What is the HKDSE maths exam?
Students have put in a lot of work through their six years of junior and senior education, and it all leads to the Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE). The HKDSE maths exam can be a nerve-wracking portion for students as each section of the test is timed at two and a half hours to complete. The DSE maths curriculum consists of a compulsory part and an extended part. While all students are required to take the compulsory part, students can elect to take the extended part.
The compulsory part of the exam consists of two papers, with the first one split into three parts: A(1) A(2) and B. The second paper includes 45 multiple-choice questions. These papers are meant to test the student’s knowledge of mathematical facts and concepts, familiarity with mathematical symbols and use of appropriate math techniques and arguments. Because the DSE math exam is cumulative, it may seem difficult to make sure students study everything, though it is easier with a few tips and when you know what to expect.
What to expect from the maths DSE 2021 exam
The difficulty level of the exams has rarely changed throughout the years. The HKDSE changes the exam questions every year for each of the subjects. This isn’t always to change the difficulty, but mostly to prevent cheating off of previous exams. Students that have taken the DSE maths 2021 exam have said that the second paper was more difficult than expected.
The first paper of the exam, split up into three parts, was not that different from what students were expecting. This portion of the exam had about three trick questions that the students stumbled with, but the second paper was more difficult. The dse 2021 exam asked students to combine a plethora of skills in one question throughout the second paper. The types of questions were ones that students haven’t encountered before.
This information can help students prepare accordingly. Knowing that the second paper will be more difficult for students can prevent them from being caught off guard, and can change the way they prepare for the exam. Students are more prone to get caught up in the phrasing of the question rather than trying to find the most direct answer. Students should look out for the key phrases of the question like “factorise” and “solve”. The allocation of points can also help students know how to answer. If the question is worth three points, it only needs a three-line answer. These tips and more can help students prepare for the DSE maths exam.
How to prepare for the maths DSE exam
Preparation for the maths DSE exam shouldn’t start just a few days before the date of the exam. It’s best to start at least a few months before the exam so that students have more time to practice and to become confident in their math skills. One task to do while preparing for the maths exam is to have calculators ready. It’s best to have two calculators that are fully charged with programs installed on both. The best programs to install are the quadratic program, simultaneous equation and cubic equations. With each of the following tips, students should get used to using these programs on the calculator so that familiarity can help a student ace their DSE maths exam.
Have a physics and maths tutor
A dse maths tutor can be a great resource for students to prepare for their DSE exams. Many HKDSE tutors know the concepts students should show knowledge of during the test. A one-on-one tutor can give students the chance to learn in their way, and ask as many questions as they need to understand something. There are also study groups and courses students can take to prepare for the HKDSE with peers, which can help them find comradery and confidence in their math skills.
Use sample papers
Because the HKDSE changes the exam questions every year, there is an archive of papers used from previous years. These papers have questions that ask students to display their knowledge of similar concepts and skills like the ones in current HKDSE papers. There are also some sample papers from previous years, where students have answered all the questions, and there are explanations as to how the students are graded. Students can use these sample papers and past papers as practise tests, and they can time themselves at home.
Tips during the HKDSE maths exam
Though students have practised all that they can before the DSE exam, sitting down at the desk can still make students very nervous. The biggest thing for students to look out for is how to gain the most points while saving time for tougher questions.
It is suggested that students still attempt three sub-questions of the hardest problems in the first paper. The sub-questions can usually be solved by students at a level three or higher, and they will give the student more points. Students should at least fill out the first portion of questions in section B no matter their score goal. This will give them the best chance at a higher score, even if they do not answer every question.
When students get to their second paper, they might be coming to a time crunch. If this happens, students may not be able to answer every question in paper 2 and will have to start prioritizing questions. It is best to answer the easy questions first because they will be faster for the student. Paper 2 also has at least 11 answers from each of the four options: A, B, C, or D. This means that if most of the answers are A and B halfway through, there is a higher chance that the rest of the answers are C and D. Students shouldn’t avoid long questions either, as they can be worth more points.
As students practise for their DSE maths exam, they must practice A(1) and A(2) to improve answering speed. As students get more comfortable with these section question types, they can answer them faster and save time for the later sections of the exam. As students practice, their confidence will be boosted, which will show through the day of the exam.
Manhattan Elite Hong Kong is a state of the art learning centre, which offers a range of maths courses such as DSE maths programs. We pride ourselves on delivering the best quality Maths education to your children while simultaneously nurturing their creativity. We offer English and science programs as well.
Click here to contact us for more information.