- Three areas of study across six years
- Comparison of levels across three grades
- Junior Form 3-year step-by-step instructions
- High Form 3 years of organization
- Cross-grade dependency map
- Find grade by symptom
- Centralized table of classes and fees for all levels
- Junior secondary content is within the scope of DSE exams
1. Three learning areas throughout six years
Hong Kong secondary school mathematics curriculum three learning areas organization, while the senior secondary Core follows exactly the same division - just deepening the content. This point is key to understanding the entire six-year process.
| Learning scope | junior secondary (Form 1 to Form 3) | High School Core Learning Units |
|---|---|---|
| Numbers and Algebra | Directed numbers, algebraic expressions, linear equations of one variable, percentages, ratios and proportions, factoring, algebraic fractions, inequalities, simultaneous equations, exponential laws | 9: Quadratic equations, functions and their images, exponential functions and logarithmic functions, continued polynomials, continued equations, variations, arithmetic and geometric sequences and their summation methods, inequalities and linear programming, images of continued functions |
| Measurement, Figures and Space | Angular and straight line figures, area and volume, Pythagorean theorem, trigonometric ratios, quadrilaterals and polygons, similarity and congruence, advanced trigonometry | 4: Basic properties of circles, trajectories, equations of straight lines and circles, continued triangles |
| Data processing | Statistical charts, frequency distribution and cumulative frequency, basic probability | 4: Permutation and combination, continuous probability, measurement of dispersion, application of statistics |
| Advanced Learning Unit | — | Comprehensively apply knowledge and skills from three areas to solve cross-topic problems |
What this table actually means: The gap in a certain category in junior secondary will not disappear due to upgrading - it will be in senior secondary same category Reappear in more complex forms. For example, the similarities and proportions of junior secondary are unstable, which will affect the continuous triangles, equations of straight lines and circles in senior secondary. The interpretation of statistical charts in junior secondary is weak, and the measurement of deviation and application of statistics in senior secondary will also suffer.
Therefore, the correct order of processing is not to "track progress by grade", but Find breakpoints by category.
Comparison of levels for the second and third grades
This is the most important section of this page. Difficulties in the first 3 years of Form Completely different nature, so the processing method cannot be universal - using the method of Form 1 to deal with the problem of Form 2, or using the method of Form 2 to deal with the problem of Form 3, will be ineffective.
| grade | Level nature | Typical symptoms | Handle it correctly | Invalid processing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form 1 | Thinking transformation From arithmetic to algebra |
I am good at primary school mathematics but my Form 1 test performance suddenly dropped; I don’t understand why the transferred items change signs; I don’t know where to start with word problems | Rebuild understanding of symbols and equal signs (use the metaphor of a scale to establish the concept of balance; use a number line to establish the direction of negative numbers) | Double up on the maths exercises – it’s not your numeracy that’s the problem |
| Form 2 | Dependency chain formation Topics begin to connect |
I kept doing algebraic fractions wrong; I lost points in trigonometry; my grades changed from stable in Form 1 to fluctuating. | Chase up the dependency chain and find the first unstable link (symptoms are in the downstream, breakpoints are mostly in the upstream) | Practice for symptoms - do a hundred algebraic fractions. If you are not familiar with factoring, the error rate will remain the same. |
| Form 3 | Two sets of courses overlap The end point of junior secondary plus the starting point of senior secondary |
Quadratic functions and the properties of circles have been taught in school; at the same time, it is necessary to decide whether to choose M1 or M2. | First confirm where the school teaches, and then run the two lines in parallel: closing the junior secondary gap + deepening the introduced senior secondary units | Taught at a common pace - each school can vary by one full semester |
One sentence summary: The question on Form 1 is "I don't understand", the question on Form 2 is "Looking at the wrong place", and the question on Form 3 is "I don't know whether I am studying junior secondary or senior secondary content". The first three steps required are explanation, diagnosis and scope confirmation respectively.
3. Level-by-level explanation of Junior Form 3 years
Form 1: Thinking transformation
Level: From concrete arithmetic to abstract symbols Three core difficulties- Negative numbers and sign handling: When there is a negative sign before the parentheses, allocation is missed; continuous subtraction of negative numbers is an error.
- : From "the calculation result is" to "the relationship between both sides being equal" - this determines whether students can understand the changing of terms and signs.
- Translate word problems into equations: One of the most important skills in the entire secondary school mathematics, Form 1 is when it first appears.
Directed numbers and number lines, algebraic expressions and substitution evaluation, linear equations of one variable and word problems, percentages and their applications, rate ratios and proportions, area and volume, and statistical charts.
