A single failed subject on a transcript is like a thorn in the hearts of many Hong Kong Dental Licensing Examination (HKDLE) exam takers – it takes time and effort to start all over again, and there is no way to start tutoring alone.
Just one subject is missing, how can we learn it
This may be the common sentiment of many candidates who have encountered a “single subject Waterloo” in HKDLE’s Part 1 written test. Faced with a vast knowledge system consisting of eight subjects, completely overturning and starting over just one weak link is undoubtedly a huge waste of time and energy.

The official policy of the Hong Kong Dental Council has already pointed out a more efficient path for candidates. This article will delve into this key policy and reveal how to improve your exam preparation efficiency to new heights through precise individual breakthroughs.
1. Exam structure, understanding the global and local aspects of Part 1 written test
Part 1 of the Hong Kong Dental Licensing Examination is a written test and serves as the theoretical foundation of the entire examination. It is not a chaotic test, but has a clear and modular structure.
According to official information released by the Dental Council of Hong Kong, the Part 1 written test is scientifically divided into two papers, totaling eight core subjects.
Volume 1 focuses on the fundamental and applied pillars of dentistry, including:
Part A: Applied Basic Science
Part B: Internal and surgical medicine related to dentistry
Part C: Dental Pharmacology, Therapeutics, and Related Medical Emergencies
Volume 2 delves into various clinical specialties in dentistry, including:
Part A: Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, and Oral Pathology
Part B: Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics (Orthodontics)
Part C: Preservation of Dentistry
Part D: Periodontology, Preventive Dentistry, and Dental Public Health
Part E: Dental Repair
Each subject has its own independent question quantity and time limit, for example, in the first exam, each subject usually has 20 questions/20 minutes, and in the second exam, each subject has 50 questions/1 hour. This design means that each subject is a knowledge unit that can be independently evaluated and conquered.
2. Key policies, the exam preparation revolution brought about by the “partial retention” rule
It is based on the modular structure mentioned above that the Hong Kong Dental Council has implemented a key policy that is extremely friendly to candidates – “partial retention of scores for individual qualified projects”.
This policy clearly stipulates that any qualified score obtained by a candidate in any subject of Paper 1 can be retained. Candidates can rely on their already passed subject scores to retake only those subjects that did not pass in subsequent exams.
This policy is not permanently effective and has a retention period: grades can be retained for 4 years or 4 exam opportunities after obtaining a qualified grade, whichever comes first.
This completely changed the rules of the exam preparation game. It means that your exam preparation strategy can shift from “charging comprehensively every time” to “accurately identifying weaknesses and implementing targeted elimination”. A failure in an exam no longer means a complete defeat, but rather marks a clear target for you to focus on in the next stage.
3. Common difficulties, the “hidden pitfalls” on the road to single subject preparation
However, knowing is easier than doing. Although policies provide a pathway, many candidates often encounter new difficulties when conducting single subject reinforcement alone:
The Difficulty of Information Filtering: Faced with a vast and complex dental knowledge system, how to accurately locate the latest and most core exam points of the supplementary subjects from massive data? Organizing on one’s own often takes a huge amount of time and is prone to deviating from direction.
The dilemma of fixed thinking: The methods and ideas for the first failure may already have problems. Without the intervention of external professional perspectives, it is easy to repeat the wrong thinking patterns and achieve real breakthroughs.
The dilemma of low efficiency: In order to study a subject, flipping through all relevant textbooks results in a serious mismatch between input and output. The exam preparation period has been extended, consuming not only time but also valuable confidence.
These issues have led to seemingly “cost-effective” self-study exams, but in reality, it may be a detour with half the effort and low success rate.
4. Precise breakthrough, allowing professional expertise to focus on your knowledge gaps
In response to this common pain point, CHENG HEI Education has launched the HKDLE Part 1 Single Subject Precision Enhancement Course. We firmly believe that the most efficient way to prepare for exams is to invest the highest quality resources, in the most focused way, into the most critical issues.
Our course design perfectly aligns with the official ‘partial retention’ policy, committed to providing the ultimate solution for candidates in the following situations:
·I have passed some subjects in the Part 1 written test, and only need to overcome a few candidates who did not pass the subjects.
·During the comprehensive review, it was found through self-assessment that there are significant weak areas in specific subjects, and candidates who hope to receive targeted reinforcement in advance.
·Exam preparation time is tight, and candidates need to achieve rapid score improvement in the most efficient way possible.
We have offered in-depth lectures for the eight subjects of Part 1 written test. Whether it’s the daunting “Department C: Preservation of Dentistry” or the extensive “Department V – Restoration of Dentistry”, you can find corresponding specialized courses.
Each individual course is taught by experienced instructors who are well versed in the HKDLE exam proposition rules. The teachers not only thoroughly analyze the knowledge framework and high-frequency core exam points of the subject, but also directly target the most common scoring traps and thinking misconceptions of candidates in the subject.
5. Course value, why choose individual breakthrough
Choosing the Part 1 single course of CHENG HEI Education means that you have chosen a completely different intelligent preparation path:
Extremely precise, hitting the bullseye: The course content is completely centered around the single subject you have specified, eliminating all irrelevant information. Every minute of your learning directly affects the areas that need improvement the most.
In depth analysis and solving difficulties: The lecturer will conduct a “surgical style” analysis of this subject, not only explaining the knowledge points, but also imparting the unique problem-solving logic, problem-solving skills, and answer organization of the subject.
More with less effort and cost savings: Compared to re attending general training, individual courses have significant advantages in terms of time and economic costs. You can solve the most critical problems with minimal additional investment, thereby revitalizing the entire Part 1 written test.
We provide flexible live streaming and replay learning modes, as well as exclusive after-school Q&A and material services, ensuring that you can receive sufficient support even in the tight pace of exam preparation.
