The 2026 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examination arrives as part of a broader wave of curriculum reform that has been reshaping secondary education in Hong Kong since 2021. For this year’s cohort of candidates — students who entered Secondary 4 in 2023 — several significant structural, syllabus, and assessment changes are now fully in effect. Whether you are a candidate sitting the exam, a parent supporting one, or a teacher guiding a class, understanding these changes is essential for accurate preparation and realistic goal-setting.
This article provides a comprehensive, factual overview of the most important 2026 HKDSE changes, explains their rationale, and offers practical guidance on how to navigate them.
The HKDSE has undergone incremental reform since the curriculum review initiated by the Education Bureau (EDB) in 2020–2021. The centerpiece of this reform was the abolition of Liberal Studies as a compulsory core subject and its replacement by Citizenship and Social Development (CSD) — a change that took effect progressively from 2021. The 2026 cohort is among the first groups for whom CSD has been fully embedded throughout their entire three-year senior secondary cycle (S4–S6), making this the first truly “native” CSD generation to sit the HKDSE.
Beyond CSD, the 2026 exam also reflects refinements to elective subject syllabi, updated school-based assessment (SBA) protocols across multiple subjects, and changes to how certain results factor into JUPAS university admissions calculations.
The most consequential change in the 2026 HKDSE — and the one most students and parents ask about — is the complete replacement of Liberal Studies with Citizenship and Social Development (CSD).
Liberal Studies had been a compulsory core subject since the launch of the HKDSE in 2012. It was assessed with a traditional grade scale of 1 to 5**, contributing meaningfully to a candidate’s JUPAS aggregate and university admission scores. The subject attracted persistent controversy over the years regarding its open-ended nature and the scope of its examination questions.
CSD was formally introduced into the curriculum in September 2021, replacing Liberal Studies for all S4 students entering that year. The 2026 HKDSE candidates completed their full three-year CSD curriculum across S4, S5, and S6.
CSD is built around three thematic strands:
Rather than the exploratory, argument-driven essays that characterized Liberal Studies, CSD emphasizes factual understanding, civic values, and knowledge of contemporary China and the world. The curriculum includes a Mainland Study Trip component in which students visit a city in mainland China as part of their learning experience.
This is the most practically significant difference for JUPAS applicants:
The HKEAA assesses CSD through a written examination at the end of S6. A candidate who meets the minimum competency standard receives “Attained”; one who does not receives “Not Attained.” There is no distinction between a borderline pass and an exceptional performance — both receive “Attained.”
Because CSD produces only a pass/fail result, it does not contribute numerically to JUPAS Best 5 or Best 6 calculations. Under the previous system, a strong Liberal Studies grade (e.g., 5 or 5*) could meaningfully boost a candidate’s aggregate score. Under the current system, CSD is essentially a threshold requirement: you must Attain it to be eligible for university admission, but once you pass, it adds nothing further to your score.
This has a dual implication:
Practical advice: Treat CSD seriously enough to secure a comfortable pass. Attend all study trip components, complete the internal assessments diligently, and revise the three thematic strands systematically. Do not leave it until the last month.
The Chinese Language syllabus for 2026 retains its five papers (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking/Oral, and School-Based Assessment), but the EDB confirmed in 2023 refinements to the reading comprehension passages to include more contemporary written forms alongside classical texts. The proportion of classical Chinese in the reading paper has been maintained, but the range of text types in the writing paper has been broadened to reflect modern communicative purposes, including analytical reports and structured argumentation tasks.
The oral examination (校本評核 and live oral) remains a graded component. Schools were reminded in 2024–2025 circulars to ensure that speaking tasks reflect updated assessment descriptors emphasizing clarity, coherence, and rhetorical effectiveness rather than only linguistic accuracy.
The English Language core subject continues its five-component structure: Reading, Writing, Listening and Integrated Skills, Speaking, and School-Based Assessment. No fundamental structural changes were made for the 2026 examination.
