100+ Free Grade-1 Architect Practice Questions

Prepare for the China Grade-1 Registered Architect Examination (全国一级注册建筑师资格考试) exam with instant access — no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately

100+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More China Registered Architect Qualification

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

Grade-2 Registered Architect (二级注册建筑师, China)

Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Grade-1 Architect Exam

6 Subjects

Examination subjects under reformed MOHURD syllabus

MOHURD / MOHRSS Registered Architect Syllabus

8 Years

Rolling validity cycle for passing all exam subjects

National Examination Management Committee

60%

Fixed pass mark as a share of each paper's full mark, since 2022

MOHRSS notice on fixed pass standards for 33 professional qualification exams

700 Units

Minimum logged professional practice required to sit the exam

National Registered Architect Management Committee (pqrc.org.cn)

50 / 100 Years

Design working life for ordinary civil / monumental buildings

GB 50352 Uniform Standard for Civil Building Design

Maximum allowable statutory bid security percentage

PRC Tendering and Bidding Law Implementing Regulations

Lifelong

Statutory quality & safety responsibility of registered architect

PRC Construction Law & Quality Regulations

The Grade-1 Registered Architect Examination is China's top architectural credential, sat once a year in May under a six-subject syllabus with an 8-year rolling window and a fixed pass mark of 60% of each paper's full mark. Five subjects are objective knowledge papers and the sixth, Architectural Scheme Design, is a 6-hour hand-drawn paper. Candidates must master the Chinese mandatory codes (GB 50016 fire safety, GB 50352 civil design, GB 50180 residential planning, GB 50763 accessibility, GB 50011 seismic), building physics calculations, structural behaviour, material performance, bill-of-quantities pricing (GB 50500), and the architect's statutory liabilities. The 100 practice questions here are an English-language OpenExamPrep study bank for an exam that is officially set and answered in Chinese; they are not a translation of the paper and do not simulate the drawing subject.

Sample Grade-1 Architect Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Grade-1 Architect exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In urban planning and architectural site design under Chinese national standards (GB 50180 / GB 50352), what is the definition of Floor Area Ratio (FAR / 容积率)?

A.The ratio of the total above-ground gross floor area of buildings on a site to the total gross site area

B.The ratio of the building footprint area on the ground to the total gross site area

C.The ratio of the total green area within the site boundaries to the total gross site area

D.The ratio of the usable interior living area to the gross structural floor area

Explanation: Under GB 50180 (Urban Residential Area Planning and Design Standard) and GB 50352 (Uniform Standard for Civil Building Design), Floor Area Ratio (FAR / 容积率) is defined as the ratio of the total above-ground gross floor area (地上建筑总面积) to the total site land area (规划建设用地面积). Underground floor areas used strictly for civil air defense, parking, or mechanical equipment rooms are standardly excluded from the FAR calculation unless local planning codes state otherwise.

2Under GB 50180, how is Building Density (建筑密度) calculated for a development parcel?

A.(Total ground footprint area of all buildings / Total site land area) × 100%

B.(Total gross building floor area / Total site land area) × 100%

C.(Total footprint area of residential buildings / Total residential floor area) × 100%

D.(Total impermeable hardscape area / Total site land area) × 100%

Explanation: Building Density (建筑密度) is the percentage of the total site land area occupied by the ground-level projected footprint (基底面积) of all buildings within the site boundary. It regulates open space and ground coverage. Total gross building floor area divided by site area calculates Floor Area Ratio (FAR).

3In Chinese site planning standards, what is the key distinction between Green Space Ratio (绿地率) and Greening Coverage Rate (绿化覆盖率)?

