Paper 1 (Part A) consists of 36 multiple choice questions, while Part B has 10 long questions and 1 essay question. Ideally, students should spend one minute on each multiple-choice question. But if that's not possible, he recommends spending no more than 45 minutes on all multiple-choice questions, leaving 1 hour and 45 minutes to solve Part B.
The correct answers to the multiple-choice section are usually evenly distributed between A, B, etc. “So if students have some extra time, they can go back and check the distribution of their choices.”
Important Tips for HKDSE 2024 BIO Exam
In Part B, students cannot get the correct answer just by listing everything they have revised, as some questions use real-life scenarios. Therefore, it is crucial that students think broadly and apply the concepts they learn in class to situations they may have never heard of.
The essay question of Paper 1 in 2014 asked students about their understanding of lean meat diet, nutritional advantages and disadvantages, protein metabolism, etc. One year, students were asked about hybrid pets and purebred pets and had to compare.
Many candidates panic when reading these questions because textbooks typically do not discuss such examples.
Study skills of high scorers in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination currently studying at the University of Hong Kong
"However, while students may be unfamiliar with the scenarios in the questions, they need to calm down and trust that the right answers can always be found within concepts they have encountered before," he said.
It is recommended that students spend 5 to 10 minutes mind mapping before starting to write the paper and list all the topics and concepts related to the problem.
Paper 2 tests candidates on four elective modules, with questions similar to those in Paper 1. Students will be asked to select and answer two of four long questions within one hour. Ideally, students should spend 20 to 25 minutes on each question to allow time to double-check answers before time is up.
Don't let stress get you down! It doesn’t matter how anxious the 2024 DSE candidates are
As for possible topics, the transport of substances in the human body, such as the circulatory and digestive systems, will most likely appear in this year's papers. He also recommends that students familiarize themselves with the heart and heart disease, such as ventricular septal defects.
Plant transport systems may also come up in the examination, particularly the function and structure of xylem, which is responsible for transporting water and dissolved compounds from the roots to the stems and leaves; and phloem, whose job is to transport food produced by photosynthesis from the leaves to the plant. Non-photosynthetic parts such as roots and stems. Popular topics also include the nitrogen cycle and energy flow of ecosystems.
"Questions on the 'Health and Disease' theme are likely to link the concept of infectious diseases to vaccines. For example, how does vaccination create immunity in our bodies, thereby reducing our likelihood of becoming infected?"
The human immune system and the microscopic battle for survival
As for common mistakes to avoid, it's important not to confuse similar terms that mean completely different things, such as gene and allele, dominant and recessive, or homozygous and homozygous.
"If the question asks candidates to say something, they must spell those answers correctly and write clearly. But if the question asks them to describe or explain something, minor spelling errors are acceptable,".
He added that when it comes to calculation or math questions, candidates must include units in their answers or marks will be deducted.
Candidates should also avoid giving answers that are too general. For example, if the question is: Why do some people gain weight? Some students may simply answer: They don't get enough exercise, or they eat a lot of fatty foods.
"But this answer is not acceptable in biology,".
"We want students to make comparisons in their answers. They need to indicate how energy input is greater than energy expenditure to receive points."
FAQ
1. BIO tutoring students and how to benefit from BIO tutoring?
Tutors provide private tutoring and professional assistance to meet the needs of your student's studies. Your student's grades will improve, but more importantly, his/her self-confidence and sense of competence will increase.
Other benefits include:
- Improve attitudes towards school and towards BIO
- Complete BIO homework faster
- more effective study habits
- More free time for other activities
2. Who will use the recommendations of BIO tutors?
Parents and students who recognize that BIO private tutoring is one of the most successful teaching/learning models:
- One-to-one is the most effective way to learn
- BIO tutoring students seeking extra tutoring in elective subjects
- Parents who want their students to succeed in the BIO exam
- BIO tutoring students who are struggling with class progress or who are not reaching their full potential
- BIO tutoring students who wish to tutor before taking the BIO exam or BIO diploma exam
3. Compared with group BIO tutoring, what are the benefits of one-on-one BIO tutoring?
Each student learns and absorbs at a different rate; in one-on-one BIO tutoring, the tutor can concentrate on teaching one student. In this way, lessons, answers and advice are tailored specifically to individual BIO students, taking into account differences in learning styles, strengths and interests. This enables the tutor to work with your student to achieve his/her goals.
4. Why should I hire a BIO tutor in GETUTOR?
GETUTOR has been serving Hong Kong students for ten years and has the absolute experience and ability to match students' academic needs and learning styles with suitable BIO tutors.
GETUTOR has 200,000 professional BIO tutors and a trustworthy team of tutors who can cater to students with different needs and abilities. Our tutors all join because they want to be educators, but just as important is their love of teaching.
