Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education

File:HKDSE Logo.png
Acronym	HKDSE
Type	Paper-based standardized test
Administrator	Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority
Purpose	Admission to undergraduate programs of universities or colleges
Year started	2012 (2012)
Duration	Vary in different subjects and papers
Score range	Test scored on a scale of 5**, 5*, 5, 4, 3, 2, and 1.
Offered	Once a year
Regions	Hong Kong
Languages	English, Traditional Chinese
Annual number of test takers	59,039 (2018)
Prerequisites	School candidates: Secondary 6 students approved by school Private candidates: Familiarity in secondary school curriculum assumed
Fee	As of 2019 HKDSE, Language subjects: HK$644 Other subjects: HK$431 Initial Fee (for private candidates): HK$494
Used by	Worldwide universities and Hong Kong universities through the JUPAS system
Website	hkeaa.edu.hk/en/hkdse/

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
Traditional Chinese	香港中學文憑
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin Xiānggǎng zhōngxué wénpíng Yue: Cantonese Yale Romanization Hēung góng jūng hohk màhn pàhng Jyutping Hoeng1 gong2 zung1 hok6 man4 pang4

Notice board shown in HKDSE examination centres.

Candidates leaving the exam centre at Queen's College after sitting for the HKDSE English Language Paper 3 Listening and Integrated Skills examination.

The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE; Chinese: 香港中學文憑) is an academic qualification offered by Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA). Most candidates taking part in the examination takes four "core subjects" (Chinese and English languages, mathematics and liberal studies) and two or three "elective subjects".

After the launch of the 3-3-4 education system, the HKDSE examination has become the only public examination administered in Hong Kong for secondary school graduates since 2012, as a replacement for the former Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) and Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE), of which were administered under the previous 3-3-2-3 (English 13 years) system.

Background

Under the new examination framework, a number of subjects in the HKCEE and the HKALE have been combined to suit the varying interests and abilities of pupils. Candidates are examined on core (compulsory) subjects and on electives of their choice. Most candidates are expected to take four core subjects and two or three electives (see the list below).

Each HKDSE subject composes of a compulsory part and an elective or extended part. The elective or extended part is a "module" of a student's choice, and concentrates on a specific topic or skill. An elective module is an integral component of the standard curriculum, while an extended module is designed for students with specific aim(s) or have higher ability(s) who may want additional knowledge and skills.

• Elective Part Example: The elective part of the HKDSE English Language curriculum takes up 25% of the lesson time. Modules in the elective part are divided in two groups: Language Arts and Non-Language Arts, both of which are about learning English in different contexts and medium. During the examination, candidates can choose from writing a higher level paper (Paper B2) or a standard level one (Paper B1). Finishing B1 allows the candidate to achieve a maximum grade of 4 while writing B2 allows a 5**.
• Extended Part Example: HKCEE Mathematics, Additional Mathematics, HKALE Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics (except the Mechanics part of the subject, which has been cancelled in the HKDSE), and Mathematics and Statistics were merged into a single new subject simply known as, Mathematics. Candidates who wish to study Mathematics to a higher level have the flexibility to choose whether they would like to take one of the extended part modules: "M1" Calculus and Statistics or "M2" Algebra and Calculus. However, the extended modules are considered as half a subject, despite having syllabuses amounting to a full subject, so they are losing attractiveness to students, therefore declined number of pupils are choosing them.

Written examinations of Category A subjects are mostly conducted between early March to early May. Oral examinations and some other subjects are administered at earlier times. Category C subjects are undergone in June (as for French and Spanish, they may be taken the previous November). Category B subjects do not have an oral examination.

Before the exam, candidates have to chance to get familiar with the different level descriptors and samples and may use them as objectives for their study. When results are released, candidates could also have a clearer picture of their attainment level. Thus, tertiary institutions and employers also have a more accurate and robust information for admission or recruitment purposes.

Subjects

The HKDSE is divided into 3 different categories, including 24 senior secondary subjects, over 40 applied learning subjects and 6 other language subjects.

Category A: New Senior Secondary Subjects

Category A subjects are traditional school subjects and their exams are administered by HKEAA. Both core (compulsory) subjects and elective subjects are in the criteria of Category A. Results of such subjects are widely accepted for universities admission.

