INFORMATION-AND-COMMUNICATION-TECHNOLOGY · HKDSE
INFORMATION-AND-COMMUNICATION-TECHNOLOGY/21
(one elective: 2A Databases / 2B Web Application Development / 2C Algorithm and Programming)
Information and Communication Technology · 2021 2021 · Variant 1
Relative difficulty
Analysis source: Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA)
Analysis aligned to the official syllabus and assessment design.
3.4 / 5
90
120 min
Algorithmic Trace and Logical Reasoning
Cohort performance
Session statistics from official examination reports
Total marks
90
Duration
120 min
Session difficulty
3.4 / 5
Level 5**
~93% of max
Level 5*
~86% of max
Level 5
~85% of max
Key examiner messages
Top priorities from the principal examiner before you revise
The 2021 HKDSE Information and Communication Technology (ICT) compulsory paper tested core syllabus outcomes with a heavy focus on network configurations, database operations, and algorithmic tracing. While the general direct-knowledge questions were highly accessible, the paper
The 2021 HKDSE ICT Paper 1 featured a balanced mix of fundamental ICT concepts and analytical problem-solving, with notable challenges in pixel-grid data representation and complex loop-tracing algorithms.
Question difficulty map
How candidates performed on each question in this series
No data available in official reports
Assessment objectives
Skill and AO weighting from official examiner commentary
Skill weighting
Shows the skill mix this paper tested most heavily.
Technical Terminology
Weight: 7100%Mathematical
Weight: 571%Logical
Weight: 457%Tracing &
Weight: 343%Practical Application
Weight: 229%
Method marks watchlist
Where working, steps, or method marks were commonly lost
No data available in official reports
Recurring mistakes across years
Themes examiners flag in multiple recent sessions for this subject
No data available in official reports
Question choice intelligence
Mean scores and popularity for optional questions (HKDSE electives)
No data available in official reports
Level exemplars
What candidate scripts at each grade level looked like
No data available in official reports
Grade & admission context
How marks relate to grade thresholds and entry standards
Reporting source
HKEAA Subject Examination Report — comments on candidates’ performance with marking schemes
Level 5**
Outstanding — competitive JUPAS programmes (medicine, law, top faculties)
Level 5*
Excellent — strong JUPAS profile for selective programmes
Level 5
Good — meets most university entrance requirements
Level 4
Satisfactory — foundation programmes or less selective routes
Level 3
Pass threshold for many sub-degree and vocational pathways
Admission context
Levels feed JUPAS and non-JUPAS university applications; 5** and 5* are most selective
Deep insights
What top candidates did
Techniques and approaches examiners rewarded in this series
No data available in official reports
Command word playbook
How to match each command word to the expected response style
Match the expected response style for “State” questions.
State features in sequence or list observable properties — do not explain causes unless asked.
Apply knowledge to an unfamiliar context; concise, practical points score best.
Give reasons and link mechanism to outcome; each point needs a because/so chain.
Match the expected response style for “Estimate” questions.
