DSE writing tests kick off with many showing up early for smooth check-in

More than 4,000 candidates took part in the Visual Arts exam of this year’s Diploma of Secondary Education, with many arriving at the exam venue an hour early.

The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority requires candidates to check in using the updated “Check-in Smart” app this year.

After last year’s malfunctions, some candidates expressed concerns about potential issues with the app and chose to arrive early to avoid disrupting the exam, while others felt confident that the venue would have effective measures in place.

The Visual Arts exam began at 8.30am on Tuesday, with candidates starting to arrive outside the venue by 7.30am.

A student named Luk arrived around 7.50am, mentioning he left home early due to concerns about the app. “Although I feel a bit nervous, I hope to perform at my best,” he said.

Another student, Wong, stated she woke up early to double-check her art supplies and reference materials to avoid forgetting anything. 

She expressed feeling nervous and worried that the cold weather might affect her mood during the exam, fearing she might “make a mistake.”

About 55,000 candidates registered for DSE this year, an increase of about 10 percent from last year. Among them, over 10,000 are private candidates, representing a rise of more than 37 percent compared to 2024.

Some candidates are worried that competition will be tougher this year, but they believe they have an advantage over private candidates since they can regularly train for their subjects at school.

Many parents accompanied their children to the exam venue. Mrs. Tang expressed her desire to “give her [daughter] some encouragement.”

Tang said she was aware of last year’s malfunctions with the app and reminded her daughter to check it.

(Cheng Wong)