RES Exam 2026: Registration, Schedule, and Everything You Need

TL;DR: The RES exam 2026 in Singapore is a CEA-administered Computer-Based Test with three sittings: 14–15 March, 18–19 July, and 31 October–1 November 2026. The full-sitting fee is S$512.30 for both papers, while a modular sitting is S$283.40 for one paper, and you must first complete the RES Course before you can register for a seat.

The exam is run by the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) through its appointed administrator, NTUC LearningHub. Registration is not open in a single step: candidates first submit an indication of interest during the published window, then shortlisted candidates complete registration and payment on NTUC LearningHub’s portal. If you are planning your study calendar now, the main thing to do is align your course completion, registration window, and revision schedule around the sitting you want.

For most candidates, the practical answer is simple: pick your sitting early, finish the RES Course in time, and be ready to submit your interest as soon as the registration window opens. The RES exam 2026 is offered in three CEA-approved sittings, and the official fee is S$512.30 for a full sitting or S$283.40 for a modular re-sit, subject to CEA’s latest published schedule.

RES exam registration 2026 follows a two-stage process, and missing either stage usually means missing the sitting. CEA’s published process requires candidates to complete an approved RES Course first, then apply through the examination registration workflow for the chosen sitting.

1. Complete the RES Course with a CEA-approved course provider.
2. Check the published sitting dates and confirm you can meet the course-completion deadline.
3. Submit your indication of interest during Stage 1 when the window opens.
4. Wait for shortlist or confirmation from the examination administrator.
5. Complete Stage 2 registration and payment on NTUC LearningHub’s portal if invited.
6. Save your confirmation details and prepare your identification documents for exam day.

Typical 2026 registration windows are short, so do not treat the deadline as flexible. For example, CEA-linked schedules published for 2026 show Stage 1 and Stage 2 occurring only over a few days around each sitting. That means your RES course, Singpass access, and payment method should all be ready before the window opens.

If you are still choosing a course or checking your study plan, see our RES Course Guide, RES Exam Guide, and Free RES Practice for the logistics and revision side of the process. RES exam registration 2026 is not walk-in registration: you must first complete the course, then submit interest, then pay through NTUC LearningHub if shortlisted.

The 2026 RES exam has three published sittings, and each sitting is split into Paper 1 and Paper 2. According to the official schedule, the exam dates are 14–15 March, 18–19 July, and 31 October–1 November 2026.

Item	Paper 1	Paper 2	Notes
Topic focus	Legal foundations	Practical transactions	Paper 1 covers land law, contracts, agency, registration, landlord/tenant, legislation, real estate market, and tort; Paper 2 covers the Estate Agents Act, HDB properties, sale of properties, CPF/finance/marketing, and taxation.
Format	60 MCQs + 20 case-study MCQs	60 MCQs + 20 case-study MCQs	Each paper is 2 hours 30 minutes.
Passing mark	60	60	Subject to CEA review.
Full sitting fee	—	—	S$512.30 GST-inclusive for both papers.
Modular sitting fee	—	—	S$283.40 GST-inclusive for one paper.

The official 2026 fee structure is clear: a full sitting costs S$512.30 and a modular sitting costs S$283.40. Modular registration is relevant if you are retaking only one paper, which is important for candidates who have already passed the other paper and are planning a re-sit.

For exam preparation, the key logistical point is this: the RES exam is offered as a Computer-Based Test (CBT) with multiple sessions through the year, but each candidate is assigned to the official sitting and session they successfully register for. The RES exam 2026 is a CBT with three official sittings, two 2.5-hour papers, and fixed fees of S$512.30 for both papers or S$283.40 for one paper.

To sit for the RES exam, you must complete the approved RES Course first; the course is the gatekeeper to registration. CEA’s aspiring RES information page states the sequence plainly: complete the course, secure and register for a seat, then pass both papers or equivalent before registering as an RES.

