YOU CAN BE WHAT YOU CAN SEE
Edexcel Examination Board, UK
Authorization code: 90638
AQA Examination Board, Oxford, UK
Authorization code: 96034
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service
Authorization code: 41769
Cradle of world-renowned universities
The Cradle of World-Famous Universities
HKDSE Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
The HKDSE, or Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, is the main secondary school graduation examination in Hong Kong. First held in 2012 by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, it's also known as the "Hong Kong Gaokao" and is the only international examination allowing answers in Simplified Chinese (except for English).
The HKDSE offers 24 subjects (including 4 core subjects and 20 elective subjects). Besides the 4 core subjects (Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, and Liberal Studies), students can choose 2-3 elective subjects based on their interests and goals. Finally, they submit their best 5 or 6 subject scores for university applications. Mainland students can use their HKDSE results to apply to over 300 undergraduate programs in Hong Kong, the UK, Australia, Singapore, Canada, and other regions.
Subjects Offered in Our School's HKDSE Program
Core Subjects: Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, Civic and Social Development
Elective Subjects: Physics, Biology, Mathematics Extended Part, Chemistry, Geography, and 16 other subjects
If the student holds a Hong Kong identity:
Hong Kong residents (holding a Hong Kong Identity Card) can apply to overseas universities and, through the "non-examination admission scheme," directly apply to top universities in Mainland China, including Tsinghua University, Peking University, and Sun Yat-sen University, using their HKDSE results.
The HKDSE uses a criterion-referenced model to report student results. Results are graded from 1 to 5**, with 5** being the highest grade. Each level is worth 1 point, except 5**, which is worth 7 points. Therefore, the maximum score for a single subject is 7 points.
According to official documents from the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, a score of 332A (Level 3 in Chinese Language, Level 3 in English Language, Level 2 in Mathematics, and Level 2 in Liberal Studies) meets the requirements for applying to four-year bachelor's degree programs in Hong Kong. A total score of 19 or higher across 5 subjects significantly increases the chances of admission to the eight leading universities in Hong Kong.
Starting in the 2024-2025 academic year, "Liberal Studies" will be changed to "Civic and Social Development." The results will no longer be scored (0 to 5**), only pass or fail.
The Eight Leading Universities in Hong Kong
Zhuhai • Xiangzhou District • No. 1 Pingxi Road
Cradle of World Famous Schools
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