CMFAS Exam Guides

Free, no-nonsense guides to Singapore's CMFAS exams, led by RES5 — Rules, Ethics & Skills for Financial Advisory Services — covering the format, Part I vs Part II, how to study, the traps candidates fall into, exam day, and who needs the module. New to RES5? Start with the RES5 exam preparation guide. Then sit a free mock to see where you stand. Studying M9, M9A, HI, M8 or another module? Every module has its own free CMFAS mock paper.

These guides are unofficial and are not endorsed by MAS or the Singapore College of Insurance (SCI). Exam format, fees and dates change — always confirm the current details on the official SCI website before you register.

The RES5 exam

• RES5 Exam Prep: Study Plan & Free CMFAS MockCMFAS RES5 exam prep: SCI's 27 syllabus topics in five study blocks, Part I (75%) vs Part II (80%) pass marks, and a free timed RES5 mock.
• CMFAS RES5 Exam Format & Pass Mark ExplainedCMFAS RES5 is 150 MCQs over 3 hours: 110 in Part I and 40 in Part II. You must clear two pass marks, 75% and 80%. Confirm current figures with SCI.
• CMFAS RES5 Part I vs Part II: What's TestedCMFAS RES5 Part I (13 topics, 110 questions, 75% pass) vs Part II (14 topics, 40 questions, 80% pass): what each covers and how to split your study time.
• How Hard Is CMFAS RES5? An Honest Look at the DifficultyHow hard CMFAS RES5 really is: why no pass rate exists, what the 27-topic syllabus holds, and why the two-hurdle pass (75% and 80%) fails strong scorers.
• How to Pass CMFAS RES5: A Practical Study PlanA step-by-step plan to pass CMFAS RES5: the two-hurdle score maths (75% and 80%), the 27 topics in study order, the provisions that carry marks, and pacing.
• Common CMFAS RES5 Exam Traps (and How to Avoid Them)The traps that catch CMFAS RES5 candidates: look-alike rule pairs (CKA vs CAR, EIP vs SIP, STR vs tipping off), 'except' questions and poor timing.
• How Long Should You Study for CMFAS RES5?Size your CMFAS RES5 study runway from the 27-topic SCI syllabus: weekly pacing at 5 to 20 hours, two mock weeks at the end, and SCI's scheduling rules.
• How to Register for the CMFAS RES5 Exam (and What Locks In)How RES5 registration with the Singapore College of Insurance works: the exact-name rule, Singpass identification, what you agree to, and choosing a sitting.
• CMFAS RES5 Exam Dates & Scheduling: How Sittings WorkHow CMFAS RES5 scheduling works: SCI runs weekday sittings you book yourself. What locks in at registration, what rescheduling costs, and SCI's absence policy.
• RES5 Exam Day: What to Bring, Late Rule, ResultsCMFAS RES5 exam day at SCI: the admission window and 30-minute late cut-off, the two IDs and calculator to bring, rescheduling, and how results arrive.
• CMFAS RES5 Results & What Happens NextYour CMFAS RES5 result comes on a printed slip in the exam room, and SCI takes no appeals. What the slip is worth, how a re-sit works, and what happens next.
• Who Needs RES5? CMFAS Exemptions & 3-Year RuleWho must pass CMFAS RES5: the six advisory activities that trigger it, the CMFAS exemptions that really exist, and the 3-year rule on old passes.
• FAA-N26 Summary: Age, Education & CMFAS ExamsMAS Notice FAA-N26 summarised paragraph by paragraph: minimum age 21, the academic bar, which CMFAS exams a financial adviser rep needs, and annual CPD.
• CMFAS RES5 Scenario Questions: Worked ExamplesSix worked CMFAS RES5 Part II scenario questions with the rules named (s.34 to s.36 FAA, FAA-N16, FAA-N03, FAA-N20, CKA/CAR) and a trigger-to-rule map.
