HKDSE Economics exam-day guide
HKDSE Economics · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission form / candidate slip
Print or download the admission document issued by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) and check that your name, candidate number, and registered papers are correct. If anything is wrong, contact the HKEAA or your school immediately rather than waiting until exam day.
Hong Kong identity card or valid accepted identification
Bring the original ID document named in the HKEAA candidate regulations. Do not rely on a photocopy or a photo on your phone. If your ID is lost or expired, confirm with the HKEAA what temporary documentation is accepted before the exam.
Black/blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Economics papers are written answers; bring several reliable pens and test them beforehand. Check the current HKEAA stationery rules for whether correction fluid or tape is permitted, and confirm with the provider if unsure.
Pencil, eraser, and a clear ruler
Useful for graphs, tables, and any multiple-choice answer sheet. Keep them in a transparent pencil case if transparent cases are required; confirm the current rules with the HKEAA.
Simple, non-programmable calculator
Economics includes calculation questions (elasticity, multipliers, GDP, money supply). Use a calculator that meets the HKEAA's approved list and has no stored text or communication capability. Confirm the approved models with the HKEAA.
No smart watch or wearable device
Leave smart watches and fitness bands at home. Ordinary analogue watches are generally the safest choice; check the current HKEAA rules on watches and confirm if uncertain.
Transparent water bottle and light snack
Hydration and a small snack help during long sessions. Labels may need to be removed and food may be restricted during the paper; confirm the venue rules with the provider.
Know your venue and route
Check the centre address on your admission form and plan the route and travel time. Visit or map the route in advance, and note that HKEAA rules on lateness and admission after the start must be confirmed with the provider.
Mobile phone switched off and packed away
Phones and other devices must be switched off and stored as instructed before the paper begins. Do not keep a phone in your pocket; confirm the exact storage rules with the HKEAA.
Review the paper structure and command words
Know how many questions and which sections your registered papers contain, and revise command words such as 'explain', 'describe', 'calculate', and 'evaluate' so you answer at the right depth.
Plan the day
Stop learning new content. Re-read your own summary notes on core topics: scarcity and opportunity cost, demand and supply, elasticity, market intervention, production and costs, market structures, national income and GDP, money and banking, inflation, unemployment, fiscal and monetary policy, international trade, and balance of payments. Redo a small number of past-paper or school questions under timed conditions, focusing on graph drawing, calculations, and structured explanations. Check the admission form, ID, calculator, and stationery now so there is time to fix problems.
Do a light review of formulas and definitions rather than full papers. Practise drawing clean, labelled diagrams: demand and supply shifts, price controls, externality diagrams, and AD-AS. Confirm your centre location and travel plan, pack your bag with admission form, ID, pens, pencil, eraser, ruler, approved calculator, and water. Sleep at a normal time; do not stay up cramming.
Eat a proper breakfast, recheck the admission form and ID, and leave with buffer time for transport. Arrive early so you can find the room and settle. Keep your phone switched off and stored. Skim only your one-page formula and diagram sheet; avoid discussing answers or topics with others, which can raise anxiety.
Read the instructions and check the number of questions and marks. Allocate time by marks, for example roughly one minute per mark as a guide, and leave time to check. Answer the questions you know first, then return to harder ones. For calculation questions, show working so partial credit can be awarded. For graph questions, label axes, curves, and equilibrium points, and shift the correct curve. Use the command words to judge depth: 'state' needs a brief point, 'explain' needs reasoning, 'evaluate' needs both sides and a judgement. If time is short, write brief point-form answers rather than leaving blanks.
Rules to check
Bring the original identification document specified in the HKEAA candidate regulations; a photocopy or phone image is not acceptable. If your ID is lost, contact the HKEAA or your school immediately to confirm what is accepted.
Switch off all mobile phones, smart watches, and other electronic devices before entering the examination room and store them as instructed. Do not keep any device on your person.
Use only stationery and calculators permitted by the HKEAA. Confirm the approved calculator list and any rules on correction fluid or tape with the provider before exam day.
Follow all instructions from invigilators, including rules on when you may leave, whether breaks are permitted, and what may be brought to your desk. Confirm any uncertain procedure with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the paper and do not attempt to view others' work. Any suspected misconduct is handled under HKEAA regulations.
Marks are awarded for accurate economics, correct use of terminology, and clear reasoning. Show working in calculations and label all diagrams fully, since method and labelling can earn credit even if the final answer is imperfect.
Check the HKEAA rules on late arrival, absence, and special consideration if you are ill or unable to attend; confirm the exact procedures and deadlines with the provider rather than assuming.