I am a doctoral student in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Science and Technology of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. In the third year, your questions are answered as follows:

1, it doesn't matter how much you reach, the key is that the admission teacher wants you to be okay. Many times, practice has proved that top student, who graduated from some famous universities and has a high GPA, is a scum in the academic field. So what the admissions teacher thinks of you is very important. If you want references, tell me about myself. My undergraduate GPA is 4.0+,and my master GPA is about GPA3.85. However, this is useless, and my current tutor doesn't even look at it.

2. I just took IELTS, with a score of 7. However, HKUST 6.5 is fine, and the single item is not less than 5.5.

I don't know what you mean by qualified. There is no such exam when you enter school, only an interview with your teacher. There will be an oral test after entering the school. If you fail, you will have to take an extra oral class. You will be eligible for the exam in the second year. Failing twice, you are not allowed to continue your doctoral studies directly.

4, the paper is not necessary, see your attitude towards the teacher. There are two papers and one patent before reading PhD for reference only.

5, no, just have it.