Debated in Parliament on 2 Nov 2020.
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong asked the Minister for National Development (a) whether every Council for Estate Agencies' Real Estate Salespersons Examination is subject to a fixed quota for a pass regardless of how well students of each cohort may actually have performed; (b) whether all students who have signed up for the course leading to the examinations are provided with all the materials that form the examination content; and (c) whether students are required to acquire knowledge outside of the materials provided in order for them to pass the examinations.
Individuals who wish to register as property agents are required by the Council for Estate Agencies (CEA) to pass the Real Estate Salesperson (RES) examination. This ensures that property agents have the necessary knowledge to advise their clients on property transactions, thereby safeguarding consumer interest. This is particularly important because for many Singaporeans, buying or selling a property is one of the largest financial transactions they may make in their lifetime.
CEA does not set a quota for the number of candidates who may pass the RES examination. The RES examination syllabus is published on CEA's website so that candidates and course providers are aware of the topics tested in the RES examination. Specifically, candidates will be tested on their knowledge of the latest laws, regulations and policies related to real estate, and their ability to apply their knowledge to practical situations. CEA also requires the course providers to develop teaching and course materials which are in line with the examination syllabus.
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