HONG KONG DIPLOMA OF SECONDARY EDUCATION EXAMINATION

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS

HONG KONG EXAMINATIONS AND ASSESSMENT AUTHORITY

HKDSE certificate

At least one subject achieved： Level 1 or above (Category A subject) Attained or above (Category B subject) Grade e or above (Category C subject)

Candidates’ performance will be reported with reference to a set of standards, but not a specific % at each level

Results are comparable across years

Standards-referenced Reporting (SRR) Category A: 24 NSS subjects

Descriptors to indicate standards required for each level

Facilitate stakeholders to

understand the standard of HKDSE holders at different levels and set appropriate entrance/ job requirements

Facilitate learning and

teaching

http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/hkdse/assessment/subject_information/

Exemplars of Candidates’ Work

Attained

Attained with distinction

Reported in 2 grades:

Category B: Applied Learning subjects

Marking and grading are conducted by Cambridge International Examinations (CIE)

a b c d e

Category C: Other Language subjects

2013 HKDSE Examination

2013 HKDSE Examination Statistics

All Candidates：82,283 27,051 (~38.9%) day school candidates met

the general entrance requirements for the government funded four-year undergraduate university programmes in Hong Kong

47,141 (~68.9%) day school candidates are eligible to apply for local sub-degree courses and relevant civil service application

2013 HKDSE Examination Statistics

Category A subjects：453,185 subjects sat 82.8% achieved level 2 or above 10.8% achieved level 5 or above 1.1% achieved level 5**

Category B subjects ：4,625 subjects sat 89.8% achieved “Attained” or above 21.3% achieved “Attained with distinction”

Category C subjects ：245 candidates 92.2% achieved grade e or above 43.7% achieved grade a

Recognition of HKDSE

Benchmarking Studies

Universities and Colleges

Admissions Service (UCAS)

IELTS

UK

UCAS Tariff points allocated to 23 Category A New Senior Secondary subjects (except Mathematics)

Level Tariff Remarks

5** 145 Slightly higher than grade A* in GCE A level examination

5* 130 Between grades A and A* in GCE A level examination

5 120 Comparable to grade A in GCE A level examination

4 80 Comparable to grade C in GCE A level examination

3 40 Comparable to grade E in GCE A level examination

UCAS Tariff points for Mathematics *The overall performance is indicated by the combined Tariff points to both parts.

Level Compulsory Part

Extended

Part

Remarks

5** 65 80 145 points (65+80) for 5** in both

compulsory and extended parts – slightly higher than grade A* in GCE A level examination

120 points (60+60) for 5* in the compulsory part and 5 in the extended part – comparable to grade A in GCE A level examination

5* 60 70

5 45 60

4 35 50

3 25 40

Comparing HKDSE with other international qualifications

UCAS Tariff HKDSE Exam GCE A level IB (Higher level)

Advanced Placement

(AP)

145 5** 140 A* 130 5* 7

120 5 A 5 110 6 100 B 90 4 80 4 C 5 70 60 D 3 50 4 40 3 E 30 20 3

HKDSE English Language

Subject Level

Overall IELTS Band Score

Equivalent Range

5** 7.51 – 7.77

5* 7.16 – 7.32

5 6.81 – 6.99

4 6.31 – 6.51

3 5.48 – 5.68

2 4.79 – 5.07

IELTS & HKDSE English Language Examination

http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/recognition/benchmarking/hkdse/ielts/

http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/recognition/hkdse_recognition/ircountry_hkdse.html

International Recognition of HKDSE

HKDSE survey since June 2010

More than 160 tertiary institutions worldwide have provided their admission requirements for HKDSE holders

75 Mainland HE institutions and 150 Taiwan universities accept HKDSE qualification for admission

2014 HKDSE Examination

2014 HKDSE Examination Entry Statistics

HKDSE Candidates No. Entered

School Candidates 66,613 Private Candidates 13,002

Total 79,615

(as of End of Dec 2013)

Subject Combinations Day School Candidates (%)

2013 2014

4 core subjects + 1 elective subject ~10.7% ~13.0%

4 core subjects + 2 elective subject ~ 68.3% ~67.5%

4 core subjects + 3 elective subjects ~19.7% ~17.7%

4 core subjects + 4 elective subjects ~0.2% ~0.1%

2014 HKDSE Examination Entry Statistics

2014 HKDSE Examination Timetable

Category A subjects

Date

Chinese Language Speaking Exam 13 March – 26 March

Written Exams

Written Exams of core subjects

1 April – 5 May

7 April – 14 April

English Language Speaking Exam

30 April – 15 May

2014 HKDSE－Release of Results

Event

Tentative Date

Issue of results notices：

Category A & Category B subjects

Category C subjects (June 2014 series)

14 July

21 July

Deadline for submission of applications for rechecking and remarking： Category A & Category B subjects

Category C subjects (June 2014 series)

19 July

26 July Release of rechecking and remarking results：

Category A and Category B subjects

Category C subjects (June 2014 series)

12 August To be advised by Cambridge International Examinations

Reminders for

Candidates Read the whole text of the 2014 Handbook for Candidates Distributed to schools and private candidates in December

2013 Contains information about exam regulations, procedures

and instructions Familiarises candidates with all the important dates and

events, and Dos & Don’ts during the examination

Reminders for Candidates

Stay tuned with DSE Express (Blog) for the latest updates

HKDSE Mobile App (3.0 version) provides useful information about HKDSE Examination

Roadshow Programme

Broadcast on Roadshow from mid March to April

Available at HKEAA corporate website and Youtube Channel

Public Examinations Information Centre (PEIC)

Serving candidates since 2007

Services provided：

An one-stop enquiry service centre for candidates Handling enquires and complaints by phone, emails or fax Reporting examination irregularities or lodging complaints Urgent assistance to candidates on the day of examination

Bronze Award for Mystery Caller Assessment Award in 2010

Gold Award for Mystery Caller Assessment Award in 2012

Tel: 3628 8860

Email: dse@hkeaa.edu.hk

Examination Report and Question Papers (ERQP) & 2013 HKDSE Examination Report

2013 HKDSE Examination Report and Question Papers (ERQP) Provides a comprehensive report on 24 Category A subjects

Including 2013 question papers, marking schemes, and examiners’ comments and suggestions on candidates’ performance

2013 HKDSE Examination Report published in late January 2014 Provides information on the overview of the HKDSE Examination

and examination statistics for reference of stakeholders Available on the HKEAA’s website

Thank you!