History and Milestones
Development of Public Exams in Hong Kong
With the implementation of the New Academic Structure (NAS) in 2009, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) administered the first Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination in 2012, and the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) and Hong Kong Advanced Level of Education Examination (HKALE) were discontinued from 2012 and 2014 respectively.
- HKCEE (1978 - 2011)
- HKCEE (1980 - 2013)
HKCEE (1978 - 2011)
The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority had administered the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) since 1978. The HKCEE had been one of the most well established and recognised public examinations in Hong Kong. The HKCEE is normally taken by students at the end of their five-year secondary school education. The qualification of HKCEE was recognized both locally and internationally. It was considered as the gateway to further studies and career pursuance.
Over the years, more than 4,370,000 candidates had entered the examinations. With the implementation of the New Academic Structure (NAS) and Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination, the final HKCEE for school candidates and private candidates took place in 2010 and 2011 respectively.
The HKCEE was conducted in April and May annually and the results were released in August. Except for the subjects of Chinese Language and English Language, the results of all other subjects of the HKCEE were indicated by six grades (A, B, C, D, E and F), of which grade A was the highest and grade F was the lowest. Results below grade F were designated as unclassified (UNCL).
Since 2007 the results of Chinese Language and English Language had been indicated by five levels (5, 4, 3, 2 and 1), of which level 5 was the highest and level 1 was the lowest. Performance below level 1 was designated as unclassified (UNCL). Level 5 candidates with the best performance would have their results indicated by the symbol *.
HKCEE (1980 - 2013)
The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) had administered the first Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) since 1980. With the implementation of the New Academic Structure (NAS), the HKEAA administered the final HKALE for school candidates in 2012 and the final HKALE for private candidates in 2013.
The HKALE was mainly taken by students upon completion of the two-year sixth-form education. HKALE qualification had always served as a significant credential for students to pursue further studies and employment.
The HKALE registered a total of over 900,000 entries over the past 34 years.
The HKALE was conducted in the months of March and June annually and the results were released in June/July. Syllabuses of HKALE subjects can be categorised into two types: Advanced Supplementary level (AS-level) and Advanced level (A-level). AS level subjects were taught in half the amount of periods required for A-level subjects, but they required the same level of intellectual rigour.
The results of the HKALE were expressed in terms of six grades A – F, of which grade A was the highest and F the lowest. Results below grade F were designated as unclassified (UNCL). Since 2002, fine grades used in 2001 and before (i.e A(01), A(02), B(03), B(04)) have been abolished.
For HKCEE subjects, a grade "C" or above is equivalent to a pass in GCE O-level examination conducted by a British awarding body, except English Language (Syllabus A), Accommodation & Catering Services and Fashion & Clothing.
Starting from 2007 HKCEE, standards-referenced reporting had been adopted in Chinese Language and English Language. Candidates' levels of performance were reported using levels with reference to a set of standards for the subject. The results in the two language subjects are recognised as equivalent to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE).
Details of results are as follows:
| Levels attained in HKCEE | 5* | 5 | 4 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levels attained in HKCEE | 5* | 5 | 4 | 3 |
Starting from 2007 HKCEE, Chinese Language and English Language had adopted the standards-referenced reporting to indicate candidates’ performance. Under this new set of reporting, results of these two language subjects are recognised as equivalent to the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE). Details are as follow
| Levels attained in HKCEE | 5* | 5 | 4 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Levels attained in HKCEE | 5* | 5 | 4 | 3 |