RES Exam Study Guide (2027)
A free, no-nonsense guide to preparing for the Singapore Real Estate Salesperson (RES) exam — how to study properly, a suggested timeline, when the exam is held, the full syllabus, key rates, and recommended reading. All in one place.
RES exam at a glance
Facts re-checked on cea.gov.sg on 11 Nov 2026. CEA can change them; confirm there before you book. RESPrep is independent and not affiliated with CEA.
- Who runs the RES exam?
The Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) sets the Real Estate Salesperson (RES) exam and its syllabus. NTUC LearningHub runs it for CEA: registration, payment, results and appeals.
Source: CEA, Apply for the RES examination, checked 11 Nov 2026
- What is the RES exam format?
Two papers, each 2.5 hours, sat on paper. Each paper has Section A, 60 multiple-choice questions (60 marks), and Section B, 20 multiple-choice questions on one or two case studies (40 marks). Paper 1 covers Competency Units 1 and 2; Paper 2 covers Competency Units 3 and 4.
Source: CEA, Prepare for the RES examination, checked 11 Nov 2026
- What is the pass mark?
60 out of 100 in each paper, subject to review by CEA. Each paper is passed on its own: pass one and you re-sit only the other while your RES course certificate is valid.
Source: CEA, Prepare for the RES examination, checked 11 Nov 2026
- How much is the exam fee?
S$512.30 for a full sitting (both papers), or S$283.40 for one paper if you have already passed the other, including GST. CEA says fees may change without notice.
Source: CEA, Prepare for the RES examination, checked 11 Nov 2026
- How do I book a seat?
First finish a RES course and hold a valid Certificate of RES Course Completion (valid for two years). Stage 1: indicate interest on GovEntry with Singpass during a short window; one submission per NRIC/FIN, shortlisted first come, first served. Stage 2: if shortlisted, NTUC LearningHub emails you to register and pay on its website by a deadline.
Source: CEA, Apply for the RES examination, checked 11 Nov 2026
- When is the next sitting?
CEA lists these sittings (checked 12 Nov 2026): March 2027: Paper 1 Sat 13 Mar 2027, Paper 2 Sun 14 Mar 2027; July 2027: Paper 1 Sat 17 Jul 2027, Paper 2 Sun 18 Jul 2027; October 2027: Paper 1 Sat 30 Oct 2027, Paper 2 Sun 31 Oct 2027. CEA may move dates without notice.
Source: CEA, Prepare for the RES examination, checked 11 Nov 2026
- Which syllabus applies?
Exams from 1 Jan 2027 follow CEA's RES Examination Syllabus 2027 (version 1.0). Exams in 2025 and 2026 used the earlier syllabus.
Source: CEA, Prepare for the RES examination, checked 11 Nov 2026
- When are results released?
CEA releases results within 4 to 6 weeks of the exam: for the October / November 2026 sitting, about 28 Nov to 13 Dec 2026. NTUC LearningHub emails your Statement of Results. An appeal must be filed within 5 working days of the release and costs S$87.20 including GST.
Source: CEA, RES examination results and appeals, checked 11 Nov 2026
- How long is a pass valid?
Two years. Within two years of passing, you must apply for registration as a salesperson through a licensed estate agent; after that, you retake the course and the exam.
Source: CEA, RES examination results and appeals, checked 11 Nov 2026
3×
sittings a year
2
papers
60%
pass mark
42
syllabus topics
How to prepare
Learn from your course and the official CEA materials — that's your foundation. Don't rely on any single practice site (including this one) as your only source. A tool like RESPrep is for the other half of passing: turning what you've read into exam skill.
Learn
Course + CEA syllabus
Practise
Drill questions
Mock
Timed papers
Pass
60% per paper
Learn the material
Course notes + CEA syllabus, unit by unit. Understand the concepts.
Understand, don't cram
The exam tests application — know why a rule exists, not just the number.
Practise actively
Do questions after each topic; review every worked answer. Focus on case studies.
Simulate the exam
Sit timed mocks so the format and pacing feel familiar on the day.
A 12-week study roadmap
A simple path from first read to exam-ready. Stretch or compress it to fit your own exam date.
Learn
Work through the whole syllabus one topic a day, unit by unit. Aim to understand, not memorise.
Section B
Learn the case-study method and the linked-question technique until the traps feel obvious.
Simulate
Full timed mocks — Paper 1, then Paper 2 — and fix every recurring mistake.
Revise & taper
Blitz your weakest topics and the key numbers, then taper to light recall before exam day.
When is the exam?
Held 3× a year (≈ March, July, Oct/Nov) via NTUC LearningHub for CEA. Two papers, each 2.5h — Section A (60 MCQs) + Section B (20, case studies). Pass mark 60%.
→ Dates, registration & feesThe exam syllabus at a glance
Two papers, four competency units, 42 syllabus topics (2027 syllabus). Our practice bank groups them into 15 practice topics, shown here by unit. Full syllabus →
New for 2027: three Paper 2 units on ethics, AML and green buildings. What changed →
Paper 1
6 practice topicsReal Estate Agency & Law
CU1 · Agency & Basic Land Law
CU2 · Dealings with Interests in Land
Paper 2
9 practice topicsPractice & Transactions
CU3 · Industry Regulation & Marketing
CU4 · Property Transactions
Key rates & limits
Current as at 2026 — always confirm against IRAS, CPF and MAS.
BSD (residential)
1/2/3/4% up to $1.5M, 5% to $3M, 6% above $3M.
ABSD (from 27 Apr 2023)
SC 0/20/30% · PR 5/30/35% · Foreigner 60% · Entity/Trust 65%.
SSD (from 4 Jul 2025)
16/12/8/4% within ≤1/2/3/4 yrs; 0% after. Seller pays.
Financing
TDSR 55% · MSR 30% (HDB/EC) · LTV 75/45/35% · min 5% cash.
HDB
MOP 5 years · HDB loan LTV 75% · EIP/SPR resale quotas.
Other
Tenancy duty 0.4% of total rent (≤4-yr) · GST 9% (commercial).
Reading materials
Your core text is the CEA RES Examination Syllabus 2027 and your course provider's notes. Beyond that, the syllabus draws straight from Singapore's laws and official agency rules — all free to read:
Key legislation (free · Singapore Statutes Online)
Official agency resources
Prefer a quick plain-English refresher? See the complete exam guide and the free concept explainers.
When you're ready to practise
Once you've done the reading, test whether it stuck — practise exam-style questions, work case studies, and sit timed mocks. Free to start.
Get each day's lesson free — one RES topic + the trap, every day on Telegram.
Join @resprepsg →Study material mapped to the public CEA RES Examination Syllabus 2027. Always verify rate-based figures and exam details against current official sources.