Hong Kongs Changing Examination System 11 October 2008

Hong Kong’s Changing Examination System 11 October 2008

Current System l HK Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) u u u l Taken by almost all students at the end of Grade 11 Typically Chinese, English, Mathematics and 4 -5 other subjects Equivalent to UK IGCSE HK Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) u u u Taken by around a third of the cohort at the end of Grade 13 Typically Chinese, English and 2 -3 other subjects Equivalent to UK A-Level, except math and science standards one grade higher than UK 2

New “ 3+3+4” Structure Current Structure ( 3+2+2+3 ) 3 -Year Undergraduate Degree HKALE New Structure ( 3+3+4 ) 4 -Year Undergraduate Degree Secondary 7 Secondary 6 Senior Secondary 3 Secondary 5 Senior Secondary 2 Secondary 4 Senior Secondary 1 Secondary 3 Secondary 2 Secondary 1 HKCEE To be examined for the first time in 2012 New public examination leading to HK Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) 3

New Diploma (HKDSE) Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) l To be taken at the end of Grade 12 by almost all students l All take a core of Chinese, English, Mathematics and Liberal Studies, plus 2 -3 elective subjects l Standards-referenced reporting (Levels 1 -5) l Top Level 5 students awarded either 5* or 5** 4

Elective Subjects Category A: traditional school subjects Category B: applied learning subjects Category C: language subjects (other than Chinese and English) 5

Category A Subjects Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and Liberal Studies Biology Business, Accounting & Financial Studies Chemistry Chinese History Chinese Literature Design and Applied Technology Economics Ethics and Religious Studies Geography Health Management and Social Care History Information and Communication Technology Literature in English Music Physical Education Physics Science Technology and Living Tourism and Hospitality Studies Visual Arts www. hkeaa. edu. hk >> HKDSE >> Subject Information 6

Category B Subjects l l l Vocationally oriented courses Anticipate around 30 courses Mostly delivered by post secondary providers Competency-based To be reported as: u Attained with Distinction (Comparable to Level 3) 7

Category C Subjects l AS Level French, German, Spanish, Urdu, Hindi, Japanese l Provided by Cambridge International Examinations l Administered locally by HKEAA 8

Other Learning Activities l Moral and civic education l Community service l Aesthetic and physical activities l Career-related experiences 9

School-based Assessment l In 2012, in place in half of the HKDSE subjects l Phased in progressively over the period 2012 -2016 l Mostly done in school under direct teacher supervision l Statistically moderated against examination scores to maintain consistency in standard among schools l Typically contributes about 20% of total marks 10

Standards-referenced Reporting l l l Applies to Category A subjects To be reported with reference to five defined levels of performance (1 -5) Descriptors and samples for each level Top Level 5 students awarded 5**, 5* Psychometric methods to be used to maintain standards 11

Rationale for SRR l l l To provide reporting with reference to standards that remain constant over time Greater transparency regarding what candidates have to do to be awarded a Level More information for employers regarding what students know and can do Feedback to students and teachers on what they need to do to improve To align with international practice 12

HKDSE Levels 5** A 5* B 5 4 C 3 D 2 E F 1 HKALE U HKCEE U HKDSE 13

Transitional Arrangements l l l HKCEE (Year 11) u Last cohort in 2010 u Examinations for select subjects offered in 2011 HKALE (Year 13) u Last cohort in 2012 u Examinations for select subjects offered in 2013 HKDSE (Year 12) u First cohort in 2012 Double cohort in 2012 14

University Entrance Minimum requirements of local universities typically: 1. Level 3: Chinese Language and English Language 2. Level 2: Liberal Studies and Mathematics 3. One or in some cases two specified subjects 15

Results In theory, the certificate could contain three kinds of results. In practice this will be rare. 16

The key changes l Starting in 2012, almost all students stay on to the end of Year 12 and take the HKDSE l The new award requires school students to take 4 core subjects l Local university-bound students then proceed to 4 -year undergraduate programs 17

Further Information Website: http: //www. hkeaa. edu. hk Email: pa@hkeaa. edu. hk