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Tourism-and-Hospitality-Studies · HKDSE

Tourism and Hospitality Studies Exam Tips

In HKDSE THS, time is your ultimate currency. With 90 minutes for Paper 1 (MCQs and Data-based) and 75 minutes for Paper 2 (Essays), a structured pacing strategy is mandatory for Level 5** candidates. For Paper 1 Part A (30 MCQs), allocate exactly 25 minutes. This leaves you with

Papers

1

Total marks

90

Time limit

3h 15min

Grade scale

5**5*54321

Additional note

Calculator policy

Use only calculators on the HKEAA Approved List, bearing the 'H.K.E.A.A. APPROVED' (or older 'H.K.E.A. APPROVED') label. Programmable scientific models (e.g. Casio fx-50FH II, fx-3650P II) are allowed, and you MAY keep your own formulas/programs stored in memory — HKDSE does not require you to clear it. Graphic-display (graphing) and CAS/symbolic calculators are not on the approved list and must not be used.

2

Papers

5

Strategies

7

Mistakes

  • In HKDSE THS, time is your ultimate currency. With 90 minutes for Paper 1 (MCQs and Data-based) and 75 minutes for Paper 2 (Essays), a structured pacing strategy is mandatory for Level 5** candidates. For Paper 1 Part A (30 MCQs), allocate exactly 25 minutes. This leaves you with roughly 50 seconds per question and a 5-minute buffer. Do not dwell on tricky questions; flag them and move on. Spend the remaining 65 minutes on Paper 1 Part B (Data-based Questions), selecting the two questions that align best with your case study mastery. Allocate 30 minutes per question and 5 minutes for a final review. For Paper 2 (Essays), the pressure is intense: you must write two high-quality, structured essays in 75 minutes. Allocate 5 minutes for planning and outline creation, and 30 minutes for writing each essay. Never skip the planning phase—it is the difference between a coherent, department-specific analysis and a disorganized stream of consciousness.

Tips are paraphrased for study purposes from exam structure data and marking patterns. Always verify against your official syllabus and mark scheme.