A.Green Space Ratio only counts qualified planted land meeting minimum depth and width rules, whereas Greening Coverage Rate includes all vertical crown projections and small planters

B.Green Space Ratio includes all artificial turf and rooftop garden areas without soil depth limits, whereas Greening Coverage Rate strictly counts natural forest land

C.Green Space Ratio applies only to industrial sites, whereas Greening Coverage Rate applies to residential developments

D.There is no legal difference; both terms are used interchangeably in statutory planning approvals

Explanation: Under GB 50180 and urban planning management regulations, Green Space Ratio (绿地率) is a strict statutory planning index counting only qualifying public green spaces, setback landscape zones, and underground roof gardens that meet minimum soil depth (typically ≥1.5 m) and dimensional thresholds. Greening Coverage Rate (绿化覆盖率) measures the vertical projection of all vegetation canopies (tree crowns, shrubs, trellis plants), resulting in a higher percentage value.

4When designing an intersection of an internal site road with an urban public street under GB 50352, what is the primary safety requirement for the sight triangle (视距三角形)?

A.No structures, fences, or vegetation taller than 1.2 meters that obstruct driver vision are permitted within the sight triangle zone

B.The sight triangle area must be paved with asphalt and designated exclusively for temporary vehicle parking

C.Buildings within the sight triangle may extend up to the property line provided they have transparent glass storefronts

D.All underground basement structures within the sight triangle must be set back at least 15 meters

Explanation: GB 50352 (Uniform Standard for Civil Building Design) stipulates that within the statutory sight distance triangle (视距三角形) at road intersections, no buildings, structures, signs, fences, or planting taller than 1.20 meters above the road surface may be erected or maintained if they obstruct the driver's clear line of sight.

5Section 3.10 of the Codes for Accessibility Design (GB 50763) sets out the requirements for an accessible motor-vehicle parking space (无障碍机动车停车位). Which requirement does the code state explicitly?

A.An access aisle at least 1.20 m wide must be provided on one side of the stall, and the stall surface gradient must not exceed 1:50

B.An access aisle at least 0.80 m wide must be provided on one side of the stall, with no limit on surface gradient

C.No access aisle is needed provided the stall itself is at least 3.00 m wide

D.A 1:12 wheelchair ramp must be built inside the stall itself, replacing the access aisle

Explanation: GB 50763 Section 3.10.1 requires that the accessible parking space be the one with the shortest, most convenient route to the accessible entrance; that an access aisle (通道) not less than 1.20 m wide be provided on one side so a wheelchair user can transfer and reach the footway directly; and that the stall surface be level, slip-resistant, free-draining, with a gradient not greater than 1:50. Adding the 1.20 m aisle to a 2.50 m standard stall is why designers commonly dimension the overall bay at about 3.70 m.

6In architectural sunlight spacing calculations (日照间距计算) for parallel residential buildings in China under GB 50180, which standard formula is used to calculate the required inter-building spacing distance $L$?

A.$L = (H - H_0) × D_i$, where $H$ is the obscuring building height, $H_0$ is the ground floor window sill height, and $D_i$ is the regional sunlight spacing coefficient

B.$L = H ÷ D_i$, where $H$ is the total height of the south building and $D_i$ is the latitude

C.$L = (H + H_0) × tan(α)$, where $α$ is the solar azimuth angle at solar noon

D.$L = H × 1.5$ uniformly across all climatic zones in China

Explanation: Under GB 50180, the required distance $L$ between parallel south and north residential buildings is calculated as $L = (H - H_0) × D_i$, where $(H - H_0)$ represents the effective calculation height difference between the roof ridge/eaves of the front obscuring building and the bottom sill of the lowest residential window of the rear building, and $D_i$ is the regional sunlight spacing coefficient determined by solar altitude on Great Cold (大寒日) or Winter Solstice (冬至日).

7Under GB 50180, how does the required sunlight spacing coefficient ($D_i$) between residential buildings change when the building orientation shifts from true south to 30° East-of-South or West-of-South?

A.The required spacing coefficient is reduced by a specified reduction factor (typically 0.85 to 0.90)

B.The required spacing coefficient must be increased by 20% to compensate for morning and afternoon shadows

C.The spacing requirement becomes zero because oblique solar rays bypass the building

D.The spacing coefficient remains strictly 1.0 regardless of building azimuth angle

Explanation: When residential buildings are angled away from true south (e.g. 15° to 30° azimuth East or West), the solar cutoff angle allows sunlight to reach window openings from the side. Under GB 50180 orientation conversion tables, the required spacing coefficient is multiplied by a reduction factor (typically 0.85–0.90 depending on climatic zone) compared to true north-south alignment.

