100+ Free Grade-2 Registered Architect (China) Practice Questions

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Grade-1 Registered Architect (一级注册建筑师, China)

Practice Questions100 questions

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: Grade-2 Registered Architect (China) Exam

Small-Scale Only

Statutory practice scope for Grade-2 architects, per the national design-scale table

Implementing Rules of the Regulations of the PRC on Registered Architects, Article 29

4 Years

Rolling Score Validity Window for Passing All Subjects

MOHURD / MOHRSS Examination Regulations

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

GB 50016 / 50096

Primary National Design Codes Evaluated

MOHURD National Engineering Standards

2 Years

Mandatory Registration Renewal Cycle with Continuing Education

Regulations of the PRC on Registered Architects

The Grade-2 Registered Architect Examination is China's entry-level statutory architectural credential, limited to the small-scale (小型) band of the national design-scale classification. Sat once a year in May over four subjects on a 4-year rolling window with a fixed pass mark of 60% of each paper's full mark, it assesses the mandatory design codes (GB 50016, GB 50096, GB 50352, GB 50763), construction detailing, masonry and concrete structures, MEP building services, project economics and PRC construction law. The 100 questions on this page are an English-language OpenExamPrep study bank for a Chinese-language examination.

Sample Grade-2 Registered Architect (China) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your Grade-2 Registered Architect (China) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1According to the Design Code for Residential Buildings (GB 50096-2011), what is the mandatory minimum interior clear floor-to-ceiling height (室内净高) for residential bedrooms and living rooms (parlors)?

A.2.20 m

B.2.40 m

C.2.60 m

D.2.80 m

Explanation: GB 50096-2011 (Design Code for Residential Buildings, Section 5.1.1) specifies that the interior clear floor-to-ceiling height of bedrooms and living rooms (parlors) must not be less than 2.40 m. When a room has a sloped ceiling, the clear height of the partial area must not be less than 2.10 m, and that partial area must not exceed 1/3 of the room's total usable floor area.

2Under GB 50096-2011 and GB 50352-2019, what is the minimum required vertical height of balcony guardrails (阳台栏杆净高) in low-rise and multi-story residential buildings (up to 6 stories)?

A.0.90 m

B.1.00 m

C.1.05 m

D.1.10 m

Explanation: GB 50096-2011 (Section 5.6.2) and GB 50352-2019 mandate that the vertical net height of balcony railings in low-rise (1–3 stories) and multi-story (4–6 stories) residential buildings must not be less than 1.05 m. For mid-high-rise (7–9 stories) and high-rise (10 stories and above) residential buildings, the minimum height increases to 1.10 m.

3According to the Design Code for Residential Buildings (GB 50096-2011), what is the maximum permissible clear spacing between vertical balusters (栏杆垂直杆件净距) on residential balconies and public staircases?

A.0.11 m (110 mm)

B.0.15 m (150 mm)

C.0.18 m (180 mm)

D.0.20 m (200 mm)

Explanation: GB 50096-2011 (Section 5.6.3 and 6.3.5) mandates that vertical baluster railings must have a maximum clear horizontal spacing of not more than 0.11 m (110 mm) to prevent infants and small children from falling through or getting their heads trapped. Furthermore, horizontal climbable intermediate rails are strictly prohibited.

4Under GB 50096-2011 and GB 50352-2019, what are the standard limit dimensions for the maximum riser height (踏步高度) and minimum tread depth (踏步宽度) of public staircases in multi-story residential buildings?

A.Maximum riser 0.150 m, minimum tread 0.30 m

B.Maximum riser 0.160 m, minimum tread 0.28 m

C.Maximum riser 0.180 m, minimum tread 0.25 m

D.Maximum riser 0.175 m, minimum tread 0.26 m

Explanation: GB 50096-2011 (Section 6.3.3) and GB 50352-2019 (Table 6.8.3) specify that public staircases in residential buildings must have a maximum riser height of 0.175 m and a minimum tread depth of 0.26 m. These dimensions ensure comfortable and safe pedestrian movement during daily use and emergency egress.

5In a multi-story residential building, what is the minimum statutory clear width of the stair flight (梯段净宽) according to GB 50096-2011?

