The same marking scheme and grading standard are used for the question papers of the English and Chinese versions for subjects offering bilingual versions. The language used by the candidate in the examination is not printed on the certificate.
Large-entry subjects
The grading of large-entry subjects is based on the performance of a control group of schools. The control group comprises schools with satisfactory performance and relatively stable examination results over the past few years. It represents about one third of the participating schools. The main assumption of the control-group approach is that the performance of the control-group schools, taken as a whole, is stable between years and provides a reasonable norm for setting grading policies. This methodology has the merit of enabling the HKEAA to maintain between-year standards even if the difficulty of examination papers changes between years; or there is a change in the examination syllabus.
Grading policies based on control-group percentages are set annually for grades A, C and E for each subject. Based on the policy and the mark distribution of the control group, the minimum mark for grades A, C and E are determined. The minimum marks for the other grades are worked out based on a statistical algorithm.
The cutting scores, once determined, are applicable to the whole candidature regardless of the district where the candidates take the examination, the schools they come from, or whether they are private candidates.
HKALE language subjects are graded by the Chief Examiners. The grading is based largely on candidates’ performance in the examination and other relevant statistics.
Small-entry subjects
For the small-entry subjects, the grading is mainly based on Chief Examiners’ recommendations.
Vetting of standards
To safeguard the grading standards of HKALE, Cambridge Assessment is invited to vet the grading standards of different HKALE subjects every year.