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HKDSE ICT: Paper 1 at 55%, Paper 2 at 25% and SBA at 20%
TUTORZONE EXAM DRILL GUIDE · HKDSE ICT
ICT is a 3+1 structure: Paper 1 (Compulsory Part) is 55% in 2 hours with Section A multiple-choice at 22% and Section B at 33%; Paper 2 (Elective Part, any two of four) is 25% in 1 hour 30 minutes; SBA adds 20%.
How many papers does HKDSE ICT have?
Direct answer: two papers plus SBA: Paper 1 (Compulsory Part) is 55% in 2 hours, with Section A multiple-choice at 22% and Section B at 33%; Paper 2 (Elective Part) is 25% in 1 hour 30 minutes and candidates take two elective units; SBA is 20%.
Assessment at a glance (2027)
| Component | Content | Weighting | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 · Section A (MC 22%) | 22% of the subject; foundation concepts, terminology and safety and ethical issues of the Compulsory Part | 22% | About 35 min |
| Paper 1 · Section B (33%) | 33% of the subject; short and structured questions testing application and analysis | 33% | About 75 min |
| Paper 2 · Elective Part (any two of four, 25%) | 25% of the subject in 1 hour 30 minutes; the framework states candidates choose two of the elective units | 25% | 1 h 30 min |
| SBA · 20% | 20% of the subject; the framework includes a school-based assessment for ICT | 20% | Across the year |
ICT splits 55% / 25% / 20% across Paper 1, Paper 2 and SBA. Paper 1 is the main arena, but the SBA’s 20% is usually the steadiest to bank, provided the documentation and tests are completed on time.
What each paper is actually testing
| Paper | Drill focus | How marks are lost |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 · Section A (MC 22%) | Drill confusable pairs: bandwidth vs throughput, encryption vs hashing, primary vs foreign key | Answering from impression rather than the scenario given |
| Paper 1 · Section B (33%) | Lead structured answers with keywords; for database questions name entities, attributes and relationships | Conclusion-only answers with no reasoning or code logic |
| Paper 2 · Elective Part (any two of four, 25%) | Drill each unit until you can write its core concepts and flows from memory | Half-learning both units and finding neither secure |
| SBA · 20% | After each assessment item, immediately tidy the documentation and testing record | A working artefact with no documentation, losing process marks |
How should the Paper 2 electives be chosen?
Direct answer: the framework states candidates take two elective units. Choose two you can explain end to end: under time, you can write their core concepts, flows and typical errors. Do not pick on preference alone: Paper 2 is 25% and 1.5 hours must cover both units.
Drill order: by topic, then by year, then the mark scheme
| Step | What you do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 1. By topic | Work through each topic, starting with the paper that allows least help (no calculator / closed book) | Exposes what is genuinely not understood |
| 2. By year | Whole papers to time, one or two a week | Trains pace, stamina and question selection |
| 3. Mark scheme | Go through the marking scheme question by question and log the scoring steps you missed | Most lost marks are written wrong, not thought wrong |
How should structured and programming answers be written?
Direct answer: Lead structured answers with the keyword (for example, normalisation reduces redundancy) and one or two sentences of explanation. For programming or algorithm questions, write the steps or pseudocode and handle edge cases such as empty input or duplicates. ICT marking rewards complete logic rather than perfect syntax.
A 12-week drilling timetable
| Week | Phase | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Weeks 1-3 | By topic: foundation | Topic by topic, starting with the easiest marks, building habits and recall |
| Weeks 4-6 | By topic: core | 8-10 years of the same topic back to back, errors classified by topic |
| Weeks 7-8 | By topic: advanced and electives | Elective and higher-order topics, now under time pressure |
| Weeks 9-10 | By year: timed papers | One full paper a week, timed, no reference materials |
| Week 11 | Mark scheme work | Question by question against the marking scheme; list the scoring steps you omitted |
| Week 12 | Plug holes and simulate | Only the recurring errors from your log, then one full exam simulation |
Subject-specific weighting for this timetable: One timed Paper 1 (2 hours) plus one elective unit’s questions weekly; complete SBA items on the school schedule and tidy the documentation within a week.
Use it properly: this is not a checklist to finish. Every week must keep time for redoing errors, or from week 9 you will be repeating the same batch.
Pacing
| Paper | Time | Suggested split |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 · Section A (MC 22%) | 約 35 分鐘 | About 1 min per question |
| Paper 1 · Section B (33%) | 約 75 分鐘 | 8-10 min per question; 10 min checking |
| Paper 2 · Elective Part (any two of four, 25%) | 1 小時 30 分鐘 | About 45 min per unit |
| SBA · 20% | 全年分散進行 | Follow the school’s schedule |
What matters in the 20% SBA?
Direct answer: the framework includes a 20% school-based assessment. In practice, tidy three things immediately after each item: the design document, the test record and the reflection. Process marks usually outweigh the artefact itself, so do not submit the product alone.
The drilling mistakes that cost the most marks
| Mistake | What it looks like | What actually happens | Instead |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 only | Leaving Paper 2 because the scope is narrow | Paper 2 is 25% and 1.5 hours must cover two units | Alternate the two units weekly |
| Concepts without steps | No pseudocode or procedure | ICT marking rewards complete logic | Write the algorithm step by step and handle edge cases |
| Artefact only in SBA | No design document or test record | Process marks usually dominate | Tidy documents, tests and reflection within a week |
The error log and the mark scheme
Two halves: Compulsory Part (concepts and terms) and the electives (flows and algorithms). They need different revision, so keep them apart.
How many years should you drill?
The Compulsory Part is stable and eight to ten years covers most of it; for Paper 2, use the questions for your two chosen units.
How many years of past papers should you drill?
Direct answer: no official figure. The Compulsory Part is stable and eight to ten years covers most of it; for Paper 2, focus on the questions for the two units you take, and stay alert to updated content such as emerging technology topics.
Frequently asked questions
May I take more than two electives?
The framework states candidates take two elective units; concentrate your practice on those two.
Must code be memorised?
Be fluent in common syntax and concepts, but the marking weights logic and edge cases more heavily.
May the SBA be done in groups?
SBA is administered by the school under HKEAA rules; recording your individual contribution matters too.
Official references
| Resource | What to use it for |
|---|---|
| HKEAA 2027 HKDSE ICT Assessment Framework | Confirm Paper 1 55%, Paper 2 25%, SBA 20% and the 22/33 split |
| https://www.tutorzone.com.hk/en-dse-ict-past-paper-drill-guide/ | Full ICT drilling guide |
More in this series: the full guide · Economics · BAFS
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