RES Paper 1 vs Paper 2: What's the Difference?

The RES exam has two papers, and you must pass both(60% each). They share the same structure but cover very different material. Here's how they compare.

Same format, different content

Both papers have the same shape: 60 Section A questions + 20 Section B case-study questions, 2h30m, 60% to pass (see the format guide). What differs is the syllabus each one tests.

Paper 1 — the foundations (CU1 & CU2)

Paper 1 is the legal and economic groundwork:

• Real estate agency industry overview
• Basic land law — estates and interests in land
• Law of contract and agency
• Landlord & tenant law
• Real estate economics and the planning framework

Candidates often find Paper 1 more conceptual — it leans on legal principles that need understanding, not just memorisation.

Paper 2 — practice, regulation & money (CU3 & CU4)

Paper 2 is the applied, day-to-day side of the job:

• Regulation of the estate agency industry & CEA rules
• Ethics, professional conduct and anti-money-laundering
• Marketing and advertising rules
• Property transactions, HDB and leasing
• Stamp duties (BSD/ABSD/SSD) and property finance

Paper 2 is heavier on rules, figures and procedures — a lot of detail to keep straight, which is why structured practice matters.

Which is harder?

It varies by person. If you have a legal or contracts background, Paper 1 feels easier; if you're detail-oriented and good with numbers, Paper 2 suits you. Most candidates find Paper 2's sheer breadth (regulation + finance + taxes) the bigger memory load. Either way, you can't coast on one — you need 60% in both.

How to prepare for both

Clear them one competency unit at a time, then sit separate full mocks for Paper 1 and Paper 2. On RESPrep you can drill each paper's topics independently and track readiness per paper.