DSE English oral exam may go online but HKEAA has no timetable yet

The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority is mulling over the idea of holding the DSE English oral exam online, saying a feasibility research study that started in 2021 shows the move is “probably practical.” 

The HKEAA stressed that it doesn’t have a timetable to implement the change at the moment and will continue to consult different stakeholders in the future. 

It also promised that the change will not affect the quality and fairness of the exam. 

The HKEAA explained that the DSE exams couldn’t be held amid the Covid pandemic and both schools and student are familiar with carrying out teaching activities online such as group discussions. 

Computerized assessment has become a global trend as well, it added. 

The HKEAA didn’t respond if the change is to convenience students who will be able to sit the DSE exams at certain mainland schools as soon as next year. 

Yet, many teachers were concerned whether the HKEAA could provide technical support at the levels of other international assessments after attending a recent briefing, according to Hans Yeung Wing-yu, former assessment development manager at the HKEAA. 

Yeung gave the example of the TOEFL exams and said the examiner can usually contact the proctor within a minute during an online exam. 

He also recalled although the HKEAA has fully implemented online marking, examiners usually have to wait one or two days before receiving any technical support. 

Dion Chen, chair of the Hong Kong direct Subsidy Scheme Schools Council, said there will be less interaction if the oral exam is switched online and pointed to other factors including internet connection stability. 

Chen hopes the HKEAA would provide more details to avoid putting more pressure on students.