Introduction of Hong Kong Diploma of
Secondary Education Examination
About the HKEAA HKDSE Quality Assurance Framework
The HKDSE is administered under the Quality Assurance Framework,
which aims to achieve the four objectives:
Established in 1977, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Safeguarding of Standards
Authority (HKEAA) is a statutory body in Hong Kong. Besides the Hong Compliance and Quality of Delivery
Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), the HKDSE Recognition
HKEAA also conducts a range of international and professional Continuous Improvement
examinations and provides public assessment services in Hong Kong.
Post-examination Development of
About the HKDSE
Review Mechanisms Examination Papers
HKDSE Continuous
Recognition Improvement
Widely recognised both locally and internationally, the HKDSE is a
credential preparing students for multiple pathways. In Hong Kong, Compliance and
Quality of Safeguarding
students will take the HKDSE upon completion of a full-time three-year Delivery of Standards
senior secondary curriculum. Candidates who have attained the
required results will be awarded the HKDSE certificate.
Processing & Conduct of
Reporting of Results Examinations
1 2
About the HKEAA HKDSE Quality Assurance Framework
The HKDSE is administered under the Quality Assurance Framework,
which aims to achieve the four objectives:
Established in 1977, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Safeguarding of Standards
Authority (HKEAA) is a statutory body in Hong Kong. Besides the Hong Compliance and Quality of Delivery
Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), the HKDSE Recognition
HKEAA also conducts a range of international and professional Continuous Improvement
examinations and provides public assessment services in Hong Kong.
Post-examination Development of
About the HKDSE
Review Mechanisms Examination Papers
HKDSE Continuous
Recognition Improvement
Widely recognised both locally and internationally, the HKDSE is a
credential preparing students for multiple pathways. In Hong Kong, Compliance and
Quality of Safeguarding
students will take the HKDSE upon completion of a full-time three-year Delivery of Standards
senior secondary curriculum. Candidates who have attained the
required results will be awarded the HKDSE certificate.
Processing & Conduct of
Reporting of Results Examinations
1 2
Registration for the HKDSE
Entry Qualifications Private Candidates
School Candidates
A person may enter for the HKDSE as a private candidate provided he/she
has satisfied one of the following requirements:
Bona fide Secondary 6 (or Secondary 6 equivalent) students of HKDSE
Participating Schools*; and
Sat the previous HKDSE or an equivalent examination, or
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studying at the registered address of the schools as per HKEAA’s Reached the age of 19 by 1 January of the respective examination
record. year, or
Completed or is currently pursuing a non-HKDSE curriculum equivalent
to Secondary 6 as determined by the HKEAA in the year preceding the
examination.
Participating Schools:
Participating Schools, subject to the prior approval of the HKEAA, can present
their qualified students to enter the HKDSE as school candidates. For application
for participation in the HKDSE, schools in Hong Kong should provide evidence
that it is a registered school under the Education Ordinance (Cap. 279) and is
offering courses in accordance with the Education Bureau’s registration
requirements. For a school in the Mainland China, it should provide evidence that
it has been approved by the relevant government department in the Mainland
China as a qualified school for Hong Kong/Macau children offering the HKDSE
curriculum, and has been certified by the relevant authorities in Hong Kong.
3 4
Registration for the HKDSE
Entry Qualifications Private Candidates
School Candidates
A person may enter for the HKDSE as a private candidate provided he/she
has satisfied one of the following requirements:
Bona fide Secondary 6 (or Secondary 6 equivalent) students of HKDSE
Participating Schools*; and
Sat the previous HKDSE or an equivalent examination, or
1 119
studying at the registered address of the schools as per HKEAA’s Reached the age of 19 by 1 January of the respective examination
record. year, or
Completed or is currently pursuing a non-HKDSE curriculum equivalent
to Secondary 6 as determined by the HKEAA in the year preceding the
examination.
