100+ Free HKIA/ARB PA Paper 1 Practice Questions

Pass your HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Paper 1 - Statutory Controls in Building Works exam on the first try — 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 HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Papers

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

HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Paper 2 - Building Contracts, Professional Practice & Conduct

Practice Questions100 questions

HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Paper 3 - Building Structures

Practice Questions100 questions

HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Paper 4 - Building Services & Environmental Controls

Practice Questions100 questions

HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Paper 5 - Building Materials & Technology

Practice Questions100 questions

Sample HKIA/ARB PA Paper 1 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your HKIA/ARB PA Paper 1 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123), which professional must every person for whom building works are to be carried out appoint as the co-ordinator of those works (subject to limited statutory exceptions)?

A.An authorised person (AP)

B.Only a registered structural engineer (RSE)

C.Only a registered geotechnical engineer (RGE)

D.A clerk of works employed by the contractor

Explanation: Section 4 of the Buildings Ordinance requires appointment of an authorised person as the co-ordinator of building works or street works. An RSE and/or RGE must also be appointed when the Ordinance requires them for structural or geotechnical elements, but the AP is the statutory co-ordinator.

2Who may be registered as an authorised person under the Buildings Ordinance?

A.Only architects who are HKIA Members

B.Architects, engineers or surveyors who qualify and are entered on the authorised persons' register

C.Any university graduate in architecture without further registration

D.Only civil engineers employed by the Buildings Department

Explanation: The Buildings Ordinance establishes an authorised persons' register of persons qualified to perform AP duties. Eligible professions include architects, engineers and surveyors who meet registration requirements. AP status is distinct from HKIA membership alone.

3Under Cap. 123 section 4, which of the following is a core statutory duty of the appointed authorised person regarding carrying out of the works?

A.To supervise the carrying out of the building works in accordance with the supervision plan

B.To act as the main contractor and employ all trades directly

C.To issue the occupation permit once the building is complete

D.To approve the lease modification application on behalf of LandsD

Explanation: Section 4(3) requires the AP (among other duties) to supervise the carrying out of the building works or street works in accordance with the supervision plan. The OP is issued by the Building Authority, not the AP, and lease matters sit with Lands Department.

4When must a registered structural engineer also be appointed for building works under the Buildings Ordinance?

A.Whenever the Ordinance requires an RSE for the structural elements of the works

B.Only if the AP is not an architect

C.Only after the occupation permit is refused

D.Never, because the AP always designs all structure personally

Explanation: Section 4 requires appointment of a registered structural engineer for the structural elements of building works or street works if so required under the Ordinance. Whether an RSE is needed depends on the nature of the works and statutory requirements, not on whether the AP is an architect.

5Plans submitted to the Building Authority for approval of building works must be prepared and signed by which party?

A.The authorised person

B.The developer’s in-house lawyer only

C.Any draftsperson without professional registration

D.The District Lands Officer

Explanation: Under the Buildings Ordinance framework, plans submitted for Building Authority approval must be prepared and signed by the authorised person (with RSE/RGE involvement on structural/geotechnical elements as required). This underpins the AP’s co-ordinator role.

6Which statement best describes the relationship between Building Authority approval of plans and title to land?

A.Approval of plans confers freehold title on the applicant

B.Neither approval of plans nor consent to commence works is deemed to confer any title to land

C.Consent to commence works automatically waives all lease conditions

D.Approval of plans extinguishes all Town Planning Ordinance restrictions

Explanation: The Buildings Ordinance expressly provides that neither approval of plans nor consent to commence works shall be deemed to confer any title to land, waive lease/licence terms, or permit contravention of other enactments. BA approval is building-control permission, not a land title grant.

7A registered geotechnical engineer is appointed under Cap. 123 primarily for which scope?

A.Geotechnical elements of the building works or street works when so required under the Ordinance

B.All interior fit-out colour selections

C.Issuing the temporary occupation permit

D.Hearing appeals against Building Authority decisions

Explanation: Section 4 requires appointment of a registered geotechnical engineer for geotechnical elements when the Ordinance so requires (for example certain excavation, slope or foundation-related works). OP issuance and appeals are Building Authority / Appeal Tribunal functions.

8If the authorised person becomes aware that carrying out work shown on approved plans would result in a contravention of the regulations, what is the AP’s statutory notification duty?

A.Notify the Building Authority of the contravention

B.Ignore it if the contractor prefers a cheaper detail

C.Only notify the Lands Department

D.Wait until the occupation permit is refused before acting

Explanation: Among the AP’s Cap. 123 duties is notifying the Building Authority of any contravention of the regulations that would result from carrying out work shown on approved plans. Early notification protects public safety and preserves the integrity of the approval.

9Professional liability of an authorised person under Hong Kong building control is best characterised as:

A.Statutory duties under Cap. 123 that can attract disciplinary and criminal consequences, alongside civil liability for negligence in practice

B.Complete immunity once plans are approved

C.Liability only to the contractor, never to the employer

D.Liability that ends automatically on first plan submission

Explanation: APs carry statutory duties under Cap. 123 (including supervision and certification-related obligations) and remain exposed to disciplinary proceedings and offences under the Ordinance, as well as ordinary civil professional negligence claims. Approval of plans does not grant immunity.

10The Building Authority under the Buildings Ordinance is, in practice for private building control in Hong Kong, exercised through which government department?

A.Buildings Department

B.Food and Environmental Hygiene Department

C.Transport Department only

D.Hong Kong Monetary Authority

Explanation: Private building developments in Hong Kong are controlled under the Buildings Ordinance by the Building Authority, whose functions are administered through the Buildings Department. Candidates should associate BA decisions, plan processing and enforcement with BD practice.