Schedule and feesWednesday 16:30–18:00 | 1.5 hours per class | 4 classes per month HK$1,280
Form 2: Dependency chain formation
Level: The dependence between topics suddenly increases Five core points lost- factoring (starting point of chain, priority processing)
- Introduction to Trigonometric Ratios (the starting point of another chain)
- algebraic fraction (Symptoms are often here, and the source is mostly factorization)
- Percentage advancement (Continuous changes cannot be added)
- The reason for the geometric proof (Writing habit issue)
Identities and factorization, algebraic fractions, linear inequalities of one variable, linear equations of two variables, principal terms of formula transformations, Pythagorean theorem, trigonometric ratios, properties of quadrilaterals and polygons, advanced areas and volumes, and advanced statistics.
Schedule and feesFriday 16:30–18:00 / Saturday 10:30–12:00 | 1.5 hours per class | 4 classes per month HK$1,280
Form 3: Two sets of courses overlap
Level: The overlapping area between the end point of junior secondary and the starting point of senior secondary Two types of content must be distinguished- Category 1 (junior secondary ending): Advanced factoring, exponent laws (negative exponents and fractional exponents), similarity and congruence, advanced trigonometry, comprehensive interpretation of statistical charts.
- Category 2 (senior secondary compulsory units that schools often introduce in advance): Quadratic equations of one variable, functions and their images (including quadratic functions), variations, basic properties of circles, continued polynomials, and some schools also add equations of straight lines and circles.
- Factorization is fast and accurate, and can determine which method to use
- All three solutions to quadratic equations can be used, and the meaning of the discriminant can be understood
- Able to deduce equations from images (not just draw graphs from equations)
- Geometric proof writes the complete name of the property
- Proficient in the operation of negative exponents and fractional exponents
M1/M2 subject selection assessment - judged based on three ability characteristics (accuracy of algebraic operations, completeness of reasoning, situational translation ability) rather than the school's internal score threshold.
Schedule and feesTuesday 16:30–18:00 / Saturday 10:30–12:00 | 1.5 hours per class | 4 classes per month HK$1,280
Read Form 3 maths tuition details → Comparative selection of subjects M1 M2 Select subjects
4. The organization method of High Form 3 years
There is no independent grade page for Form 4 to Form 6 because High school content is organized according to exam structures rather than by grade level— The three grades share the same Core curriculum (17 learning units) and the same public examination. The only difference is in the progress and training focus.
| grade | main goal | training focus | schedule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Form 4 | Establish Core core concepts; decide whether to take Extended Modules | Quadratic equations, functions and their graphs, exponential and logarithmic functions, continued polynomials, variations | Thursday 18:00–19:30 / Saturday 15:30–17:00 |
| Form 5 | Completed most of the topics; started practicing previous exam questions according to topics | Continuous triangles (including three-dimensional problems), equations of straight lines and circles, basic properties of circles, permutations and combinations, continued probability, measurement of dispersion | Friday 18:00–19:30 / Saturday 14:00–15:30 |
| Form 6 | Complete the entire course in October; move to a closed loop of time-limited exercises and wrong questions | Time limit for the entire volume, Past Paper system practice, time allocation, writing standards | Tuesday 18:00–19:30 / Saturday 17:00–18:30 |
| Compulsory + M1/M2 | Core with Extended Modules (combination course, 2 hours each) | M1: Probability distribution and statistical inference; M2: Mathematical induction, matrices, vectors and advanced calculus | Wednesday 18:00–20:00 / Saturday 12:00–14:00 |
| Self-taught students/rereading | Establish a complete review schedule by yourself; replace the on-campus mock exam with a timed complete paper | Progress management and self-diagnosis | Arrange as needed, or one-on-one |
For details of senior secondary courses, see DSE maths tuition;For test-taking strategies, see DSE Strategy Overview;See Extended Modules M1, M2 and Compare subjects. If you study international courses, the parallel route is MYP → IGCSE → Pre-IB/AS → IB Diploma or A Level, see IB/GCE courses.