A.0.90 m

B.1.10 m (reducible to 1.00 m in a building of not more than six storeys where the flight has a balustrade on one side only)

C.1.20 m

D.1.40 m

Explanation: GB 50096-2011 Section 6.3.1 (a mandatory clause) states that the clear width of a residential communal stair flight must not be less than 1.10 m, and that in a building of not more than six storeys a flight with a balustrade on one side only may be reduced to not less than 1.00 m.

6According to GB 50096-2011, what is the rule governing the minimum depth of a residential public stair landing (楼梯平台净宽)?

A.It must be at least 0.90 m and not less than the door leaf width

B.It must be at least 1.00 m regardless of the stair flight width

C.It must not be less than the stair flight clear width and must in any case be at least 1.20 m

D.It must be at least 1.50 m in all cases

Explanation: Under GB 50096-2011 Section 6.3.2 (a mandatory clause), the clear width of a residential communal stair landing must not be less than the clear width of the stair flight and must not be less than 1.20 m; in addition, the clear height from the underside of the landing structure to the walking route beneath must not be less than 2.00 m. Where furniture or a stretcher has to be carried through, the landing must be enlarged beyond this floor value.

7Under the Residential Design Code (GB 50096-2011), what is the minimum usable floor area (使用面积) of the kitchen in a normal dwelling type made up of bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom, and what is the minimum clear kitchen width when the equipment is arranged in a single row (单排布置)?

A.Usable floor area not less than 4.0 m² (3.5 m² for the minimum studio type); single-row clear width not less than 1.50 m

B.Usable floor area not less than 3.0 m²; single-row clear width not less than 1.10 m

C.Usable floor area not less than 5.0 m²; single-row clear width not less than 1.20 m

D.Usable floor area not less than 6.0 m²; single-row clear width not less than 1.80 m

Explanation: GB 50096-2011 Section 5.3.1 sets the kitchen usable floor area at not less than 4.0 m² for a dwelling type comprising bedroom, living room, kitchen and bathroom, and not less than 3.5 m² for the minimum dwelling type in which the bedroom doubles as the living room. Section 5.3.5 requires the clear width of a kitchen with a single row of equipment to be not less than 1.50 m; where equipment is in two rows, the clear distance between the rows must not be less than 0.90 m.

8According to GB 50096-2011, what is the minimum usable floor area for a combined residential bathroom (卫生间) equipped with three sanitary fixtures (toilet, washbasin, and shower/bath)?

A.1.1 m²

B.1.8 m²

C.2.0 m²

D.2.5 m²

Explanation: GB 50096-2011 Section 5.4.1 requires every dwelling to provide (or leave provision for) a WC, a bathing fixture and a washbasin, and sets the usable floor area of a bathroom containing all three fixtures together at not less than 2.50 m². Section 5.4.2 then covers the two-fixture and single-fixture combinations: WC plus washbasin not less than 1.80 m²; WC plus bathing fixture not less than 2.00 m²; washbasin plus bathing fixture not less than 2.00 m²; washbasin plus washing machine not less than 1.80 m²; and a WC alone not less than 1.10 m².

9Under GB 50096-2011, what is the minimum clear width (净宽) of an exterior public corridor (外廊) in a multi-story residential building?

A.1.00 m

B.1.20 m

C.1.40 m

D.1.50 m

Explanation: GB 50096-2011 (Section 6.2.1) mandates that the clear width of an open exterior public corridor (外廊) or gallery in residential buildings must not be less than 1.20 m. For double-loaded enclosed interior corridors (中廊), the minimum clear width is 1.30 m (or 1.40 m depending on door openings).

10According to the Design Code for Residential Buildings (GB 50096-2011), at what floor count or entrance elevation threshold is passenger elevator installation mandatory?

A.7 stories and above, or entrance floor elevation is >16 m above outdoor ground

B.6 stories and above, or entrance floor elevation is >14 m above outdoor ground

C.8 stories and above, or entrance floor elevation is >18 m above outdoor ground

D.9 stories and above, or entrance floor elevation is >20 m above outdoor ground

Explanation: GB 50096-2011 (Section 6.4.1) mandates that a residential building must be equipped with at least one passenger elevator when it has 7 or more stories, or when the floor elevation of the highest inhabited floor is more than 16 m above the main outdoor entrance ground level. For buildings of 12 stories and above, at least two elevators are mandatory.

