Paper 1 Complete Tips & Tricks Guide
Comprehensively master the skills and strategies for the DSE English, Securities Practitioner and various professional exams Paper 1 to improve your exam results and achieve your learning goals. Whether you are taking the DSE or preparing for a professional qualification exam, this guide will help you prepare effectively for all types of Paper 1 exams.
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Securities Practitioner Paper 1 - Guide to Professional Examinations
Paper 1 of the Securities and Futures Practitioners Qualifying Examination (SFPQE) is an important entry point to the financial industry, covering the fundamentals of the securities market and regulatory requirements. It is an entry-level examination provided by the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute (HKSI) and is essential for those who wish to pursue a career in the securities industry.
Exam Summary
- Examination time: 90 minutes
- Number of questions: 60 multiple choice questions
- Pass mark: 70% (42 questions correct)
- Exam Language: English and Chinese
- Exam Fee: Approx. HK$1,200
Examination scope
The Securities Practitioner Paper 1 exam covers the following nine key areas:
- Overview of the Regulation of the Financial Sector in Hong Kong
- Relevant Hong Kong legal principles and the Companies Ordinance
- Securities and Futures Ordinance (SFO)
- Licensing and Registration and Subsidiary Legislation
- Business Conduct and Customer Relations
- Guidelines on Business Conduct and Internal Control
- Participation in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange
- Access to public funds
- Market Misconduct and Improper Trading Practices
Remarks Strategy
Systematic Learning
Systematic study in accordance with the 9 chapters of the examination syllabus to ensure that each point is fully understood. It is recommended to use the official textbook and designated reference materials to ensure the accuracy of the learning content.
Exercise Question Training
Practise a lot of multiple-choice questions to familiarise yourself with the question types and patterns, and to improve your speed and accuracy. It is recommended that you complete at least 500 practice questions to learn about answering techniques and common pitfalls.
Statutory Highlights
Pay special attention to Hong Kong securities laws and regulations and compliance requirements, which will be the focus of the examination. Focus on the core content and latest amendments to the Securities and Futures Ordinance.
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Find a Financial Professional TutorGeneral Test Taking Strategies - Time Management and Techniques
Regardless of the type of Paper 1 exam, there are some general test-taking strategies and techniques that can help improve your score. Mastering these strategies will make you more comfortable on all types of exams.
Time Management Strategy
Pre-examination Planning
Before you start answering the questions, take a quick look at the whole paper to get a feel for the distribution and difficulty of the questions, and to work out the order in which you want to answer them. This step usually takes only 2-3 minutes, but it can greatly improve the efficiency of the subsequent questions.
Principles of Distribution
Allocate time according to the mark and difficulty of the questions to ensure that you have enough time to complete all the questions. A practical way to do this is to allocate about 1-1.5 minutes per mark, depending on the difficulty of the question.
Progress Control
Check your progress regularly. If a question is taking too much time, skip it and come back to it later. Set time check points, e.g. every 15 minutes to assess progress.
Inspection Time
Allow 5-10 minutes for a final check, focussing on questions that are prone to error. Avoid last-minute corrections, which often result in incorrect answers.
Question and Answer Techniques
Examine the question carefully
Read the requirements of the questions carefully and pay attention to key words and qualifiers to avoid losing marks due to misunderstanding. Pay particular attention to negatives, qualifiers and conditions in the questions, as these are often traps that candidates tend to overlook.
exclusionary law
For multiple-choice questions, use the elimination method to eliminate obviously incorrect choices one by one, increasing the rate of correctness. Even if you are not sure of the correct answer, elimination can dramatically improve the accuracy of your guesses.
Keyword Marker
Mark important information and key words in the reading material to make it easier to locate answers quickly. Use underlining, circling, etc. to mark key information such as names, dates, and data in a text.
Logical Reasoning
Use logical reasoning skills to deduce the correct answer from known information. Especially in reading comprehension questions, the author's point of view and attitude often need to be determined through logical reasoning.
