Coronavirus crisis: three points to ponder for Hong Kong students thinking of resitting the DSE

As a secondary schoolteacher who has gone through the torture of resitting the university admission exam, I can relate to candidates sitting the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exam this year (“Coronavirus: university entrance exam fears have Hong Kong students planning resits even though tests are a month away”, March 30).

After scoring mediocre results in the HKALE (Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination) in 2002, I decided to resit in 2003. I remember vividly how all candidates wore face masks to exam centres when Sars broke out in Hong Kong that year. Not only were we under exam stress, we also feared being infected. Our level of anxiety was comparable to that of the DSE cohort this year.

Long story short, I was admitted to university in 2003. So, resitting the exam is a viable option, but students need to consider three factors.

First, the time cost. Would resitting the exam guarantee better results? Would an extra year of studies or revision be of benefit academically? Consulting subject teachers and referring to predicted grades and school assessments are central to determining one’s abilities. Resitting a public exam also requires tremendous self-discipline, so students should be prepared mentally or risk wasting precious time.

Second, university admission. Would certain university programmes penalise students making a second attempt at the DSE? Students also have to remember that admission requirements, such as weighting given to core and elective subjects, vary from programme to programme every year. They should gather information about admission from credible sources such as the Jupas (Joint University Programmes Admissions System) homepage, university homepages, Hok Yau Club and career guidance teachers at school.

Third, family support is essential. Students must ensure that family members understand their rationale for resitting the exam. Effective communication could avert misunderstandings and quarrels.

However, resitting should be the last resort. The most sensible thing to do now would be to capitalise on the extra time. Students should treat the postponement of the DSE as a blessing in disguise and see the uncertainty as a life lesson. I hope all the candidates this year can battle both the DSE and Covid-19 successfully.

Jason Tang, Tin Shui Wai