At the same time, GETUTOR is committed to providing flexibility and high-quality education with its professional approach, which makes it stand out from similar tutoring agencies and was awarded the Best Tutoring Agency in Hong Kong 2022.
5. What is the registration process for tutoring?
Click here to register for tutoring
If you decide to use GETUTR, we can discuss your students' learning levels, goals, areas of strength and weakness, learning styles and the ideal BIO teacher and teaching style. We then select the BIO tutor who is best suited for your student.
Tutor fees depend on the tutor's teaching experience. Once we confirm a suitable BIO tutor and class time, we will contact you and provide the BIO tutor's contact information and background. The entire process usually only takes a few hours.
6. How long should a BIO tutoring class last?
Instead of just one hour, most students and BIO tutors will take between 1.5 and 2 hours of tutoring. Firstly, the transportation and time arrangements of both parties will be better, and secondly, students can also learn more deeply.
7. How many times a week should we have BIO tutoring?
This depends on the student's current level, goals for improvement, and your schedule. Most students schedule two to three BIO tutoring sessions, but progress can also be seen in one session per week.
8. How long will it take for me to make progress and see results?
It also depends on the student. The results of BIO tutoring come over time and with student effort – on average, noticeable improvements are seen after three months. A major goal of BIO Tutoring is to provide students with the tools to succeed. Developing successful study and study habits takes time, but once learned, these habits will have a positive impact on students' learning throughout their academic lives.
9. Where are BIO private tuition courses held?
BIO tutoring will be conducted at students’ homes. If it is not convenient, you can take online tutoring such as ZOOM. When ZOOMing at home, students feel comfortable and relaxed, so they are more open and receptive to BIO tutoring and learning. Additionally, when tutoring online at home, students can get twice the result with half the effort in a familiar environment.
10. Do BIO tutors from GETUTOR Hong Kong Tutors Association assign extra homework to students?
BIO tutoring sessions between your student and BIO tutor are created entirely to meet the needs of the student. If your student needs extra practice, a tutor can bring in extra homework.
11. Will BIO tutors contact parents?
We generally recommend that tutors contact parents. BIO tutors can notify parents of student progress and alert areas where your student may need additional help. The three-way cooperation of parents, tutors and teachers can achieve your ideal goals.
12. How can I maximize the tutoring benefits of BIO tutoring for my students?
- Ensure tutors and students have all needed materials and a quiet BIO tutoring space
- Verify with your student before tutoring at BIO what applicable homework and textbooks will be used
- Follow up with your students on the goals set in the tutorial
- Provide your students with specific, positive feedback on their efforts
- Maintain active communication with BIO tutors
