A.

General Information

1. Important Notes
This Handbook contains important information relating to participation in the HKDSE. Candidates are
strongly advised to familiarise themselves with the regulations, procedures and instructions provided in this
Handbook. All candidates should abide by the regulations laid down in this Handbook when taking the
examination.
Candidates should pay special attention to the following highlights regarding the 2025 HKDSE:
(1) Examination Timetable and Assessment Requirements
The written examinations of Category A subjects are scheduled to start from 1 April 2025. The Business,
Accounting & Financial Studies Paper 1 examination will be shortened by 15 minutes, i.e. from 8:30 am to
9:30 am while the Paper 2 examination will be extended to 2 hours 30 minutes. The examination time of
Design & Applied Technology Paper 2 and History Paper 1 will resume to normal, i.e. 2 hours. The
Tourism & Hospitality Studies Paper 2 examination will be extended to 1 hour 45 minutes. The
Speaking examination of English Language will be held from 11 March to 20 March 2025. The Practical
examinations of Physical Education and Music are scheduled for early February to late March 2025.
The assessment requirements of written examinations of all Category A subjects have been fully resumed.
For details, please refer to the Instructions for Individual Subjects under Sections A2 and E.

(2) Contingency Arrangements

The Authority has discretion in making changes to the HKDSE examination timetable, cancellation of
the Examination and restricting participation in the Examination due to special circumstances. Please
refer to Sections 5.2 and 5.3 of the 2025 HKDSE Examination Regulations for details. All candidates
should ensure that they comply with necessary statutory requirements for sitting the HKDSE in Hong
Kong, such as applicable visa or stay conditions, etc. before the examinations. For details, please refer
to Section 5.2 of the HKDSE Examination Regulations.

(3) Public Examinations Support System 2 (PESS2) (Applicable to normal hall centres only)
The PESS2 will be implemented at all normal hall centres in the 2025 HKDSE. Candidates sitting
examinations in normal hall centres (except the Special Room(s) for the Listening component of English
Language) are required to use their mobile phone to perform self check-in via the ‘Check-in Smart
(HKDSE)’ App after they arrive at the examination centre. Candidates should download, install and
log in to the App before going to the examination centres. Please download the ‘Check-in Smart
(HKDSE)’ App at App Store or Google Play and stay updated with the latest information.
(4) Super-late Applications for Subject Amendment or Requests for Special Examination
Arrangements (SEAs)
Any super-late requests for changes in subject entries will NOT be accepted on or after 18 March 2025
(i.e. 10 working days before the start of the first written examination on 1 April 2025). The HKEAA
will NOT provide faxed copies of question papers to wrong-centre or wrong-version candidates. No
special arrangements can be made on the spot for candidates who have registered for a wrong language
version/paper/module. For wrong-version cases, the candidate will have to work on the version of the
question papers available at the centre once he/she has read the question papers. However, the answers
can be written in the language the candidate has registered for or intended to register for. The above
deadline is also applicable to super-late requests for additional SEAs unless there are extenuating
circumstances. As for Category C subjects, any super-late requests for late entry/subject amendment
will NOT be accepted on or after 1 March 2025.

(5) Failure to produce Admission Form and / or Identification Document

Although candidates will do self check-in via the ‘Check-in Smart (HKDSE)’ App, they are still required
to bring along the original of their admission form and identity card (or another valid identification
document with a photograph) for inspection at each examination session. Failure to do so may result in
their answer scripts not being accepted by the HKEAA. Please refer to the General Instructions under
Section B.

General Information 1
 (6) English Language Paper 1 (Reading) and Paper 3 (Listening and Integrated Skills)
There are two parts in each of these two papers. All candidates must do Part A and then choose either
Part B1, the easier section, or Part B2, the more difficult section. Candidates must tie their Part A
question-answer book with the attempted Part B (i.e. either B1 or B2) question-answer book with the
green tag provided. Invigilators will first collect the attempted Part A + Part B1/B2 question-answer
books and then the unattempted Part B question-answer book separately. Barcode labels and candidate
numbers need NOT be put on the cover of the unattempted Part B question-answer book of English
Language Paper 1.
Note: There is a sessional break of 60 minutes between English Language Paper 1 and Paper 2.
The sessional break includes the time for script collection in Paper 1 and the preparation
time before the start of the Paper 2 examination.