• Studying for CMFAS RES5: Study Options & Materials in SingaporeHow to study for CMFAS RES5: SCI says self-study is allowed, no course required. The official eBook, why old M5 notes are the wrong exam, and all 27 topics.
• What Does CMFAS RES5 Cost? Exam & Licensing Fees ExplainedWhat CMFAS RES5 really costs: how the SCI exam fee is structured, why a re-sit is not discounted, and the rules that forfeit your fee. Confirm fees with SCI.
• The Financial Advisory Career Path in Singapore (RES5 & Beyond)How to become a financial advisory representative in Singapore: entry requirements, the CMFAS modules your role needs, the Register of Representatives and CPD.
• CMFAS Exams: All Modules, Old Codes & SCI vs IBFWhat CMFAS is and which module you need: every module with its old code (M5 is now RES5, M9 + M9A is CM-LIP), SCI vs IBF, and a free timed mock.
• How to Become a Financial Adviser Representative in SingaporeHow to become a financial adviser representative in Singapore: the CMFAS exams you need, fit-and-proper entry requirements, MAS notification and the Register.
• RES 1A vs RES 1B vs RES 2A vs RES 2B vs RES 12B: Which CMFAS Exam Do You Need?The five CMFAS RES papers for securities and derivatives dealers: who sits RES 1A, 1B, 2A, 2B or 12B, what each covers, how they overlap, and IBF's format.
• CMFAS M9 Exam Guide: Format, Syllabus & TipsCMFAS M9 (Life Insurance and ILPs) explained: 100 questions in 2 hours, 70% to pass, the 17 chapters, who needs it, and how to pass first time.
• CMFAS HI Exam Guide: Health Insurance ModuleThe CMFAS Health Insurance (HI) exam explained: 50 questions in 1 hour 15 minutes, 70% to pass, the 9th Edition switch on 22 Oct 2026, and how to pass.
• CM-EIP (M6) Exam: Format, Pass Mark & Free MockCMFAS CM-EIP (formerly M6): 90 questions in 2.5 hours, 70% to pass, all 12 topics, fees as at Oct 2026, plus 1,400+ CM-EIP practice questions.
• CM-SIP (M6A) Exam: Format, Pass Mark & Free MockCMFAS CM-SIP (formerly M6A): 80 questions in 2.5 hours, 70% to pass, all 12 topics, fees as at Oct 2026, plus 1,200+ CM-SIP practice questions.
• CMFAS RES 1B Exam: Format, Pass Mark & Free MockCMFAS RES 1B: 60 questions in 1.5 hours, 75% to pass, the 7 chapters for securities dealers of non-exchange members, and a free timed mock.
• CMFAS RES 2B Exam Guide: Format & How to PassCMFAS RES 2B explained: 60 questions in 1.5 hours, 75% to pass, the 7 chapters for derivatives dealers of non-exchange members, fees, and how to pass.
• Which CMFAS Exam First? RES5, M9, M9A & HI OrderWhich CMFAS exam to sit first: a sensible order for RES5, M9, M9A and HI, the size of each paper, what you can book back to back, and how hard each is.
• CMFAS M9A Exam: Format, Pass Mark & FeeCMFAS M9A: 50 questions in 1 hour, 70% to pass, 6 chapters on structured products and ILPs, the SCI fee as at Nov 2026, exemptions, and M9A vs CM-LIP.
• CMFAS Exam Fees: RES5, M9, M9A, HI & MoreCMFAS exam fees per attempt as at Nov 2026: RES5, M9, M9A, HI, M8, M8A and combined papers, the total for all four FA papers, re-sit and reschedule fees.
• CMFAS M6 vs M6A: CM-EIP, CM-SIP or CM-CMP?M6 is now CM-EIP and M6A is CM-SIP. Both papers' format (90 and 80 MCQs, 2.5 h, 70%), IBF fees as at Nov 2026, which one your role needs, and CM-CMP.
• CMFAS M8 & M8A Exam: Format, Pass Mark & FeeCMFAS M8 and M8A: 50 questions in 1 hour each, 70% to pass, unit trusts and structured funds chapters, SCI fees as at Nov 2026, and M8 + M8A vs CM-CIS.
• CM-CIS for Insurance Agents Selling Unit TrustsCM-CIS, taken with RES5 to advise on unit trusts: 100 questions in 2 hours, 70% per part (as at 12 Nov 2026), CM-CIS vs M8 + M8A, a study plan and mock.

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