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 100-question multiple-choice exam delivered by Meazure Learning. You have 150 minutes (about 90 seconds per question) and need 75% to pass. 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 100-question timed mock exam 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 many questions are on the Course 1 exam?▾
The Humber Course 1 exam has 100 multiple-choice questions. You have 150 minutes and need 75% (75 correct) to pass.
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.