100% Canadian Created
Humber Course 1 Real Estate Essentials Exam Study Guide
The foundational course for Ontario real estate licensing. Covers TRESA, the regulatory framework, RECO standards, property ownership, land registration, and the legal responsibilities of a registrant.
Exam at a glance
Course 1 has a multiple-choice exam delivered by Meazure Learning. Humber lists it as a two-hour invigilated theory exam ($120), the shortest in the phase: Exams 2, 3 and 4 each run three hours. Humber does not publish a question count. The exam pulls heavily from TRESA, the Code of Ethics, and RECO's regulatory framework. Roughly half the questions test situational judgment rather than rote memorization, so application beats recall.
What gets tested most
- TRESA duties to clients vs customers: designated representation rules introduced in Phase 2 (2023+)
- Land registration: Land Titles vs Registry, the role of Teraview, and what title insurance does NOT cover
- Planning Act consents: when severance, subdivision, and minor variance apply
Common traps that fail students
- !Confusing "client" and "customer" obligations under TRESA. The duty levels are different and the exam tests this in scenario form
- !Mixing up RECO (regulator) with OREA (industry association) and CREA (national MLS owner) on regulatory questions
- !Assuming title insurance covers known defects. It does not
Recommended study plan
- 1
Read the official Humber Course 1 textbook chapters on TRESA and RECO end-to-end (these are ~40% of exam weight)
- 2
Drill 100+ practice questions on regulatory framework topics until you can answer in under 60 seconds each
- 3
Take a full-length timed mock exam under a 2-hour limit to identify weak topics
- 4
Spend the final week on weakest topics only. The law of diminishing returns hits hard on already-strong areas
- 5
Take the actual exam in the morning if possible. Course 1 is heavy on dense legal language and fatigue compounds
Topics covered on this exam
Practice 870+ questions for this exam
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Frequently asked questions
How long is the Course 1 exam?▾
Humber lists Exam 1 as a two-hour invigilated theory exam, delivered online by Meazure Learning for a $120 fee. It is the shortest exam in the Pre-Registration Phase: Exams 2, 3 and 4 and both Simulation Exams each run three hours. Humber does not publish a question count for any of them.
Is the Humber Course 1 exam open book?▾
No. The Humber Course 1 exam is closed book and proctored by Meazure Learning, either online with a webcam or at an in-person testing centre.
What happens if I fail Course 1?▾
You can rewrite the exam after a mandatory 30-day waiting period. Each rewrite costs an additional fee. RECO allows up to three attempts within 18 months before you must restart the program.
How long should I study for Course 1?▾
Most students need 80-120 hours of focused study over 4-8 weeks. Course 1 is the densest course in the salesperson program because of its TRESA and regulatory content.
What is the Course 1 pass rate?▾
Humber doesn't publish official statistics, but student-reported pass rates hover around 60-70% on the first attempt. The regulatory questions trip up students who only memorized definitions instead of practicing scenarios.