Participating Schools:
Participating Schools, subject to the prior approval of the HKEAA, can present
their qualified students to enter the HKDSE as school candidates. For application
for participation in the HKDSE, schools in Hong Kong should provide evidence
that it is a registered school under the Education Ordinance (Cap. 279) and is
offering courses in accordance with the Education Bureau’s registration
requirements. For a school in the Mainland China, it should provide evidence that
it has been approved by the relevant government department in the Mainland
China as a qualified school for Hong Kong/Macau children offering the HKDSE
curriculum, and has been certified by the relevant authorities in Hong Kong.
3 4
Special Examination Arrangements HKDSE Subjects
The HKDSE comprises three categories of subjects:
CATEGORY A
The HKEAA provides special examination arrangements (SEA) for
candidates with special needs and disabilities. Candidates with specific Senior Secondary subjects: including four core
learning disabilities, physical, visual, aural, oral or other disabilities may subjects (Chinese Language, English Language,
apply for SEA. We strive to ensure that candidates with special needs are Mathematics, Citizenship and Social Development)
equitably assessed under suitable conditions without having an unfair and various elective subjects
advantage over other candidates.
Applications CATEGORY B Applied Learning subjects
Submit the applications in September two years before the CATEGORY C
examination year via their schools (i.e. in September of the S5 Other Languages subjects: French, German, Japanese,
school year). Spanish, Hindi*, Urdu^, Korean# Languages
Applicable until 2024 HKDSE.
Submit applications during the application period in the year To be offered from 2025 HKDSE.
preceding the examination. ^
The Urdu Language examination will be suspended in the 2025 HKDSE. Starting
from the 2026 HKDSE, candidates will be required to take the Urdu
(International) examination.
5 6
Special Examination Arrangements HKDSE Subjects
The HKDSE comprises three categories of subjects:
CATEGORY A
The HKEAA provides special examination arrangements (SEA) for
candidates with special needs and disabilities. Candidates with specific Senior Secondary subjects: including four core
learning disabilities, physical, visual, aural, oral or other disabilities may subjects (Chinese Language, English Language,
apply for SEA. We strive to ensure that candidates with special needs are Mathematics, Citizenship and Social Development)
equitably assessed under suitable conditions without having an unfair and various elective subjects
advantage over other candidates.
Applications CATEGORY B Applied Learning subjects
Submit the applications in September two years before the CATEGORY C
examination year via their schools (i.e. in September of the S5 Other Languages subjects: French, German, Japanese,
school year). Spanish, Hindi*, Urdu^, Korean# Languages
Applicable until 2024 HKDSE.
Submit applications during the application period in the year To be offered from 2025 HKDSE.
preceding the examination. ^
The Urdu Language examination will be suspended in the 2025 HKDSE. Starting
from the 2026 HKDSE, candidates will be required to take the Urdu
(International) examination.
5 6
Assessment of HKDSE Subjects
Subject Combinations
CATEGORY A Senior Secondary Subjects
In general, HKDSE candidates would take four core subjects plus two The assessment is conducted according to the Curriculum and Assessment
to three elective subjects. Guide and the Assessment Framework of the respective subjects.
Moderation Committees of the subject/paper concerned, appointed by the
Candidates may take up to a maximum of eight subjects. These
HKEAA, are responsible for the development of question papers and
subjects may come from any of Categories A, B or C.
marking schemes.
Other
Four Core Subjects
The majority of school
candidates enter for four SBA emphasises the assessment of a wide range of abilities which offers
Elective Subjects (X)
core subjects and two to a comprehensive appraisal of students' performance. By integrating
three elective subjects learning and teaching with assessment, it helps students understand their
strengths and weaknesses through quality feedback from teachers. SBA
also reduces dependence on the results of public examinations, boosts
students' confidence and motivation to learn and enhances autonomous
learning.
SBA will be implemented in 12 Category A subjects from the 2024
HKDSE onwards.
