Frequently asked questions on qualifying examinations
|
|
|
|
|
|
Terms and abbreviations used:
|
|
|
“EAA”
|
:
|
the Estate Agents Authority
|
|
“PEAK Exam Centre”
|
:
|
the Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge Examination Centre of the Vocational Training Council
|
|
“EAQE”
|
:
|
the Estate Agents Qualifying Examination
|
|
“SQE”
|
:
|
the Salespersons Qualifying Examination
|
|
|
|
|
A.
|
Before registration for the qualifying examinations
|
|
|
1.
|
What are the differences between the EAQE and the SQE?
|
|
|
|
|
(1)
|
A candidate who passes an EAQE may apply for either an estate agent’s licence (individual) or a salesperson’s licence. A candidate who passes an SQE may apply for a salesperson’s licence only.
|
|
(2)
|
The syllabi of the EAQE and SQE are different. There are eight parts in the syllabus of the EAQE and six parts in that of the SQE. For details, please refer to the “Estate Agents Qualifying Examination Syllabus” and the “Salespersons Qualifying Examination Syllabus” in the Appendices to the Examination Handbook.
|
|
|
|
2.
|
What are the fees for the qualifying examinations?
|
|
|
|
The examination fees are as follows:
|
EAQE
|
:
|
$900
|
|
|
SQE
|
:
|
$650
|
|
|
Changing the language of the question book (only available in English or Traditional Chinese)
|
:
|
$310
|
Please apply for change at least 2 weeks before the examination and contact the PEAK Exam Centre for details
|
|
Re-checking of Examination Result
|
:
|
$430
|
Please submit an application for re-checking of result in person or by post to the PEAK Exam Centre within 14 days after the Result Release Date (see Question 14)
|
Fees paid are neither refundable nor transferable to any other candidate or for another examination save in exceptional circumstances subject to the approval of the EAA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
3.
|
When are the qualifying examinations held?
For the schedules of the upcoming qualifying examinations, please see here.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4.
|
What is the format of the qualifying examinations?
Both the EAQE and SQE are in multiple-choice format. The EAQE is available in paper-based format only whereas the SQE is available in either paper-based or computer-based format.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
5.
|
What is the pass mark for the qualifying examinations?
Each of the EAQE and SQE contains two parts, Part I and Part II. To pass an EAQE or a SQE, candidates must pass both Part I and Part II and have a total score of at least 60 marks (i.e., candidates of the EAQE must score at least 36 marks in Part I and 24 marks in Part II respectively; and candidates of the SQE must score at least 48 marks in Part I and 12 marks in Part II respectively.)
For candidates who are subject to mark penalty for contravention of any examination regulation(s), mark(s) will be deducted from the total score. Thus, in order to pass an examination, candidates must obtain a pass mark (i.e. 60 marks) in the overall result after deduction of mark(s) for such contravention.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.
|
If I have been employed as a trainee by an estate agency, and/or possess relevant knowledge and/or experience in conveyancing, etc., can I get any exemption from the qualifying examination?
No, you cannot get any exemption. As one of the prerequisites for applying an estate agent’s licence (individual) or a salesperson’s licence, you must have obtained a pass mark in the relevant qualifying examination within 12 months before your application.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B.
|
Registration for the qualifying examinations
|
|
|
7.
|
Are there any restrictions on registration for the qualifying examinations?
EAQE and SQE registration restrictions are set out in the Special Notice dated February 2019. Registrants can check the Special Notice for details.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
8.
|
Is a registrant allowed to choose the qualifying examination venue?
|
(1)
|
EAQE / SQE (in Paper-based format)
Candidates may indicate their preferred district in the Entry Form or online registration form. Candidates should consider their choices carefully as once selected, no change of the preferred district is permitted. However, since examination venues or seats in a particular district are limited, candidates’ preferences of examination district may not always be met. The address of the examination venue will be shown on the Admission Form. Candidates should find out where the examination venue is located before the examination. The examination venues available for paper-based examinations would depend on the venue(s) to be provided by the Peak Exam Centre for each examination and may vary from one examination to another.
|
|
(2)
|
SQE (in Computer-based format)
All examination venues for SQE (computer-based format) are located at VTC Tower, 27 Wood Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong.
|
|
|
|
9.
|
How do I register for the qualifying examinations?
|
(1)
|
There are two registration methods for EAQE / SQE (in Paper-based format):
Registration by post and registration online.
|
|
(2)
|
For SQE (in computer-based format), registration can only be made online.
|
Registration methods, commencement or cut-off dates for registration mentioned above may be subject to change where necessary. For those who wish to register for an examination, please check the PEAK Exam Centre's website for any update announcement or call the PEAK Exam Centre at 2919 1467 / 2919 1468 / 2919 1478 before registration with respect to the relevant examination.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.
|
Where can I obtain the Entry Form, Application Procedure and Instructions to Candidates?
For registration by post, you may obtain the Registration Package (which contains the Entry Form and other relevant registration documents) by the following means:
|
(1)
|
Download from the website of the PEAK Exam Centre; or
|
|
(2)
|
Obtain at the office of the PEAK Exam Centre (Address: 1/F, VTC Tower, 27 Wood Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong).
|
For registration online, please read the Application Procedure and Instructions to Candidates on the website of the PEAK Exam Centre before submission of your registration via that website.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.
|
When and how will I receive my Admission Form?
|
(1)
|
For candidates who have registered online: If the online registration is accepted, candidates will normally receive an Admission Form sent by email from the PEAK Exam Centre at least 2 working days after the date of registration, excluding the date of registration.
|
|
(2)
|
For candidates who have registered by post: Candidates who have submitted all the required registration documents and information by surface mail will normally receive an SMS text message from the PEAK Exam Centre 4 working days after the registration period, notifying them whether the registration is successful or not. Successful candidates will then receive the Admission Form by surface mail at least 7 working days after receipt of the said SMS text message from the PEAK Exam Centre. Candidates should contact the PEAK Exam Centre if they do not receive any SMS text message from the PEAK Exam Centre 5 working days after the registration period.
|
|
|
|
12.
|
Are there any important issues that a candidate shall pay attention to after successful registration of a qualifying examination?