For Mathematics, grades for the extended part (Module 1 and Module 2) are listed separately on the certificates issued by HKEAA.

Core subjects

• Chinese Language (reading, writing, listening & integrated skills, oral speaking)
• English Language (reading, writing, listening & integrated skills, oral speaking)
• Mathematics
• Liberal Studies (6 modules, including Personal Development and Interpersonal Relationships, Hong Kong Today, Modern China, Globalization, Public Health, and Energy Technology and the Environment)

As for Mathematics, in addition to the compulsory part, candidates can optionally take one of the following extended part modules:

• Module 1 ("M1", Calculus and Statistics)
• Module 2 ("M2", Algebra and Calculus)

However, except when in extreme cases, a passing grade in an extended part cannot be used to comprehend a fail in compulsory part for university admissions (especially for UGC-funded courses).

Electives

• Chinese Literature
• English Literature
• Chinese History
• Economics
• Geography
• History
• Tourism and Hospitality Studies
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Physics
• Combined Science (choosing 2 subjects out of Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
• Integrated Science (consisting of Biology, Chemistry and Physics)
• Business, Accounting and Financial Studies
• Design and Applied Technology
• Health Management and Social Care
• Technology and Living (previously known as Home Economics)
• Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

• Ethics and Religious Studies
• Music
• Visual Arts
• Physical Education

Category B: Applied Learning Subjects

Category B subjects are offered by certain providers, assessments of these subjects are administered by the same, and the results subject to the HKEAA's adjustment. They are vocational-oriented subjects to satisfy the needs of employers.

Applied Learning Subjects may be used by tertiary institutes for admission purposes, in which case it is seen as the equivalent of achieving a Grade 2 in a traditional elective subject for a subject status of "Attained" and Grade 3 for "Attained with Distinction". However, a number of prestigious universities in Hong Kong do not treat Category B subjects to the same status an traditional elective would enjoy for admission purposes.

Areas of studies includes:

• Creative Studies
• Media and Communication
• Business, Management and Law
• Services
• Applied Science
• Engineering and Production
• Applied Learning Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students)

Category C: Other Language Subjects

They may be used to replace Chinese for university admissions for students whose mother tongue is not Chinese, but it may not be used to replace English. It may also be chosen as an elective for native Chinese speaking students, however it won't have the status of alternative language requirement. In some cases, instead of a Category C subjects, a IGCSE Chinese Language pass (or similar Chinese qualification) is required for admission in some institutes for non-Chinese speaking students.

Category C subjects adopt the same paper as the General Certificate of Education AS-level and are provided and are marked by Cambridge International Examinations.

• Japanese
• French
• German
• Spanish
• Hindi
• Urdu

It is also to be noted that educational institutions and/or departments are not obliged in recognising results of Category B and C subjects, though they might consider them as reference materials.

School-based assessment

Main article: School-based assessment

The school-based assessment (SBA) is implemented to reduce reliance on the previously "one-off" public oral examination, which features different projects and reports handed in throughout different periods in senior secondary school. A majority of subjects, including Chinese, English language and Liberal Studies. A fixed weighting is implemented and the marks will be counted towards the HKDSE level grading.

Grading

For Category A subjects in HKDSE, the performance of candidates is categorised and released on a scale of seven levels indicated on the examination certificate. Level 5** is the highest and level 1 the lowest. Distinction levels 5** and 5* (read as five-double-stars and five-star) are awarded to the two best-performing groups of candidates attaining level 5. Unclassified grade (U) are also awarded for extraordinary scenarios such as absence, cheating, or an attempt not reaching the standard of level 1.