However, HKEAA released updated marking guidelines in late 2024 for the writing component that place increased emphasis on task fulfilment and argument coherence over surface-level language accuracy alone. Examiners have been directed to reward candidates who demonstrate genuine communicative purpose and logical development even when some grammatical imperfections are present, reflecting alignment with international English language assessment frameworks.
The SBA component (oral and reading portfolios) remains unchanged in structure for 2026.
Mathematics Compulsory Part sees no structural changes in 2026. The two-paper format (Paper 1: conventional questions; Paper 2: multiple choice) continues. The EDB’s curriculum guide updates from 2022 clarified the boundary between Compulsory and Module content more explicitly, which benefits candidates preparing for the Compulsory Part only — they have clearer guidance on which topics are in scope.
Mathematics Extended Part (Module 1 and Module 2) also continues unchanged, though the 2025–2026 past paper analysis suggests a slight increase in the proportion of questions requiring multi-step integration of concepts in Module 2 (Algebra and Calculus). This is an organic trend rather than a policy change, but candidates targeting top grades should be aware.
The EDB has progressively introduced new elective subjects since 2021 as part of the curriculum reform package. For the 2026 examination, the most notable addition is the continued embedding of Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytic Strategies as a recognized elective, though uptake remains limited to schools with the necessary infrastructure. The HKEAA is expected to publish more structured past papers and marking schemes for this subject ahead of the 2027 examination cycle.
Several existing elective syllabi received targeted revisions effective from the 2023 S4 intake (i.e., the current 2026 cohort):
BAFS — one of the most popular elective subjects — received a notable syllabus update effective for the 2026 cohort. The Accounting module now includes introductory content on sustainability reporting and environmental accounting, reflecting global standards. The Business Management module has increased coverage of digital transformation, e-commerce strategy, and data-driven decision-making. Examination questions are expected to draw on these updated areas beginning in 2026.
School-Based Assessment remains a component in many HKDSE subjects and continues to be moderated by the HKEAA. For the 2026 examination cycle, several procedural updates are in effect:
Cross-subject SBA standardization: Following inconsistencies identified in the 2023 and 2024 moderation cycles, the HKEAA issued revised standardization guidelines in early 2024. Schools are now required to submit SBA samples in a structured digital format, and external moderators have access to a wider range of student work per school. This change is intended to reduce grade inflation at individual school level and produce more consistent national standards.
Chinese and English Language SBA: Both subjects continue to include SBA as a graded component. For Chinese Language, schools must submit oral recordings; for English, both oral and written portfolio submissions are required. Deadlines for 2026 submissions were set in late 2025, and schools were warned that late or incomplete submissions result in the SBA component being treated as absent.
Sciences: Laboratory SBA in Biology, Chemistry, and Physics remains compulsory. Students who were unable to complete laboratory work due to documented medical or other approved reasons were accommodated through alternative assessment pathways, as outlined in the HKEAA’s updated Special Circumstances Policy (revised 2023).
Removal of SBA from some subjects: It is worth noting that CSD — unlike Liberal Studies before it — does not include an SBA component. Assessment is entirely through the terminal written examination and the Mainland Study Trip (which is a curriculum requirement but not directly assessed for the HKDSE grade).
With CSD graded as Attained/Not Attained rather than on a numeric scale, the effective “core” subjects contributing numerically to JUPAS aggregates are:
CSD: Must be Attained — functions as a gate, not a score contributor.
Most JUPAS programmes at the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities specify minimum entry requirements that include:
Candidates should check individual programme requirements carefully, as some competitive programmes (medicine, law, engineering at top universities) require Level 4 or 5 in specific electives in addition to core requirements.
Extended Mathematics: Module 1 or Module 2 results can be used as an elective in JUPAS calculations for programmes that accept them. This remains unchanged for 2026.
The HKEAA’s Special Examination Arrangement (SEA) policy, which accommodates candidates with documented physical, visual, hearing, or specific learning disabilities, was updated in 2023. The updated policy provides clearer criteria for extended time allowances, rest breaks, and alternative format papers. For 2026, approximately 3,000–4,000 candidates are expected to sit under SEA conditions.
