Hong Kong Examinations Authority

The Hong Kong Examinations Authority (HKEA) is an independent and
self-funding statutory body, with members drawn from the teaching
profession, tertiary institutions and the business community. It operates
two local public examinations: the HKCEE and the Hong Kong Advanced
Level Examination (HKALE). It also offers proficiency tests in Putonghua
aimed at adults. On behalf of overseas and local examining bodies, it
conducts many examinations leading to academic, professional or
practical qualifications.

During the year, 122 703 candidates sat for the HKCEE and 30 052 sat
for the HKALE. In all, 42 subjects were offered in the HKCEE; 21 A-level
subjects and 19 Advanced Supplementary (AS) level subjects were
offered in the HKALE. The latter included two core language subjects:
Use of English and Chinese Language and Culture. AS-level subjects were
offered for the first time in 1994 with a view to broadening the sixth-form
curriculum. There was a 0.3 per cent increase in AS-level non-language
entries compared with 1996 (a 24 per cent increase compared with 1994
when AS-level subjects were first examined).

The HKALE results of day school candidates were slightly better than
those of 1996, with the percentage of awards at grade E and above for
A-level subjects being 73.7 (72.3 in 1996). Percentages at grade E and
above in the two AS-languages and non-languages AS-level subjects were
82.2 and 73.5 respectively (81.7 and 71.7 in 1996). The percentage of
grade awards at grade E and above for school candidates in the HKCEE
was 65.4 compared with 63.0 in 1996. The percentage of grade awards
at grade E and above for school candidates in the subjects of Chinese
Language and English Language (syllabus B) were 63.7 and 59.2
respectively, compared with 60.9 and 57.2 in 1996.

In all, 197 299 candidates sat for overseas examinations, of whom 63 420
sat for the London Chamber of Commerce and Industry examinations,
50 142 for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, and
15 850 for the Test of English as a Foreign Language.

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