Category A: New Senior Secondary Subjects

HKDSE level	HKDSE mark shown in result notice	Total mark	Equivalent grade comparing with other exams					Examination result comparison in Physics
			HKALE	HKCEE	UCAS	GCE A-Level		2014 HKDSE percentile	2010 HKCEE percentile
						as suggested by UK	as suggested by HK
Level 5	5** (top 10% of level 5 achievers)	7	A-B	A	56	A* (56 UCAS tariff points)	A* (56 UCAS tariff points)	2.8%	4.8%
	5* (top 30% of level 5 achievers)	6	B-C	A	52	A*/A	A*/A	11%	14.5%
	5	5	C	B	48	B	A/B	27.3%	32.7%
Level 4	4	4	D	C	32	D	C	50.1%	57.2%
Level 3	3	3	E	D	16	E	D	73.8%	79.2%
Level 2	2	2	F	E	Unavailable	Not recognized		90.4%	90.8%
Level 1	1	1	U	F				98.1%	U
Unclassified	U	U	U	U				100%	100%

According to UCAS's expert report, the academic attainment level of the HKDSE exams are comparable to other internationally recognised high school leaving examinations such as the IB Diploma and UK A-Levels. UCAS Tariff points are shown above, excluding core and extension mathematics.

Category B: Applied Learning Subjects

Subjects	Result	Comparing to HKDSE Category A results
Applied Learning Subjects (excluding ApL (Chinese)	"Attained with Distinction (II)"	Level 4 or above
	"Attained with Distinction (I)"	Level 3
	"Attained"	Un­known
Applied Learning Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students)	"Attained with Distinction"	Level 3 or above
	"Attained"	Un­known

Category C: Other Language Subjects

These subjects are graded by Cambridge International, with grades "a" to "e" (grade "e" being the lowest and grade "a" being the highest). Achievement below grade “e” is not shown on the certificate given to candidates.

Marking

In the criterion-referenced grading system, experts in related subject matters established the marking standards for each level. Thereafter, level descriptors and examples are constantly reviewed based on syllabus objectives and collected statistical data, including exam statistics and answer scripts. Grading in a criterion-referenced system reflects a candidate's level of attainment in the particular subject and not the place of the candidate in comparison to others.

Markers of the HKDSE are mostly teachers in secondary schools. They are appointed to different assessment centres to perform Onscreen Marking (OSM). Exam papers are first scanned into the database from scanning centres, then distributed to the markers through the computer systems.

Admission to local universities

See also: Joint University Programmes Admissions System

The HKDSE are designed for local students in Hong Kong to enable them to apply to local universities through the unified system, Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS). Whilst IB Diploma and other international qualifications are more often taken by private, DSS or international school students. International exams and thus schools using international curriculums are becoming more popular in Hong Kong. Due to the differences between the local and international qualifications, there have been a considerable amount of concern about the emergence of a bipartite education system, based on wealth instead of merit. However, students with solely-international exams result cannot apply through JUPAS, which accounts for a higher portion of admissions to undergraduate programmes in terms of total intake, and many DSS and private schools in Hong Kong either don't maintain an overly expensive school fee or have a very generous scholarship programme for those who could not afford the tuition.

Impact on schools

One notable impact on schools in Hong Kong is the discontinued need for sixth form colleges due to the cancellation of HKALE and 7th form. Nevertheless, some of such colleges, such as PLK Vicwood KT Chong Sixth Form College, remained in operation as senior secondary schools.

Criticism

Unbalanced focus

The HKDSE is criticized for placing too much importance on the four core subjects, which makes the students neglect the elective subjects. Tsui Lap-chee, who was the president of the University of Hong Kong when the HKDSE system was introduced, said that the Education Bureau demanded that the universities set the so-called "3322" as the minimum entry requirement for university degree programs, i.e. a minimal of grade 3 in Chinese Language and English Language, and a minimal of grade 2 in Mathematics and Liberal Studies. The university presidents thought that this was insufficient for studying in universities, and proposed that there should also be a minimal grade requirement for two elective subjects, but the Education Bureau did not accept. He said that many students do not study the optional modules of Mathematics, thus lacking the advanced mathematics knowledge needed for science and engineering, and it is difficult for them to make up for it after they have entered universities.

Hindrance to admission

Since the launch of the HKDSE, the Chinese language paper is often dubbed as the "paper of death" (Chinese: 死亡之卷). The high expectation are found since Chinese language is the main language of Hongkongers, but around half of all candidates fail the subject annually, hence failing to enter universities under the 3322 entry requirement. It is reported that the authors of the passages used in the Chinese papers found it difficult to answer. Elaine Yau from SCMP says that the exam results are "proving a major hindrance to admission".

See also

• Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination
• Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination
• Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan Malaysia
• Matriculation examination

External links

• Hong Kong Education Bureau
• Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority