HKDSE Maths (Core) exam-day guide
HKDSE Maths (Core) · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Printed/admission documents and valid ID
Bring the admission form/entry proof issued to you and the original identity document it names (typically your HKID or a passport accepted by the authority). Photocopies or phone photos are usually not accepted. Confirm the exact accepted ID types and whether a replacement document is needed with the HKEAA before exam day.
Black/blue ballpoint pens (at least two)
Core Maths is a written paper: you must write answers in the answer book in ink. Bring two or three working ballpoint pens plus a spare you have already tested on rough paper.
HB pencils, eraser, sharpener
Needed for multiple-choice answer sheets and for any graphs/sketches you want to be able to correct. Soft erasers that do not smudge are worth the extra cost.
Approved calculator
Use a calculator on the HKEAA approved list for that year. Check the model number against the official list and confirm the battery is fresh. Do not rely on a borrowed or unlisted model.
Ruler, and compasses/protractor if you use them
A clear ruler is useful for reading scales and drawing axes; geometry tools help with locus and construction-style questions. Confirm the permitted-instrument list with the provider if unsure.
Watch (non-smart)
Exam halls may not have a visible clock, and phones must be switched off. A simple analogue or non-smart digital watch lets you pace sections without relying on invigilator announcements.
Clear pencil case or no case
Many centres require transparent cases or loose instruments on the desk. Pack only what you need so nothing looks like unauthorised material.
Water bottle and light snack
Label the bottle, keep it on the floor if instructed, and eat before entering. Avoid heavy meals that make you sleepy during a long paper.
Know the venue route and arrival time
Do a route check the day before, allow buffer for transport delays, and arrive well before the reporting time. Confirm the reporting time and late-entry cut-off with the HKEAA/centre.
Confirm the paper structure and timing
Know in advance how many papers you sit, whether there is a multiple-choice section, and whether calculators are allowed throughout. Check the current year's assessment framework on the official site; do not rely on memory of a previous year.
Phone switched off and stored
Switch the phone fully off (not silent) and put it in your bag as instructed. A phone that rings or is found on you can lead to disqualification; confirm the centre's storage rule with the provider.
Sleep and a normal breakfast
Do not cram new topics the night before. A normal night's sleep and a familiar breakfast reduce careless errors more than one extra past paper.
Plan the day
Switch from learning to consolidating. Re-read your own formula sheet and error log rather than the textbook. Do one full past paper under timed conditions, then mark it strictly and list the three error types you made (concept, careless, time). Spend the remaining time on those three only. Practise using the approved calculator for the operations you actually need: standard form, trigonometry, statistics, and storing intermediate values. Check the venue route and confirm your ID and admission documents are in one folder.
Do a light review only: formula sheet, common traps (rounding too early, forgetting units, misreading 'hence' vs 'otherwise', leaving answers unrounded as required), and the instructions on the answer book. Pack the pencil case, calculator, ID, and admission documents in your bag the night before. Set two alarms. Do not start a new topic or attempt a paper you have not seen; it raises anxiety without adding marks.
Eat a normal breakfast, arrive at the venue early, and use waiting time for a calm skim of your formula sheet, not for new problems. Switch the phone off before entering the hall. Once seated, check that your desk has the correct paper and answer book, fill in your candidate details carefully, and read the front-page instructions including the time allowed and any section rules.
Read the whole paper or section quickly to see the mark allocation and which questions are long. Start with questions you can do confidently to build momentum, but do not skip a question permanently without marking it. Note the time per mark and set checkpoints (for example, halfway through the time you should be roughly halfway through the marks).
Show working in the answer book; method marks are real marks. Write the formula before substituting, keep units, and round only at the end unless told otherwise. If a question stalls, leave a clear gap, mark it, and move on; return later. For multiple-choice, eliminate options, and if guessing, guess consistently rather than leaving blanks only if the paper has no penalty for wrong answers (confirm the marking rule with the provider). In the last ten minutes, check that every question has an answer, that units and rounding are right, and that your candidate number is correct.
Do not compare answers in detail with friends; it changes nothing and can hurt morale before the next paper. Note any topic that felt weak and, if you have another Maths paper, review only that topic briefly. Otherwise rest.
Rules to check
Bring the original identity document named on your admission documents and place it on the desk as instructed. If you lose it, contact the HKEAA immediately; do not assume a photocopy will be accepted. Confirm replacement-document procedures with the provider.
Arrive before the reporting time. Late candidates may be admitted at the invigilator's discretion but usually get no extra time; confirm the late-entry cut-off with the provider.
Switch off all electronic devices, including phones and smart watches, and store them away from your desk. Unauthorised devices or notes can lead to disqualification. Confirm what counts as permitted equipment with the provider.
Use only an approved calculator model. Do not share calculators or instruments during the paper, and do not borrow from another candidate.
Follow invigilator instructions exactly: no talking once instructions begin, raise your hand for a replacement or to leave, and do not leave during the final minutes unless permitted. Confirm the centre's toilet and leaving rules.
Write in the answer book in the required ink and put multiple-choice answers on the correct answer sheet. Answers written in the wrong place or in pencil where ink is required may not be marked.
Do not communicate with other candidates or look at their work. Any suspected cheating is handled under the authority's rules, and you may be asked to explain your conduct.
Confirm the marking scheme and any penalty for wrong answers in multiple-choice with the provider before the exam; do not assume there is no penalty.