RES Exam Guide
RES Paper 1 vs Paper 2: What Is the Difference and Which Feels Harder?
Published 13 July 2026
Discover the differences between RES Paper 1 and Paper 2, including syllabus coverage, format similarities, and how to determine which paper might feel harder for you.
Introduction: Navigating the Two Halves of the RES Exam
Preparing for the Real Estate Salesperson (RES) examination can feel daunting for a first-time candidate. The examination comprises two distinct halves: Paper 1 and Paper 2.
Neither Paper 1 nor Paper 2 is officially designated as harder by the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA). Both papers require the same passing mark of 60.
The syllabus coverage discussed in this guide applies to the current 2026 examinations. A revised RES examination syllabus will be implemented for examinations starting from 1 January 2027.
What Paper 1 and Paper 2 Have in Common
Before looking at the different topics covered, it is helpful to understand how the two papers are structured. The format itself does not contribute to one paper being harder than the other, as both share the exact same duration and question structure.
- A duration of 2.5 hours per paper.
- Section A, which consists of 60 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) worth 60 marks.
- Section B, which consists of 20 MCQs with reference to one or two case studies, worth 40 marks.
- A passing mark of 60.
Syllabus Breakdown: Paper 1 vs Paper 2
The real difference lies in the competency units tested. Paper 1 focuses on Competency Unit 1 (Real estate agency industry overview and basic land law concepts) and Competency Unit 2 (Dealings with interests in land). Paper 2 shifts gear to Competency Unit 3 (Regulation of real estate agency industry and real estate marketing) and Competency Unit 4 (Property transactions).
Paper | Official competency units | Main official topic families | Shared examination format | Reader self-check question |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Paper 1 | Competency Unit 1 and Competency Unit 2 | Real estate agency industry overview, basic land law concepts, and dealings with interests in land | 2.5 hours, Section A (60 MCQs) and Section B (20 case study MCQs), passing mark of 60 | Do these legal and industry overview topics feel less familiar? |
Paper 2 | Competency Unit 3 and Competency Unit 4 | Regulation of real estate agency industry, real estate marketing, and property transactions | 2.5 hours, Section A (60 MCQs) and Section B (20 case study MCQs), passing mark of 60 | Do these regulatory and practical transaction topics feel less familiar? |
Reviewing these topic families can help you identify which areas might require more study time, without assuming that either paper is officially harder.
Which Paper is Harder? A Self-Check Guide
Any assessment of difficulty is subjective and based on individual familiarity with the topics. The CEA does not officially designate one paper as harder than the other.
A paper may feel harder if its competency units contain topics that are unfamiliar to you. Candidates with a legal or theoretical background might find the land law concepts and dealings with interests in land in Paper 1 easier to grasp. Conversely, those with sales, marketing, or practical transaction experience might find the regulatory and property transaction topics in Paper 2 more intuitive.
Check the official Paper 1 and Paper 2 syllabus pages for a full breakdown, then take our free diagnostic to identify which topics may need more preparation.