Grade 5 Official Examination Topics
Grade 5 features 3 official examination topics; candidates choose 1 on the day:
1. Garden in a Dream
2. Undersea Adventure
3. The Room I Most Want to Live In
Examination Topics and Sample Questions
To help candidates understand the preparation requirements for different levels, the topic arrangements for Grade 5 to Grade 8 are as follows:
Grade 5 to Grade 6: The organiser will pre-release 3 official examination topics. Candidates will select 1 topic to respond to on the day of the exam.
Grade 7: The organiser will pre-release 3 theme directions. The specific topic will be announced on the day of the exam.
Grade 8: The topic will be announced on the day of the exam.
Pre-released topics or theme directions are for preparation and practice only. Candidates are not permitted to bring completed drafts, compositions, colour schemes, reference images, or any pre-made materials into the examination venue.
Official Topic Release Arrangements
- Grade 1: Still Life Drawing | 75 mins | 390 × 270 mm | Single dominant medium
Grade 2: Still Life Drawing | 90 mins | 390 × 270 mm | Single dominant medium
Grade 3: Still Life Drawing | 90 mins | 390 × 270 mm | Single dominant medium
Grade 4: Still Life Drawing | 120 mins | 390 × 270 mm | Single dominant medium
Grade 5: Theme-based creative work | 120 mins | 390 × 270 mm | Any medium
Grade 6: Theme-based creative work | 120 mins | 390 × 270 mm | Any medium
Grade 7: Theme-based creative work | 180 mins | 540 × 390 mm | Any medium
Grade 8: Theme-based creative work | 180 mins | 540 × 390 mm | Any medium
I. Summary of Examination Formats
II. Instructions for Sample Questions
- Sample questions are for study and preparation reference only and are not official examination topics.
Grades 1 to 4 mainly assess still life observation, proportion, light and shadow, colour harmony, composition, and completion.
Grades 5 to 8 mainly assess thematic understanding, creativity, composition, integrated painting techniques, and expressiveness.
Candidates should practice independent observation and conceptualisation and should not rely on fixed composition templates or direct mimicry of reference images.
III. Sample Questions Reference by Grade
Level 1 - Grade 1
Recommended Age: 5-6 years
Format: Still Life Drawing (75 mins)
Key Assessment:
Simple number of objects; focus is on basic observation, colour recognition, and overall completeness.
Sample Example: 3 items
e.g. An apple, a banana, and a paper cup
Level 1 - Grade 2
Recommended Age: 6-8 years
Format: Still Life Drawing (90 mins)
Key Assessment:
Begins to require size proportions, foreground/background relationships, and basic shadow treatment.
Sample Example: 4 items
e.g. An apple, a banana, a paper cup, and a small towel
Level 1 - Grade 3
Recommended Age: 7-9 years
Format: Still Life Drawing (90 mins)
Key Assessment:
Requires clearer structure, overlapping, and spatial layers with more complex object combinations.
Sample Example: 4 items
e.g. An aubergine, a glass, a green pepper, and a dragon fruit
Level 2 - Grade 4
Recommended Age: 8-11 years
Format: Still Life Drawing (120 mins)
Key Assessment:
Requires mature composition, proportion, texture recognition, and overall high level of completion.
Sample Example: 5 items
e.g. A pineapple, a bunch of grapes, a bell pepper, a glass soda bottle, and a piece of cloth
Note for Grades 5 to 8: The following samples for Theme-based creative work are for future reference; if the level is not open in the current term, please refer to the annual administrative notice.
Level 2 - Grade 5
Recommended Age: 10-13 years | Theme-based creative work | 120 mins
Key Assessment: Transition from still life observation to thematic creation; focus on thematic expression, composition, and creativity.
Sample Examples: Garden in a Dream; Undersea Adventure; The Room I Most Want to Live In; Flying Fruit City; Secret Party in the Forest.
Level 3 - Grade 6
Recommended Age: 11-15 years | Theme-based creative work | 120 mins
Key Assessment: Requires clearer narrative, emotional expression, and integrated painting techniques.
Sample Examples: Story of Light and Shadow; Dream and Reality; City After Rain; A Day Lost and Found; Garden at Night.
Level 3 - Grade 7
Recommended Age: 13-17 years | Theme-based creative work | 180 mins
Key Assessment: Requires conceptual depth, mature structure, and expressive techniques, plus the submission of an Art Criticism Essay.
Sample Examples: The Passage of Time; City Memories; The Distance Between Me and Tradition; The Forgotten Corner; Scenery Belonging to This Generation.
Level 3 - Grade 8
Recommended Age: 17+ years | Theme-based creative work | 180 mins
Key Assessment: The highest level; requires high originality, overall integration, and mature expression, plus the submission of an Art Criticism Essay.
Sample Examples: Chaos and Order; Future Symbiosis; Identity and Masks; Vanishing Daily Life; Between Fact and Fiction.
IV. Preparation Tips for Candidates
Grade 1 - Grade 4: Observe large shapes and object placement first before handling details; note overlaps, proportions, and surface relationships; reserve time for checking.
Grade 5 - Grade 8: Plan the composition and focal point; colours should match the theme; Grade 7 - Grade 8 must include an Art Criticism Essay.
The samples on this page are for reference and preparation purposes only. For official examination topics, available grades, dates, fees, and portfolio submission arrangements, please refer to the latest announcements and annual administrative notices from Universal Visual Arts Assessment Centre.