DSE 2026｜St. Paul’s Super Top Scorer Ends 6‑Year Wait

The 2026 HKDSE results were released today (July 15), with St. Paul’s College celebrating its super top scorer after a six-year wait.

St. Paul’s College, Photo by Bastille Post

The super top scorer, Chue Wai To, who studied Mathematics Extended Module 1 (M1), Ethics and Religious Studies, and History, is a rare “top scorer of liberal arts.” Chue said he had expected good results, but never imagined scoring so highly. He said Ethics and Religious Studies is a less common subject, taken by fewer than 1,000 candidates this year, with only a handful scoring 5**. He is also the first top scorer to have taken this subject for examination.

He plans to pursue a double degree in Bachelor of Business Administration (Law) and Bachelor of Laws at the University of Hong Kong, believing the combination would serve him well as a solicitor. He has also attained an IELTS score of 8.5.

Moreover, he has received a conditional offer from King’s College London, which he regards as a safety net. However, he intends to practise law in Hong Kong after graduation, citing the high cost of studying abroad and the affordability of Hong Kong’s government‑subsidised tuition fees.

The super top scorer, Chue Wai To, Photo by Bastille Post

Chue has been interested in literature since childhood and enjoys logical reasoning without definitive answers. He believes that law is essentially the framework that shapes society’s rules. He has interned at a law firm and participated in English moot court competitions.

On subject selection, Chue said he performs better in humanities and business subjects and finds them more engaging. He enjoys reading English non‑fiction, with Michael Sandel’s Justice being a particular favourite for its ethical insights.

He emphasised that he is not the most widely read person, but reminds himself not to over‑pressure himself and to allocate study time wisely. In his spare time, he plays table tennis, listens to music, and plays video games - maintaining an optimistic and relaxed mindset, which he believes is crucial for the DSE, a marathon he said.

Chue noted that A‑Level courses are predominantly science‑based, with fewer humanities and business options, leading to fierce competition. He believes it is unnecessary to chase popular subjects, preferring to follow his interests. He admitted that he didn't feel much pressure; as long as he did his best, his family would also provide appropriate support.

On AI‑assisted learning, he said his chosen subjects did not really require AI, which he feels is only suitable for short‑answer questions. He also received economics tutoring, so he did not rely on AI for revision.

He thanked his parents and classmates, noting that there was little competition among them. Instead, they helped, discussed, and progressed together.

Lee Sung Hei (first from the left), Yuen Chi Yin (second from the left), Chue Wai To (second from the right) together with the school principal, Photo by Bastille Post

The runner-up, Yuen Chi Yin, who studied M1, BAFS (Business, Accounting and Financial Studies), Chemistry and Physics, was
thrilled with his results and grateful for the school’s supportive atmosphere. Strong in mathematics and science, he is also interested in architecture, particularly the integration of AI and robotics in the field. He intends to attend CUHK.

Yuen received tutoring and considers eight to nine hours of daily study reasonable. He believes in balancing study with relaxation, like listening to music and playing sports, which help him de‑stress. He also enjoys playing music and values the friendship of classmates who share solutions and encouragement.

He thanked his parents for encouraging good time management without pressuring him or forcing him to study constantly.

Lee Sung Hei (first from the left), Yuen Chi Yin (second from the left), Chue Wai To (second from the right) together with the school principal, Photo by Bastille Post

Another runner-up, Lee Sung Hei, who studied M1, BAFS, Economics and History, was equally delighted with his results. He is considering Global Business programmes at HKU, CUHK and HKUST. He previously served as president of the Management Association and received tutoring in Chinese, Mathematics and Economics.

He hopes to stay in Hong Kong for university and focus on business‑related subjects. In his spare time, he plays the clarinet and relaxes after achieving each goal. When it comes to tutoring, he said he usually brings up the idea to his parents himself, and they provide financial support but never put pressure on him.

The students of St. Paul's College achieving outstanding results, Photo by Bastille Post

The principal congratulated the students on their outstanding results, describing them as well‑deserved recognition of their hard work. He noted that the students’ dedication over the years was entirely their own, with crucial support from parents. The school creates opportunities for students, allowing them freedom to choose and arranging extracurricular experiences to broaden their horizons. He also emphasised the importance of mutual support among friends and expressed hope that all students would continue striving for a brighter future.

