In contrast to the Gaokao curriculum which is focused on mainland universities, the Hong Kong DSE curriculum leads to a more broader career path, allowing for students to proceed not only to universities in Hong Kong, but also to universities in the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and around the world. The Hong Kong DSE curriculum has several distinct advantages over its competitors.

First, except for the English subject examinations, the Hong Kong DSE is the only international examination which allows candidates to answer using simplified Chinese characters, making it particularly suitable for Mainland students.

Second, with a much lower number of candidates as compared to the Gaokao examinations, the level of competition of this avenue is relatively low as compared to the traditional route.

Third, should students choose to go to Hong Kong universities via this route, they can proceed to easily obtain Hong Kong citizenship after fulfilling the necessary requirements, making it one of the most cost-effective choices for immigration to Hong Kong and abroad.