(7) English Language Listening Component

The English Language Listening component will be broadcast via radio/Infra-red (IR) Transmission
System/Public Address (PA) System (including USB player or computer). This information will be
indicated on the Admission Form.
For radio-broadcast centres, candidates must bring their own radio set equipped with earphones to take
the examination. Candidates assigned to centres using IR System must bring their own earphones to the
examination centre but they need not bring a radio. Candidates assigned to centres using PA System
need not bring any earphones.
Special Room is only applicable to centres broadcasting the Listening component via radio or IR System
but NOT for centres using PA System (including USB player or computer).

(8) English Language Speaking Examination

Candidates must report to the reporting room supervisor of the assigned examination centre at the time
specified on their admission form. If a candidate is late for more than 15 minutes, he/she will NOT
be examined on that day and will have to apply for rescheduling within 3 working days.
Candidates should focus on interacting with the other candidates during the group interaction. As the
individual characteristics of the examiners or other candidates including mannerisms and facial
expressions may vary, such variations are not regarded as an examination irregularity or deviation from
stipulated examination procedures. Complaints about performance being affected by the mannerisms
and facial expressions of the examiners or other candidates will NOT be entertained. In addition,
examination procedures are in place to allow all candidates a fair chance to participate in the group
interaction. In this regard, examiners will take appropriate action if they feel that any candidate is
dominating the group interaction. The marking of dominating candidates will also be handled
appropriately. Therefore, complaints about other candidates dominating the group interaction/
interruption by other candidates in the same group/interruption by the oral examiners in the group
interaction when normal procedures are being followed will NOT be entertained.

(9) Candidates’ Discipline in Written and Speaking Examinations

Candidates should leave the examination room in an orderly manner upon the announcement of
‘Dismissal of candidates’ made by the Centre Supervisor (except those who need to stay behind for the
handling of examination irregularities). Candidates are NOT allowed to take photographs (including
screen capture of the barcode label), video-record or audio-record in the examination room (including the
Reporting Room and Preparation Room for Speaking examinations) before/during/after the examinations,
or else they will receive a mark penalty. If any photographs/videos/records are displayed electronically
or publicly, the candidates concerned will receive a subject downgrading.
In Speaking examinations, candidates must NOT talk to other candidates (except during the group
interaction) or use an electronic device* to communicate with others or access the
internet/email/SMS/instant messaging application, etc. after entering the reporting room (i.e. in the
reporting room/preparation room/examination room/corridor/toilet) until the end of the examination.
Candidates disobeying the instructions will receive a mark penalty, subject downgrading or may even
be disqualified from the whole examination.

*
Electronic devices include tablets, mobile phones, multimedia players, electronic dictionaries, databank watches, smart watches, wireless
earphones or other wearable technologies with communication or data storage functions, etc.
2 General Information
(10) Candidates Lodging Complaints / Reporting Irregularities
Candidates should seek help from invigilators immediately if there are any undesirable conditions at the
examination centre. They should provide specific details about the undesirable conditions encountered
(e.g. time and duration of the noise/disturbance) when lodging the complaints before they leave the
examination centre. No special consideration will be given to candidates who do not report
unsatisfactory conditions at the centre but subsequently claim that their performance has been affected
by:

◆ insufficient examination time (unless there is substantiating evidence from the examination centre)
◆ normal background noise at examination centres (e.g. from outside vehicles, normal school activities,
school bell, etc.)
◆ undesirable examination centre conditions (e.g. noise, room temperature, lighting, etc.) which are
not reported to invigilation staff on the spot
◆ having no clock or not being able to view the clock in the examination centre

For the Listening component of English Language, complaints about poor reception under the following
circumstances will NOT be entertained:

◆ taking the examination in the original centre without going to the Special Room (applicable for
centres using radio and IR System only) despite having encountered reception problems
◆ possible interference by the radios or antennae of other candidates

Complaints against the precautionary measures implemented at examination centres will NOT be
entertained.