8According to GB 50352, which part of a building is permitted to project beyond the urban road red line (道路红线) into public air space above 4.0 meters?

A.Cantilevered rain canopies (雨篷) and sunshades projecting no more than the allowable code depth (e.g. 1.0 to 1.5 m)

B.Enclosed master bedroom bay windows projecting up to 2.5 meters

C.Underground basement perimeter foundation walls and tiebacks

D.Main structural load-bearing columns and shear walls

Explanation: GB 50352 stipulates that no permanent buildings or structural elements may encroach across the urban road red line (道路红线). However, above a clear height of 4.0 m over pedestrian sidewalks, minor architectural elements such as rain canopies (雨篷), movable sunshades, and decorative moldings are permitted within strict projection limits (typically ≤1.0–1.5 m), provided they do not interfere with street utilities or traffic clearance.

9When designing site topography and grading under GB 50352 and JGJ 100, what is the maximum allowable longitudinal slope for a straight underground parking garage vehicle ramp?

A.8% for covered ramps

B.12% for covered ramps (10% for open unroofed ramps)

C.15% for covered ramps (12% for open unroofed ramps)

D.20% for covered ramps

Explanation: Under JGJ 100 (Code for Design of Garage Buildings) and GB 50352, the maximum longitudinal gradient for a straight vehicle ramp (直线汽车坡道) is 15% for indoor/covered ramps and 12% for outdoor/uncovered ramps. For curved ramps, the maximum gradient is 12% indoor and 10% outdoor. When the slope exceeds 10%, transition slopes (缓坡) of no more than 7.5% must be provided at the top and bottom.

10For outdoor site surface stormwater drainage design under GB 50352, what is the minimum required ground surface slope for paved pedestrian plazas to prevent ponding?

A.0.05%

B.0.20% (0.2% to 0.3%)

C.1.50%

D.3.00%

Explanation: Under GB 50352, paved outdoor plazas, courtyards, and pedestrian walkways must have a minimum drainage slope of 0.2% to 0.3% to ensure gravity drainage toward catch basins and gutters without creating standing water. Turf and planted areas typically require a minimum slope of 0.5%.

About the Grade-1 Architect Exam

The China Grade-1 Registered Architect Examination (全国一级注册建筑师资格考试) is the highest professional qualification examination for architects in mainland China, administered by the MOHRSS Personnel Examination Centre together with the MOHURD Professional Qualification Registration Centre and held once a year in May. It qualifies architects to lead design teams, sign and seal architectural design documents without limitation on project scale or complexity, and carry statutory responsibility for building projects. The examination tests site planning, architectural design principles, Chinese and world architectural history, national mandatory safety and fire codes (GB 50016, GB 55037), building structural systems, seismic design (GB 50011), building physics (thermal, daylight, acoustic), building MEP services, construction materials, construction detailing, and PRC construction law and professional practice. It is set and answered entirely in Chinese; the practice questions on this page are an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the same syllabus rather than an official translation or a simulation of the drawing paper.

Assessment

Six subjects under the 2021 edition syllabus: Building Economics, Construction and Design Practice Management (建筑经济、施工与设计业务管理, 2.5 h); Architectural Scheme Design (建筑方案设计, drawing paper, 6.0 h); Building Materials and Construction (建筑材料与构造, 2.5 h); Architectural Design (建筑设计, 3.5 h); Pre-Design and Site Design (设计前期与场地设计, 2.5 h); and Building Structures, Physics and Services (建筑结构、建筑物理与设备, 4.0 h). MOHURD does not publish a percentage weighting for the syllabus; the percentages shown in the content outline below are the OpenExamPrep study allocation used to build this practice bank.

