format
    • For non-French or non-Swiss students, an interview of the parents and the registered child will be conducted with the Deputy Head of the campus lasting approximately 30 minutes
  • GS

    Approximate time: 1 hour in a classroom

    • An observation session in the classroom will be organised for all the future GS students.
      Your child will participate in various activities in French and English, with the opportunity to interact with the teaching staff. Future students who are not yet in Hong Kong will be met during the pre-school meetings in the same format.
    • A reference form completed by the school in which the child is currently enrolled may also be required
    • For non-French or non-Swiss students, an interview of the parents and the registered child with the the Deputy Head of the campus may be required
  • CP to CM2

    Approximate time: 30 minute interview + up to 1 hour written assessment

    • Written and oral assessment in French with opportunities to talk with the assessment team
    • Assessment of applicants’ ability to read and understand a document, write a text, solve a problem, demonstrate creativity (through idea generation, art or drawing) and explain their reasoning
    • A reference form completed by the school in which the child is currently enrolled may also be required
    • For non-French or non-Swiss students, an interview of the parents and the registered child with the the Deputy Head of the campus may be required

Primary: equal bilingual time curriculum/American international section curriculum

To be accepted into one of these programmes, applicants must possess the skills and knowledge required for the relevant year group. Since the curriculum is taught half in French and half in English, they must be proficient in both languages. Applicants must also have attended FIS for at least one school year.*

*However, if there are still places remaining once the waiting list has been exhausted, we can consider applications from students enrolled for less than one school year.

  • The assessment fee is HK$500.
  • The assessment fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of the outcome. It must be paid before the assessment day. 
  • The assessment fee is only valid for one school year. If an applicant does not receive an offer of admission and applies for the following year, the fee must be paid again if invited for an assessment.
  • Sixième to Première*

    Approximate time:

    • Entry in 6ème, 5ème, 4ème : 1 hour
    • Entry in 3ème: 1.5 hours
    • Entry in 2nde, 1ère: 2 hours

    Age-appropriate written assessment :

    • Entry in 6ème, 5ème and 4ème : French language skills, mathematics and English
    • Entry in 3ème and 2nde : French language skills, mathematics, English and history & geography
    • Entry in 1ère : French language skills and specialty courses

    A meeting between the applicant, parents and the campus head or deputy head may be arranged in order to discuss the applicant’s strengths, interests and aspirations. 

*Due to the recent reform of the French Baccalauréat, students who have not attended a French state school or a school in the AEFE (Agency for French Education Abroad) network cannot enter directly into Terminale, as their results from Première need to be taken into account.

International stream

Entry requirements and expectations

Nursery and Reception admissions assessment

We are looking for well-rounded children who have met the milestones for their age group. We encourage you to refer to the following document for more information: Early Years Foundation stage – What to expect, when.

Applicants should demonstrate independence, initiative and an ability to engage in an informal setting. Age-appropriate proficiency in English is essential.  

 

Y1 to Y6 admissions assessment

Age-appropriate proficiency in English is essential. Applicants must also have the necessary foundations to access the curriculum for their year group.

 

Y7 to Y13 admissions assessment

A high degree of English proficiency is essential as this is the language of instruction. We are looking for well-rounded individuals who are willing to work consistently hard, develop their personality and participate in school life.

 

Assessment format

  • Nursery (NS) and Reception Class (RC)

    Approximate time: 30-45 minutes

    • play-based group assessment mirroring a kindergarten setting
    • children take part in various age-appropriate activities in English and have the opportunity to speak to teaching staff
    • review of supporting documents, including the FIS Educational Details Form, the FIS Reference Form and the latest school report/s
  • Year 1

    Approximate time: 30-45 minutes

    • play-based group assessment with educational activities in English focusing on phonics, writing and arithmetic 
    • children have the opportunity to speak to teaching staff
    • review of supporting documents, including the FIS Educational Details Form, the FIS Reference Form and the latest school report/s
  • Year 2 and Year 3

