High achievers share explain how Pomodoro timers, ‘mistake booklets’ and selective AI use helped them ace their papers
Setting a timer to take a short break after every 25 minutes of study, compiling a “mistakes booklet” to learn from past errors and using artificial intelligence to boost English skills are among the strategies used by top scorers in this year’s university entrance exam in Hong Kong.
However, some of the 24 high achievers of this year’s Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exams said they would not rely too much on AI as this would prevent them from genuinely absorbing the knowledge.
Wong Lok-yin, PLK Laws Foundation College’s first top scorer and first “super top scorer”, said he had avoided burnout while preparing for the exam by using an online tool known as a Pomodoro timer.
He broke down studying into highly focused 25-minute “sprints” followed by five-minute breaks in an effort to keep his brain sharp and ward off procrastination.
“A five-minute rest allows my brain to consolidate the knowledge learned and keeps my mind from staying tense,” he added.
Soniya Tong Siu-nga, 18, a super scorer from Ying Wa Girls’ College, kept a booklet to record questions she had previously answered incorrectly or concepts she had not come across before.