About the Grade-2 Registered Architect (China) Exam

The National Qualification Examination for Grade-2 Registered Architects (全国二级注册建筑师资格考试) is a statutory professional licensure examination held once a year in May, administered by the MOHRSS Personnel Examination Centre with the MOHURD Professional Qualification Registration Centre. Under the Regulations of the PRC on Registered Architects and their Implementing Rules, a Grade-2 Registered Architect may lead, sign and seal architectural design documents for projects that fall in the small-scale (小型) band of the design-scale classification table in the Engineering Design Qualification Standards — typically low-rise and multi-storey buildings of modest floor area, height and structural span — and may never practise beyond the business scope of the employing design entity. The examination covers four subjects: site planning and architectural scheme design, architectural design with building materials and construction, structural and MEP building services, and construction economics, site practice and statutory construction law. It is set and answered entirely in Chinese; the practice questions here are an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation, not an official translation or a simulation of the drawing paper.

Assessment

Four subjects under the 2022 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); Site and Architectural Scheme Design (场地与建筑方案设计, drawing paper, 6.0 h); Building Structures, Physics and Services (建筑结构、建筑物理与设备, 2.5 h); and Architectural Design and Building Materials & Construction (建筑设计、建筑材料与构造, 3.0 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 3.0 hours each; Site and Architectural Scheme Design drawing paper 6.0 hours, across 2 exam days

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 65-80 per knowledge paper and RMB 75-94 for the drawing paper (roughly RMB 270-340 in total) (MOHRSS Personnel Examination Centre with the MOHURD Professional Qualification Registration Centre; provincial registered architect management committees issue the Grade-2 certificate and seal)

Grade-2 Registered Architect (China) Exam Content Outline

30%

Architectural Design and Site Planning (场地与建筑设计)

Examines core architectural design principles and site planning criteria for small and medium civil projects: GB 50096 residential standards (room sizing, minimum floor-to-ceiling heights, kitchen and sanitary layout rules), GB 50352 civil building general rules (stair riser and tread dimensions, handrail heights, corridor widths), GB 50016 fire safety (fire separation distances, egress distances, single stair conditions, door swing rules), GB 50763 accessibility guidelines (wheelchair ramps, handrails, accessible toilets), and site design parameters (building setbacks, parking stall dimensions, fire engine access roads).

25%

Building Materials and Construction Detailing

Focuses on material properties and tectonic assemblies: common masonry units (sintered perforated bricks, lightweight concrete blocks, AAC blocks), mortar types and strength grades, shallow strip and pad footings, basement damp-proofing and waterproofing membranes, wall base damp-proof courses (DPC at -0.060m), lintels over door/window openings, window sill flashings and drip grooves (滴水槽), flat roof drainage slopes (min 2%) and SBS modified bitumen systems, tile roofing systems, and window frame installation anchoring.

25%

Building Structures, Physics, and Building Services

Encompasses structural engineering and building environmental systems for low-rise and multi-story buildings: masonry ring beams (圈梁) and constructional tie-columns (构造柱), wall height-to-thickness ratio (β) calculations, concrete cover depth, low-rise RC frame detailing and seismic stirrup densification, daylighting window-to-floor area ratios (1/7 for living rooms), natural ventilation (1/20 opening ratio), sanitary plumbing trap seals (min 50mm) and drainage stacks, and low-voltage electrical safety (RCD protection ≤ 30 mA, earthing systems, bathroom equipotential bonding).

20%

Building Economics, Construction Practice, and Laws

Covers project cost estimation, construction quality control, and legal practice: bill of quantities (BOQ) structure, direct and indirect construction costs, overhead, profit, and VAT calculations, concrete curing protocols (7-day standard, 14-day admixture/impermeable), mortar sampling and site inspection responsibilities, PRC Construction Law, Regulations on Registered Architects (practice scope for Grade-2 architects), design contracts, architect stamping obligations, and civil/administrative liabilities.

