HKDSE ERS exam-day guide
HKDSE ERS · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Admission form / candidate card and valid photo ID
Bring the admission document issued to you plus an original photo identity document (for most Hong Kong candidates, the HKID card). Confirm with the provider or your school which document is accepted and whether a photocopy is allowed; if you lose the admission form, ask your school or the exam authority about replacement procedures before the exam day. Mark this as needs_review because exact accepted documents and replacement rules vary by year and centre.
Black or blue ballpoint pens (two or three)
Scripts are normally handwritten. Bring spare pens that write cleanly and do not smudge, and test them beforehand. Check whether correction fluid or tape is permitted for your paper; if unsure, confirm with the provider and avoid relying on it.
Pencil, eraser and sharpener
Needed for multiple-choice answer sheets and any diagrams or graphs. Use an HB pencil and a soft eraser that does not tear the answer sheet. Bring a small sharpener so you are not dependent on the centre.
Approved calculator
Some ERS papers involve data interpretation and simple calculations. Bring a calculator that meets the exam authority's approved list and does not have prohibited features such as a stored-program or communication capability. Confirm with the provider which models are permitted; mark as needs_review.
Clear pencil case or transparent bag
Many centres require stationery to be visible and not in an opaque pouch. Keep only permitted items in it. Confirm the centre's specific rules on pencil cases with the provider.
Wristwatch (non-smart)
A simple analogue or digital watch helps you pace yourself if the hall clock is not clearly visible. Smart watches and any device with communication or storage functions are normally prohibited; leave them at home or switch them off and store them as instructed.
Printed exam timetable and centre address
Write down the centre name, address, floor and room, plus your candidate number. Check transport routes and journey time in advance, and plan to arrive with a comfortable buffer before the reporting time.
Water in a clear container and a light snack
Long papers can be draining. Follow the centre's rules on drinks and food in the hall; some centres restrict eating. Confirm with the provider if you have a medical need for food or drink during the exam.
Light layers of clothing
Exam halls can be cold or draughty. Wear layers you can remove, and avoid clothing with large printed text or slogans that might attract scrutiny. Follow any centre dress expectations.
Medical documentation if you need special arrangements
If you have approved special arrangements (extra time, separate room, rest breaks), bring the confirmation letter and any required documentation. Confirm with the provider well before the exam day; last-minute requests are usually not accommodated.
Leave prohibited items at home
Smart watches, phones, earphones, notes and unauthorised electronic devices should not be in the hall. If you must bring a phone, switch it off and store it exactly as instructed. Do not keep it in a pocket or on your person.
Check the reporting time and late-entry rule
Reporting times and the cut-off for late admission are set by the exam authority and can differ by paper. Confirm with the provider or read the current candidate handbook; do not assume you can enter after the paper has started.
Plan the day
Switch from learning new content to consolidating. Review your own summary sheets, key definitions, data-interpretation skills and past-paper mistakes rather than rereading the whole textbook. For ERS, practise structuring answers: identify the issue, explain the concept, apply it to the case or data, and evaluate. Do two or three timed sections under exam conditions, then mark them honestly and list the specific errors you make (misread command words, missing units, weak evaluation, poor time allocation). Confirm the centre address, reporting time and permitted items from the official candidate handbook or your school; if anything is unclear, confirm with the provider. Prepare your stationery and bag now so the last day is calm.
Do a light review only: skim your summary sheets, formula or concept lists and a few model answer structures. Do not start a new topic or attempt a full new past paper late at night. Pack your bag using the checklist: admission form, ID, pens, pencil, eraser, sharpener, approved calculator, clear pencil case, watch, water, layers, and any special-arrangement letter. Check the weather forecast and transport arrangements, and set two alarms. Eat a normal meal, avoid heavy caffeine in the evening, and aim for a full night's sleep. If you feel anxious, write down your top three exam strategies on a card and read them in the morning.
Eat a proper breakfast and drink water, but avoid anything unusually heavy or unfamiliar. Do a final five-minute review of your strategy card only, not new content. Leave home with enough time to arrive at the centre well before the reporting time, allowing for transport delays. At the centre, follow instructions, switch off your phone and store prohibited items as directed, and locate the correct room and seat. Settle in, breathe steadily, and read the front of the paper carefully for instructions, marks and time allowed.
Read the whole paper or all questions briefly before writing, and allocate time by marks rather than by question order. Watch the clock at fixed checkpoints and move on if a question stalls you; return later if time allows. Underline command words such as describe, explain, compare or evaluate, and match the depth of your answer to the marks available. For data or case-based questions, quote the relevant figure or evidence and then explain its significance rather than copying it. Leave a few minutes at the end to check that every question is attempted, your candidate number is correct, and no answers are left in the margin or on rough paper.
Rules to check
Bring the admission document and the accepted original photo ID, and place them on your desk as instructed. If you are unsure which identity documents are accepted or what to do if you lose the admission form, confirm with the provider before the exam day.
Follow all instructions from the invigilators. Do not start writing before you are told and stop immediately when time is called; continuing to write after the signal can lead to penalties.
Keep only permitted items at your desk. Phones, smart watches, earphones and unauthorised notes must be switched off and stored as directed; possession of prohibited devices in the hall can be treated as misconduct. Confirm the centre's exact rules with the provider.
Do not communicate with other candidates during the exam and do not look at another candidate's script. If you need to leave the room, raise your hand and wait for an invigilator; rules on toilet breaks and whether extra time is given vary, so confirm with the provider.
Write in the language and format the paper requires, use only the answer booklets or answer sheets provided, and do not write in the margins reserved for examiners. Cross out work you do not want marked.
If you feel unwell or unable to continue, tell an invigilator immediately. Do not leave the hall without permission. Procedures for illness during the exam and any special consideration application should be confirmed with the provider or your school.
Marks are awarded for what is written in your script, so show working and reasoning clearly, label diagrams, and state units where relevant. Do not rely on rough work being marked.
Academic honesty applies throughout. Bringing unauthorised material into the hall, impersonating another candidate or sharing answers can result in disqualification from the paper or the whole examination. Confirm the current misconduct rules with the provider.