How to Pass the SQE: 4- and 8-Week Plans
Checked against official sources: 11 Oct 2026. Rules, fees and dates change, so confirm anything time-sensitive on eaa.org.hk.
About two in three Salespersons Qualifying Examination (SQE) candidates fail. In 2025 the EAA reported pass rates of 33.7% for the paper SQE and 38.2% for the computer-based SQE (EAA examination figures, checked 11 Oct 2026). Most failures come from three habits: reading the Study Guide once instead of practising questions, ignoring Part II until the last week, and running short of time. This guide gives you two study plans, a list of the numbers worth memorising, and a timing plan for the day.
Know what you are aiming at
- 50 questions in 2 hours 30 minutes.
- Part I: 40 stand-alone questions. You need 48 of 80 marks (24 correct).
- Part II: 10 questions on one or two land searches and/or case studies. You need 12 of 20 marks (6 correct).
- You must pass both parts in the same sitting. No calculators.
The full format is in the SQE exam guide.
Where the marks are
The SQE syllabus tests three parts at level 3 (knowledge plus use in practice): the Estate Agents Ordinance and its regulations, Code of Ethics and Practice Circulars (Part 2); land search analysis (Part 4); and leasing and tenancy (Part 6). The other parts are level 1 (awareness). Spend roughly 60% of your time on the level 3 parts. They also feed the Part II case.
The 4-week plan (about 10 hours a week)
For candidates with some property background, or who can study most evenings.
| Week | Study | Practice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Estate Agents Ordinance: licensing, duties, discipline, offences. Practice Regulation sections 2–14. Forms 1–6 | 40 topic questions a day on the same topics; review every wrong answer |
| 2 | Code of Ethics; key Practice Circulars (13-02, 13-03, 16-03, 18-02, 22-01, 23-01, 24-01, 26-01); land search sections and ownership types | Two Part II land search cases; one timed Part I set of 40 (100 minutes) |
| 3 | Leasing and tenancy, CR109, stamp duty; Cap. 621; agency and contract law; other ordinances (PDPO, bribery, misrepresentation, Housing Ordinance) | One full timed mock; redo every land search case you got wrong |
| 4 | Weak topics only, from your mock results; the numbers list below | Two more full timed mocks, then light review the day before |
The 8-week plan (about 5–6 hours a week)
For candidates working full-time with no property background.
| Weeks | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1–2 | Trade background (light). Estate Agents Ordinance: the EAA, licensing, register, renewal, suspension and revocation, s.36 duties, s.40 notices, s.43 client money, s.45 commission, s.55 offences |
| 3 | Practice Regulation (Cap. 511C) section by section, with Forms 1–6. Daily 20-question sets |
| 4 | Code of Ethics and Practice Circulars. Start one Part II case every other day |
| 5 | Land registration and land search; Government leases, DMC, Building Management Ordinance, unauthorised building works |
| 6 | Leasing and tenancy: tenancy terms, stamp duty, CR109, Part IVA subdivided units, Basic Housing Units Ordinance |
| 7 | Law of agency, contract, negligence, misrepresentation; other ordinances; conveyancing, mortgages, taxes; Cap. 621. First full timed mock |
| 8 | Two more full timed mocks; weak-topic review; the numbers list |
Book the exam first
The numbers worth memorising
| Rule | Figure |
|---|---|
| Sign Form 3 or 5 (vendor or landlord) | Within 7 working days of instructions, before advertising, or before the agreement, whichever is earliest (Cap. 511C s.6) |
| Sign Form 4 or 6 (purchaser or tenant) | Before arranging an inspection, or before the agreement, whichever is earlier |
| Recommended validity period, Forms 4 and 6 | Not more than 3 months |
| Refund of commission if completion fails without client’s fault | Not later than 5 working days from the completion date |
| Keep listing records, agreements, receipts | At least 3 years (Cap. 511C ss.8, 12, 14) |
| Notices of employment, cessation, managers (s.40) | Within 31 days |
| Appeal against an EAA decision | Within 21 days |
| Disciplinary fine / suspension (s.30) | Up to HK$300,000 / up to 2 years |
| Licence renewal window | 3 months to 1 month before expiry |
| Exam pass valid for a licence application | 12 months |
| CR109 lodged by landlord | Within 1 month |
| Cap. 621: brochure / price list / sales arrangements | 7 days / 3 days / 3 days before sale |
| Cap. 621: PASP deposit; purchaser signs ASP; owner signs | 5%; 5 working days; 8 working days |
| AML customer due diligence for an occasional transaction | HK$120,000 or more; records kept at least 5 years |
| Residential AVD HK$100 band (from 26 Feb 2025) | Up to HK$4,000,000 |
| HKMA maximum loan-to-value (from 16 Oct 2024) | 70% for all property |
How Part II is different
Part I asks about one rule at a time. Part II gives you a document and asks ten questions about it, so you must hold the facts in your head and apply several rules at once. Who are the registered owners? Is there an undischarged mortgage? Which form should have been signed, and when? What must the agent disclose?
