Hong Kong

1
Hong Kongs Changing Examination System

• 11 October 2008

2
Current System

• HK Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE)
• Taken by almost all students at the end of Grade
  11
• Typically Chinese, English, Mathematics and 4-5
  other subjects
• Equivalent to UK IGCSE
• HK Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)
• Taken by around a third of the cohort at the end
  of Grade 13
• Typically Chinese, English and 2-3 other subjects
• Equivalent to UK A-Level, except math and science
  standards one grade higher than UK

3
New 334 Structure
4
New Diploma (HKDSE)

• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
• To be taken at the end of Grade 12 by almost all
  students
• All take a core of Chinese, English, Mathematics
  and Liberal Studies, plus 2-3 elective subjects
• Standards-referenced reporting (Levels 1-5)
• Top Level 5 students awarded either 5 or 5

5
Elective Subjects

• Category A traditional school subjects
• Category B applied learning subjects
• Category C language subjects (other
• than Chinese and English)

6
Category A Subjects
Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics
and Liberal Studies
Biology Business, Accounting Financial
Studies Chemistry Chinese History Chinese
Literature Design and Applied Technology Economics
Ethics and Religious Studies Geography Health
Management and Social Care
History Information and Communication
Technology Literature in English Music Physical
Education Physics Science Technology and
Living Tourism and Hospitality Studies Visual
Arts
www.hkeaa.edu.hk gtgt HKDSE gtgt Subject
Information
7
Category B Subjects

• Vocationally oriented courses
• Anticipate around 30 courses
• Mostly delivered by post secondary providers
• Competency-based
• To be reported as
• Attained
• Attained with Distinction (Comparable to Level 3)

8
Category C Subjects

• AS Level French, German, Spanish, Urdu, Hindi,
  Japanese
• Provided by Cambridge International Examinations
• Administered locally by HKEAA

9
Other Learning Activities

• Moral and civic education
• Community service
• Aesthetic and physical activities
• Career-related experiences

10
School-based Assessment

• In 2012, in place in half of the HKDSE subjects
• Phased in progressively over the period 2012-2016
• Mostly done in school under direct teacher
  supervision
• Statistically moderated against examination
  scores to maintain consistency in standard among
  schools
• Typically contributes about 20 of total marks

11
Standards-referenced Reporting

• Applies to Category A subjects
• To be reported with reference to five defined
  levels of performance (1-5)
• Descriptors and samples for each level
• Top Level 5 students awarded 5, 5
• Psychometric methods to be used to maintain
  standards

12
Rationale for SRR

• To provide reporting with reference to standards
  that remain constant over time
• Greater transparency regarding what candidates
  have to do to be awarded a Level
• More information for employers regarding what
  students know and can do
• Feedback to students and teachers on what they
  need to do to improve
• To align with international practice

13
HKDSE Levels
5
5
A
5
B
4
C
3
D
2
E
F
1
HKALE
U
U
HKCEE
HKDSE
14
Transitional Arrangements

• HKCEE (Year 11)
• Last cohort in 2010
• Examinations for select subjects offered in 2011
• HKALE (Year 13)
• Last cohort in 2012
• Examinations for select subjects offered in 2013
• HKDSE (Year 12)
• First cohort in 2012
• Double cohort in 2012

15
University Entrance

• Minimum requirements of local universities
  typically
• 1. Level 3 Chinese Language and English
• Language
• 2. Level 2 Liberal Studies and Mathematics
• 3. One or in some cases two specified subjects

16
Results
In theory, the certificate could contain three
kinds of results. In practice this will be rare.
17
The key changes

• Starting in 2012, almost all students stay on to
  the end of Year 12 and take the HKDSE
• The new award requires school students to take 4
  core subjects
• Local university-bound students then proceed to
  4-year undergraduate programs

18
Further Information

• Website http//www.hkeaa.edu.hk
• Email pa_at_hkeaa.edu.hk