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Exam Review

Key Facts: HKDSE English Exam

HKDSE English Language has four papers weighted 20%, 25%, 30% and 10%, plus a 15% School-based Assessment (HKEAA).

Paper 3 Listening and Integrated Skills is the most heavily weighted paper at 30% of the subject mark (HKEAA).

Results are reported on a seven-level scale: 5**, 5*, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 and U (HKEAA).

Level 3 in HKDSE English is the common minimum benchmark for Hong Kong university admission (HKEAA 332A pattern).

In Papers 1 and 3, Part B1 caps at Level 4 while the harder Part B2 allows the full range up to Level 5** (HKEAA).

The 2026 HKDSE English subject fee for school candidates is HK$777 (HKEAA, July 2025 announcement).

Paper 4 Speaking groups four candidates for a group interaction after 10 minutes of preparation (HKEAA).

Some universities accept Level 5 in HKDSE English in lieu of IELTS 7.0 to 7.5 (international admission references).

HKDSE English Language is Hong Kong's core school-leaving English exam: four papers (Reading 20%, Writing 25%, Listening & Integrated Skills 30%, Speaking 10%) plus a 15% SBA, graded from Level 1 to 5**.

Sample HKDSE English Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the HKDSE English exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In the HKDSE English Language examination, Paper 1 (Reading) carries what percentage of the overall subject mark?
A.20%
B.10%
C.25%
D.30%
Explanation: In the HKEAA assessment framework, Paper 1 Reading is weighted at 20% of the subject mark, split into Part A (10%) and Part B (10%). It lasts 1.5 hours.
2Which body administers the HKDSE English Language examination?
A.The Education Bureau of Hong Kong
B.Cambridge Assessment International Education
C.The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA)
D.The University Grants Committee
Explanation: The HKDSE is set and administered by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA), which has run the diploma since its launch in 2012.
3In Paper 1 Reading, candidates must complete Part A and then choose between Part B1 and Part B2. What is the key difference?
A.B1 is the easier section; B2 is the more difficult section
B.B1 is reading and B2 is writing
C.B1 is compulsory and B2 is optional
D.B1 tests fiction and B2 tests non-fiction
Explanation: Part A is compulsory for all candidates. Part B1 is the easier optional section (maximum attainable Level 4), while Part B2 is the more difficult section allowing the full range of levels up to 5**.
4Choose the option that best completes the sentence: 'Neither the teacher nor the students ___ aware of the schedule change.'
A.were
B.was
C.is
D.has been
Explanation: With 'neither ... nor', the verb agrees with the nearer subject. The nearer subject 'students' is plural, so the plural verb 'were' is correct.
5Paper 3 of the HKDSE English Language examination assesses which skills?
A.Reading only
B.Speaking only
C.Listening and Integrated Skills
D.Writing and grammar
Explanation: Paper 3 is Listening and Integrated Skills, weighted at 30% and lasting about 2 hours. It requires candidates to process information from spoken and written sources, often using a Data File.
6Read this sentence from a Paper 1 text: 'The proposal was met with a frosty reception by the committee.' What does 'frosty reception' most nearly mean?
A.A cold, unwelcoming response
B.An enthusiastic welcome
C.A confused reaction
D.A delayed decision
Explanation: 'Frosty' is used figuratively to mean cold or unfriendly. A 'frosty reception' therefore means the proposal was received in an unwelcoming, hostile manner.
7In Paper 1, candidates who attempt only Part A and Part B1 can achieve a maximum of which level?
A.Level 3
B.Level 4
C.Level 5
D.Level 5**
Explanation: Part B1 is the easier section. Candidates attempting Parts A and B1 can attain a maximum of Level 4. To reach the full range up to Level 5** they must attempt the harder Part B2.
8Identify the sentence with correct punctuation.
A.The meeting, which was scheduled for noon was postponed.
B.The meeting which was scheduled for noon, was postponed.
C.The meeting, which was scheduled for noon, was postponed.
D.The meeting which was scheduled for noon was postponed,
Explanation: 'Which was scheduled for noon' is a non-defining relative clause adding extra information. Non-defining clauses must be enclosed by a pair of commas, one before 'which' and one after 'noon'.
9Which spelling follows British English conventions used in the HKDSE?
A.The colourful organisation realised its goal.
B.The colorful organization realized its goal.
C.The colourful organization realized its goal.
D.The colorful organisation realised its goal.
Explanation: HKDSE English follows British conventions: 'colour' (not color), 'organisation' (not organization), and 'realised' (not realized). Only option 1 is consistently British throughout.
10Paper 2 Writing is divided into Part A and Part B. Approximately how long should the Part B extended writing task be?
A.About 50 words
B.About 200 words
C.About 400 words
D.About 1,000 words
Explanation: In Paper 2, Part A is a shorter compulsory task and Part B is the longer, more open-ended elective task of about 400 words, weighted at 15% of the subject mark.