5. Cross-grade dependency map
The purpose of this table is reverse diagnosis: When a certain senior secondary project continues to go wrong, look to the left to see its prerequisites and find out which year the real breaking point is.
| junior secondary prerequisite | grade | Directly impacted senior secondary units of study |
|---|---|---|
| Algebraic simplification, algebra with letters | Form 1 | Almost all algebra units |
| linear equation of one variable, shifting terms | Form 1 | Continued Equations, Inequalities and Linear Programming |
| Percents, Ratios and Proportions | Form 1 to Form 2 | Variations; Percentages and Error Estimation in Paper 1, Part A (1) |
| factoring | Form 2 to Form 3 | Quadratic equations, continued polynomials, functions and their graphs (finding intercepts) |
| algebraic fraction | Form 2 | Fractional equations and rational expression operations in continued equations |
| linear equation of two variables (simultaneous) | Form 2 | Continuation Equations; Linear Equations and Matrix Solutions of M2 |
| Pythagorean theorem, similarity and congruence | Form 2 to Form 3 | Continued equations of triangles, straight lines and circles (distance calculations) |
| trigonometric ratio | Form 2 to Form 3 | Continuous Trigonometry (sine formula, cosine formula, three-dimensional problems) |
| Law of exponents (negative exponents, fractional exponents) | Form 3 | Exponential and logarithmic functions; basic calculus operations for M1 and M2 |
| Writing geometric proofs | Form 2 to Form 3 | Proof of the basic properties of circles; mathematical induction and vector proof of M2 |
| Statistical charts, frequency distributions | Form 1 to Form 3 | Measurement of dispersion, application of statistics; statistical field of M1 |
Usage example: Form 4 students continue to make mistakes in "Functions and their graphs". Chase to the left: functions and their graphs ← Factorization (required for finding intercepts) ← Algebraic expression simplification. Test each item one by one and find the first unstable link - that's where you should invest your time, rather than continuing to practice quadratic function questions.
6. Find the grade according to symptoms
Rather than registering for classes by grade, it is better to first determine which level should be dealt with based on symptoms.
| symptom | possible breakpoints | suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| The primary school was good, but the Form 1 test suddenly fell | Thought conversion is not completed | Form 1 class, reconstruct the understanding of symbols and equal signs |
| I don’t understand why the number of the transferred item needs to be changed. | Form 1 class | |
| Don’t know where to start with application questions | Word question translation ability | Form 1 class four-step process training |
| Keep doing algebraic fractions wrong | factoring | Form 2 class, first test the factorization |
| Losing points in trigonometry | Trigonometric ratio definition or proportion concept | Form 2 class, return to the definition of graph reconstruction |
| Performance changes from stable to fluctuating | There is a breakpoint in the dependency chain | Form 2 class, diagnose along the chain |
| Quadratic functions are already taught in schools but they can’t keep up. | High school units introduced early | Form 3 class, two lines in parallel |
| To decide whether to choose M1 or M2 | Ability characteristics not assessed | Form 3 class add Subject selection evaluation |
| Form 4 starts to feel difficult | May originate from Form 2 or Form 3 | DSE class; If the gap is large, go first cover the bottom |
| Know what to do but often make mistakes | Execution rather than concept | Four types of error diagnosis |
| The rolls are never finished | Time management and question abandonment rules | time allocation |
| Gaps span multiple grade levels | Need system backtracking | Top-up courses or One to one |
| Self-taught students have no progress reference | Progress management | DSE class or One to one |
7. Centralized table of classes and fees at all levels
| class | Class time | Duration of each class | monthly tuition | average hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Form 1 Mathematics Class | Wednesday 16:30–18:00 | 1.5 hours | HK$1,280 | About HK$213 |
| Form 2 Mathematics Class | Friday 16:30–18:00 / Saturday 10:30–12:00 | 1.5 hours | HK$1,280 | About HK$213 |
| Form 3 Mathematics Class | Tuesday 16:30–18:00 / Saturday 10:30–12:00 | 1.5 hours | HK$1,280 | About HK$213 |
| DSE Form 4Core | Thursday 18:00–19:30 / Saturday 15:30–17:00 | 1.5 hours | HK$1,360 | About HK$227 |
| DSE Form 5Core | Friday 18:00–19:30 / Saturday 14:00–15:30 | 1.5 hours | HK$1,360 | About HK$227 |
| DSE Form 6Core | Tuesday 18:00–19:30 / Saturday 17:00–18:30 | 1.5 hours | HK$1,360 | About HK$227 |
| Core+M1/M2 | Wednesday 18:00–20:00 / Saturday 12:00–14:00 | 2 hours | HK$1,600 | HK$200 |
| IB／A-Level／IGCSE | Thursday 16:30–18:00 | 1.5 hours | HK$1,600 | About HK$267 |
The centre is open Monday to Friday from 3pm to 9pm and Saturday from 10am to 6pm; there are no in-person classes on Sundays. The actual opening of classes depends on the number of seats. If time is not available, you can inquire about other time slots, self-organized classes (minimum 3 people) or online courses. For complete fee instructions, see Fees and Tuition Page;See you during the summer class summer maths courses.
