Introducing the Hong Kong
Diploma of Secondary Education
April / May 2010
Introducing the HKDSE
Actualizing Assessment Reform in Hong Kong
HKDSE Reporting System
International Recognition
Actualizing Assessment Reform in Hong Kong
Aligning with curriculum aims
expected learning outcomes
and
Balancing assessment for learning and
of learning
Actualizing Assessment Reform in Hong Kong
Recognizing achievement of every student
Shifting to standards-referenced reporting
 Explicit standards
 Descriptors
 Generic
 Subject
 Exemplars of typical performance of
candidates
Actualizing Assessment Reform in Hong Kong
Broadening of assessment
 School-based assessment: to capture
achievement of students not reflected
in paper and pencil assessment
E.g.: Independent Enquiry Study
of Liberal Studies
HKDSE Subjects
Categories
Subjects
24 New Senior Secondary Subjects
4 Core Subjects:
Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics,
Liberal Studies
A
20 Elective Subjects﹕
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Chinese History, Chinese
Literature, Economics, Ethics and Religious Studies,
Geography, History, Tourism and Hospitality Studies,
Science : Integrated Science, Science: Combined
Science, “Business, Accounting and Financial Studies”,
Information and Communication Technology, Health
Management and Social Care, Technology and Living,
Music, Visual Arts, Physical Education, Design and
Applied Technology, Literature in English
Reporting System
Category A: 24 NSS Subjects
HKDSE Subjects
Categories
Subjects
Area of Studies of Applied Learning Courses
B
Applied Science
Business, Management and Law
Creative Studies
Engineering and Production
Media and Communication
Services
30 subjects will be provided in Category B.
Reporting System
Category B: Applied Learning Subjects
Reported in 2 grades:
Attained with distinction
Deemed comparable to Level 3 or above in
Category A subjects
Attained
HKDSE Subjects
Categories
Subjects
Other Language Subjects:
C
French
German
Hindi
Japanese
Spanish
Urdu
The AS Level syllabuses and examination papers of
the above language subjects will be provided by
Cambridge International Examinations (CIE).
Reporting System
Category C: Other Language Subjects
Marking and grading will be conducted by CIE
A
B
C
D
E
HKDSE: Public Examinations
Written Papers
M.C., constructed response
questions, essays
Listening and Speaking Tests
for language subjects only
For details, please refer to the
2012 HKDSE Assessment Frameworks
School-based Assessment (SBA)
Typically contributes about 20% of subject marks
Assessment areas include those which are not covered by
written papers e.g. an independent enquiry study for the
subject of Liberal Studies, laboratory skills for science
subjects
Conducted in S5 and S6 by subject teachers during the
course of learning and teaching
Implemented in 12 subjects in 2012 HKDSE, gradually
extended to other subjects from 2014
International Recognition of HKCEE and HKALE
Grade C or above in CE
a pass in GCE O-Level
Grade E or above in AL
a pass in GCE A / AS Level
SRR Information Packages
SRR Information Packages have been completed in
the end of 2008
Universities and Colleges
Admission Service
UCAS Tariff is a point system for providing
information for the reference of tertiary institutions in
the UK
Currently, UCAS Tariff recognises 40 different
qualification types
Most universities and tertiary institutions formulate
their admission policies with reference to UCAS Tariff
points
Important reference for other universities
formulating their admission policies
for
Universities and Colleges
Admission Service
Expert
group:
experts
from
UCAS,
representatives from universities and tertiary
institutions, HKEAA’s representatives
Compare the standards of the HKDSE with
the GCE A Level
Universities and Colleges
Admission Service
Scope of the study
 Objectives and aims of the curriculum
 Learning time
 Curriculum content
 Learning outcomes
 Assessment methodology
Universities and Colleges
Admission Service
GCE Advanced & AS Levels (2010)
A Level
UCAS Tariff
AS Level
UCAS Tariff
A*
140
-
-
A
120
A
60
B
100
B
50
C
80
C
40
D
60
D
30
E
40
E
20
Universities and Colleges
Admission Service
Advanced Placement Programme
(US &Canada)
Level
UCAS Tariff
5
120
4
90
3
60
Universities and Colleges
Admission Service
International Baccalaureate Certificate
(Higher Level)
Level
UCAS Tariff
7
130
6
110
5
80
4
50
3
20
Universities and Colleges
Admission Service
UCAS Tariff points allocated to 23 HKDSE subjects,
except Mathematics
Level
Tariff
Remarks
5**
NA
To be allocated after the first administration of the HKDSE
Examinations in 2012.
5*
130
Between grades A and A* in the 2010 GCE A Level
examination
5
120
Comparable to grade A in the 2010 GCE A Level
examination
4
80
Comparable to grade C in the 2010 GCE A Level
examination
3
40
Comparable to grade E in the 2010 GCE A Level
examination
Universities and Colleges
Admission Service
UCAS Tariff points allocated to Mathematics
Level
Compulsory Extended
Part
Part
Remarks
5**
NA
NA
To be allocated with further evidence
after the first administration of the
HKDSE examinations in 2012.
5*
60
70
5
45
60
1. 130 points (60+ 70) for 5* in both
compulsory and extended parts –
between grades A and A* in the 2010
GCE A Level examination
4
35
50
3
25
40
2. 120 points (60+60) for 5* in the
compulsory part and 5 in the extended
part – comparable to grade A in the
2010 GCE A Level examination
Promotion on HKDSE
Promoting and explaining the standards of
the HKDSE to overseas universities
Conducting surveys to understand admission
requirements of overseas universities for
holders of the HKDSE
Further Information
For information and updates related to HKDSE, please visit
the following websites:
HKEAA website:
HKDSE – www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/hkdse/
International Recognition – www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/ir/
EDB website:
Overseas Visitors’ Corner –
http://334.edb.hkedcity.net/EN/overseas/index.php