Tips on How to Pass RES Exam Guide (2024)

Introduction: Tips on How to Pass RES Exam Guide (2024)

Are you dreaming of a successful career in real estate in Singapore? The first step to making that dream a reality is passing the Real Estate Salesperson examination (RES exam). But with so much information to absorb and the pressure of the exam looming, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Fear not! I have created a short guide to help you pass your RES examination.

I personally passed RES exam with 2 attempts, on my first attempt I passed Paper 2 and on my second attempt I passed Paper 1. All these while holding my full-time job and attending to my 2 toddlers aged 3 and 1 back in 2023. Basically I had very little time to study and I searched for ways on how to pass the exams – like how you stumbled upon my blog post.

In this guide, I will provide you with tips and strategies that worked for me to aid your studying efficiency and maximise your retention of key concepts. With my guide, I hope you can approach the RES exam with confidence. Don’t let the exam stress you out!

#1 What I Did To Pass RES exams

When it comes to study materials and resources for your real estate license exam, it’s essential to choose quality over quantity. Instead of overwhelming yourself with numerous resources, focus on a few trusted ones would be recommended. Below shared pointers are what I did personally and may help you.

1. Your revision centre’s notes is a great starting point: I personally attended HASTOR’s RES course and I felt Mdm. Celeste Ng’s lessons are very interesting and I always looked forward to her lessons. I only revised HASTOR’s materials once.
   
2. Propella: In addition to your centre’s study materials, consider technology to enhance your preparation. There are numerous RES exam prep apps available that mock questions. These tools can help you review concepts on the go and reinforce your understanding through interactive exercises. Personally I have used Propella and my experience is great because it allows you to be strong on your foundations – granted their questions may not be as long as the exams, I can practise questions when travelling, waiting for my spouse or kids, or whenever there I have spare free time. I personally recommend to retry until you are at least 18/20 (or 90%) correct for each chapter for your revision. Get additional 5% off on top of Propella 20% beta promotion when you use the Propella referral code.
   
3. Mdm Celeste Ng’s RES books: I’ve invested in her books, did once without looking at answers and highlighted the answers plus added some explanation for those that i was wrong. the second and third time I just looked through the questions with answers.
   
4. Mdm Celeste Ng’s online refresher course: full course, I replayed her lessons three times. Since my journey to work and off work is about 30-40mins, i will listen to her lessons in my car ride. To me this is the best investment.
   
5. “Cheat Sheets”: I paid for the 1-pager summary for paper 1 and paper 2 to someone called Mister Wallace. I was lazy to summarise each topics into my own notes so I just purchased the cheat sheet. I do recall a particular Estate Agency’s revision group providing such cheat sheets as well.
   
6. Created my own A4 flash card / mindmap: I have about 2x A4 paper for paper 1 and 2 each, I will memorise the flash cards before going to bed and I will re-create back the flash cards using blank A4 paper. I will memorise and re-create again when i wake up the next morning.
   
7. CEA and the other government agency websites: I only looked up things that I do not know or needed to clarify. I didn’t bother to study the websites because there’s too many things to read.
   
8. Eliminate choices for the MCQ: because RES exams are now so tricky as the answers are very similar/close, it is better to eliminate the choices with pencil markings to arrive at the correct answer. You can’t linger too long per question though, hence you need to plan your time well.
   
9. Strategy: My strategy was to pass atleast one of the two papers first. This way, in my next attempt, I only need to study one paper only after passing the other.
   
10. Learning from my mistakes: I failed paper 1 on my first attempt, largely attributed to my stubbornness despite others recommending to start with Section B first as each questions are about 2 marks. I attempted Section A first and by the time I reached Section B i felt tired as the paper was actually way more harder than Propella and Celeste’s books. I did not have time to check my answers. On my second attempt I started with Section B first before attempting Section A and had sufficient time to check my answers. Overnight cramping information was a bad idea as well because my mind was all over the place and I could not concentrate.
    
11. If you are driving: Try to go early because the carparks at SUSS HQ gets filled up very fast. The other carpark is at Ngee Ann Poly, go pass SUSS main drop off point and go all the way up and you’ll see another barrier that leads to the back of Ngee Ann Poly, turn left immediately after the barrier and there are ample parking spaces.

#2 Tips for effective studying

Studying for a RES exam requires focus, discipline, and effective study techniques. Here are some tips to help you make the most of your study sessions:

1. Create a study timetable: Establish a study routine that suits your lifestyle and commitments. Allocate specific time slots each day or week dedicated solely to exam preparation. Consistency is key to retaining information effectively. Personally I studied about 3 hours a day for a total of appx 150 hours on my first attempt, rotating between Paper 1 and Paper 2. On my second attempt (after passing paper 2) I only studied about 50 hours for paper 1 re-attempt.
   
