The 2026 HKDSE results were released today (July 15). Following last year’s super top scorer, Po Leung Kuk Tang Yuk Tien College in Tuen Mun has celebrated another top scorer this year, and for the first time, a female one: Lee Sum Yee, who achieved 5** in six subjects and 5* in Mathematics Extended Module 2 (M2).
Following last year’s super top scorer, Po Leung Kuk Tang Yuk Tien College in Tuen Mun has celebrated another top scorer this year, and for the first time, a female one: Lee Sum Yee, who achieved 5** in six subjects and 5* in Mathematics Extended Module 2 (M2). Photo source: offered by the school
As Lee is currently attending a summer programme at Harvard University in the US, having received the 2025 Harvard Prize Book Scholarship offered by the Harvard Club of Hong Kong Education Fund, she was unable to return to school in person to collect her results. Her mother and sister received them on her behalf.
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Following last year’s super top scorer, Po Leung Kuk Tang Yuk Tien College in Tuen Mun has celebrated another top scorer this year, and for the first time, a female one: Lee Sum Yee, who achieved 5** in six subjects and 5* in Mathematics Extended Module 2 (M2). Photo source: offered by the school
Lee Sum Yee (middle), Photo source: offered by the school
Lee's mother (second from the right) and her sister (first from the right) received the DSE results on her behalf. Photo source: offered by the school
Lee Sum Yee (first from the right) together with her friends, Photo source: offered by the school
Lee Sum Yee (middle), Photo source: offered by the school
Lee's mother (second from the right) and her sister (first from the right) received the DSE results on her behalf. Photo source: offered by the school
In a video call, Lee expressed her shock and disbelief upon learning her results. She found the extended mathematics paper particularly challenging. “I approached the exam with a calm mindset,” she said. “I didn’t set a goal of achieving 5** in any subject, because it’s beyond my control anyway. I just wanted to enjoy my holiday after the exams.”
Lee also expressed deep gratitude to her family, teachers, and friends. She said her family never pressured her to be the top student and gave her plenty of freedom. Her teachers, she added, were always available to offer support, even when she didn’t actively seek them out, “which gave me a great sense of security and reminded me that I have so many people cheering me on.” Her friends also provided tremendous motivation. “The DSE journey isn’t one you take alone. Having friends by your side, studying and working hard together, makes it much less daunting,” she said.
Lee hopes to study at the Chinese University of Hong Kong’s medical school and aspires to become a doctor, not necessarily a top‑tier one, but someone who truly understands each patient’s needs and puts their mind at ease. “Being a doctor is very demanding, but I genuinely hope to be the kind of person who can observe each patient’s needs and give them peace of mind.”
Lee Sum Yee (first from the right) together with her friends, Photo source: offered by the school
She said she had considered studying in the UK and enjoyed the overseas learning environment, but ultimately decided to stay in Hong Kong due to the high tuition fees and her strong attachment to family and friends here. With a touch of humour, she added: “I’ve also longed for life abroad, so I’m getting a taste of it this summer, and then I’ll come back. That way, it’s like I’ve experienced both.”
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