About the HKDSE English Exam

HKDSE English Language is a core compulsory subject of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, taken by Secondary 6 students and private candidates and administered by the HKEAA. The public examination has four papers: Paper 1 Reading (20%, 1.5 hours), Paper 2 Writing (25%, 2 hours), Paper 3 Listening and Integrated Skills (30%, about 2 hours) and Paper 4 Speaking (10%, about 20 minutes), with a 15% School-based Assessment for school candidates. Papers 1 and 3 each have a compulsory Part A and a choice between an easier Part B1 (maximum Level 4) and a harder Part B2 (full range to Level 5**). Paper 2 Part B draws on elective modules such as Short Stories, Drama, Social Issues, Workplace Communication and Debating. Results are reported on a seven-level scale from Level 1 to Level 5**, with Level 3 widely required as the minimum English benchmark for local university admission.

Exam sponsor: Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

100 questions

Time Limit

Paper 1: 1.5 hours; Paper 2: 2 hours; Paper 3: about 2 hours; Paper 4: about 20 minutes

Passing Score

Seven-level scale (5**, 5*, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, U); Level 3 is the usual minimum for Hong Kong university entry

Exam / Certification Fees

2026: HK$777 per language subject (school candidates); HK$1,377 for private candidates without a Permanent HKIC, plus a HK$595 initial fee

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

30%

Paper 3 Listening & Integrated Skills

Listening plus integrated reading/writing using a Data File; note-making, summary, data integration and extended writing of 100-200 words

25%

Paper 2 Writing

Short compulsory Part A and extended Part B (about 400 words) from elective modules such as Short Stories, Social Issues and Workplace Communication

20%

Paper 1 Reading

Compulsory Part A plus a choice of easier B1 or harder B2; comprehension, inference, vocabulary and grammar in context

15%

School-based Assessment (SBA)

School-assessed oral and reading/viewing tasks for school candidates

10%

Paper 4 Speaking

Group interaction in fours plus individual response, testing fluency, pronunciation and interaction

Preparing for the HKDSE English Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Seven-level scale (5**, 5*, 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, U); Level 3 is the usual minimum for Hong Kong university entry
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: Paper 1: 1.5 hours; Paper 2: 2 hours; Paper 3: about 2 hours; Paper 4: about 20 minutes
  • Exam / certification fees: 2026: HK$777 per language subject (school candidates); HK$1,377 for private candidates without a Permanent HKIC, plus a HK$595 initial fee Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

HKDSE English: Suggested Study Strategy

1Practise the integrated Paper 3 skills by combining notes from a Data File with information from a listening passage into a single coherent piece of writing.
2Use British English spelling and conventions throughout (colour, organisation, realise), as the HKDSE follows British usage.
3For Paper 2 Part B, pick two or three elective modules to specialise in and learn their typical text types, such as letters to the editor for Social Issues or stories for Short Stories.
4Build vocabulary in context: learn how words shift meaning and connotation in reading passages rather than memorising isolated definitions.
5Time yourself on past papers to manage the 1.5-hour Reading and 2-hour Writing papers, and stay within the word guides given for each task.
6For Paper 4, practise group interaction skills such as inviting others to speak, building on points and disagreeing politely, not just speaking fluently.

Frequently Asked Questions

What level do I need in HKDSE English for university?

Most Hong Kong universities require at least Level 3 in HKDSE English Language, reflected in the standard 332A entry pattern (Level 3 Chinese, Level 3 English, Level 2 Maths, Attained in Citizenship and Social Development). Competitive programmes may require Level 4 or 5.

How is HKDSE English Language structured?

There are four public papers: Paper 1 Reading (20%), Paper 2 Writing (25%), Paper 3 Listening and Integrated Skills (30%) and Paper 4 Speaking (10%), plus a 15% School-based Assessment for school candidates.

What is the difference between Part B1 and Part B2?

In Papers 1 and 3, all candidates do the compulsory Part A and then choose either Part B1, the easier section (maximum Level 4), or Part B2, the harder section that allows the full range of levels up to 5**.

How much does the 2026 HKDSE English exam cost?

For the 2026 HKDSE, the subject fee is HK$777 per language subject for school candidates. Private candidates pay a HK$595 initial fee plus HK$777 (Permanent HKIC holders) or HK$1,377 (non-Permanent HKIC holders) per language subject.

What grades can I achieve in HKDSE English?

Results are reported on a seven-level scale: 5** (highest), 5*, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1, with U (Unclassified) for performance below Level 1. Levels 5** and 5* are distinction grades within Level 5.

What are the elective modules in Paper 2 Writing?

Paper 2 Part B is based on elective modules of the senior secondary curriculum: Short Stories, Poems and Songs, Drama, Pop Culture, Sports Communication, Debating, Social Issues and Workplace Communication.