Tackling Hong Kong’s Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) mathematics exam can feel like a race against the clock, but don’t let the pressure overwhelm you.
We spoke to Dick Hui, a top tutor from King’s Glory Education, who shared tips that will help you sharpen your approach towards the exam. Whether you are aiming for a top grade or just hoping to secure a solid pass, these strategies will guide you through the challenge with ease.
Paper 1
Since this is the first time the revised curriculum is being tested, this year’s exam may be “relatively harder”, according to Hui. But he also pointed out some advantages.
“Some topics will be shortened, and some topics or subtopics might be cut entirely. It’s mostly cuts, which is actually beneficial for students,” the tutor explained.
For those aiming for a higher grade, Hui advised completing the first nine questions in Section A1 within 20 minutes. Time management is crucial, as later questions take longer – some more than 20 minutes each.
He emphasised focusing on the final two questions, which are likely to be 3D trigonometry or coordinate geometry problems. Coordinate geometry questions lack diagrams, so students should draw them first, adding as much detail as possible.
“They need to determine what the data represents and identify relationships,” he said. “Details like whether lines are vertical or horizontal may not be explicitly stated.”
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For students targeting scores of level 3 or 4, Hui suggested skipping the most time-consuming questions in Sections A2 and B to maximise their points elsewhere. However, they should still attempt the Part A questions in these sections.
“No matter how hard a question is, Part A is designed to give points. It’s usually straightforward, so even students with an average foundation should try,” he said.
Hui noted that five or more questions would require explanations: “Students must understand what the question is really asking. It’s not about writing a lot – it’s often about calculating certain values,” he said. “After solving, they must include a statement comparing the data. Many forget this and lose marks.”
For proof questions, he warned against reversing the logic: “Students sometimes assume that they need to prove [the theorem], or [they] misuse theorems.”
Hui added that proper notation would be key for geometry questions: “Proper notation like ‘Angle ABC’ is essential – missing this costs marks,” he said.
Paper 2
The tutor explained that the 45 questions in Paper 2 will cover every topic. Students might get stuck around Question 15, when they should encounter graph-related questions.
“The first dozen questions are basic computations to help everyone pass. But many students waste time on graph questions without a payoff; they struggle to finish and often get them wrong,” Hui said.
To avoid this, he advised prioritising time management.
“First, answer all the questions you know. Secure those points before tackling harder ones,” he said, adding that students don’t need to complete every question, just those they can handle.
“If a question seems too difficult, skip it and return later. This might happen as early as Question 16, but that doesn’t mean skipping everything after – simpler ones, like probability or statistics, may appear around Questions 27 or 28,” he said.
With 45 questions in 75 minutes, candidates may feel like they are under pressure and do not have enough time.
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“Many students run out of time with a dozen questions left, which is a disaster,” Hui said. “But if those were ones they knew they couldn’t do from the start, the impact is smaller. Managing time and making smart trade-offs is key.”
Hui said there have been recent changes in question styles, such as those for triangle ratio problems and linear programming variations. However, the core calculations remain the same.
“What matters isn’t whether a question looks new but whether students have mastered key techniques. For example, volume and area problems often test similar triangles or ratios,” he said.
“With a solid understanding of these concepts, even new-looking questions won’t be overwhelming.”
How to prepare
When preparing for the exam, Hui recommended prioritising high-value topics like statistics, which appears in both sections of Paper 2’s multiple-choice parts as well as Paper 1.
“In Paper 1’s Section B alone, it can be worth nearly 20 marks. Since statistics is manageable with proper review, it’s a smart focus – especially for average students,” the tutor said.
“On the other hand, coordinate geometry [questions are] ... high-mark but significantly harder, making it another key area for preparation.”
As the DSE approaches, Hui advised students to shift from learning new material to consolidating their knowledge.
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“At this stage, redoing past papers is better than tackling tricky new question styles. Rare question types might not even appear, so it’s wiser to focus on frequently tested concepts,” he said.
More importantly, he stressed the importance of checking for mistakes.
“It’s not about how many questions you practise but whether you actually review your errors. Do you track mistakes and ensure you won’t repeat them? That’s far more important than sheer volume,” Hui said.
Finally, the tutor encouraged students to improve their problem-solving skills.
“When faced with a tough question, can they analyse the data and find useful hints? Training this ability is crucial for handling unexpected challenges on the exam,” he said.