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Nearly half of Hong Kong’s DSE candidates stressed over exam results and future, survey shows

  • The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups reports over 153 calls for help to hotlines and online counselling since mid-June
  • Survey shows nearly half of 822 students polled said their stress level was at least 7 out of 10 – with test results released July 10.

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Students on the first day of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exams at Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School in April. Results come out July 10. Photo: Pool

Nearly half of the Hong Kong high school students waiting for university entrance exam results next Wednesday are highly stressed, a youth survey found.

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The Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups said on Thursday that 153 students had sought help through telephone hotlines and online counselling since the middle of June.

A federation survey of 822 students taking the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) examinations, which releases its results on July 10, found that 47.8 per cent said their stress level was at least 7 out 10 points, a 2 per cent point decrease from last year.

More than 70 per cent said their main source of stress was the possibility of not getting their desired results in the DSE exam.

Hsu Siu-man, the youth federation’s coordinator, said that it was inevitable that candidates would be worried about their results and future plans.

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“Parents should avoid using phrases that are critical, which only increase communication barriers between parents and children,” Hsu said.

Students take the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exams in April. Photo: Pool
Students take the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exams in April. Photo: Pool
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