Exam Psychological Adjustment
- Stay calm, don't panic when you encounter problems, and believe in your own preparation and ability.
- Trust your first instincts and avoid revising your answers too much unless there is a good reason to do so
- Arrange your work and rest in a reasonable manner to ensure that you are in a good state of mind on the day of the examination and avoid staying up late to study.
- Approach exams with a positive attitude and see them as an opportunity to demonstrate your abilities, not as a source of pressure.
- Use relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, to ease exam anxiety and stay on top of your game.
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Find an Exam Skills TutorAnalysis of Common Question Types - Tips for solving questions
In-depth understanding of the question types commonly found in various Paper 1 exams, and the mastery of specific problem-solving techniques, can greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of the answer.
Multiple Choice Tips
Option Analysis Techniques
Carefully analyse the differences between each option, noting subtle differences in wording. Often the correct answer will be more accurate and comprehensive, whereas incorrect choices often contain partially correct but incomplete information, or deviate slightly from the meaning of the question.
interference identification
Learn to recognise common types of interference: partially correct but incomplete, seemingly reasonable but not in keeping with the meaning of the question, overly absolutist statements, etc. Pay special attention to options that are similar to the original statement but have different meanings; this is a common pitfall.
Guessing Strategies
When you are unsure of an answer, choose the option that best fits common sense and logic. Avoid choosing answers that are too extreme or absolutist, e.g., choices that contain words such as "always", "never", "completely", etc. are usually not the correct answer.
Application of Exclusion Methods
Eliminate obviously wrong choices first to narrow down your choices. Even if you can eliminate only one option, you can increase the accuracy of your guesses. Don't leave a question blank if you are completely unsure, because guessing has a better chance of scoring than not answering.
Tips for Reading Comprehension Questions
Quick Positioning
Learn to quickly locate relevant information in a text using keyword searches and paragraph topic sentence identification. Keywords in questions often have a direct correlation to relevant passages in the text, so use this to quickly locate the answer area.
Reasoning Judgement
Distinguish between direct information and information that requires reasoning, and pay attention to the author's attitude and point of view. Answers to some questions do not appear directly in the text and require reasonable inferences based on the information provided in the text, which requires an understanding of the overall context of the text and the author's intentions.
Details
Pay attention to specific details such as numbers, dates, and names in the text, which are often the focus of the test. During the reading process, you can use a pen to mark these key information, so that you can find and refer to them later.
contextual understanding
Understand the meaning of words and sentences in a particular context and avoid understanding them in isolation. Especially for some multi-meaning words or technical terms, their specific meanings in a text need to be determined in context, and cannot be simply interpreted by applying dictionary definitions.
Fill in the blanks
Language Analysis
Determine the required word and form according to the grammatical structure before and after the space. Pay attention to the tense, voice and subject-verb agreement of the sentence to make sure that the word is grammatically consistent with the structure of the sentence.
language understanding
Understand the meaning of the whole sentence or paragraph and choose the word that best fits the context. Sometimes it is necessary to read the wider context to determine the most appropriate answer, rather than just focusing on the individual sentence where the space is located.
Vocabulary Conversion
Look out for possible word transitions, tense changes or singular and plural changes that may be required. Especially in summary filler questions, it is often necessary to morph words from the original text to fit the new sentence.
Continuity Check
Make sure that the words you fill in make the whole passage coherent in terms of logic and meaning. When you have finished filling in the blanks, reread the entire passage to check that it flows naturally and fits the overall meaning of the text.
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Find a Professional TutorExam Preparation Methods - Effective Learning Strategies
Successful Paper 1 preparation requires a systematic study plan and effective study methods. The following strategies will help you prepare for all types of Paper 1 exams more efficiently.
Learning Programme Development
- Assessment of Existing Levels - Learn about your strengths and weaknesses through practice tests and develop a focused study plan. It is advisable to conduct a comprehensive assessment at the beginning of your preparation to identify the areas you need to focus on.