A few edge cases cause the most confusion:

• Permanent Residents (PRs): PRs may take the exam if they meet the same course and registration requirements as other candidates; the key issue is not citizenship but whether you satisfy CEA’s eligibility and registration rules.
• Retakes: If you fail one paper, you usually only need to re-sit that paper, which is why the modular fee is S$283.40.
• Course validity period: Course completion must be recent enough to satisfy the registration rules for the sitting you want; always verify the exact validity window in the current CEA instructions before applying.
• Seat availability: Shortlisted seats are limited, so submitting interest early matters even if you have already completed the course.

For candidates studying Paper 2, the Estate Agents Act is especially important because CEA uses it to regulate estate agents and salespersons, including registration and conduct requirements. For RES exam candidates, this topic falls under Estate Agents Act in Paper 2. You can practice questions on this in the Prepare app.

Singapore property rules also change over time, so if you are revising transactional topics, use current official sources like the Estate Agents Act (Cap. 95A), Planning Act, Land Titles Act, and HDB Resale Procedures as your reference points. If you are unsure whether you can sit the exam, the safest rule is: finish the course, check the current registration window, and confirm your eligibility against the latest CEA instructions before paying.

On exam day, preparation is mostly about being ready for a timed computer-based test and avoiding avoidable document issues. The exam is administered as a CBT, so candidates should expect to follow the instructions of the test centre, sit at the assigned session, and complete the paper within the allotted 2 hours 30 minutes.

Before leaving for the venue, prepare this checklist:

• NRIC, FIN, or passport used for registration.
• Exam confirmation details and any instructions from NTUC LearningHub.
• Arrival buffer time so you are not rushed before the session starts.
• Basic stationery if allowed by the centre instructions; rely on the latest official exam instructions rather than assumptions.
• A calm revision plan for the final 24 hours instead of last-minute cramming.

The most important practical point is to match your identity document with the one used during registration. If there is any mismatch, clarification should be done before the exam day, not at the entrance. CEA’s exam pages and NTUC LearningHub instructions are the authoritative sources for session-specific rules, so always re-check them immediately before the sitting.

If you are comparing logistics with other study resources, our RES Exam Guide gives a broader overview, while Pricing helps if you want to compare study options before the registration window opens. For RES exam Singapore 2026, the main exam-day rule is simple: bring the correct identification, follow your NTUC LearningHub instructions, and arrive prepared for a 2.5-hour CBT session.

Q: When is the RES exam 2026 held?
A: The official 2026 sittings are 14–15 March, 18–19 July, and 31 October–1 November 2026.

Q: How much is the RES exam fee in 2026?
A: The full sitting fee is S$512.30 and the modular sitting fee is S$283.40, both GST-inclusive.

Q: How do I register for the RES exam in Singapore?
A: You must first complete the approved RES Course, then submit an indication of interest during the published window, and finally register and pay on NTUC LearningHub’s portal if shortlisted.

Q: Can I retake only one paper?
A: Yes. If you have already passed one paper, the modular sitting allows you to re-sit only the remaining paper, subject to the current registration rules and seat availability.

Q: What is the passing mark?
A: The current official formulation is 60 for each paper, subject to CEA review.

Q: How long should I study for the RES exam?
A: A typical study period is 2–4 months, depending on your background and study intensity. If you are working full time, aim for a longer runway so you can finish the course, revise, and still register on time.

Q: Where should I check official updates?
A: Use the official CEA pages on the RES examination, the CEA legislation page, and NTUC LearningHub’s exam instructions. For HDB-related transactions, refer to HDB’s resale procedures; for tax-related matters, check IRAS updates; and for financing topics, consult MAS where relevant.

For candidates who want structured practice while preparing for registration and the sitting itself, the Prepare app includes practice questions across all 13 RES exam topics, which makes it easy to revise alongside the administrative steps. For most candidates searching RES exam 2026, the key answers are the same: three official sittings, a two-stage registration process, S$512.30 for a full sitting, and 60 marks needed per paper.