Transcript Hong Kong’s Changing Examination System

Hong Kong’s Changing
Examination System
11 October 2008
Current System
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HK Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE)
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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)
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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
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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 3
Secondary 2
Secondary 2
Secondary 1
Secondary 1
HKCEE
To be
examined for
the first time
in 2012
New public
examination leading
to HK Diploma of
Secondary
Education
(HKDSE)
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New Diploma (HKDSE)
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
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To be taken at the end of Grade 12 by almost all students
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All take a core of Chinese, English, Mathematics and
Liberal Studies, plus 2-3 elective subjects
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Standards-referenced reporting (Levels 1-5)
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Top Level 5 students awarded either 5* or 5**
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Elective Subjects
Category A: traditional school subjects
Category B: applied learning subjects
Category C: language subjects (other
than Chinese and English)
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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
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Category B Subjects
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Vocationally oriented courses
Anticipate around 30 courses
Mostly delivered by post secondary providers
Competency-based
To be reported as:
 Attained
 Attained with Distinction (Comparable to
Level 3)
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Category C Subjects
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AS Level French, German, Spanish, Urdu,
Hindi, Japanese
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Provided by Cambridge International
Examinations
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Administered locally by HKEAA
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Other Learning Activities
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Moral and civic education
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Community service
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Aesthetic and physical activities
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Career-related experiences
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School-based Assessment
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In 2012, in place in half of the HKDSE subjects
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Phased in progressively over the period 2012-2016
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Mostly done in school under direct teacher
supervision
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Statistically moderated against examination scores to
maintain consistency in standard among schools
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Typically contributes about 20% of total marks
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Standards-referenced Reporting
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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
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Rationale for SRR
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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
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HKDSE Levels
5**
A
5*
B
5
4
C
3
D
2
E
F
1
HKALE
U
HKCEE
U
HKDSE
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Transitional Arrangements
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HKCEE (Year 11)
 Last cohort in 2010
 Examinations for select subjects offered in 2011
HKALE (Year 13)
 Last cohort in 2012
 Examinations for select subjects offered in 2013
HKDSE (Year 12)
 First cohort in 2012
Double cohort in 2012
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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
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Results
In theory, the
certificate could
contain three kinds
of results.
In practice this will
be rare.
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The key changes
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Starting in 2012, almost all students stay on
to the end of Year 12 and take the HKDSE
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The new award requires school students to
take 4 core subjects
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Local university-bound students then proceed
to 4-year undergraduate programs
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Further Information
Website: http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk
Email: [email protected]