Academic grading in Hong Kong

This article is about the grading that is used in Hong Kong.

Universities

In Hong Kong, the system of grade point average (GPA)[1] is used in universities.

A+	4.30	B+	3.30	C+	2.30	D+	1.30
A	4.00	B	3.00	C	2.00	D	1.00	F	0.00
A-	3.70	B-	2.70	C-	1.70

Some universities don't include A+ in the grades,[2] or set the grade point of A+ to be 4.00,[3] so that the maximum GPA attainable is 4.00 instead of 4.30. Some universities use a 12-point based system called "CGA" instead.[4] Some universities such as The Hong Kong Polytechnic University do not include minus grades (i.e., no A-, B-, C-) and the grade point of A+, B+, C+, D+ is 4.5, 3.5, 2.5, 1.5 respectively.[5] Yet, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University caps all GPA values at 4.0.

Definitions

• Grade A: Excellent
• Grade B: Good
• Grade C: Adequate
• Grade D: Marginal pass
• Grade F: Fail

Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination and Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination

Results of the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) and Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) are expressed in terms of six grades A to F, of which grade A is the highest and F the lowest. Results below grade F are designated as unclassified (UNCL).[6][7] HKCEE and HKALE will be completely replaced by the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination in 2013. The last HKCEE were held in 2012 and the last HKALE will be held in 2013 for private candidates only.

Common grade definition of HKCEE and HKALE recognized by the general public

• Grade A: Distinction or GCSE/GCE A*
• Grade B: Credit or GCSE/GCE A*/A
• Grade C: Credit or GCSE/GCE A
• Grade D: Pass or GCSE/GCE B
• Grade E: Pass or GCSE/GCE C
• Grade F: Failed
• UNCL: Unclassified

Note:

• Grade C or above in a HKCEE subject is recognised as equivalent to an O-level pass (grade C or better) in an overseas GCE examination. But Grade E in HKCEE is commonly recognized as a pass for most employers and education institutes in Hong Kong.
• Grade E or above in HKALE subject is recognised as equivalent to a pass (Grade E or above) in a British oversea GCE examination.
• Since 2007, HKCEE and HKALE grades could be regarded as 2 grades higher than their IGCSE and UK A-Levels counterparts (e.g. a C in HKALE is comparable to an A in GCE A-levels), except English and Chinese as they are subject to a different comparison standard[8]

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination

For Category A subjects in HKDSE, results will be expressed in terms of five levels, of which level 5 is the highest and level 1 the lowest. Distinction levels 5** and 5* (pronounced as Five-Double-Star and Five-Star) will be awarded to the two best-performing groups of candidates attaining Level 5.

Common grade definition of HKDSE recognized by the general public

HKALE	GCE A-Level	HKDSE
A	A*	5**
B	A/A*	5*
C	A	5
D/E	B/C	4
E/F	D/E	3
F/U	F	2-1

References

1. Academic Regulations and Records Office - Course Grades
2. http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/iso/calendar/2006-07/english/pdf/p7_04.pdf, section 13.2
3. http://www.hku.hk/pubunit/cal2006/images/pt16.pdf Archived 14 June 2007 at the Wayback Machine, section UG5
4. http://publish.ust.hk/univ/cal0607/calendar/regu/ugregu.pdf, section 21.4
5. "PolyU GPA system explanation". Archived from the original on 27 February 2008. Retrieved 23 December 2007.
6. HKALE - Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority Archived December 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
7. HKCEE - Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority Archived December 27, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
8. "Equivalence of Hong Kong qualifications in the UK" (PDF). Archived from the original (pdf) on 8 October 2013. Retrieved 18 May 2013. Cite journal requires |journal= (help)