Free Practice Questions for HKDSE ICT
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Key Facts: HKDSE ICT Exam
HKDSE ICT Paper 1 (Compulsory part) carries 55% of the subject mark over 2 hours (HKEAA).
Paper 1 Section A is multiple-choice worth 22% and Section B is short/structured questions worth 33% (HKEAA).
HKDSE ICT Paper 2 (Elective part) carries 25% and lasts 1 hour 30 minutes (HKEAA).
From the 2025 HKDSE onward candidates choose any two of three electives: Databases, Web Application Development, and Algorithm and Programming (HKEAA).
School-Based Assessment contributes 20% of the HKDSE ICT subject mark through two guided tasks (HKEAA).
The 2026 HKDSE ICT fee is HK$519 per subject for school and Hong Kong permanent-resident self-study candidates (HKEAA).
HKDSE results are reported on a standards-referenced scale from Level 1 to Level 5**, with U for Unclassified (HKEAA).
In the 2025 HKDSE ICT, about 60.2% of candidates achieved Level 3 or above and roughly 12.8% achieved Level 5 or above (HKEAA).
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 review concepts for the HKDSE ICT exam. 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?
2What is the decimal (denary) value of the binary number 1011?
3Convert the hexadecimal number 2F to denary (decimal).
4How many distinct values can be represented using one byte (8 bits)?
5Which coding scheme uses 7 bits to represent English letters, digits and control characters, supporting 128 characters?
6Why is Unicode preferred over ASCII for representing text in many modern applications?
7What is the result of adding the binary numbers 0110 and 0011?
8Using two's complement in 8 bits, how is the value -1 represented?
9In a 24-bit RGB colour image, how many bits are used to represent each colour channel (red, green, blue)?
10What does the resolution of a bitmap (raster) image describe?
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.
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: 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 / Certification Fees
HK$519 per subject for school and Hong Kong permanent-resident self-study candidates (2026 HKDSE).
Exam sponsor websiteFees, 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.
Information Processing
Data vs information, data representation (binary, hex, ASCII/Unicode), number systems, image and sound, compression, data organisation, validation and spreadsheets.
Computer System Fundamentals
CPU components, memory (RAM/ROM/cache), input/output and storage devices, system and application software, the operating system and system performance.
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.
Computational Thinking and Programming
Problem analysis, algorithms, flowcharts and pseudocode, control structures, data types, Python programming, testing and debugging.
Social Implications
Technological innovations including AI, health and ethical issues, equity of access (digital divide) and intellectual property.
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.
Preparing for 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 / certification fees: HK$519 per subject for school and Hong Kong permanent-resident self-study candidates (2026 HKDSE). 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 ICT: Suggested Study Strategy
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.