RES Exam Guide

Everything you need to know about the Singapore Real Estate Salesperson examination.

Exam Overview

Format

80 questions per paper

Duration

2 hours 30 minutes per paper

Passing Score

60 marks per paper

Exam Fee

S$512.30 (Full sitting, inclusive of GST)

Exam Structure

Paper 1

Paper 1 — Legal Foundations

80 questions covering law of contract, agency, land law, land registration, landlord/tenant rights, legislation, real estate market analysis, and tort.

View Paper 1 topics
Paper 2

Paper 2 — Practical Transactions

80 questions covering the Estate Agents Act, HDB properties, sale of properties, marketing/CPF/finance, and taxation.

View Paper 2 topics

Eligibility Requirements

  • At least 21 years old
  • Minimum GCE "N" Level or equivalent
  • Not an undischarged bankrupt
  • Not convicted of fraud, dishonesty, or moral turpitude offences

Preparation Tips

1

Understand Both Papers

Paper 1 focuses on legal concepts while Paper 2 covers practical aspects of real estate transactions. Both papers must be passed.

2

Focus on Weak Areas

Use practice questions to identify topics where you are below the 60-mark passing standard and spend extra time reviewing those areas.

3

Learn Key Legislation

The Estate Agents Act, Residential Property Act, and Land Titles Act are frequently tested. Know the key provisions.

4

Practice Time Management

Each paper runs for 2 hours 30 minutes and includes 60 standalone MCQs plus 20 case-study MCQs. Practice under timed conditions.

5

Understand HDB Rules

HDB-related questions make up a significant portion of Paper 2. Master eligibility criteria, resale procedures, and CPF rules.

6

Review Real Scenarios

Many questions are scenario-based. Practice applying legal concepts to real-world property transaction situations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does the RES exam cost?+
The 2026 RES examination fee is S$512.30 for a full sitting covering Paper 1 and Paper 2. A modular sitting for one paper is S$283.40.
What is the passing score for the RES exam?+
You need at least 60 marks for each paper. Both papers must be passed; a pass in one paper cannot offset a fail in the other.
How many questions are on the RES exam?+
Each RES paper has 80 questions: 60 standalone MCQs in Section A and 20 case-study MCQs in Section B. Across both papers, there are 160 questions.
How long is the RES exam?+
Each paper is 2 hours and 30 minutes. A full sitting covers Paper 1 and Paper 2 separately.
Can I retake just one paper if I fail?+
Yes, if you pass one paper but fail the other, you only need to retake the paper you failed. The passed paper result is valid for a limited period.
What happens after I pass the RES exam?+
After passing, you can apply to CEA for registration as a Real Estate Salesperson. You will need to be employed by a licensed estate agency to practice.
How often is the RES exam held?+
CEA has announced three RES exam sittings in 2026: March, July, and October/November. Registration is handled through NTUC LearningHub.
What are the eligibility requirements?+
You must be at least 21 years old, have at least a GCE "N" Level or equivalent qualification, not be an undischarged bankrupt, and have no relevant criminal convictions.

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