How to Pass the Grade-2 Registered Architect (China) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 60% of the full mark of each paper (fixed national standard since 2022)
Assessment: Four subjects under the 2022 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); Site and Architectural Scheme Design (场地与建筑方案设计, drawing paper, 6.0 h); Building Structures, Physics and Services (建筑结构、建筑物理与设备, 2.5 h); and Architectural Design and Building Materials & Construction (建筑设计、建筑材料与构造, 3.0 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 3.0 hours each; Site and Architectural Scheme Design drawing paper 6.0 hours, across 2 exam days
Exam fee: Set provincially under 建计〔2024〕61号 — about RMB 65-80 per knowledge paper and RMB 75-94 for the drawing paper (roughly RMB 270-340 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-2 Registered Architect (China) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize Mandatory Code Thresholds: Focus on the non-negotiable quantitative minimums — residential stair riser (max 0.175 m) and tread (min 0.26 m), balcony balustrade net height (1.05 m up to six storeys, 1.10 m from seven storeys), living room and bedroom window-to-floor ratio (min 1/7), and residential natural ventilation opening area (min 5% of floor area, with kitchens at min 1/10 and never below 0.60 m²).

2Master GB 50016 Fire Separation and Egress Rules: Learn fire resistance classes (Class I through IV), maximum dead-end and between-exit egress travel distances, when a single egress stair per unit is permitted (residential not over 27 m with not more than 650 m² per unit floor and no apartment door more than 15 m from the exit), and fire lane width and clear height (both min 4.0 m).

3Analyze Construction Detailing Sections: Thoroughly review wall base damp-proof courses (DPC at -0.060m), basement waterproofing membrane layering, roof drainage slopes (min 2% on flat roofs), drip groove detailing on external sills, and window frame fixing anchors.

4Understand Masonry Structural Constraints: Practice height-to-thickness ratio calculations (β = H0/h ≤ [β]), placement rules for ring beams and constructional tie-columns, and bearing pad requirements under large beam spans.

5Integrate MEP Building Services and Electrical Safety: Master sanitary trap seals (min 50mm depth), drainage venting stacks, residual current device (RCD) sensitivity (≤ 30 mA, ≤ 0.1s), and supplementary equipotential bonding (MEB/LEB) in residential bathrooms.

6Internalize PRC Construction Law and Practice Limits: Review the small-scale (小型) band of the design-scale classification table that bounds Grade-2 practice, the architect's stamping liability, the statutory minimum warranty periods under State Council Decree No. 279, and prohibited acts such as lending a seal or designing beyond the employer's qualification scope.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Grade-2 Registered Architect qualification and what is its practice scope?

The Grade-2 Registered Architect (二级注册建筑师) is a national professional qualification governed by the Regulations of the PRC on Registered Architects. Under Article 29 of the Implementing Rules, a Grade-2 architect may lead, stamp and take responsibility for architectural design documents only for projects that fall in the small-scale (小型) band of the design-scale classification table in the Engineering Design Qualification Standards, and never beyond the business scope of the design entity employing them.

How does the Grade-2 Registered Architect differ from the Grade-1 Registered Architect?

The Implementing Rules state that a Grade-1 Registered Architect's practice scope is not limited by project scale or complexity, whereas a Grade-2 Registered Architect is confined to the small-scale band of the national design-scale classification table. Grade-1 is examined over 6 subjects on an 8-year rolling window; Grade-2 is examined over 4 subjects on a 4-year window and concentrates on housing design, low-rise masonry and concrete structures, and standard construction detailing.

What are the passing score and score validity rules for the Grade-2 examination?

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. Grade-2 results roll over a 4-year window: candidates taking all four subjects must pass them within 4 consecutive exam years to receive the qualification certificate.

What key national codes and standards are most frequently tested?

The most critical national codes tested include GB 50016 (Code for Fire Protection Design of Buildings), GB 50096 (Design Code for Residential Buildings), GB 50352 (General Principles of Civil Building Design), GB 50763 (Codes for Accessibility Design), GB 50003 (Code for Design of Masonry Structures), GB 50010 (Code for Design of Concrete Structures), and GB 50500 (Code of Valuation with Bill of Quantities).

Why is this OpenExamPrep practice bank presented in English?

The official examination is set, sat and marked entirely in Chinese. This bank is an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the same syllabus for bilingual practitioners and international candidates working with Chinese codes. It is not an official translation, and it cannot simulate the 6-hour hand-drawn Site and Architectural Scheme Design paper — for that subject it teaches the underlying code requirements, dimensions and review criteria instead. Official Chinese terms and standard numbers (GB 50016, GB 50096, and so on) are retained in parentheses so they can be cross-referenced against the Chinese sources.