INFORMATION-AND-COMMUNICATION-TECHNOLOGY · HKDSE
INFORMATION-AND-COMMUNICATION-TECHNOLOGY/11
(Compulsory Component)
Information and Communication Technology · 2022 2022 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA)
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.5 / 5
145
210 min
Relational Databases, SQL and Algorithmic Thinking
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
145
Duration
210 min
Session difficulty
3.5 / 5
Level 5**
~87% of max
Level 5*
~82% of max
Level 5
~80% of max
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The 2022 HKDSE ICT examination presents a well-balanced yet challenging combination of fundamental concepts and rigorous technical applications. Candidates faced several classic traps that differentiated elite performers from average students. The overall difficulty was elevated
Candidates faced several classic traps that differentiated elite performers from average students.
The overall difficulty was elevated by analytical questions requiring deep comprehension rather than rote memorisation, notably in storage bin-packing calculations, algorithm tracing, and cell/database references.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Algorithmic
Weight: 10100%Logic
Weight: 990%Database
Weight: 880%Querying
Weight: 770%Networking Protocols
Weight: 660%Computer
Weight: 440%Systems
Weight: 330%Analytical Synthesis
Weight: 220%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Reporting source
HKEAA Subject Examination Report — comments on candidates’ performance with marking schemes
Level 5**
Outstanding — competitive JUPAS programmes (medicine, law, top faculties)
Level 5*
Excellent — strong JUPAS profile for selective programmes
Level 5
Good — meets most university entrance requirements
Level 4
Satisfactory — foundation programmes or less selective routes
Level 3
Pass threshold for many sub-degree and vocational pathways
Admission context
Levels feed JUPAS and non-JUPAS university applications; 5** and 5* are most selective
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Match the expected response style for “briefly” questions.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Match the expected response style for “Write” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Complete” questions.
Match the expected response style for “Estimate” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 1.4
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
SQL (Databases)
20 marks this session
Algorithm Design
16 marks this session
Data Organisation and Data Control
16 marks this session
Networking and Internet Basics
15 marks this session
Relational Databases Concepts
14 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
SQL (Databases)
Algorithm Design
Relational Databases Concepts
Data Organisation and Data Control
Networking and Internet Basics
Algorithm Design (Computational Thinking and Programming)
Data Representation (Information Processing)
Basic Machine Organisation (Computer System Fundamentals)
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1 (Compulsory):
Paper 2 (Elective Representative):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
SQL (Databases)
20 marks this session
Practise in RevuiAlgorithm Design
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiData Organisation and Data Control
16 marks this session
Practise in RevuiNetworking and Internet Basics
15 marks this session
Practise in RevuiRelational Databases Concepts
14 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The 2022 HKDSE ICT examination presents a well-balanced yet challenging combination of fundamental concepts and rigorous technical applications. Candidates faced several classic traps that differentiated elite performers from average students. The overall difficulty was elevated
- 2Message
Candidates faced several classic traps that differentiated elite performers from average students.
- 3Message
The overall difficulty was elevated by analytical questions requiring deep comprehension rather than rote memorisation, notably in storage bin-packing calculations, algorithm tracing, and cell/database references.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2022 2022 2022
Information and Communication Technology
The 2022 HKDSE ICT examination presents a well-balanced yet challenging combination of fundamental concepts and rigorous technical applications. Candidates faced several classic traps that differentiated elite performers from average students. The overall difficulty was elevated
The 2022 HKDSE ICT examination presents a well-balanced yet challenging combination of fundamental concepts and rigorous technical applications. Candidates faced several classic traps that differentiated elite performers from average students. The overall difficulty was elevated
Candidates faced several classic traps that differentiated elite performers from average students.
The overall difficulty was elevated by analytical questions requiring deep comprehension rather than rote memorisation, notably in storage bin-packing calculations, algorithm tracing, and cell/database references.
- Total marks
- 145
- Duration
- 210 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.5 / 5
- Level 5**
- ~87% of max
- Level 5*
- ~82% of max
- Level 5
- ~80% of max
Session analysis
The 2022 HKDSE ICT examination presents a well-balanced yet challenging combination of fundamental concepts and rigorous technical applications. Candidates faced several classic traps that differentiated elite performers from average students. The overall difficulty was elevated by analytical questions requiring deep comprehension rather than rote memorisation, notably in storage bin-packing calculations, algorithm tracing, and cell/database references.
Updated Jun 11, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1 (Compulsory):
Paper 2 (Elective Representative):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
79% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Compulsory Structured
60·5·41%
Elective Structured
45·3·31%
Multiple-choice
40·40·28%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Section A (…
0.71 m/minPaper 1 Section B (…
0.50 m/minTotal marks
105
Total time
175 min
Avg pace
0.60
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
SQL Subqueries & Views in Databases
90%90%
Trace Tables for 2D Arrays & Multi-nested Loops
88%88%
Generative AI Ethical Boundaries & Prompt Safety
85%85%
DSE 2022 ICT Paper Analysis: Deep Technical Insight
The 2022 HKDSE ICT examination presents a well-balanced yet challenging combination of fundamental concepts and rigorous technical applications. Candidates faced several classic traps that differentiated elite performers from average students. The overall difficulty was elevated by analytical questions requiring deep comprehension rather than rote memorisation, notably in storage bin-packing calculations, algorithm tracing, and cell/database references.
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 2h
- Total marks
- 80
- Weighting
- 55%
- Question types
- MCQ, Structured Conventional
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.