How to Pass the RES Exam: A Practical Study Plan

The RES exam is passable for almost anyone who prepares properly — the challenge is breadth, not difficulty. You are tested across land law, contract, agency, regulation, ethics, AML, taxes and finance, and you need 60% in each paper. Here is a study plan that works.

1. Understand the format first

Before you study content, know what you are walking into: two papers, each with 60 Section A questions and 20 Section B case-study questions, 2h30m, 60% to pass. See our RES exam format guide for the full breakdown.

2. Learn actively, not passively

Reading notes cover-to-cover is the most common — and least effective — approach. Retention comes from retrieval: testing yourself. Read a topic once, then immediately do practice questions on it and review every wrong answer until you understand why.

3. Work topic by topic

Break the syllabus into its competency units and clear them one at a time. Spend extra time on the heavyweight, exam-dense areas:

• Basic land law, estates and interests in land
• Law of contract and agency (and agents' duties)
• Regulation, ethics and the CEA practice rules
• Stamp duties (BSD/ABSD/SSD), CPF and property finance
• Anti-money-laundering obligations

RESPrep lets you practise by topic with instant worked explanations, so you close knowledge gaps as you go.

4. Master Section B case studies

Section B is worth 20 of 80 marks per paper and trips people up because it requires applying rules to scenarios rather than recalling a definition. Practise these deliberately — don't just read the answer, work out the reasoning.

5. Simulate the real exam

In the final stretch, sit full timed mock exams in the real format. This builds time management, surfaces weak spots, and removes exam-day surprises. Aim to comfortably clear 60% on mocks before you book the real paper — RESPrep's readiness score tracks exactly this.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Studying only by reading, never self-testing.
• Neglecting Section B case-study practice.
• Memorising figures (e.g. stamp-duty rates) without understanding the principle.
• Cramming both papers the same week instead of spacing practice out.

The fastest, most reliable path is simple: practise a high volume of exam-style questions, review your mistakes, and confirm readiness with full mocks. Create a free account and start today.