7 8
Assessment of HKDSE Subjects
Subject Combinations
CATEGORY A Senior Secondary Subjects
In general, HKDSE candidates would take four core subjects plus two The assessment is conducted according to the Curriculum and Assessment
to three elective subjects. Guide and the Assessment Framework of the respective subjects.
Moderation Committees of the subject/paper concerned, appointed by the
Candidates may take up to a maximum of eight subjects. These
HKEAA, are responsible for the development of question papers and
subjects may come from any of Categories A, B or C.
marking schemes.
Other
Four Core Subjects
The majority of school
candidates enter for four SBA emphasises the assessment of a wide range of abilities which offers
Elective Subjects (X)
core subjects and two to a comprehensive appraisal of students' performance. By integrating
three elective subjects learning and teaching with assessment, it helps students understand their
strengths and weaknesses through quality feedback from teachers. SBA
also reduces dependence on the results of public examinations, boosts
students' confidence and motivation to learn and enhances autonomous
learning.
SBA will be implemented in 12 Category A subjects from the 2024
HKDSE onwards.
7 8
CATEGORY B Applied Learning (ApL) Subjects CATEGORY C Other Languages Subjects
Assessing students' knowledge, understanding and skills related to a
particular profession or trade. ApL Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking
students) is introduced to provide an additional channel exclusively for
non-Chinese speaking students to obtain an alternative Chinese
Language qualification to prepare them for further studies and work.
No public examination and the assessments are conducted by the
respective course providers.
After moderation by the HKEAA, student's ApL results are recorded on
the HKDSE certificate.
CATEGORY C Other Languages Subjects
9 10
CATEGORY B Applied Learning (ApL) Subjects CATEGORY C Other Languages Subjects
Assessing students' knowledge, understanding and skills related to a
particular profession or trade. ApL Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking
students) is introduced to provide an additional channel exclusively for
non-Chinese speaking students to obtain an alternative Chinese
Language qualification to prepare them for further studies and work.
No public examination and the assessments are conducted by the
respective course providers.
After moderation by the HKEAA, student's ApL results are recorded on
the HKDSE certificate.
CATEGORY C Other Languages Subjects
9 10
The Reporting System
CATEGORY A Senior Secondary Subjects
5
5 5
The HKEAA is responsible for the grading of Category A subjects and
Standards-referenced Reporting is adopted to report candidates'
4
3
assessment results with reference to a set of explicit and fixed standards Level 5 is the highest level. Candidates
with the best performance in level 5 will
of performance. be awarded 5**, the next top level 5
candidates will be awarded 5*
2
1
Except for Citizenship and Social Development, candidates' performance
is reported in five levels (15), with 5 being the highest. The Candidates who are not able to attain
level 1 will be labeled as ‘Unclassified’
highest-achieving level 5 candidates are awarded level 5**; the next
highest-achieving level 5 candidates are awarded level 5* and the
remaining level 5 candidates receive simply level 5. Performance below
the level 1 standard for a subject is designated as 'Unclassified'. Candidates’ performance in Category A subjects (except for Citizenship and Social
Development) is reported in five levels
The results of Citizenship and Social Development are reported in one
level, ‘Attained’. Achievements below ‘Attained’ are designated as
‘Unattained’.
Results designated as ‘Unclassified’ or ‘Unattained’ will not be reported
on the HKDSE certificate.
