Early Admission Scheme - Definition and Overview

The Early Admission Scheme (or simply "EAS"), held by the University Grants Committee (http://www.ugc.edu.hk) in Hong Kong SAR, China, enables students to enter the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong or the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology through a special and painless route. Candidates with 6 or more 'A's (Distinctions) in the HKCEE (at least 2 language subjects scoring 'C' or above is a must) are eligible for applying the Early Admission Scheme which may grant them the admission to the afforementioned institutions without the need to sit for the HKALE.

However, there are more and more critics on the Scheme that it imposes an unfairness to Form 7 students (especially to those who have obtained remarkable HKCEE results but achieved grade 'D' or below in either one or both language subject(s), those who are unable show their talent to the maximum extent in the HKCEE or who are not excel in examination skills (academic area) but in other areas which are ignored by the scheme.) who are required to sit for the HKALE which is of higher difficulty level than the HKCEE.

Furthermore, the general public and many education experts criticize that HKCEE is not an appropriate examination for being a selection criteria of universities' admission procedure. Apart from this, the keen competition for places in the universities would extent to the HKCEE, and Form 5 students (HKCEE candidates) may encounter a high psychological pressure. It is also doubtful whether EAS-benefited students are mature enough to choose suitable university programmes which would probably determine their whole life. Adverse effect on EAS-benefited student (who have already seized places in the universities) learning in Form 6 would also be inevitable. Notwithstanding the critics, it is believed that the Committee will continue to run the Scheme until the reform of the Hong Kong education system is implemented in 2008, so as to retain exceptional Hong Kong students.

See also

• Education in Hong Kong
• Views of the Curriculum and Assessment Task Group of the Hong Kong Subsidized Secondary Schools Council on Early Admission Scheme (EAS) and “5+1” Structure (http://www.hksssc.edu.hk/files/Task%20Group%20on%20EAS%20and%205%20plus%201.pdf)
• Press Release by the University Grants Committee in 2003 about EAS (http://www.ugc.edu.hk/english/documents/press/pr150104e.html)
• University Grants Committee (http://www.ugc.edu.hk)
• Education and Manpower Bureau, HKSAR, PRC (http://www.emb.gov.hk/)
• Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk)