Eighty-five percent of pupils applying for secondary places were granted their first choice of school on Tuesday – an increase of six percentage points from last year.

Of the 48,000 or so applicants, 95 percent managed to get one of their top three choices.

A boy surnamed Wong was overjoyed to secure his first choice – Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School – along with two of his classmates.

"I'm so happy! This is crazy! I was quite shocked to be admitted to the school because my results are usually quite bad," he said.

A pupil surnamed Cheung was also surprised to get his first choice.

"I thought it would be quite difficult but I managed to get into the school. I had been preparing for the allocation for about three years by taking tutorial classes and doing supplementary exercises. I had a tutorial class every day."

A girl disappointed with being allocated her sixth choice of school headed to another one in Yau Ma Tei to try her luck for a place there.

She told RTHK she believes she is in with a chance, after being put on the waiting list.

Polly Chan, principal of Yaumati Catholic Primary School (Hoi Wang Road), said about 85 percent of her pupils secured their first choice, adding that this was mainly because of a drop of more than 3,000 applicants compared to last year.

Chan urged parents seeking an alternative choice not to go "door knocking" at more than five schools, to reduce the pressure on themselves and their children.

"They have to think about whether the school is appropriate for their child's abilities, hobbies, and ways of studying, whether they are more dependent or independent. These factors will affect their choice," she said.

"Because different schools have different teaching styles, modes of learning and development. The most important thing is they look for schools that match their child's personality, ability and hobbies."