RES exam format (2026)
The RES examination has two papers, sat on separate days. Both papers use the same multiple-choice format — but they test different halves of the syllabus.
Overview of the two papers
The RES exam is administered by the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) and conducted by NTUC LearningHub. It has two papers:
| Paper | Focus | Duration | Questions | Pass mark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 | Real estate agency industry, basic land law, and dealings with interests in land (CUs 1 & 2) | 2.5 hours | 80 MCQs | 60 / 100 |
| Paper 2 | Regulation of the industry, real estate marketing, and property transactions (CUs 3 & 4) | 2.5 hours | 80 MCQs | 60 / 100 |
You must pass both papers to pass the RES exam. In each 2026 sitting, Paper 1 is held on a Saturday morning (9:30am–12pm) and Paper 2 on the Sunday morning.
Question structure (Section A & B)
The format of both Paper 1 and Paper 2 is identical and, with effect from 2023, is entirely multiple-choice:
| Section | Content | Questions | Marks |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | Standalone multiple-choice questions | 60 | 60 (1 mark each) |
| B | MCQs with reference to 1–2 case studies | 20 | 40 (2 marks each) |
| Total | — | 80 | 100 |
Section B carries more weight per question. Each case-study question is worth 2 marks, so a wrong answer there costs double. That’s why many candidates practise case studies specifically — they reveal where rules interact across the syllabus.
Timing and pacing
You get 2.5 hours (150 minutes) per paper for 80 questions, which works out to roughly 1 minute 50 seconds per question on average. In practice, Section A questions are quicker and Section B case-study questions deserve more reading time.
| Section | Suggested pace | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| A | About 1.5 min per question | 60 questions ≈ 90 minutes |
| B | About 2–3 min per question | 20 questions ≈ 50–60 minutes, including reading the case |
There is no penalty for wrong answers, so never leave a question blank — an educated guess is always better than an empty response.
Marking and pass criteria
- The pass mark for each paper is 60 out of 100, subject to review by CEA.
- Both papers must be passed to be considered to have passed the RES exam.
- If you pass one paper but fail the other, you can sit the failed paper alone as a modular candidate.
- Results are generally released within four to six weeks after the exam.
- Any modular retake must be completed within the two-year validity of your RES course completion certificate.
Computer-based testing
The RES exam is delivered as a computer-based test (CBT). That means you sit each paper on a computer at the exam venue rather than on paper, so it is worth getting comfortable with the on-screen question interface and answering under time pressure before exam day. Practising with timed online mock sets is the closest rehearsal you can get.