guide

P1 Interview Guide — Direct Subsidy & Private School Complete Guide

The P1 interview is a key assessment for Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) and private primary schools, and also for “knock-door” places in government/aided schools. This guide covers interview formats, common question types (20+), a 6–9 month preparation strategy, and parent interview essentials, plus a practical checklist to help families prepare with confidence.

Interview Preparation

Use the filters and checklist to produce a first draft, then verify the details with EDB, CHSC and school websites.

  • Check school facts against CHSC and the school website.
  • Practise briefly and regularly, focusing on natural responses.
  • Check school facts against CHSC and the school website.

How To Use This Page

Use the filters and checklist to produce a first draft, then verify the details with EDB, CHSC and school websites.

  • Record the decision, evidence and next action in your family checklist.
  • Record the decision, evidence and next action in your family checklist.
  • Check school facts against CHSC and the school website.
  • Record the decision, evidence and next action in your family checklist.
  • Record the decision, evidence and next action in your family checklist.

Decision Checklist

Use the filters and checklist to produce a first draft, then verify the details with EDB, CHSC and school websites.

  • Practise briefly and regularly, focusing on natural responses.
  • Practise briefly and regularly, focusing on natural responses.
  • Practise briefly and regularly, focusing on natural responses.
  • Practise briefly and regularly, focusing on natural responses.

Interview Preparation

Use the filters and checklist to produce a first draft, then verify the details with EDB, CHSC and school websites.

  • Check school facts against CHSC and the school website.
  • Record the decision, evidence and next action in your family checklist.
  • Record the decision, evidence and next action in your family checklist.
  • Record the decision, evidence and next action in your family checklist.
  • Practise briefly and regularly, focusing on natural responses.

Portfolio Preparation

Use the filters and checklist to produce a first draft, then verify the details with EDB, CHSC and school websites.

  • Record the decision, evidence and next action in your family checklist.
  • Record the decision, evidence and next action in your family checklist.
  • Record the decision, evidence and next action in your family checklist.
  • Check school facts against CHSC and the school website.

Interview Preparation

Use the filters and checklist to produce a first draft, then verify the details with EDB, CHSC and school websites.

  • Record the decision, evidence and next action in your family checklist.
  • Practise briefly and regularly, focusing on natural responses.
  • Check school facts against CHSC and the school website.
What should parents verify first?

Practise briefly and regularly, focusing on natural responses.

How should we use this page?

Check school facts against CHSC and the school website.

What is the safest next step?

Practise briefly and regularly, focusing on natural responses.

How often should we practise?

Practise briefly and regularly, focusing on natural responses.

Next pages

Keep momentum

Sources

Official sources to verify first