(11) Applications for Rechecking and Remarking / Appeal Review

The application deadline for rechecking and remarking for Category A and Category B subjects is 5
calendar days after the release of the examination results. Candidates should settle the required fee
within 2 calendar days after the date of submission of application. If the deadline for payment
falls on a Saturday or Sunday, it will be automatically deferred to the next Monday. School
candidates should follow the closing date for application set by their schools. Appeal review
applications in respect of the processing of examination irregularities or rechecking and remarking
process are accepted within 5 calendar days after the release of the examination results or the rechecking
and remarking results. For details, please refer to Section F.

(12) Candidates Lodging Appeals / Queries / Requests after the Examination

The 2025 HKDSE is deemed to be closed on 30 November 2025 (unless otherwise decided by the
HKEAA), after which the HKEAA will not consider or entertain any appeals, queries or requests in
relation to the examination.

General Information 3
 2. Examination Timetable
日期 Date 時間 Time Subject / Paper 科目／卷別
四月一日（星期二） 8:30 - 12:30 Visual Arts 1, 2 視覺藝術 （一）及（二）
Tuesday, 1st April
四月二日（星期三） 8:30 - 10:00 Chinese Language 1 中國語文 （一）
Wednesday, 2nd April 10:45 - 13:00 Chinese Language 2 中國語文 （二）
四月三日（星期四） 8:30 - 10:00 English Language 1 英國語文 （一）
Thursday, 3rd April 11:00 - 13:00 English Language 2 英國語文 （二）
四月五日（星期六） #9:15 - 12:10* English Language 3 (Listening and Integrated Skills) 英國語文 （三）（聆聽及綜合能力考核）
Saturday, 5th April
四月七日（星期一） 8:30 - 10:45 Mathematics Compulsory Part 1 數學 必修部分 （一）
Monday, 7th April 11:30 - 12:45 Mathematics Compulsory Part 2 數學 必修部分 （二）
四月八日 (星期二） 8:30 - 10:30 Citizenship and Social Development 公民與社會發展
Tuesday, 8th April
四月九日（星期三） 8:30 - 10:15 Ethics & Religious Studies 1 倫理與宗教（一）
Wednesday, 9th April 11:00 - 12:45 Ethics & Religious Studies 2 倫理與宗教（二）
四月十日（星期四） 8:30 - 11:00 Chemistry 1 化學 （一）
Thursday, 10th April 11:45 - 12:45 Chemistry 2 化學 （二）
四月十一日（星期五） 8:30 - 10:30 Health Management & Social Care 1 健康管理與社會關懷 （一）
Friday, 11th April 11:15 - 13:00 Health Management & Social Care 2 健康管理與社會關懷 （二）
四月十二日（星期六） 8:30 - 10:30 Information & Communication Technology 1 資訊及通訊科技（一）
Saturday, 12th April 11:15 - 12:45 Information & Communication Technology 2 資訊及通訊科技（二）
四月十四日（星期一） 8:30 - 11:00 Biology 1 生物 （一）
Monday, 14th April 11:45 - 12:45 Biology 2 生物 （二）
四月十五日（星期二） 8:30 - 9:30 Business, Accounting & Financial Studies 1 企業、會計與財務概論 （一）
Tuesday, 15th April 10:15 - 12:45 Business, Accounting & Financial Studies 2 企業、會計與財務概論 （二）
四月十六日（星期三） 8:30 - 11:00 Physics 1 物理 （一）
