In total, 84.1% of 11-year-olds across the country were given a spot at their first preference, according to PA.
This is a very similar statistic to the 2015 figures, where 84.2% of children missed out of their top choice.
In total, 96.9% of children got a place at one of their preferences, up from 96.5% in 2015.
The latest Department for Education statistics also show those attending primary school had more of a chance of getting their preference.
This year, 88.4% of children seeking primary school places were offered their first choice, up from 87.8% last year.
For primary schools, this means that almost one in eight did not receive their top preference.
Parents who did not get any of their choices will either be allocated another available place or offered a list of schools with empty places.
A Department for Education spokeswoman said that there were almost 20,000 more secondary pupils getting their first choice this year, compared with six years ago.
"The vast majority of pupils were offered a place at their first choice school and more than 95% received offers from one of their top three choices," she told BBC News.