Candidates taking the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education examination sit at least 1.8 meters apart at an examination hall, Hong Kong, on April 24, 2020. (JEROME FAVRE / POOL / AFP)
HONG KONG - More than 40 percent of this year’s Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education examiniation candidates have met general requirements for applying to the eight government-funded universities, the exam authorities announced on Tuesday.
READ MORE: Smooth start to HKDSE, says education chief
So Kwok-sang, secretary general of the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, told reporters that 18,734 students – 42.2 percent of all school candidates – crossed the threshold for local undergraduate degree programs this year.
Seven students, four boys and three girls, scored top marks of 5** in seven subjects in this year’s DSE. Two of the seven are super achievers, attaining the best grade possible in an extended maths paper
Seven students, four boys and three girls, scored top marks of 5** in seven subjects in this year’s DSE. Two of the seven are super achievers, attaining the best grade possible in an extended maths paper.
The results of about 52,000 HKDSE candidates will be released on Wednesday morning. With the third wave of coronavirus infections worsening rapidly in the city, most local schools have decided to send the results to students via email.
“To all HKDSE candidates, you have all experienced an unforgettable HKDSE. During the past month, you had to face many uncertainties. And yet, you had demonstrated your perseverance to ride over these challenges. I really feel proud of you, our dear HKDSE candidates,” So said.
So also expressed his gratitude toward school principals, teachers, examination personnel and the Education Bureau for their full support in ensuring a hygienic, orderly and safe environment for conducting the examination.
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A series of precautionary measures were implemented by participating schools providing examination venues this year. A total of 354 halls and over 3,400 classrooms were used as examination centers.
The pandemic had postponed this year’s DSE written examination by almost a month. Chinese and English-language oral exams have been cancelled for safety reasons.
DSE candidate Kelvin Chow Tsz-yeung said he was a little bit worried about his exam results. “I usually received good grades in speaking exams at my school, so cancelling the oral exams had inevitably given me more pressure when I sat the exam”, he said.
“At my school, when students didn’t do well in the public exam, they usually consult teachers in person for their advice and guidance,” Chow added. This year, his school’s consultation workshops would be held over Zoom.
“Now that I cannot meet my close friends and teachers in person, I think it would be harder for me to get emotional support”, Chow added.
