Is the RE5 exam difficult?

RE5 is 50 multiple-choice questions in two hours, closed-book. That works out to roughly two and a half minutes per question — tight enough that you cannot afford to puzzle over legal wording you have not seen before, which is exactly why practising with real-style scenario questions matters more than memorising definitions in isolation.

You need 65% — 33 of the 50 questions — to pass. That is a lower bar than it might sound, but the exam is written to spread marks across the full syllabus, so you cannot rely on being strong in one or two areas and weak elsewhere.

The most common patterns behind a failed attempt are consistent:

• Studying the Act, not the application.RE5 leans heavily on scenario-based questions — “what should the representative do here” — not straight recall of section numbers.
• Uneven coverage. Spending most study time on the FAIS Act and under-preparing the General Code of Conduct, FICA or complaints-handling sections, which still carry real marks.
• No timed practice. Reading through notes builds recognition, not speed. Candidates who never sit a timed mock exam are routinely surprised by the pace on the day.
• Skipping the explanations. Getting a practice question right or wrong matters less than understanding why — the same underlying concept tends to reappear in a different scenario.

Most working professionals are ready in three to six weeks of consistent study — an hour or two most days, combining the study guide with regular timed practice exams. If you are starting from limited prior exposure to the FAIS framework, lean toward the longer end. For a structured plan, see how to pass the RE5 exam in 30 days.