Instructions to Applicants

‘Candidate Entry Information Checklist (CEIC)’ and the ‘Information Sheet for Checking of Candidate EntryInformation Checklist (CEIC)’ from the Registration System. Check your CEIC carefully to make sure that thereare no errors in your entry.21. You are required to read the ‘Instructions to Applicants (Private Candidates)’ carefully, in particular Section Fconcerning the collection of personal data, and refer to this document and the ‘Information Sheet for Checking ofCandidate Entry Information Checklist (CEIC)’ when checking your CEIC.22. While checking your CEIC, you should make sure that your full name in English and your Chinese name (if any)on your CEIC are identical with your names on your HKID Card/travel document as the names will be printed onthe HKDSE Examination certificate. Extra attention should be paid to the subject(s) for which you have enteredand your selection of paper / module / set / musical instruments (for Music) / physical activities (for PhysicalEducation) for the relevant subjects and the language medium of subjects entered.23. If you discover any errors in your CEIC, you should make the amendments via your own account on theRegistration System. You are advised to check your CEIC again carefully after amendments have been made.24. If you have not reached the age of 18 by 1 January 2013, you are required to submit one recent photograph (3cm x 4 cm) showing your head and shoulders by visiting one of the HKEAA offices. Candidates who have enteredfor Music and / or Physical Education examination should submit to the HKEAA an additional photograph (also 3cm x 4 cm) for affixing on the Admission Form for Practical Examinations which will be issued in late January2013. The Registration System will ask you to choose a time slot and an HKEAA office to submit yourphotograph(s). You will receive an email notification about your photograph submission appointment uponconfirmation of your registration entry. You should submit your photograph(s) according to the instructions in theemail notification.25. You will be required to select the payment method of the examination fee while registering online. If you chooseto pay online by Visa/Master Card, the System will connect you to the Credit Card system instantly. If youchoose to pay via PPS, internet banking or at any 7-Eleven store in Hong Kong, you will be required to downloada Demand Note and settle the payment by 5:00 pm on 19 October 2012 (more details in Section H).F. Your Personal Data and Answer Scripts26. Personal data of candidates are used for the purpose of conducting the examination and the subsequentassessment of examination results. The entry data shall be supplied by candidates submitting their own entries.Whether you provide the requested personal data is voluntary. However, if you fail to provide all the data, or ifany of the data provided are inaccurate or incomplete, the processing of your examination results will be affectedand hence the HKEAA may not accept your entry. Assessment data are provided by markers, checkmarkers andexaminers.27. The personal data may also be used for the following purposes:(1) assisting tertiary institutions and other government/public organisation in their processes for admissionspurposes;(2) assisting government/public organisation in respect of their requests for information in grantingscholarships;(3) certifying candidates’ examination results in response to legitimate requests;(4) conducting educational research and analysis in an anonymous format in which the identities of candidatesare not traceable.28. In compliance with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance, access to all personal data will be made available, onpayment of a fee, to anyone who can establish his/her right to be informed of such data as are retained by theHKEAA. The procedures for applications for data access are included in the “Application Guide on DataAccess Requests” available at the HKEAA website at www.hkeaa.edu.hk.29. All answer scripts submitted by candidates (including the practical work in examinations for subjects that requirelaboratory/workshop facilities), and all works submitted to the Authority under the SBA (including courseworks5

Note: Candidates are advised that no special arrangements will be made in the event of a timetable clash withother examinations.I. Examination Fee Remission38. Private candidates are not eligible to apply for examination fee remission for the 2013 HKDSE Examination.J. Late Entry and Subject Amendment39. Candidates should note that applications for late entry and / or change of subject entry information after submissionof their entry to the HKEAA are subject to the approval of the HKEAA and payment of supplementary fees. TheHKEAA may at its discretion:(1) allow the addition or substitution of subject(s) to a candidate’s entries after they have been submitted to theHKEAA via the Registration System and have been accepted, on payment of a supplementary fee of HK$226per application (irrespective of the number of subjects). A change of language version will be regarded as achange of subject. For candidates who apply for an addition of subject(s), they are required to pay the subjectfee(s) as well;(2) allow changes in a candidate’s choice of paper / module / set / musical instruments (for Music) / physicalactivities (for Physical Education) in a subject on payment of a supplementary fee of HK$226 per application(irrespective of the number of subjects).40. If you wish to apply for addition and/or substitution of subjects after submission of your entries to the HKEAA, youshould submit a hard-copy application form in person or via an authorised person to the HKEAA Wan Chai officeand settle the payment of supplementary fees and subject fees (if applicable) on the spot before the deadline(tentatively scheduled from 19 November to 7 December 2012). The form will be available for download fromHKEAA website and the HKDSE Examination Online Services from 19 November 2012. For late entry,candidates are required to create a new user account and log into the Registration System for completing theapplication during the above period. Upon submission, you should print the demand note for payment ofsupplementary fees and subject fees before 5:00 pm on 14 December 2012. The “User Manual for the HKDSEExamination Late Entry (Private Candidates)” will be available for download from the Registration System from 19November 2012. You are advised to read carefully the document before submitting the applications.K. Amendment of Personal Particulars41. If you wish to amend your personal particulars (i.e. name, identity document and number) after the registration iscompleted, you should submit your requests for amendments to the HKEAA with the provision of supportingdocuments, such as identity card, birth certificate or statutory declaration for verification. (Please refer to SectionS for the contact information of the HKEAA.)42. In case of amendments of your contact information (i.e. contact phone number, SMS phone number, emailaddress and correspondence address), you may update the information via your own account on the RegistrationSystem.L. Amendment of Choice of Examination Centre District43. You are allowed to change your choice of examination centre district on or before 7 December 2012 without thepayment of supplementary fees. You may update your choice of district on the Registration System directlybefore the above deadline. Candidates who request the amendment between 8 December and 21 December 2012will be required to apply in person or via an authorised representative at the HKEAA Wan Chai Office and pay asupplementary fee of HK$350 at the time of application. Applications after 21 December 2012 will normally notbe accepted.7

M. Withdrawal from the Examination44. A candidate who wishes to withdraw from the 2013 HKDSE Examination should make an application to theSecretary General of the HKEAA on or before 7 December 2012.45. Candidates should apply in person or via an authorised representative at the HKEAA Wan Chai office.Alternatively, they may send the completed application form (downloadable from the Registration System) togetherwith a copy of their CEIC to the HKEAA by post. For applications by post, the candidate will receive anacknowledgement letter from the HKEAA within a week after receipt of the application by the HKEAA. In casethe candidate has not received the acknowledgement after one week, he/she should contact the HKEAA (Tel. No.3628 8860) immediately. The Authority is not responsible for any delay in postal delivery. Applications with apost-mark dated after 7 December 2012 will not be accepted. The candidate may receive a partial refund of the feeshe/she paid (namely any amount left after the deduction of an administration fee of HK$398) provided that theSecretary General of the HKEAA is notified in writing of the withdrawal on or before 7 December 2012.46. No refund is payable if a subject is deleted at the candidate’s request.47. An order cheque for the refund of the examination fees will be sent to the candidates concerned. If the cheque hasto be made payable to the parent of the candidate, a copy of the candidate’s birth certificate should be submittedwith the application for withdrawal.N. Candidates with Special Needs48. Candidates with disabilities(1) Private candidates with special needs (such as candidates with disabilities / chronic illness) may apply forspecial examination arrangements (such as allocation to special centres, extra time allowance, supervisedbreaks, provision of Braille/enlarged question papers) or exemption from part(s) of the requirements of anexamination in the HKDSE. Applications should be submitted via the Special Examination Arrangements(SEA) Online Services from 5 to 24 September 2012. Each application should be accompanied bysupporting documents. Late applications without valid reasons will not be accepted.(2) Where a candidate has been exempted from part(s) of the requirements of an examination, his/her results forthe affected part(s) will be assessed. The details of any such assessment will be listed on the candidate’scertificate. However, the reason for granting the exemption will not be recorded on the certificates. Specialassistance given to a candidate will not be recorded on the certificate as long as the candidate has completedthe full requirements of the examination.49. Candidates with Colour-Blindness / Colour Amblyopia ProblemsThese candidates should inform the HKEAA (by completing an application on the SEA Online Services) and submita medical / assessment report issued by an ophthalmologist / optometrist / Department of Health for consideration ofspecial examination arrangements. For question papers containing coloured diagrams / photographs, thesecandidates will be given a set of black-white photocopied question papers in addition to the normal questionpapers. For questions requiring colour differentiation, in case no indication of the colours is provided, specialconsideration and appropriate marking will be given by the markers in accordance with the assessment objectivesand requirements of the questions. However, candidates entering for Geography should note that colouredmaps will usually be included in the question papers and no special arrangements will be made in this respect.50. The “Application Guide” can be downloaded from the HKEAA website on www.hkeaa.edu.hk.O. ‘Handbook for Candidates’ and Admission Forms51. The “Handbook for Candidates” and admission forms for Category A and Category C June 2013 examinations willbe issued to private candidates by post in early December 2012 and mid February 2013 respectively.8

