RES Exam Schedule 2026: Dates, Fees, and How to Book

TL;DR: The RES exam in 2026 is scheduled for three main sittings in March, July, and October/November, with registration typically opening two months prior. Candidates must ensure their RES course completion certificate is valid (within 2 years) before booking a slot through the NTUC LearningHub portal.

Planning your career transition requires knowing exactly when is RES exam 2026 sittings are held. For 2026, the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) maintains a consistent schedule to accommodate the high demand for new real estate professionals. According to the CEA Annual Report, there are over 33,000 registered property agents in Singapore as of 2026, and the examination remains the primary gateway into the industry. The exams are conducted as Computer-Based Tests (CBT), allowing for faster results processing and multiple sessions within each exam month.

Exam Sitting	Estimated Registration Period	Exam Month
1st Sitting	January – February 2026	March 2026
2nd Sitting	May – June 2026	July 2026
3rd Sitting	August – September 2026	October / November 2026

The RES exam schedule Singapore 2026 follows a 'fastest-finger-first' system. Slots often fill up within minutes of the registration portal opening at ntuclearninghub.com. To stay ahead, candidates should monitor the CEA website for the exact announcement of registration dates, which usually occurs 1-2 weeks before the portal opens. The RES exam dates 2026 are strategically spread out to allow candidates 2-4 months of intensive study between sittings, which is the recommended duration for a 75% passing score.

Understanding the RES exam fees 2026 is crucial for budgeting your professional certification journey. The fees are standardized by the CEA and are inclusive of the prevailing GST rate. For 2026, the cost for a full examination (both Paper 1 and Paper 2) is S$408.55. If you are retaking only a single paper, the fee is reduced to S$250.70. These fees are non-refundable once the registration is confirmed, except under specific medical or compassionate grounds supported by documentation.

Item	Fee (Inclusive of 9% GST)	Applicability
Full Examination	S$408.55	New candidates or those retaking both papers
Single Paper (Paper 1 or 2)	S$250.70	Candidates who passed one paper in a previous sitting
RES Course Fee	S$700 - S$900	Paid to Approved Course Providers (ACPs)

Candidates should note that the RES exam fee does not include the cost of the mandatory RES Course, which must be completed at an Approved Course Provider (ACP) before you are eligible to register for the exam. For RES exam candidates, this registration process is the final administrative hurdle before entering the industry. The registration fee is S$408.55 in 2026 for the full exam, and candidates must achieve a 75% passing threshold on each paper to qualify for a salesperson license.

Securing a slot for the RES exam can be competitive. To ensure a smooth process, follow this checklist to prepare for the registration day. First, verify that your RES Course completion certificate is still valid; under CEA regulations, the certificate is only valid for 2 years from the date of issue. If your certificate has expired, you must re-attend the full RES course before you can sit for the exam.

1. Verify Eligibility: Ensure you have at least 4 GCE 'O' Level passes or an equivalent qualification recognized by CEA.
2. Check Certificate Validity: Confirm your ACP certificate is within the 24-month validity period.
3. Singpass Readiness: Ensure your Singpass is active, as it is required for login to the NTUC LearningHub registration portal.
4. Payment Method: Have a valid Credit/Debit card or internet banking details ready for the S$408.55 payment.
5. Monitor Announcements: Check the CEA Exam Page for the specific 'Registration Start' time.

According to CEA’s 2025 annual report, the RES exam pass rate was approximately 45%, highlighting the importance of being mentally and administratively prepared. For more details on the curriculum you will be tested on, refer to our guide on How to Pass RES Exam Singapore. The 2026 RES exam schedule requires candidates to book through the NTUC LearningHub portal, where slots are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis during the designated registration window.

The RES exam schedule Singapore is governed by strict eligibility criteria set out in the Estate Agents Act (Cap. 95A). To sit for the exam, you must be a Singapore Citizen or Permanent Resident. Foreigners who wish to take the exam must possess a valid Employment Pass (EP) or S-Pass and provide a Letter of Support from a licensed Estate Agent who is prepared to manage them.

Beyond residency, the 'Fit and Proper' criteria are essential. This means you must not have any criminal convictions involving fraud or dishonesty, and you must not be an undischarged bankrupt. These requirements ensure that the 33,000+ registered agents in Singapore maintain the high professional standards expected by the public. For candidates, the Estate Agents Act forms a significant portion of Paper 2, covering licensing requirements and CEA guidelines.

If you have educational qualifications from overseas, you must submit them to CEA for assessment at least 4 weeks before the exam registration opens. CEA charges a separate administrative fee for this assessment. To qualify for the 2026 RES exam, candidates must be at least 21 years old, possess a minimum of 4 GCE 'O' Level passes, and have successfully completed the RES Course at an Approved Course Provider.

Q: What happens if I fail one paper but pass the other? A: You only need to retake the paper you failed. However, you must pass the remaining paper within a 2-year timeframe from the date you first passed the other paper. If you fail to pass both within two years, you must retake both papers.

Q: Can I change my exam date after booking? A: Generally, no. Deferments or changes to the RES exam schedule are only allowed for extreme cases (e.g., hospitalization) and are subject to approval by the exam administrator.

Q: How many times can I retake the exam? A: There is no limit to the number of retakes, provided your RES Course certificate remains valid (2 years). However, given the S$250.70 fee per retake, most candidates aim to pass within two attempts.

Q: Is the 2026 exam still in-person? A: Yes, while the format is a Computer-Based Test (CBT), you must physically attend the designated exam center (usually NTUC LearningHub locations) to sit for the papers.

Candidates who fail one paper in the RES exam have a 24-month window to pass the second paper; otherwise, they must retake both papers and potentially the RES course. The 2026 retake fee for a single paper is S$250.70, including GST, and registration follows the same schedule as full-exam candidates.

The RES exam consists of two papers, each featuring 80 MCQs (40 per paper) to be completed in 2 hours and 30 minutes. Paper 1 focuses on legal foundations, including the Land Titles Act and Landlord/Tenant laws. Paper 2 is more practical, focusing on the Estate Agents Act, HDB Resale Procedures, and taxation like ABSD and SSD.

Paper	Key Topics	Focus
Paper 1	Land Law, Contracts, Agency, Tort	Legal Framework
Paper 2	Estate Agents Act, HDB, CPF, Marketing	Practical Transactions

Success in the 2026 sittings requires a deep understanding of the Council for Estate Agencies' guidelines and the Planning Act. Many candidates find Paper 2 challenging due to the inclusion of calculation-based questions involving CPF usage and stamp duties. To prepare effectively for the RES exam dates 2026, candidates should utilize practice questions that mimic the 75% passing threshold difficulty. The Prepare app offers over 2,000 practice questions across all 13 RES exam topics, including dedicated modules for the Estate Agents Act and HDB procedures, to help you pass on your first attempt.