The number of candidates taking Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams this year saw an increase in nine years at 50,823 and marked a 1.5 percent year-on-year increase. Among this year's 50,823 candidates, 43,117 are school candidates and 7,706 private candidates - 674 more than last year's 7,032. He expects the number of candidates will continue to rise, as starting next year, mainland students can sit written DSE exams in mainland schools, without crossing the border. The new citizenship and social development subject - replacing liberal studies, has a simple pass or fail grade, which will be easier for mainland candidates. Meanwhile, an exam authority spokesman said it saw 299 non-Hong Kong ID holder candidates this year, of whom 281 are private candidates.