Note: Private candidates who have entered for the Physical Education or Music examination will receive theirAdmission Form for Practical Examinations in late January 2013 by post. Candidates entering for thePhysical Education examination will also receive the ‘Instructions to Candidates’ (for Paper 3) at the sametime.P. Regulation on Use of Calculators in Examination52. The use of calculators in the examination is permitted (except language subjects), but the calculator must havebeen pad-printed with the "H.K.E.A.A. APPROVED" or “H.K.E.A. APPROVED” label. Calculators with therequired label are available for sale at bookshops and shops selling audio-visual products. If your calculatordoes not have the label and if you want to have it pad-printed, you should refer to the pad-printing schedule in the‘Handbook for Candidates’ which will be available to candidates in early December 2012.Q. Publications53. The Regulations and Assessment Frameworks of the 2013 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education(HKDSE) Examination is available for sale at the HKEAA On-line Bookstore(http://online.hkeaa.edu.hk/bookstore) and the following places:(1) Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, 12/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, WanChai, Hong Kong (Tel No.: 3628 8222);(2) HKEAA Publications Unit, 17 Tseuk Luk Street, San Po Kong, Kowloon (Tel No.: 3628 8263); and(3) leading bookshops.R. Important dates54. The important dates for the September registration of the 2013 HKDSE Examination are listed below:EventDateRegistration for private candidates (for Category A and 19 September – 11 October 2012Category C June 2013 Series subjects)Download the “Instructions to Applicants (Private 19 September 2012 onwardsCandidates)” and “User Manual for Registration of PrivateCandidates”Payment of examination fee Before 5:00 pm on 19 October 2012Late payment of examination feeAfter 5:00 pm on 19 October 2012 andbefore 12:00 noon on 27 October 2012(Note: Entries will be accepted onpayment of a supplementary fee ofHK$226 per candidate in addition to thesubject fees)Applications for Late Entry / Subject Amendment: 19 November – 7 December 2012- Download the “User Manual for the HKDSEExamination Late Entry (Private Candidates)”(tentative)19 November 2012- Payment of supplementary fee & subject fees (if By 5:00 pm on 14 December 2012applicable)Deadline for withdrawal 7 December 2012Issue of Admission Forms:- For practical examinations for Physical Educationand MusicLate January 2013- - For Categories A & C (June 2013 Series) subjectsexaminationsMid February 20139

Examination periods:- Chinese Language Speaking examinations- Written examinations (Category A subjects)- English Language Speaking examinations- Written examinations (Category C subjects June 2013Series)- Speaking Tests (Category C subjects June 2013Series)Release of examination results:- Category A & B subjects- Category C subjects June 2013 SeriesMid – late March 20132 April – 2 May 2013Early – mid May 2013May 2013 (tentative)March – April 2013 (tentative)15 July 2013 (tentative)21 July 2013 (tentative)S. Useful contact information of the HKEAA55. Enquiry Hotlines : 3628 8860 (general enquiries)3628 8333 (IT/technical hotline)3828 8917 (enquiries on special examination arrangements)Address : 12/F, Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai, Hong Kong.HKEAA website : www.hkeaa.edu.hkE-mail : dse@hkeaa.edu.hkPlease keep this document for your future reference.- End -10

