Hong Kong School Gradebook — HKDSE Levels 1–5** with JUPAS Best-6 and SBA Tracking
The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) uses a seven-band scale from Level 1 to Level 5** (five-double-star), where 5* and 5** indicate distinction and the highest distinction respectively. OpenEduCat handles the double-star notation correctly, calculates the JUPAS Best-6 aggregate automatically, integrates School-Based Assessment (SBA) components, and generates bilingual English/Chinese transcript PDFs.
Grading Scales
Pre-configured grade bands shipped with the Hong Kong module. No manual setup required.
| Grade | Points / Range | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Level 5** — Highest Distinction | Top 1–2% of candidature | The highest achievable HKDSE grade. Recorded as "5**" — the double-star notation must be preserved in all transcript and reporting outputs. Required for Hong Kong's most selective university programmes. |
| Level 5* — Distinction | Top ~5% of candidature | Distinction grade. Recorded as "5*" with single asterisk. Counts 7 points in the JUPAS scoring system (Level 5**=8.5, 5*=7, 5=5.5 per HKDSE conversion table). |
| Level 5 — Excellent | Top ~10% of candidature | Excellent performance. Widely required for competitive university programmes at the University of Hong Kong, CUHK, and HKUST. |
| Level 4 — Proficient | Approximately 25th–30th percentile | Proficient performance. Sufficient for many university programmes and all polytechnic admissions. |
| Level 3 — Accomplished | Pass for university eligibility | Minimum Level 3 in certain subjects is required for JUPAS university eligibility (e.g., Chinese Language ≥3, English Language ≥3). |
| Level 2 — Basic | Below university threshold | Basic competence. Does not meet most university entrance subject requirements. Sufficient for sub-degree and vocational programmes. |
| Level 1 / U — Attained / Ungraded | Minimum attainment / ungraded | Level 1 indicates minimal attainment. U (Unclassified) indicates the candidate was not able to demonstrate Level 1 standard. |
What the Hong Kong Module Does
Country-specific features that go beyond the core gradebook engine.
5** Double-Star Notation
The gradebook preserves and renders the 5** notation throughout the system — in student records, transcripts, and reports — preventing the common data error where double-star is flattened to "5" or "5*" during import or export.
JUPAS Best-6 Aggregate Calculator
JUPAS university admission uses the Best-6 subjects (with specific core subject requirements). OpenEduCat computes the JUPAS aggregate automatically using the official HKDSE-to-JUPAS point conversion table, displaying the aggregate on the student record for admissions counselling.
School-Based Assessment Integration
Many HKDSE subjects include a School-Based Assessment (SBA) component worth 20–30% of the final grade. SBA scores are stored separately and combined with the written examination result using the official HKEAA weightings.
Bilingual Transcript Generation
Transcripts are generated in English and Traditional Chinese, matching the bilingual nature of Hong Kong education. Subject names, grade descriptors, and institution details are presented in both languages on the same document.
IGCSE/IB Parallel Pathway Support
Many Hong Kong international schools run IGCSE or IB Diploma tracks alongside DSE. The system supports multiple qualification frameworks per campus, with pathway assigned at the student or cohort level.
Re-Attempt Policy
HKDSE Retake Policy
Candidates who are unsatisfied with their HKDSE results may retake one or more subjects in subsequent years. The retake result replaces the original for JUPAS calculation if higher. OpenEduCat stores all sittings with year-tagged records and the JUPAS aggregate automatically uses the best result per subject.
How re-attempts affect the transcript
- The active grade (counted in GPA) is marked with an asterisk (*)
- Superseded or excluded grades are annotated with their status code
- All attempts appear on the transcript for full academic transparency
- Cleared, condoned, compensated, and exempted backlogs do not block graduation
Transcript Formats
Official academic record formats generated by the Hong Kong module.
HKDSE Statement of Results (English/Chinese bilingual)
JUPAS aggregate summary
SBA component breakdown
School internal progress report (English and/or Chinese)
QR Verification Available
Install the secure bridge module to add QR codes with SHA-256 integrity hashes to every transcript. Employers and other institutions scan the code to verify the transcript is authentic and unmodified.
Honours & Classification
How graduates are classified under the Hong Kong system.
| Classification | Threshold |
|---|---|
| Level 5** (5**) | Top ~1% — highest distinction, required for most competitive university programmes |
| Level 5* (5*) | Top ~5% — distinction |
| Level 5 | Top ~10% — excellent, widely required for university admission |
| Level 3+ | University eligibility threshold for core subjects (Chinese, English) |
Regulatory Alignment
Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) — HKDSE Assessment Framework | JUPAS (Joint University Programmes Admissions System)
The Hong Kong gradebook module pre-configures grading scales, assessment templates, re-attempt policies, and transcript formats to align with the requirements set by Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) — HKDSE Assessment Framework | JUPAS (Joint University Programmes Admissions System). The data structures, computation rules, and report formats follow the standards your accreditation body expects to see during institutional audits.
