Two parts, two pass marks
RES5 has two pass marks, and you need both.
| Part I: rules and regulations | Part II: ethics and skills | |
|---|---|---|
| Questions | 110 | 40 |
| Pass mark | At least 75% | At least 80% |
Source: SCI, RES5 exam details, retrieved 24 September 2026.
Part II is the short part with the high bar. At 80% of 40 questions you need 32 correct, so you can get no more than 8 wrong. A high score in Part I does not make up for a Part II below 80%.
In our experience Part II is the part candidates fail more often.
So do not judge a mock exam by its total. Look at the two part scores separately, and at Part II first.
Why first attempts fail
The usual reason we see for a failed first attempt is too little practice. Reading the notes is not enough on its own.
Reading feels like progress, but the exam does not test whether a page looks familiar. You only find out whether you can choose the right answer by answering questions.
The booking rule: pass both parts on at least three full mock exams
Before you pay SCI's fee and pick a date, sit at least three full mock exams under exam conditions: 150 questions in 3 hours, with no notes.
Book when, on each of them, you have:
- passed Part I and Part II, and
- scored 85% or better overall.
Why both conditions? Passing each part is what protects Part II: a strong Part I can lift the total while Part II falls short. The overall mark of 85% is there to give you a margin on the day, when nerves can pull your score down.
Why three, and not one good result? One good result can be luck. Three is much better evidence that it is not a one-off.
If a mock exam misses either condition, check which part let you down and which chapters the wrong answers came from before you sit another one.
How long to give it
We usually give candidates two weeks per paper. The fastest we have seen a candidate get ready for a paper is three to four days. Treat that as the floor, not the plan.
One way to split two weeks for RES5:
- First week: read each chapter's notes, then answer that chapter's practice questions the same day. Do not leave the Part II chapters to the last two days.
- Second week: the full mock exams, with time between them to go back over every question you got wrong or guessed.
Reading the rules in Part I
Most of Part I is the Financial Advisers Act and its regulations, and the notices and guidelines of the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). It also covers the Code on Collective Investment Schemes, market conduct in securities dealing, and the Central Provident Fund.
Candidates usually struggle with the Financial Advisers Act material. Regulatory language is not everyday English, and it is usually harder to understand.
We break each rule down into simpler parts and explain it piece by piece. Do the same when you study, then test yourself on the pieces with practice questions.
Why learning answers by heart is not enough
It is tempting to work through a set of questions until you remember the answers. Remembering an answer is not the same as understanding the point behind it, and the exam tests understanding.
When you review a practice question, do not stop at the right answer. Make sure you can say why each of the other options is wrong. If you can do that, you understand the point and not just one question about it.
On the day: re-read, skip, return, eliminate
- Re-read. If a question makes no sense at first glance, read it once more, slowly, and look for words such as "not" or "except".
- Skip. If you still cannot answer it, leave it and move on. Answer everything you are sure of first.
- Return. When you have been through the questions, go back to the ones you left.
- Eliminate. Rule out the options you know are wrong, then choose from what is left.
Answer every question. SCI awards one mark for each correct answer and deducts nothing for a wrong or blank one, so a guess between two options is always better than an empty answer.
Source for the exam facts on this page: SCI, RES5 exam details, retrieved 24 September 2026. The study advice is our own.
Frequently asked questions
Which part of CMFAS RES5 do candidates fail more often?
Part II, in our experience. It has 40 questions and a pass mark of 80%, so you can get no more than 8 wrong.
How many mock exams should I do before booking CMFAS RES5?
At least three full, timed mock exams. On each, pass both parts and score 85% or better overall.
Can a high Part I score make up for Part II?
No. SCI requires at least 75% in Part I and at least 80% in Part II.
How long does it take to prepare for CMFAS RES5?
We usually allow two weeks for a paper. The fastest we have seen for any paper is three to four days.
Should I guess if I do not know an answer?
Yes. No mark is deducted for a wrong or blank answer, so rule out what you can and choose from the rest.
Where do I find the RES5 format, syllabus and fees?
On our CMFAS RES5 page, with SCI's fees and the current study text version.
Ready to test yourself on CMFAS RES5?Start with the free trial questions, each with a worked explanation. Full mock exams, scored by part, are in the paid plans.
Try the free trial questionsLast updated: 5 October 2026