Tens of thousands of young students received their Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) exam results today, and while a chance few have already made the news for their exemplary marks, statistics show that there has been a general decline in grades, with fewer students achieving the basic university entry level requirement than last year or even sitting the exams.
The Education Bureau said in a press release that a total of 61,624 sat the HKDSEs this year, down 9.5 percent from 2016. Out of those students, only 35.7 percent attained the minimum scores required for an undergraduate university degree, marking a 6.5 percent drop from last year. Meanwhile, 69.7 percent of students attained an overall passing grade in five subjects (including Chinese and English), down from 70.2 percent in 2016.
To be eligible for an undergraduate degree in Hong Kong universities, students have to attain two level 3s and two level 2s (or “3322”) in four core subjects: Chinese, English, Mathematics, and Liberal Studies, with five double stars (5**) being the highest grade for each subject. Those who fall short of the requirements can instead apply to read associate degrees at local community colleges. (Or indeed, forgo tertiary education altogether. We’re not judging.)
As expected from a city that treats its tutors like demi-gods (or at least worthy of enormous bus adverts and a HKD85 million signing bonus), HKDSE results day is seen as a make-it-or-break-it moment for many young Hongkongers.
In previous years, media coverage of results day has depicted students as being either ecstatic and overjoyed, or stunned and tearful. This morning, Coconuts Hong Kong reporters dropped by some local schools to gauge pupils’ reactions and (perhaps surprisingly) found that many appeared to be unfazed.
A budding scientist from St. Joseph’s College (SJC) in Admiralty, surnamed Cheng, said he “did well” and feels confident in his ability to join a course at a desirable university. Looking around, Cheng said, “Some students were surprised, others, like myself, were calm, and naturally some people cried.”
An SJC student surnamed Wong said he was “very satisfied” with his results, particularly for Chinese, in which he achieved a five double-star, and said he was “fairly confident” about getting into university.
Another SJC student, surnamed Choi, who hopes to study in the UK or Australia, said his results — particularly for English — were not satisfactory, but isn’t too invested in the importance of local exams. “[The DSE] is complete rubbish, [Hong Kong] has put way too much emphasis on exams, as if our futures depend completely on this one certificate.”
A pupil at St. Paul’s Convent School who gave her name as Tina said her results were “okay”, but confessed that she was too “relaxed” about revision. “I cried, as the teachers have been really helpful with [my] studies, but I felt I had let them down.” Despite this, she won’t be taking her results to heart too much. “A university degree doesn’t necessarily dictate how your career goes in the future. There are many alternatives even if your exam results aren’t good.”
Hear, hear.