Wednesday, 16th April 11:45 - 12:45 Physics 2 物理 （二）
四月十七日（星期四） 8:30 - 10:30 Design & Applied Technology 1 設計與應用科技 （一）
Thursday, 17th April 11:15 - 13:15 Design & Applied Technology 2 設計與應用科技 （二）
8:30 - 11:30 Literature in English 1 英語文學 （一）
13:30 - 15:30 Literature in English 2 英語文學 （二）
四月二十二日（星期二） 8:30 - 10:30 Chinese Literature 1 中國文學 （一）
Tuesday, 22nd April 11:15 - 13:15 Chinese Literature 2 中國文學 （二）
8:30 - 10:00 Technology & Living 1 科技與生活（一）
10:45 - 12:45 Technology & Living 2 科技與生活（二）
四月二十三日（星期三） 8:30 - 10:45 Physical Education 1 體育 （一）
Wednesday, 23rd April 11:30 - 12:45 Physical Education 2 體育 （二）
8:30 - 10:00 Music 1A 音樂 1A
10:45 - 12:15 Music 1B 音樂 1B
四月二十四日（星期四） 8:30 - 11:15 Geography 1 地理 （一）
Thursday, 24th April 12:00 - 13:15 Geography 2 地理 （二）
四月二十五日（星期五） 8:30 - 10:00 Tourism & Hospitality Studies 1 旅遊與款待 （一）
Friday, 25th April 10:45 - 12:30 Tourism & Hospitality Studies 2 旅遊與款待 （二）
四月二十六日（星期六） 8:30 - 10:30 History 1 歷史 （一）
Saturday, 26th April 11:15 - 12:45 History 2 歷史 （二）
四月二十八日（星期一） 8:30 - 11:00 Mathematics Extended Part Modules 1, 2 數學 延伸部分 單元 （一）及（二）
Monday, 28th April
四月二十九日（星期二） 8:30 - 10:45 Chinese History 1 中國歷史 （一）
Tuesday, 29th April 11:30 - 12:50 Chinese History 2 中國歷史 （二）
四月三十日（星期三） 8:30 - 9:30 Economics 1 經濟 （一）
Wednesday, 30th April 10:15 - 12:45 Economics 2 經濟 （二）
五月二日（星期五） Reserve 後備
Friday, 2nd May
五月三日（星期六） Reserve 後備
Saturday, 3rd May
# 於使用收音機或紅外線接收系統廣播之試場應考聆聽考試的考生應於上午 8 時 30 分到達試場；於使用學校廣播系統／USB 播放機／電腦廣播
之試場應考聆聽考試的考生則可於上午 8 時 45 分到達試場。
Candidates taking the Listening examination in radio-broadcast centres or centres using the Infra-red Transmission System should arrive at 8:30 am while
those taking the Listening examination in centres using the School’s Public Address System/USB player/computer should arrive at 8:45 am.
* 約計聆聽卷別的完結時間
Approximate examination end time of the Listening paper

註： 2025 年 4 月 4 日（清明節）；2025 年 4 月 18 至 21 日（復活節假期）；2025 年 5 月 1 日（勞動節）

Note: 4 April 2025 (Ching Ming Festival); 18 - 21 April 2025 (Easter Holidays); 1 May 2025 (Labour Day)

注意： 應考下列科目／卷別的考生應參閱其准考證上所列的考試日期和時間（報到時間）：
Note: Candidates should refer to their Admission Form for the examination date and time (reporting time) for the following Subjects / Papers:
日期 Date 時間 Time Subject 科目 / Paper 卷別
2025 年 2 月上旬至 3 月下旬 8:00 - 19:00 Physical Education – Practical 體育（實習考試）
early February – late March 2025
2025 年 2 月中旬至 3 月中旬 9:00 - 18:00 Music – Practical 音樂（實習考試）
mid-February – mid-March 2025
2025 年 3 月 11 日至 3 月 20 日 （星期一至星期五） 17:00 - 20:30 English Language – Speaking 英國語文（口試）
11 March to 20 March 2025 (Monday to Friday)
2025 年 3 月 22 日 （星期六） 9:00 - 17:30 English Language – Speaking 英國語文（口試）
22 March 2025 (Saturday) (SEN Sessions) （特殊需要考生）

