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RES Exam Dates, Fees and Registration in Singapore

Sitting dates, fees, paper format and how registration actually works — checked against CEA’s published requirements.

The short answer

Three sittings a year. Two papers. One fee.

If you only remember four numbers, remember these. Everything below explains them.

Sittings

3 A year — usually Mar, Jul, Oct/Nov

Exam fee

$512.30 Both papers, GST inclusive

Re-sit one paper

$283.40 Modular sitting

Pass mark

60 / 100 Per paper

Sitting dates

The 2026 pattern, and what 2027 will look like.

Each sitting runs across one weekend: Paper 1 on Saturday, Paper 2 on Sunday, both from 9.30am to 12pm.

Sitting Paper 1 Paper 2 Course completed by
March14 Mar15 Mar20 Jan
July18 Jul19 Jul18 May
October / November31 Oct1 Nov16 Sep
2027 dates are not out yet. CEA publishes the schedule ahead of the year and can change it. Use the pattern above to plan, not to book.
An examination hall with spaced desks, answer sheets and a wall clock
Each sitting runs over one weekend, Paper 1 on Saturday and Paper 2 on Sunday.

Source: CEA examination schedule and requirements.

Fees

What the exam itself costs.

These are CEA’s fees, not ours. The course is separate and priced by each approved provider.

Item Amount
Full sitting, both papers
CEA examination fees		$512.30
Modular sitting, one paper$283.40

GST inclusive, set by CEA and reviewed from time to time. If you join as a brand-new RES, the exam fee is reimbursed under our Graduation Boost and the course is offset by SkillsFuture and UTAP. See the full cost breakdown.

Paper format

Two and a half hours, two sections.

Both papers use the same structure. You need 60 marks out of 100 to pass each one.

A study desk with course notes, a calculator, highlighters and a model house, with the Singapore skyline behind
Most candidates study around a full-time job. Six to eight weeks of course work is the realistic runway.
  • Section A — 60 multiple-choice questions, 60 marks.
  • Section B — 20 case-study questions, 40 marks.
  • Duration — 2.5 hours per paper.
  • Results — Released about four to six weeks after the sitting.
The syllabus changes for 2027. CEA has published a revised RES syllabus that applies to examinations from 1 January 2027. If you are targeting the first 2027 sitting, study the new syllabus — older notes will not cover the new competencies.

How to register

Course first, then two registration stages.

  1. Complete the RES course. A CEA-approved provider, at least 75% attendance, then a certificate valid for two years.
  2. Stage 1 — indicate interest. Submit an indication of interest through CEA’s GovEntry link on the announced date.
  3. Stage 2 — register and pay. Shortlisted candidates register and pay through NTUC LearningHub’s portal inside the published window.
  4. Sit both papers. Saturday and Sunday, 9.30am to 12pm.
Seats are not guaranteed. CEA states that demand for RES examination seats means not every applicant with a valid course certificate will be allocated a seat. Register on the day the window opens.

Source: CEA — RES course and approved providers.

What to do now

Work backwards from the sitting.

If you want the first 2027 sitting, the course has to be finished about two months before it. That means starting around late 2026 — not in January.

If you are still deciding, the cheapest next step is a conversation, not a course booking.

Ask us about the next sitting Check if you qualify

Questions

Before you book

How much is the RES exam fee?

S$512.30 for both papers, GST inclusive. If you need to re-sit one paper, the modular fee is S$283.40. Fees are set by CEA and revised from time to time.

How many times a year is the RES exam held?

Three sittings a year, usually around March, July and October or November. Each sitting runs over one weekend: Paper 1 on Saturday, Paper 2 on Sunday, both 9.30am to 12pm.

When are the 2027 exam dates announced?

CEA has not published the 2027 schedule yet. The 2026 dates were released well ahead of the year, so expect the 2027 dates in a similar window. Message us and we will send them the day they are out.

Can I register for the exam before completing the course?

No. You must hold a Certificate of RES Course Completion before you can register, and the certificate is valid for two years. Complete the course with at least 75% attendance first.