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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: BLNST Exam

20 questions

Degree / Professional Grades BLNST has 20 multiple-choice questions

Civil Service Bureau - BLNST in Civil Service Recruitment

30 minutes

Time limit for the Degree / Professional Grades BLNST

Civil Service Bureau - BLNST in Civil Service Recruitment

10 of 20

Minimum correct answers required to pass the test

Civil Service Bureau - BLNST in Civil Service Recruitment

160 articles

The Basic Law has 9 chapters and 160 articles plus three annexes

Basic Law Portal - Some Facts about the Basic Law

66 articles

The 2020 National Security Law has 6 chapters and 66 articles

Law of the PRC on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR

4 offences

NSL offences: secession, subversion, terrorist activities, collusion with foreign forces

Law of the PRC on Safeguarding National Security in the HKSAR

Permanent validity

A BLNST pass is permanently valid and accepted for all civil service jobs

Civil Service Bureau - BLNST in Civil Service Recruitment

Digitalised May 2025

CSB launched a year-round digitalised BLNST in May 2025

CSB press release, 19 May 2025

The Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) is a pass/fail Hong Kong civil service recruitment test on the Basic Law and the National Security Law. For Degree / Professional Grades it has 20 bilingual multiple-choice questions, lasts 30 minutes, and requires at least 10 correct answers to pass. A pass is an entry requirement for all civil service jobs and is permanently valid, so candidates who pass never sit it again. The scope is the text of the Basic Law (with its annexes, instruments, attachments and appendices) and the National Security Law. Since May 2025 a digitalised year-round version is offered with identical format, duration and content. This 100-question bank gives original practice on both laws.

Sample BLNST Practice Questions

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

1On what date did the Basic Law of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region come into effect?
A.1 October 1949
B.19 December 1984
C.1 July 1997
D.1 July 2003
Explanation: The Basic Law took effect on 1 July 1997, the date on which the People's Republic of China resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and the HKSAR was established.
2How many chapters and articles does the Basic Law contain?
A.6 chapters and 66 articles
B.9 chapters and 160 articles
C.12 chapters and 200 articles
D.3 chapters and 99 articles
Explanation: The Basic Law is made up of 9 chapters and 160 articles, together with three annexes. This structure is a frequently tested fact about the Basic Law.
3Under the principle of 'one country, two systems', what does the Basic Law say about the previous capitalist system in Hong Kong?
A.It will be abolished immediately
B.It will remain unchanged for 50 years
C.It will be reviewed every 10 years
D.It will be replaced by the socialist system
Explanation: Article 5 of the Basic Law provides that the socialist system and policies shall not be practised in the HKSAR, and the previous capitalist system and way of life shall remain unchanged for 50 years.
4According to Article 1 of the Basic Law, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region is:
A.A sovereign state in a free association with China
B.An inalienable part of the People's Republic of China
C.An independent territory administered by the United Nations
D.A jointly governed region of China and the United Kingdom
Explanation: Article 1 states that the HKSAR is an inalienable part of the People's Republic of China. This affirms Chinese sovereignty over Hong Kong as the foundation of the constitutional order.
5Which body is the highest organ of state power of the People's Republic of China that adopted the Basic Law?
A.The State Council
B.The National People's Congress
C.The Central Military Commission
D.The Supreme People's Court
Explanation: The Basic Law was adopted by the National People's Congress (NPC) on 4 April 1990. The NPC is the highest organ of state power of the PRC and acts in accordance with the Constitution.
6Article 2 of the Basic Law authorises the HKSAR to exercise a high degree of autonomy and to enjoy which powers?
A.Executive, legislative and independent judicial power including that of final adjudication
B.Power to declare independence
C.Power to conduct its own foreign defence
D.Power to issue its own passports recognising dual nationality
Explanation: Article 2 provides that the HKSAR exercises a high degree of autonomy and enjoys executive, legislative and independent judicial power, including that of final adjudication, in accordance with the Basic Law.
7Who is responsible for the defence of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region?
A.The HKSAR Government
B.The Central People's Government
C.The Legislative Council
D.A jointly appointed defence committee
Explanation: Article 14 provides that the Central People's Government is responsible for the defence of the HKSAR. Military forces stationed in Hong Kong do not interfere in the local affairs of the Region.
8Under the Basic Law, who is responsible for foreign affairs relating to the HKSAR?
A.The HKSAR Chief Executive
B.The Central People's Government
C.The Legislative Council
D.The Court of Final Appeal
Explanation: Article 13 provides that the Central People's Government is responsible for the foreign affairs relating to the HKSAR. The HKSAR may, on its own and under the name 'Hong Kong, China', conduct certain external affairs as authorised.
9What are the official languages of the HKSAR according to the Basic Law?
A.Chinese only
B.English only
C.Chinese and English
D.Cantonese and Putonghua
Explanation: Article 9 provides that in addition to the Chinese language, English may also be used as an official language by the executive authorities, legislature and judiciary of the HKSAR.
10According to the Basic Law, where does the power of interpretation of the Basic Law ultimately vest?
A.The Court of Final Appeal of the HKSAR
B.The Standing Committee of the National People's Congress
C.The Chief Executive of the HKSAR
D.The Hong Kong Bar Association
Explanation: Article 158 provides that the power of interpretation of the Basic Law is vested in the Standing Committee of the National People's Congress, which authorises HKSAR courts to interpret provisions within the Region's autonomy when adjudicating cases.