Candidates are expected to make themselves available for the whole examination period including the reserve examination dates specified above in case any written
examinations are rescheduled due to unforeseeable circumstances.
考生應預留整個考試時段包括上述列出的後備考試日期，如遇到一些未能預計的情況，筆試可能會被安排於後備考試日期進行。

4 General Information
3. List of Services and Related Supplementary Fees
Service Fee Date
On or before 5 December 2024
$297 per application Application will normally NOT
Addition/Change of be accepted after 5 December
After 5 December 2024 2024
subjects/papers/elective $687 per subject plus subject fee
modules OR
Change of language Note: Any super-late requests for changes will NOT be accepted from 18 March 2025 (i.e. 10 working
version days before the start of written examinations on 1 April 2025). As for Category C subjects, any super-late
requests for late entry/subject amendment will NOT be accepted on or after 1 March 2025.
Before examination date: $327 From 1 March 2025 onwards
Rescheduling of Within 3 working days after the
Speaking Examination examination date (Monday to
dates After examination date: $461 Friday during office hours)
Late applications will NOT be
accepted
Issue of replacement $297 Deadline:
Admission Forms 30 April 2025
Issue of replacement Deadline:
Results Notices $297 31 October 2025
School Private
Applications for Candidate Candidate
Rechecking and Language Subject $256 $308
Remarking Rechecking
Non-Language Subject $215 $256
(see Section F, Part 3)
Non-Language Subject $855 $1,024 Within 5 calendar days after
the release of examination results
Language Subject
(excluding Speaking) $1,024 $1,229
Category A Subjects (Note: School candidates should
Remarking Chinese Language component $615 per $737 per abide by the closing date set by
component component their own schools)
English Language component $410 per $491 per
(excluding Speaking) component component
English Language Speaking
component $818 $985
Category B Subjects Rechecking per subject $215 $256
Examination Irregularities $1,080 Within 5 calendar days after the
per case release of examination results
Applications for Rechecking / $1,080 Within 5 calendar days after the
Appeal Review Remarking Process per release of rechecking / remarking
(see Section F, Part 4) subject results
$1,080 Within 10 calendar days after
Marking of Scripts per the scripts are made available for
subject download from the online
platform

 For changes of personal data, private candidates should submit their applications together with relevant
supporting documents in person (or through an authorised representative who should produce a photocopy
of the candidate’s identification document for inspection) to the HKEAA Southorn Centre office on or before
15 January 2025. School candidates should apply via their schools. After verification of the related
documents, the school should forward the applications to the HKEAA for amendment. Any applications
received after the above deadline will result in the requested changes not reflected on admission forms or
Speaking examination score sheets (if applicable). Candidates should submit their applications on or before
7 July 2025 if they would like to have the requested changes updated on the Results Notice.
 For rescheduling of English Language Speaking examination, candidates should apply in person (or through
an authorised representative who should produce a photocopy of the candidate’s identification document for
inspection) together with the original copy of both the admission form and supporting documents. The
supplementary fee will be waived for rescheduling due to illness or timetable clash with public examinations
held by the HKEAA/internal examinations in secondary schools/speech day organised by schools approved
for participation in the HKDSE (a certification letter from the school is required). Candidates applying for
rescheduling due to illness must submit their application together with original documentary proof of their
illness for consideration of fee waiver. SEN candidates applying for rescheduling of the Speaking
examination from SEN sessions to normal sessions due to the cancellation of special examination
arrangements are required to pay the supplementary fees mentioned in the above table.
 For candidates with substantiated financial difficulties who are receiving financial aid, the HKEAA may
consider waiving part of the supplementary fees on a case-by-case basis. Candidates should request a fee
waiver at the time they apply for the above services. School candidates should submit their requests through
their schools.
 For the replacement of documents, candidates may submit their applications in person or through an
authorised representative who should produce a photocopy of the candidate’s identification document for
inspection. School candidates should submit their applications along with a school letter.