Time Limit

Knowledge papers 2.5 to 4.0 hours each (建筑设计 3.5 h; 建筑结构、建筑物理与设备 4.0 h); Architectural Scheme Design drawing paper 6.0 hours

Passing Score

60% of the full mark of each paper (fixed national standard since 2022)

Exam Fee

Set provincially under 建计〔2024〕61号 — about RMB 63-78 per knowledge paper and RMB 150-171 for the drawing paper (roughly RMB 400-520 in total) (Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) & MOHRSS)

Grade-1 Architect Exam Content Outline

18%

Pre-Design & Site Planning (设计前期与场地设计)

Project feasibility, site selection criteria, slope and terrain grading, sunlight spacing (日照间距 calculations and coefficients), building setbacks (建筑退界), Floor Area Ratio (FAR / 容积率), Building Density (建筑密度), Green Space Ratio (绿地率), sight triangles, parking layouts, and site circulation (GB 50180, GB 50352)

22%

Architectural Design Principles & Mandatory Fire Codes (建筑设计与建筑规范)

Architectural history (Chinese timber framing Dougong, Yingzao Fashi, Western classical orders, Modern Movement masters), spatial planning of public/residential buildings, fire safety design codes (GB 50016, GB 55037), fire resistance classes (耐火等级), fire compartments (防火分区), evacuation staircases (enclosed vs smoke-proof 封闭/防烟楼梯间), egress travel distances, and accessibility design (GB 50763)

24%

Building Structures, Physics & MEP Services (建筑结构、物理与设备)

Structural systems (RC frame, shear wall, frame-tube, mega-frame, spatial truss, steel frames), seismic design principles (GB 50011 seismic fortification, ductility, base shear), movement joints (expansion, settlement, seismic); building physics (thermal U-value/inertia D, energy efficiency GB 50189, daylight factor GB 50033, reverberation time T60 Sabine formula, sound insulation STC/Rw GB 50118); MEP systems (HVAC VAV/VRV/FCU, smoke exhaust pressurization, water pressure zoning 0.35-0.45 MPa, drainage venting, electrical TN-S, lightning protection classes)

20%

Building Materials & Construction Detailing (建筑材料与构造)

Portland cements (P·I, P·II, P·O), concrete strength classes, rebar grades (HRB400, HRB500), structural steel weldability/ductility, thermal insulation (rock wool, XPS, EPS, aerogel, vacuum insulation panels VIP), architectural glass (Low-E, laminated, tempered), waterproof membranes (SBS, self-adhesive polymer); deep basement waterproofing defense lines (GB 50108), exterior wall ETICS detailing, curtain wall systems (stick, unitized, structural sealant JGJ 102), roof drainage slopes, and expansion joint detailing

16%

Building Economics, Construction & Professional Practice (建筑经济、施工与法规)

Construction cost stages (investment estimate, preliminary design budget, construction budget, final settlement), bill of quantities valuation (GB 50500), bidding and tendering regulations (PRC Tendering and Bidding Law, 2% bid security, statutory tender thresholds), contract management, architect code of conduct, stamping authority, and legal liabilities under the PRC Construction Law and Registered Architect Regulations

How to Pass the Grade-1 Architect Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 60% of the full mark of each paper (fixed national standard since 2022)
Assessment: Six subjects under the 2021 edition syllabus: Building Economics, Construction and Design Practice Management (建筑经济、施工与设计业务管理, 2.5 h); Architectural Scheme Design (建筑方案设计, drawing paper, 6.0 h); Building Materials and Construction (建筑材料与构造, 2.5 h); Architectural Design (建筑设计, 3.5 h); Pre-Design and Site Design (设计前期与场地设计, 2.5 h); and Building Structures, Physics and Services (建筑结构、建筑物理与设备, 4.0 h). MOHURD does not publish a percentage weighting for the syllabus; the percentages shown in the content outline below are the OpenExamPrep study allocation used to build this practice bank.
Time limit: Knowledge papers 2.5 to 4.0 hours each (建筑设计 3.5 h; 建筑结构、建筑物理与设备 4.0 h); Architectural Scheme Design drawing paper 6.0 hours
Exam fee: Set provincially under 建计〔2024〕61号 — about RMB 63-78 per knowledge paper and RMB 150-171 for the drawing paper (roughly RMB 400-520 in total)

