Success is not defined by one examination result; nor does a bad chapter mean the story is over. This is a timely reminder as yet another cohort of Hong Kong students learned how they had fared in the city’s notoriously competitive university entrance exams. In a changing world driven by innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) and new technology, there are as many challenges as opportunities for everyone.For a second straight year, a record number of students scored perfect marks in the Diploma of Secondary Education exams. Among the 24 students from 15 schools who aced the exam, six boys and five girls were “super top scorers”, having also achieved 5** in the extended mathematics module. A total of 15,973 students, or 36.8 per cent, met the minimum entrance threshold for public universities, compared with 16,447 candidates, or 38.6 per cent last year.Like it or not, good schooling and a university education remain the benchmarks of success in our society. That is why the success of top performers continues to inspire. Earlier this month, at least 73 students from 17 schools achieved top marks in the International Baccalaureate (IB) programme this year, up from 31 in 2025. The 2,912 local candidates secured an average score of 37.02 points, nearly 20 per cent higher than the global average of 30.88.For many students, results day represents the culmination of years of perseverance in a demanding education system. Those who have excelled deserve recognition for their achievement. Yet, those who did less well could feel disappointed. Even though these exams are not the sole measure of a young person’s worth, expectations from family, school and society can weigh disproportionately.Unsurprisingly, the rise of AI has fuelled stress among our young, but it could also be a tool for success for those who have learned to use it. As new technology continues to reshape work boundaries, the pathways to a bright future are no longer as narrow as they once were. The door to a good future does not close because of a failure to get into university. With over 50,000 tertiary education and training places available for post-secondary students, opportunities and possibilities abound.