Assessing the quality of reference books on the English writing examination in Hong Kong: How can an evaluation checklist help?

Despite research studies on TESOL materials and textbooks addressing a wide range of pedagogical issues as well evaluation strategies, reference books for examination preparation have received little attention from researchers. This study reports an attempt to develop checklist evaluating the Hong Kong Diploma Secondary Education (HKDSE, college entrance requirement secondary school students in Kong), with particular focus English writing examination. The researchers acquired total 39 DSE examined them against documents Examinations Assessment Authority Bureau. After identifying most concerning books, developed future using framework suggested by McGrath (2002), taking into account Bureau's guidelines local textbook evaluation. authors conclude briefly discussing implications how their findings could be shared HKDSE candidates through engaging government.