   How my study timetable look like:
   
   -Wake up 6AM to study before going to work: 60 mins
   -Journey to work: 30 mins
   -Journey after work: 30 mins
   -Before going to sleep: 60 mins
   =Total 3 hours per day
   
2. Break it down: Instead of cramming all the information at once, break down your study sessions into smaller, manageable chunks. Focus on one topic at a time, and once you feel confident, move on to the next. This approach will help prevent burnout and enhance your understanding.
   
3. Utilise active learning strategies: Passive reading can sometimes be ineffective when it comes to retaining information. Instead you may engage in active learning techniques such as summarising concepts in using flash cards, mindmaps, creating “cheat sheets”, teaching the material to someone else, or participating in practice quizzes in the SG RES EXAM SUPPORT chat group on Telegram.
   
4. Take regular breaks: Studying for long hours without breaks can lead to diminishing returns. Make sure to take short breaks every hour or so to recharge your mind. Use this time to hydrate, stretch or engage in a quick physical activity to refresh your focus.
   
5. Stay organised: Keep your study materials, notes, and resources well-organiszed. Having a clutter-free study space and a structured approach to your materials will help you stay focused and save time when reviewing specific topics.
   
6. Remember: effective studying goes beyond simply reading and memorizing. It involves active engagement with the material, repetition, and consistent practice. Implement these tips to optimize your study sessions and increase your chances of success.

#3 Strategies for answering multiple-choice questions

As the exam date approaches, it’s crucial to assess your knowledge and identify areas that need further improvement. One of the most effective ways to do this is by taking mock exams and practicing with sample questions.

Mock exams simulate the real exam environment, allowing you to get a feel for the format, time constraints, and difficulty level. They also help you gauge your readiness and identify any knowledge gaps that require additional focus.

Aim to solve a variety of questions covering different topics to ensure a well-rounded preparation. Analyse your performance, review any incorrect answers, and seek clarification on concepts that you may find challenging.

As per the above, you can consider Celeste’s books or Propella. Propella is an online question bank for the Singapore Real Estate Salesperson (RES) exam with a unique collection of 2000+ questions. Currently they are running a beta promotion of 20%, get additional 5% off using the Propella referral link.

#4 Before Exam Day

Exam day can be nerve-wracking for most, but with proper preparation and a clear mind, you can approach it with confidence. Here are some tips to help you perform your best on the big day:

1. Get a good night’s sleep: Ensure you get enough rest (e.g. 8 hours) the night before the exam. A well-rested mind performs better and retains information more effectively. It is not recommended to cram any more information the night before.
   
2. Eat a balanced meal: Fuel your body with a nutritious meal before taking the RES exam. Avoid heavy meal or greasy foods that may make you feel sluggish or cause discomfort during the exam. I personally had a warm BRANDS’ chicken essence.
   
3. Arrive early: Plan your journey to the exam center and aim to arrive early. This will give you ample time to settle in, review any last-minute flash cards or “cheat sheet” review. If you are driving, recommended to go earlier to avoid panicking as the carpark slots gets taken up very quickly.

#4 Exam Day Tips and Strategies

Good news, now RES exams are 100% Multiple-choice questions. To maximise your chances of answering correctly, it’s essential to develop effective strategies for tackling these questions.

1. Check your stationery: check your stationery before leaving the house:
   
   -NRIC ID card
   -Pencils (bring 2-3 sharpened pencils)
   -Approved calculator (e.g. Casio FC-100V Calculator: you can also buy second hand from Carousell and sell it away after done.)
   -Eraser
   -Jacket
   -Water bottle (optional)
   -Car keys, phone can be surrendered to the invigilators before the start of exam.
   
2. Read the question carefully: Take your time to understand the question and all the options before marking out an answer. Look for keywords or phrases that provide clues to the correct response.
   
3. Eliminate incorrect options: If you’re unsure of the correct answer, try eliminating incorrect options first. This strategy increases your chances of correctly guessing the right answer and narrows down your choices.
   
4. Use the process of elimination: Analyse each option and eliminate any that are contradictory or irrelevant. This strategy can help you arrive at the correct answer by narrowing down the choices.
   
5. Consider context and common sense: Sometimes, the answer may not be explicitly stated in the question, but you can use your knowledge and common sense to make an educated guess. Consider the context of the question and eliminate options that are unlikely or illogical.
   
6. Manage your time: Multiple-choice questions often have time constraints, so it’s crucial to manage your time effectively. Avoid spending too much time on a single question and make sure to answer all the questions within the given time frame.
   
7. Mark out answers on the questions paper: I recall marking out the answers on the question paper and only shading the answers the last 10-15minutes of the paper and double-checking my entries. This way you can save time to prevent unnecessary erasing.
   
8. Once you are done with paper 1: Since you can’t change answers, I suggest to mute the SG RES EXAM SUPPORT chat group on Telegram for 24hrs as they will be discussing answers and you may be demoralised to find out you might get some answers wrong. Instead, go home ASAP, freshen up and do some revision and get a good rest for paper 2.

All the best and see you on the other side once you have passed! After passing there’s a different set of challenge, I suggest to wait till you actually get the PASSED results before thinking of which agency to join!