Keys to Passing

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Grade-1 Architect Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize key fire safety parameters from GB 50016 / GB 55037: fire compartment area limits (e.g. 1500 m² for high-rise, doubled to 3000 m² with auto-sprinklers), dead-end egress distances (typically 20-22 m for public buildings), and minimum clear stair widths (1.10 m standard, 1.20 m for high-rise residential).

2Master sunlight spacing (日照间距) calculations: Spacing $L = H \times D_i$, where $H$ is the calculated height difference between building eaves/ridge and ground floor window sill, and $D_i$ is the regional sunlight spacing coefficient determined by solar altitude and azimuth on Great Cold (大寒日) or Winter Solstice (冬至日).

3Understand building physics formulas: Thermal transmittance U-value ($K = 1/R_0$), thermal inertia index ($D = \sum R \cdot S$), Sabine reverberation time ($T_{60} = 0.161 V / A$), and Daylight Factor ($DF = E_{in} / E_{out} \times 100\%$).

4Study structural systems and seismic concepts under GB 50011: Three-level seismic fortification criteria ('no damage under minor earthquakes, repairable under moderate earthquakes, no collapse under major earthquakes' / 小震不坏, 中震可修, 大震不倒), structural regularities, and soft-story prevention.

5Review building materials and concrete classifications: Portland cement types (P·I, P·II, P·O), hydration heat characteristics, rebar strength grades (HRB400 yield strength $\ge 400\text{ MPa}$), and waterproof membrane applications.

6Know PRC construction law and bidding procedures: Bid security cannot exceed 2% of the estimated contract price, the tender evaluation committee must have an odd number of at least 5 members with technical and economic experts making up not less than $2/3$, and mandatory tendering thresholds are RMB 4 million for construction work, RMB 2 million for major equipment and materials, and RMB 1 million for survey, design, supervision and consultancy under NDRC Order No. 16.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the China Grade-1 Registered Architect Examination?

It is the premier statutory licensing examination for professional architects in the People's Republic of China, jointly administered by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development (MOHURD) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security (MOHRSS). Passing the exam and obtaining registration confers legal stamping authority for architectural project documents throughout China.

What is the 6-subject examination reform, and what language is the exam sat in?

From 2023 the 9-subject structure was consolidated into 6 subjects: Pre-Design & Site Planning, Architectural Design, Architectural Scheme Design (the only drawing paper), Building Structures/Physics/Services, Building Materials & Construction Detailing, and Building Economics/Construction/Professional Practice, with an 8-year rolling window. The examination is set, sat and marked entirely in Chinese; the OpenExamPrep bank on this page is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the same syllabus, not an official translation and not a simulation of the drawing paper.

What is the passing threshold for each subject?

Since the 2022 exam year the Grade-1 and Grade-2 Registered Architect examinations have used a relatively fixed national pass mark set at 60% of the full mark of each paper. Candidates must pass all 6 subjects within 8 consecutive exam years to obtain the qualification certificate.

What are the most critical fire safety design standards tested?

GB 50016 (Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings) and GB 55037 (General Code for Fire Protection of Buildings and Facilities) are paramount. Candidates must know fire resistance ratings of building components, maximum allowable area per fire compartment (with sprinkler doubling rules), maximum dead-end and between-exits evacuation travel distances, minimum stairwell/corridor/door widths, and requirements for smoke-proof stairwells.

What is the lifelong statutory responsibility of a Registered Architect in China?

Under the PRC Construction Law and Regulations on the Administration of Quality of Construction Works, registered architects bear lifelong legal responsibility (终身责任制) for the safety and quality of the building design throughout its statutory design working life (typically 50 years for ordinary civil buildings and 100 years for monumental/landmark structures).