10 common RES exam mistakes and how to avoid them

1. Studying only by reading. Answer questions before reviewing notes.
2. Leaving Section B to chance. It’s 40% of each paper.
3. Applying ABSD tier by tier. It’s a flat rate on the full price.
4. Using the old SSD schedule for property bought on or after 4 July 2025.
5. Applying MSR to private property. It only applies to HDB and EC.
6. Mixing up who pays. Buyers pay BSD and ABSD; sellers pay SSD.
7. Misreading “not”, “except” and “most appropriate”.
8. Ignoring agency duties. Agent conduct questions appear across both papers.
9. Spending too long on one sum. Flag it and return.
10. Studying news from the last month. CEA doesn’t test policy changes announced or implemented in the month before the exam.

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