The release of public examination results is, in many ways, as stressful as the exam itself.
In both cases panic sets in.
To prepare students for public exams, schools conduct mock exams. If students get poor results they work harder, but that's no guarantee of success.
For those taking the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE), the clock starts ticking when the exam papers land on their desks.
Candidates who get good results can go on to study at a school of their choice. But those who do not do well will have to consider other alternatives, and this is where planning comes in.
In view of the need to prepare students for the worst, Hong Kong Sheng Kung Hui launched the CE Result Announcement Experimental Activity five years ago, and there are plans to expand the service to lower form students.