- Practise reading land search extracts until you can find owners, capacity and incumbrances in under two minutes.
- Answer from the documents. If the case says the search was made three weeks before signing, that matters.
- Mark up the question book as you go. Rough work goes in the question book (paper) or the Supplementary Information Book (computer-based).
Our Part II guide walks through a full practice case.
Timing on the day
| Block | Time | Pace |
|---|---|---|
| Part I (40 questions) | About 95 minutes | About 2 minutes 20 seconds a question |
| Part II (10 questions plus reading) | About 35 minutes | 5 minutes reading, then 3 minutes a question |
| Check and transfer | About 20 minutes | Fill every box; review flagged questions |
Some candidates do Part II first while fresh. Either order works if you stick to the time blocks. Answer every question. The handbooks mention mark deductions only for breaking exam rules, not for wrong answers, but a question with two boxes filled scores zero.
Stamp duty without a calculator
A stamp duty table is printed in the paper. Practise doing the sums by hand: 3% of HK$8,000,000 is 8 × 30,000 = HK$240,000. A 2-year lease at HK$20,000 a month is yearly rent HK$240,000 × 0.5% = HK$1,200. See the stamp duty guide.
Combination questions
For “which of (i) to (iv) are correct” questions, judge each statement true or false on its own first, then find the option that matches. If you are sure (ii) is false, cross out every option containing (ii). That often leaves two options.
Exam-day rules that cost marks
- Arrive 15 minutes early with your original Admission Form and original ID document.
- Phones and smart watches go in your bag under the chair, switched off. A device not stored correctly costs 3 marks if off and 5 if on.
- Starting before you are told to, or writing after time is called, costs 3 marks each.
- You cannot leave in the first 90 minutes or the last 30 minutes.
Source: Paper-based Examination Handbook (Aug 2026), Appendix 6.
Study material that is out of date
Takeaway
Start with the free mock to find your weak topics, then work through SQE practice by topic. Syllabus: EAA SQE syllabus.
Frequently asked questions
How long should I study for the SQE?
Most candidates plan 4 to 8 weeks: about 10 hours a week for 4 weeks, or 5 to 6 hours a week for 8 weeks, with timed practice in the final weeks.
Can I use a calculator in the SQE?
No. Calculators are among the electronic devices not allowed in the exam. A stamp duty table is printed in the paper and sums are designed to be done by hand.
Which SQE topics carry the most weight?
The syllabus tests the Estate Agents Ordinance, Practice Regulation, Code of Ethics and circulars, land search analysis, and leasing at level 3 (use in practice). These also feed Part II.
Is there negative marking in the SQE?
The EAA handbooks describe mark deductions only for breaking exam rules, not for wrong answers. A question with more than one box filled scores nothing.
Study notes for this guide
Put it into practice
Exam-style questions for the EAA SQE and EAQE, with worked explanations and timed mocks in the real Part I and Part II format.
Build a daily practice habit : a few exam-style questions a day, with worked answers. Free to start.
Start practising →Independent exam practice. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Estate Agents Authority (EAA) or the examination administrator. This guide is general information for exam preparation, not legal advice.