- Connect with your student’s tutor and GETUTOR for feedback and suggestions for improving the learning environment44
由 GETUTOR 升學研究組撰寫 ｜ 數據來源：GETUTOR 內部配對紀錄
中環生物補習：點解 Genetics 一個 chapter 殺晒中半山 Band 1 學生？
中環嘅 DSE 學生，平均要等成 5.1 個鐘先配到啱嘅生物導師
中環呢個地段，多嘅係住中半山、堅道、般咸道嘅家庭。學生通常讀港島區頂尖嘅英中：聖保羅書院、聖若瑟、英華女學校（西半山一帶）、皇仁、聖士提反女子。呢類學校讀 Bio 嘅學生 baseline 已經高，但攻 5* / 5** 嘅關卡好集中喺 Genetics 同 Human Physiology 兩個 chapter。
根據 GETUTOR 後台 2024-2026 年中西區（中環、上環、西營盤）DSE Biology 配對紀錄，樣本約 178 宗*，平均配對時間 5.1 小時，比全港 Bio 平均 4.8 小時長 6%。原因：中西區家長對導師嘅學歷要求高（要求 HKU / CUHK 醫科 / 生命科學系），供應緊張。
當中要補 Genetics 嘅佔配對需求 28%、Human Physiology 佔 25%。呢兩個 chapter 加埋已經佔超過一半補習需求。
導師 Quote：點解 Genetics 死記公式一定死？
Mr. Y（按導師私隱要求使用化名，導師資歷已獲 GETUTOR 平台認證）— 香港大學理學士（主修生命科學），DSE Biology 5**，曾任中環一帶補習社 DSE Bio 兼職導師三年，之後轉全職私補。教學年資 5 年，主補中西區、半山、薄扶林區 DSE Biology。累計教過超過 40 個 Bio 學生，當中 14 個攞 5* 或 5**。
Mr. Y 指出：「Genetics 嗰章好多學生死記 Mendel 公式 1:2:1 或 9:3:3:1，背到識晒但一遇到 sex linkage 或者 codominance 就甩晒轆。我嘅教法係：先講『點解』，後講『點計』。例如解釋 sex linkage，我會先講色盲（colour blindness）點解集中喺男仔身上。學生明白咗背後生理機制，自然 cross diagram 點畫都唔會錯。死記公式嘅最大問題就係考評局每年都會出唔同 twist 嘅題目，公式背得幾熟都應付唔到。」
呢個教法源自 GETUTOR 內部嘅醫科生分享系列，有醫科生就講過：「背嘢同記嘢有分別。背係短期，記係長期。」
補幾耐先見效？DSE Biology 各 Topic 建議堂數
| Topic | 建議堂數（每堂 1.5 鐘） | difficulty |
|---|
| Cells & Molecules of Life | 3 堂 | middle |
| Plant & Human Nutrition | 4 堂 | mid-to-high |
| Gas Exchange & Respiration | 3 堂 | middle |
| Transport System & Excretion | 4 堂 | high |
| Coordination, Hormone, Nervous System | 4 堂 | high |
| Reproduction、Inheritance（Genetics） | 5 堂 | 最高 |
| Evolution、Ecology、Biodiversity | 3 堂 | middle |
| Elective: Human Physiology | 5 堂 | 最高 |
*堂數為導師建議中位數，實際因學生程度而異
中環 Bio 導師評分
| index | data |
|---|
| 試堂後繼續率（中西區） | 約 84% |
| 導師平均教學年資 | 4.6 年 |
| 持有生物 / 醫科相關學位嘅比率 | 54% |
| Average Matching Time | 5.1 小時 |
*統計自 GETUTOR 後台 2024-2026 年中西區 DSE Biology 配對紀錄
GETUTOR 導師防伏貼士：DSE Bio 三大常踩 trap
第一，實驗設計題（Paper 1B）。考評局近年成日出 design an experiment 嘅題目，要學生寫 hypothesis、independent variable、dependent variable、control variable、procedure、expected result。失分嘅地方多數係：唔識寫 control（80% 學生輸喺呢度）。Mr. Y 嘅 trick 係：每寫一個變量，自己問「點解需要 control 呢一項？」，控制好就唔會失分。
第二，Genetics 嘅問法。考評局唔會直接問你 cross 公式，而係包裝成 disease scenario。例如「parent A 有色盲，parent B 健康，cross 出嚟兒女嘅 phenotype probability」。學生要識識讀題、識畫 Punnett square，先計到答案。
第三，DSE Bio 嘅 keyword。例如問 enzyme，唔可以淨講「helps reaction」，要寫「lower activation energy」先攞分。每一個 chapter 嘅 mark scheme keyword 都要熟讀。
進步時間線
| time | 預期進度 |
|---|
| 第 1-2 堂 | 搵到弱項，通常係 Genetics 或 Human Physiology |
| 第 3-6 堂 | 核心概念通，Cells + Nutrition 搞掂 |
| 第 7-12 堂 | Past Paper 操卷，平均 +9 至 +13 分 |
| 第 13-18 堂 | Mock 穩定 Level 5+ 或以上 |
個案分享（已匿名處理）
一位中西區 Band 1 英中嘅 F.5 學生，補前 mock Bio 得 Level 4，目標 5**。經過 14 堂私補（每堂 1.5 鐘），DSE 最終攞 Level 5*。導師主要攻 Genetics 同 Human Physiology 兩個 weak chapter。
FAQ
F.5 開始補 Bio 仲趕唔趕得切？
趕得切。F.5 開始算合理時間，平均 14-18 堂可以由 Level 3 升到 Level 5。F.6 上學期才開始就要密集補。
中環學生最常卡邊個 chapter？
根據我哋紀錄，最多人卡 Genetics（佔 28%）同 Human Physiology（佔 25%）。呢兩個 chapter 加埋已經 53%。
Bio 私補一定要搵醫科生嗎？
唔一定。生命科學系、藥劑、護理 graduate 都可以。最重要係佢識教 mark scheme keyword 同實驗設計題。
結語 + CTA
中環 DSE Biology 嘅家長要記住：搵啱啲識分析 mark scheme 嘅老師，比搵醫科生更重要。想了解更多，可以入 GETUTOR 配對系統同我哋傾。
Extended Reading
關於本文引述導師：Mr. Y，香港大學生命科學系畢業，教學年資 5 年，主補中西區 / 半山 / 薄扶林區 DSE Biology。導師資歷已獲 GETUTOR 平台認證。
本文旨在幫助家長及學生了解中環區 DSE Biology 補習嘅實際情況，作出更好嘅判斷。如有任何補習相關疑問，歡迎聯絡 GETUTOR 團隊。
