How Long Should You Study for the RES Exam?

There's no single right answer, but most candidates who pass the RES exam first time put in 4 to 8 weeksof consistent preparation after their RES course — not a last-minute cram. Here's a realistic way to plan it.

It depends on a few things

• Your background. A legal, finance or property background means some topics already feel familiar.
• Hours per week. 1 hour a day gets you there slower than 2–3 focused sessions; consistency matters more than marathon days.
• Both papers.You're preparing for two papers, each needing 60% — so budget time for both.

A realistic 6-week plan

• Weeks 1–2: Work through Paper 1 topics (land law, contract, agency, regulation) by practising questions per topic and reviewing every wrong answer.
• Weeks 3–4: Move to Paper 2 (taxes, stamp duties, property finance, HDB). These are the calculation-heavy areas most people underestimate.
• Week 5: Drill Section B case studies specifically — they're where many candidates lose marks.
• Week 6: Sit full timed mock exams, fix remaining weak spots, and only book the real paper once you're consistently above 60%.

How to know you're ready

Forget the calendar — the real signal is your scores. When you're clearing 60%+ on full timed mocks for bothpapers, reliably and not by luck, you're ready. If you're not there yet, give it another week rather than gambling on the exam fee.

For the full strategy, read how to pass the RES exam.