The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) have released registration data for the 2015 HKDSE examinations.

In total 74,170 candidates have entered the exam, down from 79,615 candidates in 2014. The lower number this year is due to a decline in the student population in local secondary schools due to demographic trends.

Of the 74,170 candidates, 62,237 are school candidates and 11,933 are private candidates. Private candidates are typically students who are repeating some subjects from a previous year in an attempt to obtain better grades.

68.7% of school candidates have registered for the four compulsory subjects plus two electives, compared with 16.5% who have chosen three elective subjects, and 12.8% who will only sit one elective. Universities should consider the number of electives students typically choose when setting entrance requirements.

The five most popular elective subjects are in order Economics; Biology; Chemistry; Business, Accounting and Finance; and Physics.

58,815 students have registered for compulsory Mathematics only, and 10,362 for additional mathematics modules.

Full data can be found on the HKEAA website here. 

For more information on Hong Kong student recruitment please contact Steve Corry, regional business development manager, steven.corry@britishcouncil.org.hk.