What is the Passing Score for the CMFAS RES 5 Exam? (A 2026 Breakdown)

If you're preparing for your CMFAS RES 5 exam, you probably have one big question: what exactly is the passing score? It's a simple question with a surprisingly tricky answer.

Unlike a typical exam where you just need a total score of 75%, the RES 5 exam has a unique two-part scoring system. In fact, this scoring system is the #1 reason why so many well-prepared candidates in Singapore unexpectedly fail.

Let's break down exactly what you need to pass, why it's structured this way, and how you can build a study plan to conquer it.

The RES 5 Exam Passing Score (The 2026 Rules)

Here is the official requirement: to pass the 3-hour, 150-question CMFAS RES 5 exam, you must meet the minimum score for both parts in a single sitting.

Part I: Rules & Regulations

• Questions: 110 (approx. 73% of the exam)
• Passing Score: You must score 75% or higher.

Part II: Ethics & Skills

• Questions: 40 (approx. 27% of the exam)
• Passing Score: You must score 80% or higher.

You read that right. It's not an average. It's not a combined score. It's a separate passing grade for each part.

The "Pass-Fail" Trap: What If I Fail One Part?

This is the most critical point to understand. If you pass one part but fail the other, you fail the entire exam and must retake it.

Let's look at a common scenario:

Candidate A (Fails):

• Part I Score: 95% (Excellent!)
• Part II Score: 79% (Just 1 question short!)
• Final Result: FAIL

Candidate B (Passes):

• Part I Score: 75% (Just passed)
• Part II Score: 80% (Just passed)
• Final Result: PASS

This is why simply reading the textbook or using generic mock exams is so dangerous. Many candidates are "knowledge-smart" on regulations (Part I) but aren't prepared for the specific application of ethics (Part II) and get a false sense of confidence.

Why the Split? A Quick Look at the M5 vs. RES 5 Change

This two-part system is intentional. It was introduced when the old CMFAS M5 exam was upgraded to the RES 5. (You can read our full guide on all the syllabus changes from M5 to RES 5 here).

The Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) wanted to place a stronger emphasis on professional conduct and ethics. They didn't just want advisers who knew the rules; they wanted advisers who knew how to apply those rules ethically in real-world situations.

• Part I (75%): Tests your "book smarts" on laws and regulations.
• Part II (80%): Tests your "street smarts" on ethics and skills. This part has a higher passing score because it's considered the more critical component of being a trusted adviser.

How to Build a Study Plan That Beats the Two-Part System

Your entire study strategy must be built around this challenge. You cannot just aim for a "good overall score." You must know, at all times, how you are performing on Part I and Part II.

This creates a new problem: how do you get this data? A textbook can't tell you. A simple mock exam paper from Carousell can't tell you. This is exactly why we built ExamPrep.sg. Your study tool must reflect the real exam's structure.

Step 1: Always Practice with Two Scores

You need a mock exam platform that mimics the real exam. When you take a simulation, you shouldn't just get one single score. You need a detailed report that gives you two separate scores, just like the real exam.

ExamPrep.sg provides separate Part I and Part II scores to help you identify your weaknesses

Step 2: Target Your Weakest Part

Once you get your two scores, you can be surgical.

If your Part I score is 90% but your Part II (Ethics) score is 70%, you should stop studying Part I and focus 100% of your time on those high-stakes Part II chapters.

A good platform like ExamPrep.sg will allow you to "Practice by Chapter" so you can drill only the topics you are weak in (See our Mock Exam Comparison Guide for more details).

Drill on your weakest chapters by using the "Practice by Chapter" mode

Step 3: Don't Just Memorize—Understand

The Part II (Ethics) questions are often situational (try these 5 sample questions to see if you can spot the traps).

Our instant feedback and detailed explanations are written by industry veterans to help you understand the reasoning behind an answer, not just the answer itself.

ExamPrep.sg provides instant feedback and explanations to help you understand the concepts better

Your New Goal: 75% and 80%

So, while the simple answer is "75% and 80%", the real strategy is to find a study method that allows you to track and improve those two scores separately. Now that you know how the exam is scored, you can build a smarter study plan.

Ready to build your complete 4-week strategy? Now that you know how the exam is scored, read our complete guide on how to prepare for it: How to Pass CMFAS RES 5 Exam Singapore: Complete 2026 Study Guide & Strategy.