What topics are covered in the RES Course & Exam Syllabus? (2027)
Getting ready to tackle the RES exams? Let's talk about what you actually need to study!
If you're gearing up for the Real Estate Salesperson exams, getting familiar with the syllabus is step number one. The current exam syllabus has been running strong since January 1, 2017, and it’s still the exact framework you'll be tested on today.
The best part? Every single CEA-approved training provider has to follow this official, CEA-backed syllabus to a T. That means you don't have to worry about playing guesswork, meaning what you study in class is precisely what's going to show up on test day. This ensures consistency between what is taught in class and what appears in the exams.
The whole syllabus is practically tailor-made around Singapore’s unique property landscape, covering all the essential bases:
The local laws and regulations that keep the estate agency world spinning smoothly
Industry best practices for handling real-world property deals
Everything you need to know about buying, selling, and leasing HDB flats
The ins and outs of private residential, commercial, and industrial properties
The ethical standards and professional conduct expected of every good agent in Singapore
At the end of the day, this syllabus isn't just about helping you pass a test and get your cert—it's actually designed to give you a solid foundation so you can hit the ground running and operate like a total pro from day one!
RES Exams Paper 1
Competency Unit 1: Real Estate Agency Industry Overview & Basic Land Law Concepts
Real Estate Agency Industry Overview 1.1 Real estate markets and submarkets 1.2 Real estate market players and government intervention
Basic Land Law Concepts 1.3 Introduction 1.4 Land 1.5 Estates in land 1.6 State Lands Act 1.7 Rights in another’s land 1.8 Registration of titles
Competency Unit 2: Dealing with Interest in Land
2.1 Law of Contract 2.2 Law of Agency 2.3 Landlord and tenant law 2.4 Negligence 2.5 Conveyance inter vivos 2.6 Mortgage 2.7 Gift 2.8 Trust 2.9 Succession 2.10 Future interests 2.11 Co-ownership 2.12 Restrictions on capacity to hold land 2.13 Planning and development of land
RES Exam Paper 2
Competency Unit 3: Regulation of Real Estate Agency Industry & Real Estate Marketing
3.1 Regulation of real estate agency industry 3.2 Role and functions of salespersons and their requisite knowledge and skills 3.3 Principles of real estate marketing 3.4 Types of listing 3.5 Methods of sale 3.6 Regulations on advertisements 3.7 Marketing of residential property 3.8 Marketing of commercial property 3.9 Marketing of industrial property 3.10 Marketing of special properties 3.11 Consumer Protection (Fair Trading) Act
Competency Unit 4: Property Transactions
4.1 Sale of uncompleted private properties 4.2 Sale of completed private properties 4.3 Collective sale of private properties 4.4 Sale of HDB flats 4.5 Leasing of private properties 4.6 Subletting of HDB flats 4.7 Foreign worker housing 4.8 Taxes on property 4.9 Property finance and financial calculations
What You’re Actually Expected to Know for the RES Exams
To pass the RES exams, it’s not just about memorizing a textbook. You need to build a solid toolkit.
Here is what examiners are looking for:
Foundational Know-How: A firm grip on real estate basics, from market fundamentals and contract law to agency law, development control, and property marketing principles.
Practical Savvy: Hands-on understanding of how property transactions actually work across residential, commercial, and industrial sectors—including how to run title searches, handle immigration checks, and crunch financial numbers.
Ethics & Compliance: A clear moral compass and the ability to apply relevant laws, regulations, and industry best practices to real-life situations.
Current Market Awareness: Staying on top of prevailing market conditions, government cooling measures, and regulatory shifts in Singapore’s fast-moving property sector.
At the end of the day, these requirements are there to make sure that when you finally get your licence, you can serve your clients like a true, ethical professional.
Watch this video to see what it's like to be part of NAVIS — the greatest real estate team in Singapore!
Breaking Down the Cognitive Levels Tested in the RES Exam
The RES syllabus is structured around three cognitive levels. Knowing what they mean can completely change how you study:
Level 1: Remembering
This is your baseline. You need to know your terminology and core concepts inside out. Can you define, list, and describe standard procedures, rules, and laws? That’s Level 1.
Level 2: Understanding
Here, it’s about comprehension. You should be able to interpret concepts in context, paraphrase tricky rules, and apply your knowledge to simple scenarios or case studies.
Level 3: Application
This is the peak of the mountain! You have to prove you can take what you’ve learned and use it in real-world scenarios, like analyzing a client's unique needs and giving spot-on, professional advice.
Keep in mind that these levels build on each other. You can't jump straight to Level 3 without mastering the basics of Remembering and Understanding first. That’s why you’ll see plenty of scenario-based and case-study questions on exam day to test how well you can put theory into practice.
One Last Thing: The Mandatory RES Course Requirement
Before you can even book your seat for the RES exam, there’s one non-negotiable step: you have to complete the RES Course.
We're talking about a minimum of 50 hours of structured classroom learning, delivered by a CEA-approved Course Provider (ACP). These schools are specially designed to help you build the knowledge, skills, and professional judgment you'll need not just to pass the exam, but to thrive in your real estate career long-term!
Final Thoughts
Understanding the objectives, cognitive expectations, and course requirements of the RES examination gives candidates a clear advantage. With the right preparation and structured learning approach, aspiring property agents can not only pass the exams but also build a strong foundation for a successful real estate career.
Find out more about the costs, recommended course providers and other topics on getting your RES licence in the next article!
Stuart Chng is the Managing Partner of Navis and Chief Agency District Director at Huttons and the co-creator of Navis Atlas and PrimeKey Analysis.
He adores music and can play a few instruments decently without upsetting his neighbours. When not doing so, he enjoys pillow fighting with his son and coming up with silly puns which barely amuses his wife.
Professionally, he is a licensed real estate agent, avid investor in options, stocks and real estate, team leader, speaker and columnist for several property newsletters and blogs and is often quoted in media interviews on 938FM, Channel 8, PropertyReport, PropertyGuru and other publications.
Throughout his career, he has helped many clients grow their wealth through selecting great real estate investments and managing their portfolios actively. Read his clients' reviews here.
Stuart has also coached many top million dollar producing agents from top Singapore real estate agencies. Read his agents' reviews here.
P.S. Brand new and interested in the RES Course? Find out how to get your property agent licence and become a property agent in Singapore!
P.P.S. Passed your RES Exams? Find out what steps to take next to quickly reach your goals!
P.P.P.S. Find out which real estate agency is most suitable for you.
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