Mainland schools report higher DSE core subject pass rates than Hong Kong average

Two of the four schools in mainland China approved to register students for Hong Kong's Diploma of Secondary Education exams reported that most of their pupils passed the core subjects after results were released on Wednesday. Shenzhen Hong Kong Pui Kiu College Longhua Xinyi School said 87 per cent of its students passed all core subjects.

The Affiliated School of JNU for Hong Kong and Macau Students in Guangzhou reported a 71 per cent pass rate. Both figures exceeded the Hong Kong citywide average of 42.7 per cent. The four Greater Bay Area schools are the only mainland institutions permitted by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority to register students as school candidates.

Students at other mainland schools must register as private candidates.

Core subject requirements To pass the core subjects, students needed at least Level 3 in Chinese and English, Level 2 in mathematics, and an "attained" rating in citizenship and social development. Admission to Hong Kong's eight public universities also requires Level 3 or above in two elective subjects.

The schools did not disclose how many students met the elective threshold. Across Hong Kong, the share of day-school candidates meeting minimum university admission requirements fell to 36.8 per cent this year from 38.5 per cent last year.