Candidates who applied for SEA and received confirmation letters should have received their specific accommodation details well before the examination period. Those who encountered delays or discrepancies were advised to contact HKEAA’s Student Services section directly.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2020 | EDB announces curriculum review; Liberal Studies to be replaced |
| September 2021 | CSD introduced for S4 students entering that year |
| 2022 | New CSD curriculum guides and Mainland Study Trip framework published |
| 2023 | First HKDSE cohort under new curriculum enters S4 (the 2026 exam cohort) |
| 2024 | Updated SBA standardization guidelines issued; BAFS and ICT syllabus revisions confirmed |
| 2025 | HKEAA publishes 2026 examination timetable; final SBA submission deadlines confirmed |
| April–May 2026 | 2026 HKDSE examination takes place |
| July 2026 | Results released |
Secure your CSD Attained early. Do not treat CSD as an afterthought simply because it is pass/fail. A “Not Attained” will significantly restrict your JUPAS choices. Engage genuinely with the three thematic strands, complete your Mainland Study Trip reflections thoroughly, and practise writing structured responses to the types of questions that appear in past papers.
Redirect your energy to scored electives. Because CSD no longer contributes numerically, every mark you gain in your elective subjects has greater relative weight. If you were previously spending significant revision time on Liberal Studies preparation, that time should now go toward your two strongest electives.
Understand your JUPAS arithmetic. Know exactly which five or six subjects constitute your best aggregate for the programmes you are applying to. Use JUPAS’s official calculator and simulate different score scenarios. Being strategic about subject entry — for instance, deciding whether to declare Module 1 or Module 2 as an elective — can meaningfully affect your aggregate.
Check programme-specific CSD requirements. Some university programmes specify “Attained in CSD” as a minimum requirement explicitly. Do not assume that just because CSD is a binary grade it will automatically be fine — verify your target programmes’ entry requirements.
Prepare for updated question formats. In subjects like Economics, BAFS, and World History, the examination questions for 2026 will reflect the revised syllabi. Review the subject-specific updates, not just past papers from 2022 or earlier, which may not reflect current question types.
SBA deadlines are non-negotiable. If you have any outstanding SBA components, ensure they are submitted to your subject teachers on time. Missing SBA has a disproportionate impact on your final grade in affected subjects.
Use official HKEAA resources. The HKEAA publishes updated marking schemes, examiners’ reports, and sample papers for all subjects. These are the most reliable guides to what is actually rewarded in marking. Read examiners’ reports from recent years — they consistently highlight the same recurring weaknesses that pull grades down.
The shift from Liberal Studies to CSD is the change most likely to prompt questions from parents who sat the old HKDSE themselves or who followed their older children through it. The key points:
Teachers in schools with the 2026 cohort will have already completed delivery of the CSD curriculum. Key reminders for the examination period:
CSD replaces Liberal Studies as a compulsory core subject. It is graded Attained/Not Attained — not on the 1–5** scale. A pass is required for most university programmes but contributes zero to your JUPAS numeric aggregate.
JUPAS scoring now relies more on elective performance. With one fewer numerically-scored core subject, your elective grades carry greater relative weight in admission calculations.
Several elective syllabi have been updated for the 2026 cohort, including Economics, BAFS, ICT, and Geography. Candidates must revise with current syllabus guides, not just older past papers.
SBA procedures have been tightened. Digital submission and expanded moderation mean schools face stricter compliance requirements. Students should confirm all their SBA components are submitted and signed off.
The binary CSD grade is a gate, not a booster. Failing CSD (NAT) can close doors; passing it (AT) opens no additional ones. Aim for a comfortable pass, then focus your energy on scored subjects.
Exam timetables, entry requirements, and JUPAS deadlines are set. Candidates should have all key dates firmly in their schedule and confirm programme-specific entry requirements directly with their target universities.
Official HKEAA resources remain the gold standard for preparation: past papers, marking schemes, and examiners’ reports for each subject. There is no substitute for practising with actual examination material under timed conditions.
This article is based on information published by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) and the Education Bureau (EDB) up to April 2026. Candidates should verify all specific requirements directly with HKEAA and their target universities, as programme entry requirements may be updated independently.