The 2026 HKDSE results were released today (July 15). St. Paul's College celebrated one top scorer and two runners-up, alongside another remarkable success: a visually impaired student who overcame significant challenges to achieve outstanding results.

St. Paul's College, Photo by Bastille Post

James Zheng studied Mathematics Extended Module 2 (M2), Business, Accounting and Financial Studies (BAFS), and Economics, and achieved 5** in both English and Information and Communication Technology (ICT). He has been admitted to the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Financial Technology programme at the University of Hong Kong through the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme (SNDAS).

James's visual impairment is caused by a congenital developmental condition. He has also participated in support programmes at the Ebenezer School and Home for the Visually Impaired. He requires specialised computer equipment for learning and is granted extended time during examinations.

He admitted that some people questioned his ability to use a computer when he chose his subjects, but he persevered. "I feel that studying is my only way out," he said, expressing hope that entering a good university would open up more choices for him. He believes Hong Kong is generally tolerant towards visually impaired individuals, but acknowledges that prejudice still exists. He hopes that securing a place at a good university and finding a stable job will give him a "safety net."

James Zheng, Photo by Bastille Post

James attended Toi Shan Association Primary School in Tuen Mun before studying at St. Paul's College. As for the college, it has a long-standing partnership with the Ebenezer School and Home for the Visually Impaired, which consistently provides strong support for visually impaired students. Initially, his grades were average. He ranked around 80th, and he struggled with English, though he could still see partially. He worked hard and gradually caught up.

However, in Form 4, he became almost completely blind. The transition required extensive rehabilitation and learning to live independently, making it difficult to focus on his studies. His grades plummeted. He decided to repeat a year, and after adapting to his new circumstances, he slowly regained his academic footing.

To improve communication efficiency with teachers, James wrote a programme that converts Braille mathematics directly into printed mathematical symbols, significantly reducing what had been a lengthy conversion process.

In Form 4, James became almost completely blind. Photo by Bastille Post

James is deeply grateful for the school's support, particularly his mathematics teacher, who dedicated time each week to help him study and later recommended him for HKU's admission programme. The school has also provided him with various opportunities, including camping trips and overseas competitions, ensuring his visual impairment does not limit his experiences. Last year, he even represented the school at a competition in Europe.

James was satisfied and happy with his DSE results, though he felt his Chinese exam performance was not ideal, and found the M2 paper particularly challenging due to the need for electronic devices. Although he was a little nervous the night before results day, he was not overly anxious, having already secured his offer from HKU.

He is deeply interested in AI applications, believing they can assist visually impaired individuals in daily life and studies - for example, by describing images or helping with study summaries. However, he has not yet tried technologies like OpenClaw, citing potential security risks. He hopes to use his programming skills in the future to help visually impaired people and others in need.

Immediately after completing the DSE, James immersed himself in tech and AI-related activities in Hong Kong, including presenting an open-source project at the Hong Kong Open Source Conference. He also interned at City University of Hong Kong, working on AI-related projects. He intends to pursue undergraduate research in AI and hopes to broaden his horizons through the university's exchange programmes.

James Zheng, Photo by Bastille Post

He previously visited HKU and found the campus welcoming, and also has a strong interest in finance. He acknowledges that the job market changes rapidly and cannot predict his future career path with certainty.

James shared his learning philosophy: the earlier you prepare, the better. He read extensively in English during junior secondary school, building a strong language foundation. He rarely attended tutoring classes, only taking a few months of maths tuition between Form 5 and Form 6, and economics tuition a few months before the DSE. Instead, he prefers to study independently. He likes to take notes after reading, believing it enhances memory retention.

James hoped other visually impaired students would not care too much about others' opinions, even if some people hold stereotypes or try to discourage them. In his eyes, the most important thing is to pursue dreams. "As long as you are interested and feel capable, you should try — even if you fail, you won't regret it," he said.

James hoped other visually impaired students would not care too much about others' opinions, even if some people hold stereotypes or try to discourage them. Photo by Bastille Post