Time traps
Sections where candidates spent disproportionate time relative to marks
Min per mark: 2
Min per mark: 1.6
Min per mark: 1.6
Min per mark: 1.6
Min per mark: 1.6
Min per mark: 1.6
Syllabus traceability
Topics linked to questions and mark weighting in this session
Algorithm Design (Computational Thinking and Programming)
14 marks this session
Data Representation (Information Processing)
13 marks this session
Basic Machine Organisation (Computer System Fundamentals)
12 marks this session
MCQ trap analytics
Commonly chosen wrong options from examiner commentary
No data available in official reports
Topic heatmap across years
Mark concentration by topic and exam year for this subject
Mark intensity
SQL (Databases)
Algorithm Design
Relational Databases Concepts
Data Organisation and Data Control
Networking and Internet Basics
Algorithm Design (Computational Thinking and Programming)
Data Representation (Information Processing)
Basic Machine Organisation (Computer System Fundamentals)
Difficulty trend
How session difficulty has shifted across recent years
Paper comparison
Marks and duration breakdown across papers in this session
Paper 1 Section A (Multiple-Choice):
Paper 1 Section B (Structured Questions):
Marks you can still earn
Where valid approaches outside the mark scheme may still gain credit
No data available in official reports
Practise what examiners flagged
Target weak topics from this report inside the Revui app
Algorithm Design (Computational Thinking and Programming)
14 marks this session
Practise in RevuiData Representation (Information Processing)
13 marks this session
Practise in RevuiBasic Machine Organisation (Computer System Fundamentals)
12 marks this session
Practise in RevuiSelf-diagnostic checklist
Key actions before you sit this paper — copy and tick off as you revise
- 1Message
The 2021 HKDSE Information and Communication Technology (ICT) compulsory paper tested core syllabus outcomes with a heavy focus on network configurations, database operations, and algorithmic tracing. While the general direct-knowledge questions were highly accessible, the paper
- 2Message
The 2021 HKDSE ICT Paper 1 featured a balanced mix of fundamental ICT concepts and analytical problem-solving, with notable challenges in pixel-grid data representation and complex loop-tracing algorithms.
Teacher briefing pack
One-page session summary for tutors and classroom review
2021 2021 2021
Information and Communication Technology
The 2021 HKDSE ICT Paper 1 featured a balanced mix of fundamental ICT concepts and analytical problem-solving, with notable challenges in pixel-grid data representation and complex loop-tracing algorithms.
The 2021 HKDSE Information and Communication Technology (ICT) compulsory paper tested core syllabus outcomes with a heavy focus on network configurations, database operations, and algorithmic tracing. While the general direct-knowledge questions were highly accessible, the paper
The 2021 HKDSE ICT Paper 1 featured a balanced mix of fundamental ICT concepts and analytical problem-solving, with notable challenges in pixel-grid data representation and complex loop-tracing algorithms.
- Total marks
- 90
- Duration
- 120 min
- Session difficulty
- 3.4 / 5
- Level 5**
- ~93% of max
- Level 5*
- ~86% of max
- Level 5
- ~85% of max
Session analysis
The 2021 HKDSE ICT Paper 1 featured a balanced mix of fundamental ICT concepts and analytical problem-solving, with notable challenges in pixel-grid data representation and complex loop-tracing algorithms.
Updated Jun 11, 2026
Paper breakdown
Paper 1 Section A (Multiple-Choice):
Paper 1 Section B (Structured Questions):
Top chapters
Exam structure insights
Marks by chapter
See where the marks were concentrated so revision time goes to the highest-value topics.
Mark accessibility
Estimate which marks were basic, mid-level, or high-difficulty.
83% within easy or medium reach
Command word frequency
Spot common command words so answers match the expected response style.
Question type mix
Compare the mark share of each paper section and question type.
Structured/Conventional
50·5·56%
Multiple Choice
(MCQ)
40·40·44%
Study ROI
Bigger bubbles recur more often; higher bubbles carry more marks, helping you rank revision priorities.
Time vs marks
Compare marks with suggested time allocation to plan exam pacing.
Paper 1 Section A (
0.50 m/minPaper 1 Section B Q
0.63 m/minPaper 1 Section B Q
0.63 m/minPaper 1 Section B Q
0.63 m/minPaper 1 Section B Q
0.63 m/minPaper 1 Section B Q
0.63 m/minTotal marks
60
Total time
100 min
Avg pace
0.60
Cumulative marks ladder
The line is your running mark total question by question; dashed lines are the estimated grade cut-offs. See which question the line crosses your target grade at, so you know how far you must answer cleanly and which questions decide a band.
Next-year prediction
Topics worth watching next year, with the reason shown directly below each bar.
IP Subnetting and Address Assignment Constraints
90%90%
RAID and High-Availability Storage Architectures
85%85%
Exam tips
Paper format
- Duration
- 1h 30min
- Total marks
- 45
Analysis is paraphrased for study purposes. Always verify against the official examiner report and mark scheme.