Secondary school students take the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exams (HKDSE) in Creative Secondary School in Hong Kong on April 22, 2022. (POOL / AFP)

HONG KONG – Over 17,000 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exam candidates met the general requirements for applying to the city’s eight government-funded universities, exam authorities said Tuesday.

The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority said in a statement that 42.4 percent of day school candidates, or 17,450 students, met the general entrance requirements for local undergraduate degree programs, a rate comparable to last year.

A total of 42,391 school candidates and 6,371 private candidates sat the HKDSE this year. The results will be issued on Wednesday

These candidates obtained level 3 or above in both Chinese Language and English Language, and level 2 or above in Mathematics Compulsory Part and Liberal Studies, the HKEAA added.

A total of 42,391 school candidates and 6,371 private candidates sat the HKDSE this year. The results will be issued on Wednesday.

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The HKEAA said a total of 28,692 day school candidates obtained level 2 or above in five subjects, including Chinese Language and English Language.

This represents 71.9 percent of day school candidates, which is 0.6 percent higher than that of last year. These candidates are eligible to apply for local sub-degree programs and relevant civil service posts, the HKEAA added.

Wei Xiang-dong, secretary general of the HKEAA, acknowledged the HKDSE as an important milestone in one's lifetime but he encouraged students to look beyond the results.

“Examination results can never define your future. Widely recognized locally and internationally, the HKDSE qualification provides candidates with diverse opportunities for further studies and career development,” Wei was quoted as saying in the statement.

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“Candidates who seize every possible opportunity will be able to find a suitable path for themselves.’