About the BLNST Exam

The Basic Law and National Security Law Test (BLNST) is a Hong Kong civil service recruitment test that assesses candidates' knowledge of the Basic Law of the HKSAR and the National Security Law. A pass in the BLNST is an entry requirement for appointment to all civil service jobs. For Degree / Professional Grades the test has 20 bilingual multiple-choice questions in English and Chinese, lasts 30 minutes, and requires at least 10 correct answers to pass; the result is permanently valid. The scope covers the text of the Basic Law, including all its annexes, instruments, attachments and appendices, and the text of the National Security Law. Since May 2025 the CSB has offered a year-round digitalised BLNST whose format, duration and content are identical to the paper-based test.

Assessment

Degree / Professional Grades: 20 multiple-choice questions covering both the Basic Law (including its annexes, instruments, attachments and appendices) and the National Security Law. The test is bilingual in English and Chinese.

Time Limit

30 minutes for the Degree / Professional Grades version (the Non-Degree / Secondary level version is 35 minutes).

Passing Score

At least 10 correct out of 20 questions for the Degree / Professional Grades test. A pass is permanently valid and accepted for all civil service jobs.

Exam Fee

There is no separate fee; the BLNST is taken free of charge as part of the civil service recruitment process. (Civil Service Bureau (CSB), Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region)

BLNST Exam Content Outline

30%

Basic Law: Constitutional Framework

The Basic Law has 9 chapters and 160 articles plus three annexes. This area covers 'one country, two systems', the HKSAR as an inalienable part of China, the high degree of autonomy, the relationship between the Central Authorities and the Region, the maintenance of the previous capitalist system for 50 years, and the status of the Basic Law and Chinese sovereignty.

20%

Basic Law: Rights, Duties, Economy and Culture

Chapter III fundamental rights and duties of HKSAR residents (equality, freedoms of speech, assembly, religion and the person; the Bill of Rights and ICCPR/ICESCR continuity), together with the economic, financial, monetary, education, science, culture and external affairs provisions in later chapters.

20%

Basic Law: Political Structure and Annexes

The Chief Executive, Executive Council, Legislative Council and the Judiciary, the legislative and accountability relationships between them, the Court of Final Appeal and interpretation by the NPC Standing Committee, plus Annex I (selection of the Chief Executive), Annex II (formation of the Legislative Council) and Annex III (national laws applied in the HKSAR).

30%

The National Security Law

The 2020 National Security Law has 6 chapters and 66 articles. This area covers its purposes and principles (respect for human rights and the rule of law), the four offences of secession, subversion, terrorist activities and collusion with a foreign country or external elements, the institutions safeguarding national security, and jurisdiction, procedure and the relationship with Basic Law Article 23.

How to Pass the BLNST Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: At least 10 correct out of 20 questions for the Degree / Professional Grades test. A pass is permanently valid and accepted for all civil service jobs.
  • Assessment: Degree / Professional Grades: 20 multiple-choice questions covering both the Basic Law (including its annexes, instruments, attachments and appendices) and the National Security Law. The test is bilingual in English and Chinese.
  • Time limit: 30 minutes for the Degree / Professional Grades version (the Non-Degree / Secondary level version is 35 minutes).
  • Exam fee: There is no separate fee; the BLNST is taken free of charge as part of the civil service recruitment process.

Keys to Passing

  • Complete 500+ practice questions
  • Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
  • Focus on highest-weighted sections
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

BLNST Study Tips from Top Performers

1Read the Basic Law in full at least once, paying attention to the chapter headings so you can quickly place a topic such as rights and duties (Chapter III) or political structure (Chapter IV).
2Memorise the structure: 9 chapters and 160 articles plus Annex I (Chief Executive selection), Annex II (Legislative Council formation) and Annex III (national laws applied in the HKSAR).
3Learn the four National Security Law offences cold: secession, subversion, terrorist activities, and collusion with a foreign country or external elements.
4Know the headline numbers and dates: the Basic Law took effect on 1 July 1997 and the National Security Law on 30 June 2020, with the NSL containing 6 chapters and 66 articles.
5Work through the official CSB sample questions to get used to the bilingual multiple-choice style before sitting the test.
6Because you only need 10 of 20 correct, focus your revision on high-frequency core concepts such as one country two systems, the high degree of autonomy, fundamental rights, and the NSL offences rather than obscure detail.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the BLNST and how long is it?

For Degree / Professional Grades the BLNST has 20 multiple-choice questions and lasts 30 minutes. It is bilingual, presented in both English and Chinese. The Non-Degree / Secondary level version also has 20 questions but lasts 35 minutes.

What score do I need to pass the BLNST?

Candidates for Degree / Professional Grades must answer at least 10 of the 20 questions correctly. A pass result is of permanent validity and is accepted for all civil service jobs, so you do not need to sit it again once you pass.

What does the BLNST cover?

The BLNST assesses knowledge of both the Basic Law and the National Security Law. The scope is the text of the Basic Law, including all its annexes, instruments, attachments and appendices, and the text of the National Security Law.

Is a pass in the BLNST required for civil service jobs?

Yes. Attaining a pass result in the BLNST is an entry requirement for appointment to all civil service jobs in Hong Kong. The test is administered by the Civil Service Bureau as part of the recruitment process.

What is the digitalised BLNST launched in 2025?

In May 2025 the Civil Service Bureau launched a digitalised BLNST offering a year-round computer-based examination service. Its format, duration and content are identical to the paper-based test.

Are these official CSB test questions?

No. These are original OpenExamPrep practice questions modelled on the Basic Law and National Security Law. The Civil Service Bureau provides its own official sample questions separately on its website.