Common arrangements: The teacher-student ratio in all classes is no more than 1:7, and each class has about 12 to 14 people. Two instructors teach at the same time - one is responsible for concept derivation and demonstration, and the other is patrolling during the practice period. The tuition fee includes instructor-written notes and teaching materials, three levels of difficulty exercises, review support before on-campus exams, and WhatsApp after-class homework help service. The first trial lesson is half price, and the first month's tuition will be deducted for daily reading.
8. Junior secondary content is within the scope of DSE
The content of junior secondary is not "just basics" - it can be tested directly in the public examination.
| test paper part | Fraction | Question scope |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 Part A(1) | 35 points | Core and Form 1 to Form 3 courses basic part |
| Paper 1 Part A(2) | 35 points | Core and Form 1 to Form 3 courses basic part |
| Paper 1, Part B | 35 points | Basics of Core and Form 1 to Form 3 courses and non-basic part |
| Volume 2A | Approximately two-thirds of the entire volume | Basic topics of Core and Form 1 to Form 3 courses basic part |
| Paper 2 Part B | about one-third | Core and entire Form 1 to Form 3 courses |
Factoring, percentages and interest, similarity and congruence, Pythagorean theorem, quadrature method, and statistical chart interpretation will all appear again in the form of open examinations. Paper 1 is 105 points, takes 2 hours and 15 minutes, and accounts for 65% of the subject; Paper 2 is 45 questions, takes 1 hour and 15 minutes, and accounts for 35%. No points will be deducted for wrong answers; there is no school-based assessment in Core. For detailed structure, see DSE Strategy Overview, Paper 1 Strategy and Paper 2 Strategy.
Regarding the actual distribution of grades: According to the results statistics released by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, in recent years, about 13% to 15% of students who have achieved Level 5 or above in Mathematics Core, and about 1.3% to 1.5% of those who have achieved Level 5**. DSE uses level-referenced score reporting, and the HKEAA never publishes the raw scores or percentages corresponding to each level - so any prediction table that "a certain score in junior secondary is equal to a certain level in DSE" has no basis. See details DSE Mathematics 5** Strategy.
Frequently Asked Questions about Grades and Classes
What are the differences between levels for each grade?
Form 1 is the transformation of thinking (arithmetic to algebra), Form 2 is the formation of dependency chains (separation of symptoms and breakpoints), and Form 3 is the overlap of two sets of courses (junior secondary end point plus senior secondary starting point). The three properties are different, and the treatment methods cannot be universal.
What is the relationship between junior secondary and senior secondary courses?
Use the same set of three learning areas. The senior secondary Core follows the same division and is subdivided into 17 learning units (9 units in Numbers and Algebra, 4 units in Measurement, Graphics and Space, and 4 units in Data Processing), with additional advanced learning units. The gap in a certain area in junior secondary will reappear in the same area in senior secondary.
Will junior secondary content be tested in DSE?
Yes, you can take the exam directly. Both Volume 1A and Volume 2A include the basic parts of junior secondary, Volume 1B includes the basic and non-basic parts, and Volume 2B covers entire Form 1 to Form 3 courses.
At which grade should I start tuition?
The earlier the better, but it is more important to find the right gap location rather than registering for classes by grade. Form 2's symptoms may originate from Form 1's breakpoints. We do a diagnosis before starting the class and chase up the dependency chain.
Why don’t Form 4 to Form 6 have independent grade pages?
Because the senior secondary content is organized according to the examination structure rather than by grade - the three grades share the same core curriculum and the same public examination, and the only difference is in the progress and training focus. content focused on DSE course page and DSE strategy series.
Are the fees different for each level?
The entry-level Form 3 charges are the same (HK$1,280 for 4 lessons per month); the DSE Core Level 3 is also the same (HK$1,360); the compulsory M1 or M2 is HK$1,600 because each class lasts 2 hours (the unit price per hour is the lowest). We do not automatically increase prices for higher grades.
Can self-taught students or repeat students apply?
Can. The course will first assist in setting up a complete review schedule, and replace the on-campus mock exams with time-limited whole-paper exercises. The chief tutor himself passed the three subjects of Core, M1 and M2 as a self-taught student with 5**.
What are the corresponding grades for international school students?
International courses follow a parallel route: MYP → IGCSE (Form 3 to Form 4, the level determines the upper limit of grades) → Pre-IB/AS → IB Diploma or A Level. See IB/GCE courses.