The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) examination is the territory wide public examination taken by most Form 6 students in Hong Kong. Administered by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA), the DSE replaced the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) and the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) in 2012. For students and parents navigating the Hong Kong education pathways, understanding the DSE format and grading system is essential for planning subject choices and setting realistic goals.
This article explains the DSE exam structure, the four core subjects, elective categories, school based assessment requirements, and the detailed grading system from Level 1 to Level 5**.
Core Subjects: What Every Candidate Must Take
All DSE candidates must sit for four core subjects. These are compulsory and form the foundation of the examination. The four core subjects are:
- English Language
- Chinese Language
- Mathematics (Compulsory Part)
- Liberal Studies (renamed Citizenship and Social Development from the 2024 exam onwards)
Each core subject has a specific exam structure. English Language and Chinese Language each consist of four papers: Reading, Writing, Listening and Integrated Skills, and Speaking. Mathematics Compulsory Part has two papers: Paper 1 (traditional questions) and Paper 2 (multiple choice). Liberal Studies (or Citizenship and Social Development) has two papers: Paper 1 (data response questions) and Paper 2 (extended response questions).
Candidates may also choose to take the Mathematics Extended Part (Module 1 or Module 2) as an additional subject. This is not compulsory but is strongly recommended for students applying to science, engineering, or finance programmes at university.
Elective Subjects: Choosing Your Pathway
Beyond the four core subjects, students typically choose two to four elective subjects. The HKEAA offers a wide range of electives grouped into categories:
Science Electives
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Physics
- Combined Science (a single subject covering two science disciplines)
- Integrated Science
Humanities and Social Science Electives
- Economics
- Geography
- History
- Chinese History
- Ethics and Religious Studies
- Tourism and Hospitality Studies
Language Electives
- Chinese Literature
- English Literature
- Other Language subjects (e.g. French, German, Japanese, Hindi, Urdu, Korean, Spanish, Thai, assessed via Cambridge International examinations)
Technology and Business Electives
- Information and Communication Technology (ICT)
- Business, Accounting and Financial Studies (BAFS)
- Design and Applied Technology
- Health Management and Social Care
- Technology and Living
Arts Electives
- Visual Arts
- Music
- Drama (offered by some schools as an Applied Learning subject)
Most students take two or three electives. Some competitive students take four electives plus the Mathematics Extended Part. The choice of electives should align with the student's interests and the entry requirements of their target university programmes. For more details on how subject choices affect secondary school placement, see the Secondary School Place Allocation article.
Exam Format: Papers, Duration, and Weighting
Each DSE subject is assessed through a combination of written papers, sometimes supplemented by school based assessment (SBA) or practical examinations. The following table summarises the format for the four core subjects (based on the 2023 exam cycle):
English Language
Paper 1 Reading (1.5 hours, 20%)
Paper 2 Writing (2 hours, 25%)
Paper 3 Listening and Integrated Skills (approx. 2 hours, 30%)
Paper 4 Speaking (approx. 20 minutes per group, 10%)
SBA (10%), a reading/viewing portfolio assessed by the school.
Chinese Language
Paper 1 Reading (1.5 hours, 24%)
Paper 2 Writing (1.5 hours, 24%)
Paper 3 Listening and Integrated Skills (approx. 1.5 hours, 18%)
Paper 4 Speaking (approx. 20 minutes per group, 14%)
SBA (20%), includes a reading report and a group discussion.
Mathematics Compulsory Part
Paper 1 (2.25 hours, 65%)
Paper 2 Multiple Choice (1.25 hours, 35%)
No SBA for Mathematics Compulsory Part.
Liberal Studies (pre 2024) / Citizenship and Social Development (2024 onward)
Paper 1 Data Response (2 hours, 50%)
Paper 2 Extended Response (1.5 hours, 50%)
SBA (20% for Liberal Studies; Citizenship and Social Development has no SBA).
Elective subjects have varied formats. For example, Chemistry has two written papers and a practical examination. History has two written papers with data based and essay questions. Information and Communication Technology has two written papers and a practical examination.
School Based Assessment (SBA)
School Based Assessment is a component of many DSE subjects, contributing between 10% and 20% of the final grade. SBA is conducted by the student's own school teachers during Form 5 and Form 6. Tasks include oral presentations, research projects, laboratory reports, or reading portfolios. The HKEAA moderates SBA scores across schools to ensure fairness. Subjects without SBA include Mathematics Compulsory Part, Mathematics Extended Part, and some language electives.
SBA aims to assess skills that are difficult to measure in a written exam, such as sustained research, collaboration, and oral communication. It also reduces the pressure of relying entirely on a single end of year examination.
Grading System: From Level 1 to Level 5**
The DSE uses a standards referenced grading system. Each subject is graded on a scale from Level 1 (lowest) to Level 5** (highest). Results below Level 1 are classified as “Unclassified” (U). The distribution of grades is set by the HKEAA based on statistical norms and expert judgment. The percentage of candidates achieving each level varies by subject and year, but the HKEAA provides reference data.
The seven passing grades are:
- Level 5**, highest achievable grade. Equivalent to roughly the top 1% of candidates in that subject.