11 12
The Reporting System
CATEGORY A Senior Secondary Subjects
5
5 5
The HKEAA is responsible for the grading of Category A subjects and
Standards-referenced Reporting is adopted to report candidates'
4
3
assessment results with reference to a set of explicit and fixed standards Level 5 is the highest level. Candidates
with the best performance in level 5 will
of performance. be awarded 5**, the next top level 5
candidates will be awarded 5*
2
1
Except for Citizenship and Social Development, candidates' performance
is reported in five levels (15), with 5 being the highest. The Candidates who are not able to attain
level 1 will be labeled as ‘Unclassified’
highest-achieving level 5 candidates are awarded level 5**; the next
highest-achieving level 5 candidates are awarded level 5* and the
remaining level 5 candidates receive simply level 5. Performance below
the level 1 standard for a subject is designated as 'Unclassified'. Candidates’ performance in Category A subjects (except for Citizenship and Social
Development) is reported in five levels
The results of Citizenship and Social Development are reported in one
level, ‘Attained’. Achievements below ‘Attained’ are designated as
‘Unattained’.
Results designated as ‘Unclassified’ or ‘Unattained’ will not be reported
on the HKDSE certificate.
11 12
CATEGORY B Applied Learning (ApL) Subjects CATEGORY C Other Languages Subjects
Except for ApL Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students), three
levels of performance are reported including ‘Attained with Distinction ( )’, Results are reported in five grades (a e) on the HKDSE certificate,
‘Attained with Distinction ( )’ and ‘Attained’. Performance below with grade e being the lowest and grade a being the highest.
‘Attained’ is designated as ‘Unattained’ and is not reported on the Achievements below grade e are designated as 'Ungraded' and are
HKDSE certificate. not reported on the certificate.
For ApL Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students), there are two
levels of results, i.e. ‘Attained’ and ‘Attained with Distinction’.
Different reporting systems are adopted by the official language
examinations. Candidates’ results obtained in these examinations at
the stipulated proficiency level or above will be included in the
HKDSE Category C results and reported on the HKDSE certificate.
Candidates' performance in Category B subjects (except for ApL Chinese) is
reported in three levels
13 14
CATEGORY B Applied Learning (ApL) Subjects CATEGORY C Other Languages Subjects
Except for ApL Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students), three
levels of performance are reported including ‘Attained with Distinction ( )’, Results are reported in five grades (a e) on the HKDSE certificate,
‘Attained with Distinction ( )’ and ‘Attained’. Performance below with grade e being the lowest and grade a being the highest.
‘Attained’ is designated as ‘Unattained’ and is not reported on the Achievements below grade e are designated as 'Ungraded' and are
HKDSE certificate. not reported on the certificate.
For ApL Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students), there are two
levels of results, i.e. ‘Attained’ and ‘Attained with Distinction’.
Different reporting systems are adopted by the official language
examinations. Candidates’ results obtained in these examinations at
the stipulated proficiency level or above will be included in the
HKDSE Category C results and reported on the HKDSE certificate.
Candidates' performance in Category B subjects (except for ApL Chinese) is
reported in three levels
13 14
Recognition of the HKDSE
Non-local Higher Local Tertiary
Education Institutions
Local Tertiary Institutions Institutions
Meeting the
Hundreds of non-local accreditation
institutions accept the Chinese Language, standards at Level 3
English Language, of Qualifications
HKDSE results for
Candidates taking the HKDSE have to attain a minimum of level 3 for Chinese Mathematics
admission Framework in Hong
Language and English Language, level 2 for Mathematics Compulsory Part and Compulsory Part and
Kong
Citizenship and Social
‘Attained’ for Citizenship and Social Development (i.e. ‘332A’), in order to meet Development subjects
the minimum requirements necessary to apply for the undergraduate at ‘332A’
programmes offered by the University Grants Committee funded institutions.
Apart from the four core subjects, institutions will also set the requirements for
elective subjects and other admission requirements.
Non-local Higher Education Institutions
The HKDSE qualification is well recognised both locally and globally. Hundreds of
higher education institutions from the Mainland China, Taiwan and overseas
accept the HKDSE results for admission. Over 600 tertiary institutions worldwide
have published their general admission requirements for candidates holding
HKDSE qualification on the HKEAA’s website and/or their official websites.