Composite Examination Timetable for 2013Date & TimeA-levelHKALEAS-levelHKDSEMar. 25 Mon AMPMUse of English B & CUse of English EMar. 26 Tue AM Use of English A (LT)Mar. 27 Wed AMPMMar. 28 Thur AMPMPure Mathematics 1Pure Mathematics 2Visual Arts 2Visual Arts 3Visual Arts 2Visual Arts 3Apr. 2 Tue AMPMApr. 3 Wed AMVisual Arts 4Visual Arts 5Economics 1Visual Arts 4Visual Arts 5EconomicsTechnology & Living 1,2Literature in English 2 / Design & Applied Technology1,2/ Physical Education 1,2 / Music 1 (Note 2)PMApr. 5 Fri AMPMEconomics 2Liberal Studies- China TodayLiberal Studies- The Modern WorldApr. 6 Sat AM Visual Arts 1 Visual Arts 1 Visual Arts 1,2Apr. 8 Mon AMPMApr. 9 Tue AMPMApr. 10 Wed AMPMApr. 11 Thur AMPMApr. 12 Fri AMPMChemistry 1Chemistry 2Chinese History 1Chinese History 2Principles of Accounts 1Principles of Accounts 2Biology 12Biology 2History 1History 2Chemistry 1Chemistry 2Chinese HistoryHistory 2History Syllabus AHistory Syllabus BHistory 2Literature in English 1Tourism & Hospitality Studies 1,2Chinese Language 1,2Chinese Language 3 (LT),5Liberal Studies 1,2English Language 1,2Apr. 13 Sat AM Ethics & Religious Studies English Language 3 (LT)Apr. 15 Mon AMPMApr. 16 Tue AMPMPhysics 1Physics 2Physics 1Physics 2Chinese Lang & Culture 1A,1BChinese Lang & Culture 2Apr. 17 Wed AM Chinese Lang & Culture 3 (LT) Economics 1,2Apr. 18 Thur AMPMApr. 19 Fri AMPMGeography 1Geography 2Business Studies 1Business Studies 2Mathematics (Compulsory Part) 1,2Health Management & Social Care 1,2Apr. 20 Sat AM Chinese History 1,2Information & Communication Technology 1,2Chemistry 1,2 / Combined Science (Chemistry)Apr. 22 Mon AMPMApr. 23 Tue AMPMApr. 24 Wed AMPMApr. 25 Thur AMPMApr. 26 Fri AMPMApplied Mathematics 1Applied Mathematics 2Govt & Public Affairs 1Govt & Public Affairs 2Psychology 1Psychology 2Liberal Studies - Hong Kong StudiesLiberal Studies - Science, Technology &SocietyMathematics & StatisticsApplied MathematicsLiberal Studies - Human RelationshipsLiberal Studies - Environmental StudiesGovt & Public AffairsIntegrated Science 1,2 / Physics 1,2 / Combined Science(Physics)History 1,2Biology 1,2 / Combined Science (Biology)Design & Applied Technology 1,2 / PhysicalEducation 1,2 / Music 1 (Note 2)Psychology Mathematics (Extended Part) Modules 1,211

Composite Examination Timetable for 2013Date & TimeA-levelHKALEAS-levelHKDSEApr. 27 Sat AM Computer Applications 1 Ethics & Religious Studies 1,2Apr. 29 Mon AMPMApr. 30 Tue AMPMMay 2 Thur AMPMMay 3 Fri AMPMMay 4 Sat AMPMChinese Literature 1Chinese Literature 2ReserveReserveReserveReserveBusiness, Accounting & Financial Studies 1,2Geography 1,2Chinese Literature 1Chinese Literature 2ReserveReserveReserveReserveNote:(1) 29 March - 1 April 2013 (Easter Holidays); 4 April 2013 (Ching Ming Festival); 1 May 2013 (Labour Day) ; 17 May 2013 (Buddha’s Birthday)[Remarks: School holidays tentatively from 27 March to 5 April 2013](2) The examination dates for Design & Applied Technology, Physical Education and Music will be finalised after the closing date of registrationand two or more subjects will be scheduled on the same day only if there is no overlap of candidates.Practical/Oral ExaminationPeriodHKDSE Physical Education – Practical : mid February – late March 2013Music – Practical : late February – mid April 2013Chinese Language – Speaking Test : 2 nd week of March to late March 2013 (Monday to Friday)English Language – Speaking Test : early to mid May 2013 (Monday to Friday)Category C subjects (Other Languages) June 2013 Series– Written examinations : May 2013 (tentative)– Speaking Test : March – April 2013 (tentative)AS-level Use of English – Oral : late May – early June 2013 (Monday to Friday)Chinese Language & Culture – Oral : late May – early June 2013 (Monday to Friday)A/AS-level Physics – Practical : mid May 2013A-level Biology – Practical : mid May 2013Chemistry – Practical : mid May 201312