General Information 5
4. Important Dates

Event Date

1 Deadline for Withdrawal from the 2025 HKDSE 30 November 2024

Uploading of the ‘Handbook for Candidates’ on the

2 Mid-December 2024
HKEAA website

Issue of Admission Forms:

3 - For Category A practical examinations Late January 2025
- For Category A written examinations Mid-February 2025

Examination Periods:
4 - English Language Paper 4 (Speaking) 11 March – 20 March 2025
- English Language Paper 4 (Speaking) (SEN Session) 22 March 2025
- Written examinations (Category A subjects) 1 April – 30 April 2025

5 Release of Examination Results 16 July 2025 (tentative)

Applications for Rechecking and Remarking for

6 Category A and Category B Subjects:
- Deadline for application 21 July 2025
- Release of results 13 August 2025 (tentative)

Appeal Review Applications on Examination Irregularities:

7 - Deadline for application 21 July 2025
- Release of results Around 13 August 2025

Appeal Review Applications on Rechecking & Remarking

8 Process:
- Deadline for application 18 August 2025
- Release of results Around 22 September 2025

Appeal Review Applications on Marking of Scripts:

- Deadline for application - 10 calendar days after the scripts
are made available for download
from the online platform
9
- Release of results - Around late October or late
November, depending on the date
of application

10 Issue of Certificates October 2025

11 Closing of Examination 30 November 2025

6 General Information
5. Useful Contact Information
Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority
Southorn Centre Office San Po Kong Office
School Examinations and Assessment Division Publications Unit
Address 12/F, Southorn Centre G/F, 17 Tseuk Luk Street
130 Hennessy Road San Po Kong
Wan Chai, Hong Kong Kowloon
Telephone 3628 8860 3628 8263

Fax 3628 8928 3628 8291

Office Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5:30 pm

Hours (Closed on Saturdays, Sundays and General Holidays)

Areas of ◆ Enquiries about the HKDSE ◆ Sale of HKDSE Publications, such as

Work & ◆ Change of candidates’ personal or entry data Question Papers for Category A subjects
Services / rescheduling of Speaking examination dates (with marking schemes and comments on
Provided candidates’ performance)
◆ Re-issue of admission forms / results notices
(Note: Sale of Publications is available at the
◆ Issue of Letters of Certification / Statements of San Po Kong Office or the HKEAA’s online
Results / Certifications for Entering / bookstore)
Participation in an Examination
◆ Issue of Letters of Certification / Statements
of Results (for non-express service only) /
Certifications for Entering / Participation in
an Examination
Website https://www.hkeaa.edu.hk
Email dse@hkeaa.edu.hk
DSE Express https://blog.hkeaa.edu.hk/
HKDSE App
HKDSE App is now available for free at App Store and Google Play.
For details, please visit https://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/app/

Telephone No.
◆ Enquiries about the HKDSE
◆ Report of examination irregularities
HKEAA ◆ Report of noise disturbance at centres before the examination 3628 8860
◆ Lodging complaints
◆ Report of illness before an examination
Citybus Ltd. (Website: www.citybus.com.hk) 2136 8888
MTR Corporation Ltd. (Website: www.mtr.com.hk) 2881 8888
The Kowloon Motor Bus Co. (1933) Ltd. (Website: www.kmb.hk) 2745 4466
Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal Enquiries (Website: www.hko.gov.hk) 1878 200

6. Data Access Request under Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance

Pursuant to the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance (PDPO), candidates may apply to access their examination-related
personal data including video recordings in the Speaking examinations. Details of applications (including the date
for destruction of examination scripts and irregularity reports of the 2025 HKDSE) will be given in the Application
Guide on Data Access Request, which will be available on the HKEAA website
(www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/our_services/personal_data/) in early July 2025.

General Information 7