Any requests for special examination arrangements must also be made in writing to the EAA through the PEAK Exam Centre at least two weeks before the relevant examination, stating clearly the reasons and the special examination arrangement(s) needed, together with relevant supporting document(s) (e.g. medical certificate) for consideration. The EAA is not obliged to allow the request and may charge an administration fee for making the special examination arrangements. In any event, the EAA has sole discretion in the determination of such request and its decision shall be final.
Candidates should check carefully that the information printed on their Admission Forms (i.e. name (English and Chinese), identification document number, date and time of the examination and question language) corresponds with their registration information. If any discrepancy is found, candidates must make a written request to the PEAK Exam Centre for amendment at least 1 week before the examination.
Candidates should also find out where the examination venue is located before the examination and arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the examination.
Candidates must bring their original and valid identification document (i.e., Hong Kong Identity Card, passport, PRC Resident Identity Card or Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao) stated in their Entry Forms or online registration forms to the examination venue on the day of the examination for identity verification. Otherwise, they may not be allowed to sit for the examination.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C.
|
Preparation for the qualifying examinations
|
|
|
13.
|
How should I prepare for the qualifying examinations?
Candidates may refer to this page for more details on preparing for the qualifying examinations.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
D.
|
After taking a qualifying examination
|
|
|
14.
|
When and how will I be informed of my examination result?
Save and except hereinafter mentioned, Result Slips will be mailed out by surface mail by the PEAK Exam Centre on the 14th working day after paper-based examination or the 7th working day after computer-based examination (“Result Release Date”) to candidates who have provided their complete and valid Hong Kong correspondence addresses. Candidates who do not receive their Results Slips by surface mail 3 working days after the Result Release Date should contact the PEAK Exam Centre. Normally for candidates who failed to provide their complete Hong Kong correspondence addresses, their Result Slips will not be posted and they must collect their Result Slips in person at the PEAK Exam Centre 3 working days after the Result Release Date. If a mailed Result Slip is returned by Hongkong Post due to invalid address provided by a candidate and no re-issued copy of that Result Slip has been applied for, the PEAK Exam Centre will try to call the relevant candidate, who must collect the Result Slip in person at the PEAK Exam Centre. All uncollected Result Slips will be destroyed two months after the Result Release Date.
Candidates who have not disagreed to posting their examination results online can check their results by logging on to www.vtc.edu.hk/cpdc within one month from the Result Release Date. For candidates who received mark penalty for breach of examination regulation, their marks will only be shown on their Result Slips. All results posted for checking on the abovementioned website are for reference only and are subject to the results printed on the Result Slips which shall be final and conclusive.
There is no result checking service by telephone/email or in person at the office of the PEAK Exam Centre or the EAA.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
15.
|
If I have lost the Result Slip, what can I do?
Depending on the time lapse after the Result Release Date, candidates can apply for reissuance of the Result Slip or issuance of a record of the examination result via the method set out below:
|
Period of Application
|
Application Method
|
|
Within 2 months from the Result Release Date
|
Contact the PEAK Exam Centre at 2919 1467 / 2919 1468 / 2919 1478 or e-mail cpdc@vtc.edu.hk to apply for reissuance of the Result Slip.
|
|
After 2 months and up to the end of the 24th month from the Result Release Date
|
Apply for issuance of a record of your examination result by completing an application form and sending it with cheque or cashier order ($50 per record) to the EAA at:
Department of Finance and Administration,
7/F, E-Trade Plaza,
24 Lee Chung Street,
Chai Wan, Hong Kong.
Please state “Application for Exam Record” on the envelope.
For payment by cash or EPS, submit the relevant application form at the EAA Wanchai Office (Room 2601, 26/F, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen’s Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong), and obtain a “Payment Slip” for making payment at any Circle K convenience store.
|
|
|
|
16.
|
Does passing of a qualifying examination mean I am eligible for a licence?
Candidates who have successfully registered for or passed a qualifying examination are not regarded as being eligible for grant of a licence. Applicants for a licence are required to provide documentary evidence to prove to the satisfaction of the EAA that they meet the licensing requirements. Before registration for the relevant examination, candidates should ensure that they satisfy all the licensing requirements and documentary evidence requirements. Please see here for the relevant licensing requirements.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
E.
|
Others - Personal Data of Candidates
|
|
|
17.
|
How will the personal data of the candidates be used?
Personal data of the candidates collected or generated during administration of the examination may be used by the PEAK Exam Centre and/or the EAA for the following purposes and/or in the following manner:
|
(1)
|
administering qualifying examinations and other directly related purposes including but not limited to the release of examination results, posting of examination results on the PEAK Exam Centre website for candidate’s own checking (unless the candidate has expressly disagreed to such posting in writing); |
|
(2)
|
disclosing or transferring candidates’ personal data and examination results to the EAA for monitoring purpose and/or the purposes of assisting the EAA to perform and discharge its functions; |
|
(3)
|
conducting research or statistical analysis in an anonymous format in which the identities of candidates are not traceable; |
|
(4)
|
disclosing or transferring my personal data to the venue provider(s) for record of visits, if necessary; and/or |
|
(5)
|
conducting any other lawful activities with purposes directly related to the above. |
|
|