In the HKDSE, standards-referenced reporting will be adopted to report candidates' assessment results. What this means is that candidates' levels of performance will be reported with reference to a set of standards as defined by cut scores on the variable or scale for a given subject. The set of standards for a given subject can be represented diagrammatically as shown below:

Within the context of the HKDSE there will be five cut scores, which will be used to distinguish five levels of performance (1–5), with 5 being the highest. A performance below the threshold cut score for Level 1 will be labelled as “Unclassified” (U). To maintain current levels of discrimination for selection purposes, Level 5 candidates with the best performance will have their results annotated with the symbols ‘**’ and the next top group with the symbol ‘*’.

For each of the five levels, a set of written descriptors will be developed that describe what the typical candidate performing at this level is able to do. The principle behind these descriptors is that they describe what typical candidates can do, not what they cannot do. In other words, they describe performance in positive rather than negative terms. These descriptors will necessarily represent “on-average” statements and may not apply precisely to individuals, whose performance within a subject may be variable and span two or more levels.

A set of generic descriptors is drawn up to provide an overall brief description of the performance standards of candidates at different levels across subjects. The generic descriptors encompass the major learning outcomes that are common across subjects, namely knowledge and understanding of the curriculum and the ability to apply concepts and skills, higher order abilities such as interpretation, analysis, synthesis and evaluation, and the ability to communicate. In addition to the generic descriptors, there are subject level descriptors which describe the performance standards of candidates more specifically in the light of the expected learning outcomes of each subject. Please click here to access the webpage of " Subject Information" for the level descriptors of individual subjects.

Samples of students' work at various levels of attainment from six selected subjects are available on this website. These samples, together with the generic descriptors, will be able to clarify the standards expected at various levels. More samples of student performance can be found in the HKDSE Standards-referenced Reporting Information Packages of individual subjects, copies of which have been sent to secondary schools and tertiary institutions. They are also available for sale in the HKEAA online bookstore (please click here to the online bookstore) and at the Wan Chai and San Po Kong sub-offices.

In setting standards for the HKDSE, Levels 4 and 5 will be set with reference to the standards achieved by candidates awarded grades A–D in the HKALE. Referencing Levels 4 and 5 to the standards associated with the old grades A–D is important for ensuring a degree of continuity with past practice, for facilitating tertiary selection and for maintaining international recognition. It needs to be stressed, however, that the intention is that the standards will remain constant over time – not the percentages of candidates awarded different levels, as these are free to vary in line with fluctuations in overall candidate performance.

In addition, a booklet on Grading Procedures and Standards-referenced Reporting in the HKDSE Examination is available for download.