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Hong Kong DSE graduates weigh gap year programs after exam results
About 58,487 candidates received DSE scores on Wednesday, and an AFS exchange group said 11 of its 58 participants this year were Form Six leavers.
Hong Kong education experts and NGOs say more students are considering a gap year after the Diploma of Secondary Education, or DSE, exams as competition for university spots remains intense and applicants with experience outside the classroom are seen as more valuable.
The DSE exam results were released on Wednesday, with 58,487 candidates receiving their scores. For Form Six leavers, who spent years preparing, the gap year has become an alternative to moving straight into university.
AFS Intercultural Exchanges, a local NGO, runs a year-long overseas exchange program for students aged 15 to 20. This year, 11 of its 58 participants were Form Six leavers, a share that AFS said has been steady over the past few years.
NGOs and experts added that setting aside time for internships, volunteer work, or exchange programs can help students build soft skills and gain exposure to different perspectives, including opportunities to learn new languages as AI reshapes parts of education and hiring expectations.