Employment
The HKDSE is recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF) in Hong
Kong as meeting the accreditation standards at QF Level 3. It is common in Hong
Kong that employers will set job requirements with reference to results in the
HKDSE. The Civil Service Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government also
accepts the results in the HKDSE for civil service appointment purpose.
15 16
Recognition of the HKDSE
Non-local Higher Local Tertiary
Education Institutions
Local Tertiary Institutions Institutions
Meeting the
Hundreds of non-local accreditation
institutions accept the Chinese Language, standards at Level 3
English Language, of Qualifications
HKDSE results for
Candidates taking the HKDSE have to attain a minimum of level 3 for Chinese Mathematics
admission Framework in Hong
Language and English Language, level 2 for Mathematics Compulsory Part and Compulsory Part and
Kong
Citizenship and Social
‘Attained’ for Citizenship and Social Development (i.e. ‘332A’), in order to meet Development subjects
the minimum requirements necessary to apply for the undergraduate at ‘332A’
programmes offered by the University Grants Committee funded institutions.
Apart from the four core subjects, institutions will also set the requirements for
elective subjects and other admission requirements.
Non-local Higher Education Institutions
The HKDSE qualification is well recognised both locally and globally. Hundreds of
higher education institutions from the Mainland China, Taiwan and overseas
accept the HKDSE results for admission. Over 600 tertiary institutions worldwide
have published their general admission requirements for candidates holding
HKDSE qualification on the HKEAA’s website and/or their official websites.
Employment
The HKDSE is recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF) in Hong
Kong as meeting the accreditation standards at QF Level 3. It is common in Hong
Kong that employers will set job requirements with reference to results in the
HKDSE. The Civil Service Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government also
accepts the results in the HKDSE for civil service appointment purpose.
15 16
HKDSE Benchmarking Study
IELTS
Benchmarking Study Between HKDSE English
Language and IELTS
The HKEAA conducted benchmarking studies regularly to compare the score
levels of the HKDSE English Language examination to those of the International
English Language Testing System (IELTS). The table shows the equivalents of
level 3 to level 5** on HKDSE English Language examination with respect to the
IELTS band levels, based on a pooled sample of candidates of the HKDSE
English Language examination (2019, 2021 and 2023) who voluntarily provided
their IELTS results to the HKEAA for data analysis.
Average IELTS Section Band Score
HKDSE English Average IELTS
Language Subject/ Overall Band
Component Level Score Reading Writing Listening Speaking
5** 8.22 8.65 7.24 8.77 7.60
5* 7.86 8.27 6.92 8.57 7.04
5 7.55 7.97 6.78 8.20 6.73
4 7.09 7.41 6.36 7.81 6.42 (852) 3628 8860
(852) 3628 8928
3 6.35 6.59 6.02 6.89 6.10
dse@hkeaa.edu.hk
17 18
HKDSE Benchmarking Study
IELTS
Benchmarking Study Between HKDSE English
Language and IELTS
The HKEAA conducted benchmarking studies regularly to compare the score
levels of the HKDSE English Language examination to those of the International
English Language Testing System (IELTS). The table shows the equivalents of
level 3 to level 5** on HKDSE English Language examination with respect to the
IELTS band levels, based on a pooled sample of candidates of the HKDSE
English Language examination (2019, 2021 and 2023) who voluntarily provided
their IELTS results to the HKEAA for data analysis.
Average IELTS Section Band Score
HKDSE English Average IELTS
Language Subject/ Overall Band
Component Level Score Reading Writing Listening Speaking
5** 8.22 8.65 7.24 8.77 7.60
5* 7.86 8.27 6.92 8.57 7.04
5 7.55 7.97 6.78 8.20 6.73
4 7.09 7.41 6.36 7.81 6.42 (852) 3628 8860
(852) 3628 8928
3 6.35 6.59 6.02 6.89 6.10
dse@hkeaa.edu.hk
17 18
Introduction of Hong Kong Diploma of
Secondary Education Examination
