Hong Kong pupils outshine overseas counterparts in International Baccalaureate

Hong Kong pupils have outshone their overseas counterparts in the International Baccalaureate (IB) examination as the number of perfect scorers almost doubled that for last year.

Of the 2,238 candidates from 29 local and international schools who took the exam in May, pupils achieved an average score of 35.94 out of a maximum 45, according to the International Baccalaureate Organisation, a non-profit educational foundation that authorises schools to offer the curriculum.

This was higher than the global average of 29.95 and the Asia Pacific average of 33.44.

A total of 33 Hong Kong pupils out of 218 worldwide clinched perfect scores. Locals made up a third of top scorers in all Asian participating places. Last year, the city had 18 perfect scorers.

IB diploma candidates are required to tackle six subjects – three at standard level and three at a higher level. In addition, pupils must complete three components, which include assessments such as a 4,000-word research paper and projects in art performance, sports or community service.

Among those achieving the maximum score, 15 or almost half were from four international schools under the English Schools Foundation.

Jeffrey Yam Pak-hei, 17, a top scorer from Sha Tin College, attributed his success to time management skills.

“Good planning is very important. Everyday I made sure to make a list of what I had to do and study and followed it religiously,” said Yam, who will study aerospace engineering at Imperial College London.

Yam, who grew up with a keen interest in planes and rockets, said he hoped to become involved in local research projects such as the airport’s third runway and drone technology.

“As someone who’s born and bred in Hong Kong, I’d like to come back and contribute to my home,” Yam said.

Diocesan Boys’ School saw one student score 45 marks. Five others were one point short.

Adrian Wong Chi-chun, the perfect scorer from DBS, has accepted an offer to study classical music composition at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor in the United States.

Although Wong’s parents once doubted his career choice, he eventually managed to convince them. “[I] won’t give up on music just because people say studying music has no future.”