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100+ Free HKDSE ICT Practice Questions

Pass your HKDSE Information and Communication Technology exam on the first try — instant access, no signup required.

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Which SQL statement would change the structure of a table, for example adding a new column?

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Key Facts: HKDSE ICT Exam

HKDSE ICT is graded on a 5**-to-1 standards-referenced scale across Paper 1 (compulsory, 55%, 2 hours), Paper 2 (two electives, 25%, 1.5 hours) and a 20% School-Based Assessment.

Sample HKDSE ICT Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your HKDSE ICT exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In a computer system, what is the smallest unit of data that can represent only two states, 0 or 1?
A.A byte
B.A word
C.A nibble
D.A bit
Explanation: A bit (binary digit) is the smallest unit of data and holds a single binary value, either 0 or 1. All larger units are built from groups of bits.
2What is the decimal (denary) value of the binary number 1011?
A.9
B.13
C.11
D.15
Explanation: Using place values 8, 4, 2, 1: 1×8 + 0×4 + 1×2 + 1×1 = 8 + 2 + 1 = 11.
3Convert the hexadecimal number 2F to denary (decimal).
A.31
B.79
C.63
D.47
Explanation: Hex 2F = 2×16 + 15 = 32 + 15 = 47, because the digit F represents 15 in hexadecimal.
4How many distinct values can be represented using one byte (8 bits)?
A.8
B.128
C.255
D.256
Explanation: An 8-bit byte can represent 2^8 = 256 distinct patterns, ranging from 00000000 to 11111111. Note this is 256 values even though the largest unsigned value is 255.
5Which coding scheme uses 7 bits to represent English letters, digits and control characters, supporting 128 characters?
A.ASCII
B.Unicode
C.BCD
D.EBCDIC
Explanation: Standard ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) uses 7 bits, giving 2^7 = 128 codes for English letters, digits, punctuation and control characters.
6Why is Unicode preferred over ASCII for representing text in many modern applications?
A.It uses fewer bits per character
B.It only stores numbers
C.It can represent characters from many languages and scripts
D.It compresses files automatically
Explanation: Unicode assigns a unique code point to characters from virtually all writing systems, including Chinese, Arabic and emoji, which 128-character ASCII cannot represent.
7What is the result of adding the binary numbers 0110 and 0011?
A.1001
B.1010
C.1000
D.1011
Explanation: 0110 (6) + 0011 (3) = 1001 (9). Adding bit by bit from the right with carries gives 1001.
8Using two's complement in 8 bits, how is the value -1 represented?
A.10000001
B.00000001
C.11111111
D.11111110
Explanation: In two's complement, -1 is found by inverting 00000001 to 11111110 and adding 1, giving 11111111. This is why two's complement makes -1 an all-ones pattern.
9In a 24-bit RGB colour image, how many bits are used to represent each colour channel (red, green, blue)?
A.6 bits
B.24 bits
C.12 bits
D.8 bits
Explanation: 24-bit colour uses 8 bits per channel for red, green and blue (8×3 = 24), giving 256 intensity levels per channel and about 16.7 million colours in total.
10What does the resolution of a bitmap (raster) image describe?
A.The number of colours it can store
B.The number of layers in the image
C.The file compression ratio
D.The number of pixels, e.g. width by height
Explanation: Resolution is the number of pixels making up the image, commonly given as width by height (e.g. 1920×1080). Higher resolution means more pixels and more detail.

About the HKDSE ICT Exam

HKDSE Information and Communication Technology is a Category A elective subject of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, set by the HKEAA. The public examination consists of Paper 1 (Compulsory part, 55%, 2 hours) with a multiple-choice Section A worth 22% and a short/structured Section B worth 33%, and Paper 2 (Elective part, 25%, 1.5 hours) in which candidates answer any two of three options: Databases, Web Application Development, or Algorithm and Programming. A School-Based Assessment of two guided tasks contributes the remaining 20%. The compulsory curriculum covers Information Processing, Computer System Fundamentals, Internet and its Applications, Computational Thinking and Programming, and Social Implications, with Python, C++ or Pascal used for programming. Results are reported on a standards-referenced scale from Level 1 to Level 5**, and the subject is widely used for university admission through JUPAS.