Grade distributions, pass rates, GPA trends, and classification statistics can all be exported to Excel for submission during accreditation reviews. The structured data makes it straightforward to pull the specific metrics your accreditation criteria require.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about the Hong Kong gradebook module.
Other Country Modules
The same gradebook engine powers all seven country modules. Explore the others.
India & Bangladesh
UGC (University Grants Commission), NAAC
Kenya
CUE (Commission for University Education)
Gulf / GCC
NCAAA (National Center for Academic Accreditation and Assessment)
Indonesia
BAN-PT (Badan Akreditasi Nasional Perguruan Tinggi)
United Kingdom
QAA (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education)
United States
FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), Regional Accreditors (HLC, SACSCOC, MSCHE, NEASC, NWCCU, WASC)
Bologna / European
Bologna Process, ENQA (European Association for Quality Assurance in Higher Education)
Brazil
BNCC (Base Nacional Comum Curricular, 2017/2018), LDB (Lei de Diretrizes e Bases, Lei 9.394/96), MEC (Ministério da Educação)
Germany
Kultusministerkonferenz (KMK), Landesrecht Notenordnungen in all 16 Bundesländer, standard Zeugnisformular conventions
France
Ministère de l'Éducation nationale et de la Jeunesse, Baccalauréat général et technologique (réforme 2021), DNB assessment rules
Japan
MEXT (文部科学省), National Curriculum Standards (学習指導要領) revised 2020, 道徳 qualitative evaluation guidelines, SHS minimum graduation requirements (74 単位)
South Korea
Ministry of Education Korea (교육부), National Education Information System (NEIS), Student Record Management Guidelines, 2028 수능 reform framework
Malaysia
Lembaga Peperiksaan Malaysia (Malaysian Examinations Syndicate), Malaysian Qualifications Agency (MQA), IPTA university admission requirements
Nordic Countries
Sweden: Skolverket | Denmark: Undervisningsministeriet (BEK nr 114) | Norway: Utdanningsdirektoratet (LK20) | Finland: Opetushallitus (Lukiolaki)
Netherlands
Rijksoverheid, Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO), Het College voor Toetsen en Examens (CvTE), Eindexamenbesluit VO
East Africa
Tanzania: NECTA (National Examinations Council of Tanzania) | Uganda: UNEB (Uganda National Examinations Board) | Rwanda: REB (Rwanda Education Board)
West Africa
West African Examinations Council (WAEC), WASSCE (West African Senior School Certificate Examination) standards, WAEC member states: Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Liberia
Switzerland
Schweizerische Maturitätskommission (SMK) / Commission suisse de maturité (CSM) — Federal Matura Regulation (MAR/ORM) | EDK/CDIP Swiss Conference of Cantonal Ministers of Education
New Zealand
New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) — NCEA Assessment Framework | Tertiary Education Commission (TEC) Literacy and Numeracy requirements
South Africa
Department of Basic Education (DBE) South Africa — National Senior Certificate Policy | UMALUSI — Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training
Mexico
Secretaría de Educación Pública (SEP) — Dirección General de Acreditación, Incorporación y Revalidación (DGAIR) | COMIPEMS (metropolitan area) for Secundaria placement
Colombia & Latin America
Ministerio de Educación Nacional (MEN) Colombia — Decreto 1290 de 2009 | ICFES (Instituto Colombiano para la Evaluación de la Educación) for standardised assessments
Turkey
Milli Eğitim Bakanlığı (MEB) — Ministry of National Education, Turkey | Ortaöğretim Yönetmeliği (Secondary Education Regulation) | ÖSYM for YKS
Israel
Israel Ministry of Education (Misrad HaChinuch) — Bagrut Examination Division | National Authority for Measurement and Evaluation in Education (RAMA)
Nepal
National Examination Board (NEB) Nepal — SEE and Grade 12 Examination Regulations | Office of the Controller of Examinations (OCE)
Ethiopia
Ethiopian Ministry of Education — National Framework for Education | National Educational Assessment and Examinations Agency (NEAEA) | Ethiopian Education and Research Advanced Education Authority (EQAE)
Southeast Asia
Vietnam: Bộ Giáo Dục và Đào Tạo (BGDĐT) — Ministry of Education and Training (MOET) | Thailand: Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC), Ministry of Education
Arab World
Saudi Arabia: وزارة التعليم (Ministry of Education) | Egypt: وزارة التربية والتعليم (MoE Egypt) | UAE: ADEK / KHDA / MoE UAE | Jordan: وزارة التربية والتعليم (MoE Jordan) | Kuwait: وزارة التربية (MoE Kuwait)
Philippines
Commission on Higher Education (CHED), CHED Memorandum Orders (CMO), Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) for vocational
Works With These Modules
The gradebook connects to the rest of the OpenEduCat platform.
Exam Management
Schedule exams, generate seating plans, and push grades directly into the gradebook.
Learn more →Student Information System
Student records, enrollment data, and academic history in one place.
Learn more →Learning Management System
Courses, assignments, and quizzes with automatic grade sync to the gradebook.
Learn more →Attendance Management
Track attendance and link it to grade eligibility rules where required.
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