ICAC Investigator Written Test

It combines multiple-choice questions with short-answer tasks, and it assesses both Chinese and English proficiency alongside aptitude, reasoning, Basic Law and National Security Law knowledge, ethics and general knowledge. The official body publishes the current paper structure and instructions; check its recruitment pages before you apply rather than relying on second-hand accounts.

The ICAC publishes the current question count, time allowance and sitting arrangements for each recruitment exercise. These details can change between exercises, so confirm them on the official recruitment page. Do not plan your pacing around figures quoted in forums or older candidate posts.

The passing standard is set by the ICAC and is not fixed publicly in advance. Your result is considered alongside other stages of the selection process. Focus on consistent accuracy across every section rather than aiming at a guessed cut-off, because a weak language section can offset strong reasoning scores.

Retake and reapplication rules are set by the ICAC for each recruitment exercise and are not guaranteed. Check the official recruitment notice for the current policy on reapplying in later exercises. If you are eligible to reapply, use the interval to strengthen your weakest domain rather than repeating the same preparation.

Most candidates find the language sections the hardest, because they demand precise comprehension and clean written expression under time pressure rather than vocabulary recall. Numerical and logical items are usually manageable with practice. The ethics and law sections reward careful reading, not memorisation of headlines.

Start with Chinese and English, since they carry the most weight and improve slowly. Add numerical and logical practice in short daily sessions. Then study the Basic Law and National Security Law at source, followed by ethics scenarios and current affairs. Finish with full timed practice to check your pacing across sections.

Common causes are misreading a passage's main point, confusing similar Chinese characters or English words, and writing answers that are vague or grammatically loose. Short-answer tasks punish imprecision. Practise summarising passages in a fixed number of sentences and proofreading your own writing for agreement, tense and character accuracy.

Work through realistic scenarios: gifts from suppliers, conflicts of interest, confidentiality, and pressure from colleagues. For each, identify the principle at stake and the correct course of action. Read the ICAC's published prevention and ethics guidance so your reasoning reflects the standards actually applied in Hong Kong.

Yes, general knowledge and current affairs form part of the assessment. Read reputable Hong Kong and international news regularly, and follow major developments in local governance and anti-corruption work. Breadth matters more than depth: know the who, what and why of significant recent events.

Always use the ICAC's own recruitment pages and any official notices issued for the exercise you are applying to. They publish the authoritative format, eligibility, scheduling and results information. This page is independent study material and is not affiliated with the ICAC.