Course topics include:
ICT Python language basics
  • Python development environment setup
  • Variables, data types and operators
  • Branch structure and loop structure
  • Data structures such as lists, tuples, and dictionaries
  • Functional and modular programming
  • File operations and exception handling
Introduction to Computational Thinking and Algorithms
  • Computational thinking concepts and their applications
  • Classic algorithms: sorting, search, recursion, etc.
  • Complexity analysis and optimization strategies
  • Advanced data structures: stack, queue, tree
  • Use Python to implement common data structures and algorithms
Application of Python in DSE ICT exam
  • Compulsory part program development question type analysis and test-taking strategies
  • Analysis of the compulsory program debugging questions and test-taking strategies
  • Analysis of the elective algorithm and programming test questions and test-taking strategies
Exploring the application of Python in various fields
  • Graphical user interface design
  • Data analysis and visualization
  • Web crawlers and data collection
  • A preliminary study on Web back-end development
  • Introduction to Artificial Intelligence Applications: Machine Learning and Deep Learning

Why does HKDSE ICT want to add Python?

Among the compulsory parts of the HKDSE ICT (Information and Communications Technology) exam, Unit D is Basic Programming Concepts. Its main goal is to enable candidates to understand basic programming concepts, including flowcharts and pseudocode. The focus of this part is to learn how to use pseudocode and flowcharts to design and implement solutions to problems, and how to test the accuracy of algorithms

Python is a popular programming language that is considered to be easy to learn and use. Python was added to the compulsory component of HKDSE ICT because it is a popular programming language and a good starting point for students. The use of Python can help students understand the basic concepts of programming and provide a practical tool to implement these concepts

Python may have been added to better prepare students to use programming skills more effectively in future jobs. The use of Python can help students understand how to use programming to solve problems and improve their problem-solving skills

ICT Python 2025 Restructure FAQs

In which year did the new curriculum of HKDSE ICT courses start to be implemented? Which year does it correspond to the Hong Kong Diploma Examination?

The newly revised ICT curriculum will be implemented at Form 4 in the 2022/23 school year and will be effective for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) in 2025 and beyond.

What are the major changes to the required parts of the new curriculum?

Major changes to the compulsory sections include:

  • Programming class hours have been increased from the original 24 hours to 48 hours, and students need to practice programming
  • Lessons on topics such as information processing (such as word processing) already covered in junior high schools have been deleted.
  • The Internet and its Applications, Computational Thinking, and Programming have added class hours

What changes have been made to the elective section?

The biggest changes have been made to the elective section:

  • From the original four options "Choose one of four" to three options "Choose two of three"
  • The database option is retained, and the other two options are changed to network application development and algorithm and programming
  • Content on multimedia production, data communications and network building is trimmed or merged into other options

Are there any changes to the exam time and grading weight?

The examination time and the scoring weight of each paper remain unchanged:

  • The compulsory part of Paper 1 occupies 55%, and the examination time is 2 hours
  • The elective part of Paper 2 occupies 25%. Candidates need to choose and answer two options, each of which takes 30 minutes.
  • School-based assessment accounts for 20%

What measures does the Education Bureau take to support the implementation of the new curriculum?

Support measures include:

  • Provide professional development courses and teaching resources for teachers in programming languages such as Python and C++, as well as web application development.
  • Provide support courses such as network security and STEM education
  • Provide sample test papers and textbooks for ICT subjects

Are there any changes to the question types in the compulsory part of Paper 1?

The compulsory part of Paper 1 includes two sections:

  • Part A of Paper 1 occupies 22% and has 40 multiple-choice questions.
  • Part B of Paper 1 occupies 33%, all must be answered, and contains 6-8 short questions (accounting for approximately 2/5) and 3 structural questions (accounting for approximately 3/5)
    Candidates must answer in the answer book

What are the types of questions in the elective part of Paper 2?

Paper 2 has three test papers 2A, 2B and 2C, each accounting for 25%

  • Each test paper is worth 30 points. Candidates can choose to answer two of them, for a total of 60 points.
  • All questions must be answered, including 3-5 short questions (accounting for about 1/2) and 1 structural question (accounting for about 1/2)
    Answer in question book
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