Young mainland immigrants may have to take tests to check their language standards before they are placed in schools, under a package to be outlined by Governor Chris Patten on Wednesday.
The tests, to be conducted by the Education Department, will be in Chinese, English and mathematics, and will be taken after the department's adjustment course for new arrivals.
Test results will be given to schools as a reference when they consider allocating places to children.
Guidelines will be issued to schools later next month on how new immigrants can be helped to brush up their standards in order to catch up with their local classmates.
The proposal follows a half-year review by the department on its induction course for new arrivals.
The existing intensive English course was introduced last October as part of the department's voluntary induction course to familiarise new immigrants with Hong Kong. The course has long drawn criticism that it is too simple and disorganised to benefit new immigrants.
Critics also say schools intentionally reject young immigrants using the excuse of poor academic performance.