The 2026 HKDSE was released on 15 July. The HKEAA reported about 58,487 candidates, up 5.4% from last year. Some 15,973 day-school candidates attained level 3 in Chinese and English, level 2 in Maths, an “attained” result in Citizenship, plus level 3 or above in two electives — meeting the general bachelor-degree entry requirement, about 36.8% of day-school candidates.
Citizenship and Social Development has been graded “attained” only since its launch; below that is “not attained”, with no star levels. In 2026 about 94.7% of day-school candidates attained the subject, up 1.5 percentage points. For candidates it is a pass/fail gate — the aim is a stable pass, not a high score.
Other core and elective subjects use levels 1 to 5 (5 highest), with 5** for the very top and 5* next. JUPAS converts levels to points (1=1 … 5**=7) for admission. Candidates should first check whether they meet a programme’s “332A” and elective requirements, then compare points — don’t let a single starred subject obscure the whole picture.
After release, result verification and clearing follow set dates: candidates check results online from specified days, and verification applications have clear deadlines. If outcomes disappoint, consider verification, retake, or sub-degree routes. The EDB and HKEAA both note that multiple paths exist. See the HKEAA for details.