- Level 5*, next highest, covering approximately the next 2% of candidates.
- Level 5, covers approximately the next 4% of candidates.
- Level 4, considered a good pass. Often used as a benchmark for university admission.
- Level 3, the minimum requirement for many university programmes (especially for core subjects).
- Level 2, a basic pass. Required for some sub degree programmes.
- Level 1, a minimal pass.
For comparison with the old grading system: Level 5** is roughly equivalent to an A grade in the HKALE. Level 4 is roughly equivalent to a C grade in the HKCEE.
The HKEAA uses a statistical model to set the grade boundaries each year, ensuring consistency across years. The boundaries are not fixed percentages; they are adjusted based on the difficulty of the paper and the performance of the cohort. For example, in 2023, the boundary for Level 5** in English Language was approximately 89% of the total marks, while for Mathematics Compulsory Part it was around 85%.
How Grades Are Calculated: The 5** Scale Explained
The DSE grading scale is not linear. The difference between Level 5 and Level 5** is much larger than the difference between Level 4 and Level 5. The HKEAA uses a system of “points” for university admission calculations, but the official certificate only shows the level.
Universities and other institutions convert DSE levels into admission scores. A common conversion used by the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) is:
- Level 5** = 7 points
- Level 5* = 6 points
- Level 5 = 5 points
- Level 4 = 4 points
- Level 3 = 3 points
- Level 2 = 2 points
- Level 1 = 1 point
Some universities, such as the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, give bonus points for Level 5* and Level 5** in certain subjects. For example, HKU awards 8.5 points for a 5** and 7 points for a 5* in selected subjects. These conversion tables are published annually by each university.
For students applying to Direct Subsidized vs Aided Schools, the grading system is the same, but the school's curriculum may offer additional support for DSE preparation.
Category A, B, and C Subjects
The HKEAA divides DSE subjects into three categories:
Category A: Senior Secondary subjects. These are the traditional academic subjects listed above (core and electives). They are assessed using the Level 1 to 5** scale.
Category B: Applied Learning subjects. These are practical, vocationally oriented subjects such as Applied Business Studies, Fashion Design, or Health Care Practice. They are assessed on a scale of “Attained with Distinction” (equivalent to Level 5**), “Attained” (equivalent to Level 2), and “Unattained”. Some Applied Learning subjects are recognized by universities for admission, usually as an extra elective.
Category C: Other Language subjects. These are assessed by the Cambridge International Examinations board. Results are reported as a grade from A* to E, and the HKEAA provides a conversion table to the DSE level scale (e.g., A* = Level 5**, A = Level 5*, B = Level 5, etc.).
Students who attend International School Options HK may not take the DSE at all, but instead sit for the International Baccalaureate (IB) or other international curricula. However, some international schools in Hong Kong do offer the DSE as an option.
University Admission Requirements
Most local universities require a minimum of “3322” in the four core subjects: Level 3 or above in English and Chinese Language, Level 2 or above in Mathematics and Liberal Studies (or Citizenship and Social Development). For competitive programmes, the required levels are higher. For example, the University of Hong Kong's Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery typically requires Level 5* or 5** in Biology and Chemistry, and Level 5 or above in English and Mathematics.
Each university programme calculates a “best 5” or “best 6” score, taking the best grades from the candidate's core and elective subjects. Some programmes also give weighting to certain subjects, multiplying the points by a factor (e.g., 1.5 for Mathematics Extended Part).
For students who do not achieve the required grades, alternative pathways include sub degree programmes (associate degrees or higher diplomas) or retaking the DSE as a private candidate. For a broader view of options after secondary school, refer to the Hong Kong education pathways article.
Special Examination Arrangements
The HKEAA provides special examination arrangements for candidates with disabilities or special educational needs. These may include extra time, use of a computer, a separate room, or a reader. Applications must be supported by medical or psychological reports and submitted by the candidate's school. The HKEAA reviews each case individually.
Exam Fees and Registration
As of 2024, the DSE examination fee for school candidates is approximately HK$3,500 for four core subjects plus two electives. Private candidates pay a higher fee, around HK$1,500 per subject. Fee waivers are available for students from low income families through the Student Finance Office (SFO).
Registration for the DSE is handled by the candidate's school for school candidates. Private candidates must register directly with the HKEAA. The registration period typically opens in September and closes in October for the following year's exam.
Recent and Upcoming Changes
The HKEAA periodically revises the DSE format. The most notable change is the replacement of Liberal Studies with Citizenship and Social Development starting from the 2024 examination. The new subject has a reduced curriculum and no SBA component. Other changes include the gradual introduction of electronic marking for some papers and the provision of digital examination platforms for certain subjects.
For students currently in primary or secondary school, it is important to stay informed about these changes. Parents of younger children may also find the Primary One Admission System and Kindergarten Admission Process articles useful for planning the early stages of education.
Related articles
- The Complete Guide to Hong Kong Education Pathways
- Secondary School Place Allocation
- Direct Subsidized vs Aided Schools
- International School Options HK
- Primary One Admission System
- Kindergarten Admission Process