About the HKIA/ARB PA Paper 1 Exam

HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Paper 1 examines statutory controls in Hong Kong building works. Core reading centres on the Buildings Ordinance (Cap. 123) and subsidiary regulations, including duties of an authorised person, plan submission to the Building Authority, approval and consent procedures, occupation permits, unauthorised building works, related ordinances such as the Town Planning Ordinance, and Practice Notes for Authorised Persons. Passing Paper 1 (with the other PA papers and interview) is part of the route to HKIA membership and registration as a Registered Architect under Cap. 408.

Assessment

Paper 1 is a 3-hour open-book written paper combining multiple-choice and essay questions. It tests familiarity with statutory control of building works in Hong Kong so candidates can apply standard administrative procedures and statutory requirements without frequent enquiry. It is one of eight written subjects in the HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment; all written papers must be passed or exempted within 8 successive years before the Professional Interview.

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

No fixed numerical pass mark is published in the current HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Handbook. Papers scoring below but within 10% of the passing mark are re-read by a panel. Check HKIA announcements for the sitting you enter.

Exam Fee

Registration fee HK$600 (HKIA Graduate Member/Associate) or HK$1,800 (non-member), plus Paper 1 fee HK$1,250 for PA 2026 sittings (HKIA/ARB PA Handbook 2025 July, Appendix E). From PA 2027 Q1 the Paper 1 fee rises to HK$1,750 (HKIA Circular 28/2026). Confirm with the HKIA/ARB Secretariat. (Hong Kong Institute of Architects (HKIA) / Architects Registration Board (ARB))

HKIA/ARB PA Paper 1 Exam Content Outline

18%

Buildings Ordinance & Authorised Person Duties

Cap. 123 framework; AP/RSE/RGE appointment and duties; liability; statutory supervision; BA powers.

18%

Plan Approval & Consent to Commence Works

Section 14 approval and consent; submissions; section 16 refusal grounds; deemed approval/consent.

14%

Building (Planning) Regulations & Design Controls

Plot ratio, site coverage, open space, lighting/ventilation, MOE principles and Barrier Free Access.

10%

Site Supervision Codes & Practice Notes

Site Supervision Code, Technical Memorandum for Supervision Plans, and BD PNAPs.

10%

Occupation Permit & Completion

Section 21 OP/TOP, Form BA12/BA13, caretaker limits and completion documents.

12%

UBW, Orders & Enforcement

Unauthorised building works, section 24 orders, dangerous buildings, offences and appeals.

10%

Related Ordinances & Town Planning

Town Planning Cap. 131, PPE, fire safety commercial premises, Cap. 408, Cap. 59 and airport controls.

Lease, Land & Development Controls

Lease conditions, land exchange/modification, titles overview, HKPSG and NT BO application.

How to Pass the HKIA/ARB PA Paper 1 Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: No fixed numerical pass mark is published in the current HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Handbook. Papers scoring below but within 10% of the passing mark are re-read by a panel. Check HKIA announcements for the sitting you enter.
Assessment: Paper 1 is a 3-hour open-book written paper combining multiple-choice and essay questions. It tests familiarity with statutory control of building works in Hong Kong so candidates can apply standard administrative procedures and statutory requirements without frequent enquiry. It is one of eight written subjects in the HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment; all written papers must be passed or exempted within 8 successive years before the Professional Interview.
Time limit: 3 hours
Exam fee: Registration fee HK$600 (HKIA Graduate Member/Associate) or HK$1,800 (non-member), plus Paper 1 fee HK$1,250 for PA 2026 sittings (HKIA/ARB PA Handbook 2025 July, Appendix E). From PA 2027 Q1 the Paper 1 fee rises to HK$1,750 (HKIA Circular 28/2026). Confirm with the HKIA/ARB Secretariat.

Keys to Passing

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

HKIA/ARB PA Paper 1 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Map Cap. 123 sections 4, 14, 16, 21 and 24 to the AP workflow from appointment through approval, consent, construction and occupation — Paper 1 essays often follow that sequence.

2Drill the difference between plan approval and consent to commence works; confusing the two stages is a common failure mode in both MCQs and case essays.

3Use BD Practice Notes for Authorised Persons (PNAPs) alongside the Ordinance text when revising, because administrative practice on GFA, concurrent applications and site supervision is tested as working knowledge, not only bare statute wording.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does HKIA/ARB PA Paper 1 cover?

Paper 1 (Statutory Controls in Building Works) tests familiarity with Hong Kong statutory building control so you can apply standard procedures without constant enquiry. The syllabus covers the Buildings Ordinance and AP duties, plan submission/approval/consent, Building Regulations and codes, and related ordinances such as Town Planning, plus lease and land controls affecting development proposals.

Is Paper 1 open-book, and how long is it?

Yes. Under the HKIA/ARB Professional Assessment Handbook (2025 July), Paper 1 is a 3-hour open-book paper with multiple-choice and essay questions. Candidates must follow HKIA guidelines and the declaration form for permitted reference materials.

How much does Paper 1 cost in 2026?

For PA 2026 sittings, Appendix E of the 2025 July Handbook lists a non-refundable registration fee of HK$600 for HKIA Graduate Members/Associates or HK$1,800 for non-members, plus a Paper 1 fee of HK$1,250 covering assessment and lectures. HKIA Circular 28/2026 announces that from PA 2027 Q1 (March onwards) the Paper 1 fee rises to HK$1,750 (registration unchanged). Confirm the schedule for your sitting with the HKIA/ARB Secretariat.

What pass mark do I need for Paper 1?

The current Handbook does not publish a fixed numerical pass mark for Paper 1. It does state that papers scoring below but within 10% of the passing mark are re-read by a panel. Treat any older examiner-report percentages as historical only and rely on HKIA sitting announcements.