Comparison of Exam Structure

• Gaokao Chinese: 150 minutes, one exam.

• DSE Chinese: Separate Reading (90 min) & Writing (135 min) papers; emphasizes focus & time management.

• Study Material: Gaokao: 138 model texts (72 classical). DSE: Only 20 designated classical texts - less pressure.

• Writing: Gaokao: 800-character essay. DSE: 500-character practical piece + 650-character essay; focuses on practical application & efficiency.

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Differences in Classical Chinese Assessment

• Gaokao Chinese: Requires precise mastery of numerous classical texts (72), focusing on every word, even obscure ones.

• DSE Chinese: Focuses on 20 designated classical texts; lower difficulty for external texts; emphasizes overall understanding, not nitpicking details.

👇Strategy

Mainland students can easily handle DSE classical Chinese with their solid foundation.

Characteristics of Modern Chinese Assessment

• Gaokao Chinese: Emphasizes deep analysis of famous works: rhetoric, ideology.

• DSE Chinese: More relevant, covering society, tech, culture. Focus on information extraction & logic. DSE writing includes practical styles (letters, reports - less common in Gaokao) with fixed formats, easily learned. 650-character essay is more flexible than Gaokao's 800.

   

👇Strategy

Adapt reading: shift from literary analysis to practical understanding. Strengthen information extraction & logical reasoning.

YWIES TX 桐乡耀华

HKDSE 课程

• Curriculum: School-developed textbook systematically teaches practical writing formats (letters, reports), enabling quick mastery.

• Exam Training: Partners with professional education organizations like Hok Yau Club for regular mock exams. Realistic simulations familiarize students with the process and improve time management for optimal performance.

   

The comparison shows that the HKDSE Chinese subject can leverage mainland students' strengths in focus and difficulty. With targeted preparation, switching to HKDSE can be a great choice for further studies, especially for students with a strong foundation in Chinese but weaker English skills.