EAAB Qualification Series: 3 - PDE L4 - Exam Tips

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The Professional Designation Exam (PDE) for the Estate Agency Affairs Board (EAAB) can be quite daunting when you don't know what to expect and with the next one around the corner, I thought I would post the Exam blog ahead of the RPL/ NQFblog I was going to post.

Chapters to study: The exam is based on chapter 5 and all chapters from 12 to 20. A lot of people don't realise this and study the additional chapters (1-4, 6-11 & 21-24 ). I was so excited when I found this out and that I needed to only know half the chapters in the study guide given.  The additional chapters may be worth going through as it has general business concepts, writing, English for business, managing your time, etc.

The exam is an open book examination of four (4) hours.  You may take in the study guide and additional notes and study aids that you may require. You are also allowed to take in a calculator.

The overall pass mark is 50%, however, you will be required to obtain a subminimum of 40% for each separate component to pass the examination.

The exam comprises are 3 sections: A,B & C:


  • Section A is the knowledge component and has short questions.
  • Section B is a general application to a case study.
  • Section C is also a case study but on the EAAB Code of Conduct, ethics and trust accounts.
The case studies require you to understand and comprehend the case studies, comment on them, answer questions directly associated with the case study as well apply the case study situation to the relevant scenarios they may give you.

Time allocation: 

  1. Section A - 1 1/2 hours
  2. Section B&C - 2 hours
  3. 30 Minutes for reading through the paper and checking answers at the end.
Outline of 5 Modules for PDE Prep:
Module 1: Compliance Aspects
  • Chapter 13 - Apply business principles to the real estate function
  • Chapter 14, section 3 - legal & regulatory environments
  • Chapter 16, section 3 - law and legislation relating to immovable property transactions
  • Chapter 16 section 4 - law and legislation regulating the estate agent and agencies.
Module 2: The Estate Agents' Code of Conduct and Ethics
  • All of the information can be found in Chapter 20 of the real estate study guide. There will be a big question segment on this section. You will also need to understand how the code of conduct this is applied in the real estate environment.
Module 3: The Law and the legislative Environment of Real Estate
  • This module is on the legal aspects of the real estate environment.
  • Chapter 14 section 4 - stakeholders operating in real estate environment
  • Chapter 15 - Financial advisory and intermediary services act (FIAS)
  • Chappter16 section 1 - the principles of contract law and real estate contracts
  • Chapter 16 section 2 - contract specific to real estate transactions
  • Chapter 17 - money laundering legislation as applicable to accountable institutions.
Module 4: Estate Agency Marketing
  • All different aspects of marketing real estate are set out in chapter 19 ( market, sell and lease a property )
Module 5: Real Estate Economics, Finance and Statistical Measurement
  • Chapter 5 section1 - collecting, organising and representing data
  • Chapter 12 - advise roe players on real estate financing options
  • Chapter 14 section1 - demographics
  • Chapter 14 section 2- the overall economic environment affecting real estate
One of the most important items I used and gave to others when prepping them for the exam was the study guide index which was created: PDE Study Guide Index . Print a copy and add to your file to take to the exam.  This will make it easier to navigate the study guide quickly during the exam, especially for Section A. 

Take a glossary of terms as well for definitions and well for you to gain a better understanding of the real estate terminology.  I have a glossary on my page is broken into 2 sections: A-L & M-Z . 

You should also tab your chapters for faster access so after finding the right section in the index you can cut straight to the relevant chapter.

Another thing I advised candidates to do it take in a business plan and marketing plan that you have already created. This will save time should one of these be asked for in the exam. You can just rewrite and make edits to the original where necessary rather than coming up with an entirely new plan and wasting time trying to think up new ideas.  You can use the plans you created for your RPL or NQF L4.

 




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