March 2025

Ready for the 2025 HKDSE

The HKEAA is fully prepared for the 2025 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE). Comprehensive preparatory work has been completed, including large-scale rehearsals at most centre schools to assess the examination systems and to familiarise candidates and examination personnel with the operational procedures. In addition, contingency arrangements are in place to ensure the smooth conduct of examinations.

 

Over 55,000 candidates, including around 45,500 school candidates, have registered for the 2025 HKDSE. The Home cum District Centre Arrangements will continue, allowing the majority of candidates to take their core subjects written examinations at their own schools. Candidates are required to present the original copy of their admission forms and identity cards for verification when taking the examinations.

 

Candidates sitting for the examination in normal hall centres (except for the special room for the English Language Listening component) are reminded to install the ‘Check-in Smart (HKDSE)’ App on their mobile phones and log in to their accounts before arriving at the examination centres. Details about the ‘Check-in Smart (HKDSE)’ App can be found on the HKEAA website.

 

Upon arrival at the centres, candidates should use the App to perform self check-in. Candidates who cannot finish self check-in for any reason will receive assistance from our invigilators after the examination session.

 

The HKEAA is committed to providing an optimal examination environment for all candidates. We encourage candidates to take good care of their physical and mental health, relax and prepare themselves to do their best for the examinations.

Raising Recognition of the HKDSE

The HKDSE has been an important credential for senior secondary graduates, offering multiple pathways and opportunities for those who wish to pursue further education at home or abroad or develop a career. Over the years, the HKEAA has been working closely with the higher education sector and academic and professional bodies worldwide to promote international recognition of the HKDSE. Over 1,000 non-local higher education institutions have published their general admission requirements for candidates holding HKDSE qualification on the HKEAA’s website and/or their official websites.

 

Recently, the Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) confirmed that the HKDSE is considered equivalent to the Irish Leaving Certificate (Level 5 of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications, NFQ), allowing senior secondary graduates to progress to higher education and training programmes or into employment. The wide recognition of the HKDSE and its latest developments were discussed during a meeting in March with an Irish delegation comprising universities and cultural organisations. Please visit the HKEAA's webpage for details.

 

To further promote the multiple pathways for HKDSE candidates, for the first time, overseas education bodies and relevant Consulates-General of Austria, France, Ireland, Spain, and the United Kingdom were invited to host an exhibition and seminars during the HKEAA Open Day in January. Check out the blog article on DSE Express for details.

Prof Wei Xiang-dong, Secretary General (fifth from right) and Prof Ricardo Mak, Director of Public Examinations (fourth from right) of the HKEAA, welcomed the Irish delegation at the HKEAA Hung Hom Office and Examination Centre.

Registration for the Fourth Run of Computer-based PSC

Since August 2024, eligible full-time in-service teachers and prospective teachers employed by publicly-funded secondary, primary and special schools have been fully sponsored by the Language Fund to sit the ‘Putonghua Shuiping Ceshi’ (PSC) at the HKEAA’s computer-based testing centre. The Putonghua and Language Test Center of the National Language Commission (the National Language Commission) assesses the candidates’ performance using the audio records of the PSC, conducted in the form of an oral test, submitted by the HKEAA. Candidates achieving Grade 3, Level B or above will be awarded the PSC Certificate issued by the National Language Commission.

 

To further encourage teachers to enhance their Putonghua proficiency level, the Education Bureau has launched the Sponsorship Scheme for Teachers Taking the National Putonghua Proficiency Test (the Scheme), through the Language Fund, to fully sponsor eligible full-time in-service teachers and prospective teachers to take the PSC free of charge once on a voluntary basis. The HKEAA administers the Scheme and offers one-stop registration and test service, and the fourth run of PSC will be held from 5 and 6 July 2025.

 

Eligible serving and prospective teachers employed by publicly-funded schools in the current academic year can now submit applications via the HKEAA until 12 May 2025. Visit the HKEAA webpage for details.

2023/24 HKEAA Annual Report Released

The latest Annual Report with the theme of ‘Moving Forward with Professionalism and Reliability’ is released, highlighting the development and achievements of the HKEAA from September 2023 to August 2024.

 

The report features our milestones in conducting the HKDSE, including the implementation of optimising measures for the core subjects and setting up designated examination centres for eligible candidates to sit the written examinations in the Mainland. It also provides an overview of our wide range of examinations and assessment services and our concerted effort to promote assessment literacy through research and collaboration with educational assessment partners worldwide.

 

The Annual Report is now available online. Click here to read the full Report.

Visit the Newly Opened HKEAA Information Centre

The HKEAA Hung Hom Office and Examination Centre is now open. An information centre has been launched to provide information on the recognition of the HKDSE qualification via an interactive platform. The centre also provides multimedia information on international and professional examinations and the Territory-wide System Assessment.

 

Members of the public are welcome to visit the centre to learn more about the rich array of examinations and assessments offered by the HKEAA.Book now.