- Setting Learning Objectives - Set specific, measurable learning targets based on exam requirements and personal circumstances. For example, "complete 50 multiple-choice questions per week," "increase reading speed 20% in one month," etc.
- Phased Learning - The preparation process is divided into three stages: basic learning, intensive practice and intensive revision. Each stage sets different focuses and goals to enhance your ability in a gradual manner.
- Regular Review of Adjustments - Regularly assess the progress of learning and adjust the learning programme and methods according to the actual situation. It is recommended that weekly summaries and monthly major evaluations and adjustments be made.
Effective Learning Skills
Active learning
Adopt active learning methods such as note-taking, summarising key points and self-testing to enhance learning efficiency. Active participation in the learning process deepens understanding and memory more than passive reading. Trying to explain concepts in your own words or teaching them to others is the best way to test understanding.
Decentralised Learning
Spreading your study time over a number of shorter periods is more effective than concentrating on long periods of study. Studies have shown that studying for 1-2 hours a day for several weeks is far more effective than intensive learning over a short period of time. Establish a regular study routine with a set time of day.
Diversity Exercise
Use different types of practice materials, including past examination questions, practice papers, online practice, etc. A variety of exercises will help you to adapt to different types of questions and levels of difficulty and improve your resilience. Try to practice in different environments to simulate real exam situations.
Recommended Learning Resources
official textbook
Use the official teaching materials and guidelines provided by the examination bodies to ensure the accuracy and authority of the learning content. For DSE English Paper 1, you may refer to the sample papers and marking reference provided by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority; for Securities Practitioner Paper 1, you should use the official teaching materials provided by the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute.
Past Examination Questions
Practise a large number of past exam questions to familiarise yourself with the format and characteristics of the exam. Analyse answers and marking schemes to understand the expectations and requirements of the examiners. It is advisable to practise in chronological order, from old to new, in order to understand changes in examination trends.
Professional Courses
Attend a professional exam preparation course and receive systematic guidance and expert advice. Professional tutors can provide targeted study strategies and problem-solving techniques to help you avoid common mistakes and misconceptions. GETUTOR provides professional tutoring services for all types of Paper 1 exams.
Online Platforms
Use online learning platforms and apps for flexible learning and practice. Many offer interactive learning experiences and real-time feedback to help you master knowledge points and problem solving techniques more effectively. Choose reputable platforms to ensure accurate and up-to-date content.
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Find an Exam TutorPractice Resources - Mock Exam Questions and Explanations
Adequate practice is the key to success on the Paper 1 exam. Below you will find a variety of practice resources and suggestions to help you train effectively for the Paper 1 exam.
DSE English Paper 1 Exercise
Past DSE Questions
2012-2024 DSE English Paper 1 real questions with detailed answers and marking scheme. These questions are the closest practice material to the actual exam and should be used as a core resource for exam preparation.
- Complete question papers categorised by year to keep track of changes in examination trends
- Specialised exercises by topic to target weak points
- Difficulty-graded exercise materials for gradual improvement of abilities
Mock test paper
High-quality mock papers based on the latest exam trends to help you familiarise yourself with the format and difficulty level of the exam.
- Simulation of examination environment and development of time management skills
- Instant scoring system to know your level and progress
- Detailed analyses and suggestions for improving question-answering skills.
- Multiple sets of mock exam papers of different difficulty levels to enhance the overall examination competence
Securities Exam Paper 1 Exercise
Official Exercise Questions
A bank of official practice questions provided by the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute (HKSII) covering all the content of the examination syllabus.
- Covers all 9 exam chapters with comprehensive and accurate content
- Chinese-English cross-referenced questions for the convenience of candidates with different language backgrounds
- Detailed references for in-depth understanding
- Regularly updated to reflect the latest regulatory and market changes
Question Bank for Professional Training Organisations
A professional question bank provided by a renowned training organisation, containing a wealth of practice questions and detailed explanations.