    Approximate time: 45-60 minutes

    • group assessment undertaken during the school day with the opportunity to speak to teaching staff
    • children will take part in educational activities focusing on phonics, reading, writing and mathematics
    • review of supporting documents, including the FIS Educational Details Form, the FIS Reference Form and the latest school report/s
  • Year 4 to Year 6
    1. Approximate time: 60-90 minutes
    2. Group assessment undertaken during the school day with the opportunity to interact with teaching staff and take part in educational activities focusing on reading, writing and mathematics
      1. An English writing task
      2. Applicant may be asked to sit an externally moderated, online assessment covering English literacy, non-verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning
      3. Review of supporting documents, including the FIS Educational Details Form, the FIS Reference Form and the latest school report/s
  • Year 7 to Year 12

    Approximate time: 30 minutes (meeting with head of school)

    • meeting (in English) between the applicant, parents and the Head of Secondary to discuss the applicant’s strengths, interests and aspirations 
    • review of supporting documents, including the FIS Educational Details Form, the FIS Reference Form and the two latest school reports
    • Depending on the applicant’s age, the admissions team may ask them to sit an online test (CAT4). This test focuses on English language skills, mathematics, non-verbal reasoning and spatial reasoning.

French stream

International stream

Assessment fee

There is no fee for French stream admissions assessments, except for students applying for direct entry into the American international section or the equal time bilingual curriculum, for which there is an assessment fee of HK$500.

There is a fee of HK$1,000 per assessment.  

The assessment fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of the outcome. It must be paid before the assessment day.

The assessment fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, regardless of the outcome. It must be paid before the assessment day.

The assessment fee is only valid for one school year. If an applicant does not receive an offer of admission and applies for the following year, the fee must be paid again if invited for an assessment.

The assessment fee is only valid for one school year. If an applicant does not receive an offer of admission and applies for the following year, the fee must be paid again if invited for an assessment.

Documents to provide before the admissions assessment

Applicant’s Hong Kong ID or passport.

Applicant’s Hong Kong Permanent ID or passport.

Two latest school reports (if available).

Two latest school reports (if available).  

Any supporting documents verifying the student’s French language level.

FIS Educational Details form & Reference Form (if required), complete with current teacher’s contact details.

 

 

Assessment fee payment receipt.

 

 

Recent passport size picture of the applicant on assessment day (for Kindergarten & Primary only).

Parents and legal guardians confirm that all information provided by them or on their behalf to FIS relating to the admissions process is true and accurate. FIS reserves the right to cancel a student’s place or offer of admission if any information provided turns out to be incorrect or misleads the school, or if information was deliberately omitted or withheld at any stage in the admissions process. 

Invitation to sit an assessment

When a place becomes available, FIS will contact parents by email. If they do not reply, the applicant will be removed from the application or waiting list and the place will be offered to another applicant.

We aim to meet with as many applicants as possible during the assessment period. However, while we guarantee assessment for siblings and debenture holders, the large number of applications we receive means we are unable to invite all applicants to an assessment. 

When a place becomes available, FIS will contact parents by email. If they do not reply, the applicant will be removed from the application or waiting list and the place will be offered to another applicant.

If you have not received an invitation for assessment

We will automatically defer the application to the following school year. However, if a place becomes available in the second or third term, we will contact applicants according to the waiting list priority system in place. 

Admissions assessment from abroad

All admissions assessments take place on our campuses in Hong Kong, except for assessments for 6ème onwards, which can be completed in the applicant’s current school under the supervision of an approved teacher. 

If your child is asked to sit an assessment but you do not expect to arrive in Hong Kong before the year begins, please contact the admissions team to discuss your options.

All admissions assessments take place on our campuses in Hong Kong. However, from Y4 onwards, if the applicant lives abroad, they can complete an online assessment. 

If your child is asked to sit an assessment but you do not expect to arrive in Hong Kong before the year begins, please contact the admissions team to discuss your options.

Privacy policy

Any notes taken as part of the assessment are kept confidential. They remain the property of FIS and will not be released to any third party. No examples of assessment activities are available.