Questions

100 scored questions

Time Limit

Paper 1: 2 hours; Paper 2: 1 hour 30 minutes

Passing Score

Standards-referenced Levels 1-5 (with 5* and 5** distinctions within Level 5); below Level 1 is Unclassified. No fixed pass mark.

Exam Fee

HK$519 per subject for school and Hong Kong permanent-resident self-study candidates (2026 HKDSE). (Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA))

HKDSE ICT Exam Content Outline

26%

Information Processing

Data vs information, data representation (binary, hex, ASCII/Unicode), number systems, image and sound, compression, data organisation, validation and spreadsheets.

14%

Computer System Fundamentals

CPU components, memory (RAM/ROM/cache), input/output and storage devices, system and application software, the operating system and system performance.

21%

Internet and its Applications

Networks and topologies, protocols (TCP/IP, DNS, HTTP/HTTPS), web technologies (HTML, CSS), online security and ethics, e-commerce and cloud computing.

24%

Computational Thinking and Programming

Problem analysis, algorithms, flowcharts and pseudocode, control structures, data types, Python programming, testing and debugging.

5%

Social Implications

Technological innovations including AI, health and ethical issues, equity of access (digital divide) and intellectual property.

10%

Elective Options

Databases (relational model, SQL, ER diagrams, normalisation); Algorithm and Programming (data structures, searching/sorting, subprograms); or Web Application Development. Candidates take two of the three.

How to Pass the HKDSE ICT Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Standards-referenced Levels 1-5 (with 5* and 5** distinctions within Level 5); below Level 1 is Unclassified. No fixed pass mark.
  • Exam length: 100 questions
  • Time limit: Paper 1: 2 hours; Paper 2: 1 hour 30 minutes
  • Exam fee: HK$519 per subject for school and Hong Kong permanent-resident self-study candidates (2026 HKDSE).

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

HKDSE ICT Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master data representation by practising binary, hexadecimal and ASCII/Unicode conversions until they are quick and automatic.
2Trace algorithms and pseudocode by hand using trace tables so you can predict outputs of loops and conditions accurately.
3Write and run real Python programs; coding short problems is the fastest way to internalise control structures and debugging.
4For the Databases elective, practise writing SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE and JOIN-style SQL on small sample tables.
5Learn the TCP/IP and DNS roles and common protocols (HTTP/HTTPS, FTP, SMTP) so network questions become straightforward.
6Work through HKEAA past papers and sample papers under timed conditions to get used to Paper 1 MCQs and structured answers.
7Plan your School-Based Assessment early, since it carries 20% of the subject mark.

Frequently Asked Questions

How is the 2026 HKDSE ICT exam structured?

It has Paper 1 (Compulsory part, 55%, 2 hours) with a multiple-choice Section A (22%) and short/structured Section B (33%), Paper 2 (Elective part, 25%, 1.5 hours) covering any two of three options, and a School-Based Assessment worth 20%.

Which elective options can I choose in HKDSE ICT?

Under the framework used from the 2025 HKDSE onward, candidates choose any two of three elective options: A. Databases, B. Web Application Development, and C. Algorithm and Programming.

What programming languages are used in HKDSE ICT?

Python, C++ and Pascal are all accepted for the programming components and the Algorithm and Programming elective, as set out in the HKEAA Curriculum and Assessment Guide.

How much does the HKDSE ICT exam cost in 2026?

School candidates and Hong Kong permanent-resident self-study candidates pay HK$519 for ICT as an 'other' subject in 2026. Private candidates who are non-permanent residents pay higher tiered fees.

How is HKDSE ICT graded?

Results are reported on a standards-referenced scale from Level 1 to Level 5, with the strongest Level 5 candidates awarded 5* and 5**. Performance below Level 1 is designated Unclassified (U).

Are these practice questions enough to pass HKDSE ICT?

These 100 free multiple-choice questions reinforce the compulsory part and key elective topics, but you should also practise full past papers and structured questions and complete your School-Based Assessment.