- High-quality modelled questions with a level of difficulty comparable to the actual examination
- Expert analyses with in-depth knowledge points
- Learning progress tracking to understand your weaknesses
- Targeted exercises to focus on improving weak skills
Exercise Schedule
Foundation Stage (4-6 weeks)
1-2 hours a day, focusing on the basics, with a few practice questions to consolidate your understanding. At this stage, you should focus on understanding the content of the exam and familiarising yourself with the question types, so as to build up a good knowledge base.
Intensive phase (3-4 weeks)
Practice all types of questions for 2-3 hours a day to improve speed and accuracy. At this stage, you should focus on practical exercises to improve your problem solving and time management skills by doing a lot of questions.
Sprint phase (1-2 weeks)
A complete mock examination is conducted every day to adjust the examination state and to check for deficiencies. At this stage, you should focus on simulating the real exam environment, improving your psychological quality and test-taking ability, and at the same time, focusing on your weak points for final reinforcement.
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Access to professional practice resourcesSuccess Tips - High Score Strategy Sharing
Combining years of teaching experience and sharing of successful candidates' experiences, we have summarised the following strategies for scoring high marks in Paper 1 to help you achieve excellent results in the exam.
Mindset Adjustment
Building confidence
Believe in your abilities and maintain a positive attitude towards learning. Progress in each exercise is the basis for success. Look back at your own learning history and progress to increase your self-confidence. Instead of worrying about failure, focus on how to prepare yourself.
Stress Management
Learn to manage exam stress and maintain optimal performance through appropriate relaxation and exercise. The right amount of stress can help improve alertness and concentration, but too much stress can affect performance. Learn relaxation techniques such as deep breathing and meditation to keep your body and mind in balance.
Goal Orientation
Set clear goal scores and develop a concrete plan to achieve them. Goals should be challenging but not impossible to reach. Break down big goals into smaller ones and achieve them step by step to increase your sense of achievement and motivation.
Skills Upgrade
Speed Reading Skills
Cultivate the ability to read quickly, learn to grasp key information, and improve reading efficiency. Practise scanning and skimming skills to locate key information quickly. Avoid reading word-by-word; instead, capture topic sentences and key words to understand the structure and main points of the text.
Memory Method
Use associative memory, graphic memory, and other methods to improve the memorisation of knowledge points. Visualise abstract concepts and make connections between knowledge points. Review regularly and follow the Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve to consolidate your memory.
Answer Specification
Develop a regular habit of answering questions, paying attention to clear writing and correct formatting. Organise your answers in accordance with the requirements of the examination to ensure that the marker understands you clearly. Pay attention to paragraph structure and logical coherence, especially in long answers.
Error Analysis
Create a collection of mistakes, review them regularly and analyse their causes to avoid repeating them. After each practice session, analyse your mistakes to identify patterns and weaknesses. Target and strengthen these areas to improve your overall performance.
Successful case sharing
DSE English 5** Student Experience
"The secret of my success is to practice a lot and learn from my mistakes. Every time I finished an exercise, I would analyse the reasons for my mistakes and record them in my mistake book. In the month before the exam, I mainly reviewed these mistakes, and the result was very good. In addition, I have developed a good reading habit and read more English articles to improve my sense of language and comprehension."
Sharing by those who have passed the securities examination with high scores
"Time management is the key. When I practised, I strictly followed the time requirements of the exam and developed a good rhythm of answering questions. I was able to take the test calmly and eventually passed. I also made knowledge point cards to review key points at any time. This kind of fragmented learning is very suitable for busy working people."
Final Recommendations
- Develop a detailed study plan and implement it strictly to maintain continuity and systematic learning.
- Maintain a regular routine and get enough sleep, as your physical condition directly affects your learning and performance in exams.
- Seek professional guidance to avoid detours, professional instructors can provide tailored advice and solutions
- Share your learning experience with your classmates and encourage each other, team learning is often more effective than working alone.
- Maintain the habit of continuous learning, constantly improve yourself, exams are only a milestone, lifelong learning is the way to success!
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